Cerebral Integration
   Date :19-Jan-2025

Cerebral Integration
 
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.
 

BHUSHAN KUMAR UPADHYAYAs 
(The writer is Former DG Police & CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra) ■