Published in May 2008 by Viking, honored as New York Times Bestseller, “My stroke of insight” described a brain scientist’s personal journey during the aftermath of a stroke. Jill Bolte Taylor, was a 37-year-old Harvard-trained and published brain scientist when a blood vessel exploded in her brain. Through the eyes of a curious neuroanatomist, she watched her mind completely deteriorate whereby she could not walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life. Because of her understanding of how the brain works, her respect for the cells composing her human form, and an amazing mother, Jill could completely recover her mind, brain and body.

What is even more interesting than her explanations of the science of stroke is her description of the unique functions of the left and right halves of the brain and how her left-brain insult led to a spiritual awakening. As what is noted on her website: “In the absence of her left brain’s neural circuitry, her consciousness shifted into present moment thinking whereby she experienced herself ‘at one with the universe.

One of the readers said that Taylor’s book has accomplished quite a few important things in a fairly short space. It tells a fascinating story that begins with how she orchestrated her rescue that morning even as “my earthly body dissolved and I melted into the universe,” and proceeds through brain surgery and eight years of slow recovery of her left-brain functions (for instance, she had to learn to read all over again, beginning with the preschool-level “The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy”); it bursts with hope for everyone who is brain-injured (not just stroke patients but accident victims as well); and it gives medical practitioners clear, no-nonsense information about the shortcomings of conventional treatment and attitudes toward the brain-injured: “I needed people to come close and not be afraid of me”.

What ever your situation is, you owe it to yourself to watch this 18-minute long video and let her inspire you personally, just enter this address in your internet explorer: Jill Bolte Taylor’s Powerful stroke of insight; or you can purchase the book directly on Amazon. What is more, a discussion forum has been set up on mystrokeofinsight.com.

Sources:
TED
Dr Jill Taylor