Brain Bulletin: Because That is How You See Yourself

Oct 22, 2013 2 Min Read
This is an image produced in our brain when we think of tomatoes. Words are not formed in our brain.
Your Brain Thinks in Pictures, Not Words

You don’t perceive reality as it really is. You perceive reality as it is constructed by your own mind. Henri-Louis Bergson stated, “The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” He was right. Your brain thinks in pictures, not words. Close your eyes for a moment and think of a tomato. Notice that you saw a picture of a “tomato”. It was probably red. You didn’t see the letters “t-o-m-a-t-o” floating nowhere in space.

This picture was created in the occipital lobe of your brain. Metaphorically, we call this “the mind’s eye.” These pictures in your mind’s eye are a big deal. Scientists, for years, have speculated that the act of seeing things in your mind’s eye uses the same brain circuits that you use when seeing things with your physical eyes. Brain scans now show this to be true. The mind’s eye really does exist and it shapes your version of reality.

Your brain engages with your environment by connecting incoming stimuli with what is already stored in your brain. Most likely the dominant picture. You check your Facebook pictures, the family album…when was the last time you mindfully checked the pictures in your brain? It is difficult to overstate the importance of this. Napoleon Hill once said, “You become what you think about.” This is a powerful thought. Your brain is a thought producing machine. Thoughts are real forces. Thoughts produce pictures in your brain.

These pictures are more powerful than you suspect. Any picture that is held in the mind’s eye is a force that will eventually produce an effect. And remember, thoughts that are emotionalised become magnetised. They attract similar thoughts. Albert Einstein said, “Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” You will always remain where you are unless you change your picture.

By changing the picture in your mind’s eye you begin to change your reality. Put the exact pictures you want in your brain. Once or twice won’t do it. Put them there over and over again. Then watch things change. Congratulations on learning something about your brain today. The Brain Bulletin is committed to help to do just that.

Always remember:“You are a genius!” Enjoy your brain.

This article was first published on terrysmall.com

Share This

Personal

Tags: Brain Bulletin

Alt
Terry Small is a brain expert who resides in Canada and believes that anyone can learn how to learn easier, better, and faster; and that learning to learn is the most important skill a person can acquire.

You May Also Like

AI

Will Artificial Intelligence Kill Us All?

By Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries. The paradox of Artificial Intelligence: from fear and confusion to its positive impact on society, uncover why humans view AI as the new bogeyman.

Aug 22, 2024 6 Min Read

A close up of an owl's face (curiousity)

Being Utterly Curious, And Nurture It Throughout Life

Eva Christodoulou, Head of Solutions and Services (Budaya) at Leaderonomics Digital, shares about the importance of curiosity in one’s leadership journey, and how to go about developing it over the years.

Dec 03, 2018 17 Min Podcast

Alt

How to Be So Productive That It Makes You Dangerous

We're all drowning in the 'hustle culture,' mistaking activity for achievement. I’m here to tell you: 'busyness' is a lie. As someone who's navigated the corporate maze of GE and J&J, I’ve learned that "busyness" is the enemy of real results. In this article, we share 3 game-changing secrets (inspired by a brilliant video by Justin) to becoming 'dangerously productive.' It's time to escape the 'Obvious Target Trap,' embrace the 'Performance Paradox,' and finally learn why doing less is the real secret to achieving more.

Oct 27, 2025 28:30 Min Video

Be a Leader's Digest Reader