Right Brain, Left Brain test – very cool

A friend sent this to me and it’s just so cool. When you click to enlarge this photo, you’ll see the woman spinning either clockwise or counterclockwise. It’s said that if she’s spinning clockwise, you’re using your right (creative) brain, and if you’re seeing her spin counterclockwise, you’re using your left (logical) brain.

If you look at it together with a friend, you may both be seeing her spin in opposite directions.

Most people have a distinct preference for one side of the brain over the other. (Those of us who are musicians and artists tend to use our right brain more than our left.) In the modern culture, most people tend to use their left brain more than their right.

Some people, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes. Albert Einstein is said to have had much more connections between the two sides of his brain, thus allowing him greater creativity and more efficient holistic thought. These connections can be developed with practice.

But here’s the coolest part: you can make the image of the woman spin either way by changing the part of your brain that’s being used.

This is why I find this image so very wonderful – you can play with it to get more control over your brain’s activity… potentially better integrating both sides. Integration can lead to more creative thinking, more internal harmony, more access to intelligent solutions… and who knows where that can take us? 🙂 At the very least, it’s really fun.

I found that I tend to see her spin clockwise, but by doing just a little mathematics in my head (simple addition or subtraction) I can make her spin counterclockwise. Then just replaying a lyric I’ve recently written switches her back. Other people use breathing techniques.

Play with it and watch her switch directions!