93The real excitement in studies of the power of the
right brain lies in its suggestion of a neurological basis
for personal transformation. It’s not just motivational
puff or secular evangelism to say that we possess un-
limited creative energy, and we can use it to create the
lives we want.
“In fact,” writes Colin Wilson, “we can learn to live
on a far, far higher level of power. And that is what the
left brain was intended for. Its farsightedness gives it
the ability to summon power. Yet it hardly makes use
of this ability. It could be compared to a man who pos-
sesses a magic machine that will create gold coins so
that he could, if he wanted, pay off the national debt
and abolish poverty. But he is so lazy and stupid that
he never bothers to make more than a couple of coins
every day—just enough to see him through until the
evening...or perhaps he is not lazy: only afraid of emp-
tying the machine. If so, the fear is unnecessary. It is
magical, and cannot be emptied.”
Most people regard their right brain with a sense
of wonder. They think inspiring thoughts “came to them”
out of the blue. “Last night I had the strangest dream!”
they will say, not knowing how much control they re-
ally have over that magical machine.
43. Get your stars out
Terry Hill is a writer who has lived all over the world
and has been a friend of mine since we met each other
in the sixth grade in Birmingham, Michigan. His short
story, “Cafes Are for Handicapping,” features an intrigu-
ing character named Joe Warner who liked to tell sto-
ries about horse racing.
Get your stars out