In considering the historical progression of humanity, most would agree that we have moved from a state of relative unconsciousness to that of heightened consciousness. The Biblical account of the Fall depicts this very notion, as Adam and Eve suddenly became aware of their nakedness, a fact which, to that point, had remained unconscious.
In many respects, the advent of agriculture and with it, more complex societies, demanded an increase in consciousness. Agrarian life required that much more be made explicit (i.e., “conscious”) than was true for hunter-gatherer communities. To maximize crop yields, for instance, extensive instruction in optimal horticultural practices was required. Agriculture was also more time and labor intensive, involving greater regimentation and attention to time. Psychologically speaking, agrarianism can be associated with increasing demands on the left side of the brain, which is commonly summarized as the “analytic hemisphere.”
Morality also became more explicit and regimented in the march of human history, as evidenced in the life and laws of the ancient Hebrews. Of course, such extensive systems of laws and rules would not go unchallenged, as prophets like Jesus countered with more spiritual or intuitive (i.e., “right-brained”) approaches.
Similar trends can be witnessed in medicine, shifting from a near exclusive reliance on intuitive, faith-based healing practices (e.g., Shamanism) to what is now a predominantly technologic, systematic, left-brained approach.
Consciousness vs. Unconsciousness, Left vs. Right Brain: Which is Best?
In light of the above, we see how humanity has moved toward greater consciousness and heightened use of the left side of the brain. While we often assume that this sort of progression is “good,” it is worth considering whether human life is actually better now than it used be. We might also consider the question of which is actually more intelligent, our conscious vs. unconscious mind, the left vs. right brain.
With regard to human psychology, conventional wisdom seems to endorse working toward increased consciousness. It suggests we apply left-brained methods to delineate things about ourselves that might otherwise remain implicit or unconscious. Consider, for example, our use of Myers-Briggs typology. We analyze ourselves in order to determine our personality type and then study the details of our type to reveal otherwise hidden psychological structures and behavioral propensities. With this knowledge in hand, we become more conscious of our natural strengths and weaknesses, which can presumably help us live better lives.
On the flip side, there is evidence to suggest that what we might call “deep healing” occurs when we turn off our conscious brains, drop our inhibitions, and allow our subconscious mind (and body) to take over. This, after all, has been the basic premise of human healing practices—Shamanism, faith healing, Eastern medicine, etc.—for millennia. Unfortunately, we moderns have lost touch with our bodies and instincts. We have forgotten how to listen to our bodies. So when it comes to matters of health and wellness, one could argue that we have swung too far in the direction of the left-brain. Things like creativity, outstanding sports performance (e.g., “being in the zone”), and emotional intelligence can also be associated with effective use of the right side of the brain.
Therefore, instead of taking an either-or approach to this topic, we will likely be better served by a more nuanced approach. Rather than making blanket statements about which side of the brain is smarter, a better question might involve considering which situations or problems are best served by certain types of intelligences. This includes a consideration of which personality types might be best suited for a particular task or career.
In the end, what we are really seeking, both individually and collectively, is a place of balance between our conscious and unconscious mind, our left brain and right brain. Modern life demands that we employ our left brain on a regular basis, perhaps more than we prefer. However, we can also choose to explore and develop our right-brained faculties through activities like Yoga, meditation, art, music, athletics, dance, etc. Such activities can help us experience greater balance, variety, and vitality.
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