Celebrating the power of the mind

An old adage says whatever your mind can conceive and believe, you can achieve. One popular myth also contends that humans only use 10 percent of their brain, but neurologists and neuropsychologists continue to challenge this belief. However, most agree that the untapped areas of the brain, when harnessed, can be a vast repository of brilliant ideas.

 

Child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Angela Halili-Jao says many of us still do not realize the mind’s limitless potential. “The mind is so powerful,” she said. “It makes you think and plan for a successful future.” Research shows that neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to continuously create new neural pathways, is the reason behind the power of the mind. “When we repeat a skill that we are trying to master, we strengthen the neural networks that represent that action,” Dr. Jao said.

 

Science shows that the power of the mind plays an important role in achieving success. Bruna Martinuzzi, an expert on the subject of leadership, also acknowledged how the mind can define one’s path to success. In the article The Power Of The Mind: How To Train Yourself To Be More Successful, she writes: “In a Harvard University study, two groups of volunteers were presented with a piece of unfamiliar piano music. One group received the music and a keyboard, and was told to practice. The other group was instructed to just read the music and imagine playing it. When their brain activity was examined, both groups showed expansion in their motor cortex, even though the second group had never touched a

keyboard.”

 

Developing mastery over the mind allows one to maximize the potential for accomplishing great things. Dr. Jao adds that learning through reading “feeds the mind to the individual’s advantage. Continued stimulation through reading will sharpen the mind’s cognitive functioning.”

 

Filipinos will have a rare chance to witness the power of the mind in the play Mind’s Eye, which will be staged on November 9 and 10 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

 

Mind’s Eye stars seasoned thespians Joy Virata and Jenny Jamora, who will essay the roles of Elva and Courtney. These characters use their imagination to free themselves from the four corners of their nursing home. Their creative minds will bring them to some of the world’s greatest museums, art galleries, and architectural monuments.

 

"The moment I read Mind's Eye by Paul Fleischman, I knew it had to be staged. I loved the strong characters, the sometimes serious and sometimes funny dialogue, and its intriguing plot,” said Virata. “It talks of the importance of reading, of literature and art, and of imagination.”

 

Helmed by veteran stage director Jaime del Mundo and written by award-winning children’s book author Paul Fleischman, the novel received an American Library Association (ALA) award for Best Books for Young Adults.

 

Mind’s Eye imparts lessons on how to further enhance one’s mental skill or power through literature, poetry, and the arts. By developing this skill, Elva and Courtney both overcome their physical limitations. Red Concepcion, Caisa Borromeo, Naths Everett and Naty Crame Rogers join the powerhouse cast.

 

A celebration of the mind and spirit, Mind’s Eye is presented by C. Virata Advisory and Gillian Joyce Virata and supported by Repertory Philippines Foundation, Inc., Arts in the City, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, Jinggo Montenejo, and TeamAsia.

 

Book your tickets now at mindseyeplay.eventbrite.com or call Elaine Coloma at 0905-4392027 or (02) 928-7419. For more information on the play, visit its Facebook page or follow twitter.com/MindsEyePlay_PH on Twitter. Press release and photo from TeamAsia