By DR BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYA :
C
erebral integration is one of
the core concepts of neuroscience. It is the state of the
brain when the different parts of
the brain work optimally with
coordination and equilibrium.
According to the lateralisation
theory of the brain, the brain has
two hemispheres, left and right.
The left hemisphere is associated
with the logical and mathematical abilities of the brain.
The right part of the brain is
poetic and emotional. The right
part of the body is controlled by
the left brain and the left part is
controlled by the right part of the
brain. Both parts of the brain are
connected with each other
through corpus callosum.
Integration of both the hemispheres of the brain leads to balancing thoughts and feelings.The
theory of emotional intelligence
is also based upon the concept of
the balance between intelligence
and emotions. The brain is at its
best when the limbic system and
cerebral cortex work in
unison.
This is the best operational state of the brain.
Integrated brain function ensures
improved learning, better communication, sustainable memory
,robust adaptability capacities.
Research has found that
resilience is the product of cerebral integration. Resilience is the
ability to hold ground even in the
case of adverse situations and
stress. Studies have found that
stress and trauma are responsible
for the disconnection of the
brain. Disconnected brain is not
able to work efficiently.
It is always in a state of fight,
flight or freeze. So creativity is
very low. This disconnected state
of the brain has a very bad
impact upon physical and mental
health. Dr Daniel Siegel, a noted
clinical professor of psychiatry of
America has done pioneer
research in the field. He has
found that athletes and long
period meditators have better
brain integration. In his extensive
research he has found that meditation and breath awareness are
the best tools to achieve cerebral
integration.
Awareness generated through meditation and mindfulness ensures a very effective
and robust network of brain connections. He has also found that
relationship, compassion and
gratitude help in building better
brain connectivity. Breath awareness and meditation are the two
important components of Yoga.
Pranayama and Dhyana as they
are called in the Yogic texts have
been described as the great tools
to calm down the mind.
Swara yoga is a very important
branch of Yoga. It deals with the
flow of breath. According to the
science of breath or Swara Yoga,
there are seventy two thousand
Nadis or energy channels in our
body.
Out of them three are the
most prominent, Ida, Pingala and
Sushumna. Ida is the breath
which flows through the left nostril. Pingala is the breath which
flows through the right nostril.
Sushumna is a balanced state
when both the left and right nostril breath is balanced and stabilised.
When Sushumna is active, one
is in a heightened state of tranquility and peace. This is the
most creative state of human
consciousness. This state of consciousness described in the Yogic
texts is very akin to the concept
of cerebral integration envisioned in neuroscience.
(The writer is Former DG
Police & CG, Homeguards,
Maharashtra) ■