Upward Facing Dog

Watch this video below. Neuroanatomist, Jill Bolte Taylor, describes her experience of having a massive stroke and as a scientist was able to vividly describe the differences between the left and right brain. Her descriptions are hauntingly similar to two schools of yogic philosophy: dualism (a la Pantanjali philosophy) versus non-dualism (a la Tantra yoga philosophy). Pantanjali’s dualistic philosophy focuses on separating the pure awareness from this world, black versus white, while Tantric yoga philosophy views every single being and thing connected as one.  (If it takes too long to load, click here.)

Although Ms. Taylor makes no mention of any philosophy, her descriptions seem like they were written directly from some of our greatest philosophers. It makes you wonder if either dualism or non-dualism philosophies are not independently right or wrong, but perhaps, each exists as true and not necessarily as an either/or approach to living.