The Power of Your Other Hand: A Course in Channeling the Inner Wisdom of the Right Brain

by Lucia Capacchione

Includes exercises and experiments to tap the creative and intuitive potential of the non-dominant hand.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Spirituality, Writing

180 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally wouldn't read a book like this because I generally head straight to the fiction section of all bookstores. However, I was on a recent trip when I walked into a lovely little shop & met a delightful woman & spent a couple of hours talking to her. After visiting several different topics of conversation, I discovered she had written a few books & promptly bought several, not only to support her (having found her a lovely lady) but also because I found the topics she wrote about fascinating. In our conversation we spoke about art & the impact it had in both our lives & about literature & all things artistic. I've always felt that with a bit of art, in any form, our lives can be better, freer, with more possibility & less fear of the unknown. Creativity is good for the mind & soul, it gives purpose & feeling to life which can otherwise be a bit dull & lacking, or downright disappointing & confusing. Lucia touches on this in her works; she believes in the good of journaling & collage making & has a lot to say about going after your dreams without fear. In this book she talks about using your less dominant hand to draw or doodle & how that can lead to unexpected things coming out of your subconscious. Funnily enough, when I was in high school I remember being bored out of my mind & doing just that, doodling & writing with my left hand (I'm right handed) to see how well I could do it. I did it often enough that I actually got quite good but maybe it was also good for me. Lucia had a lot to say about this to me when I met her & in her book she goes into detail about what you can do if you try & really want it. If nothing else, it's a very positive & good view to have about life.

[Idiosyncratic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a very strange experience in relation to this book. The story is a bit round-about, however. I did a fair amount of art when I was a child, but it was very discouraged by my family. As an adult, I have tried to continue learning how to draw on several occasions, but never got very far. Recently, I tried again and was using Betty Edward's book, "Drawing On The Artist Within"; that book recommends writing with your left hand. I tried it and found I not only liked it, but that I harboured a hitherto unknown hatred for my right hand. I realized that the only way I would learn to draw without it being a horrible, agonizing process would be to draw with my left hand, which I seem to have much more sympathy for and patience with. ANYWAY, having discovered that, I then recently noticed that, on my bookshelves, there sat "The Power of Your Other Hand". Apparently, I bought this book 20 years ago and never read it. Talk about synchronicity...guess I really WAS meant to read this book. (Having now actually read it, I can say that it wasn't as much of a revelation as I hoped, in that much of the book turned out to be on familiar concepts - but there are people to whom it will all be new and,hence,an amazing discovery.)

[Pepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking and perfect! The exercises are wonderfully helpful. I have shed so many tears as I rediscover my left-handedness that was stolen from me in kindergarten. I have felt incomplete my entire life because of it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me rediscover my true self!

[Castles · Rating 2 out of 5]

After a really good experience with the left hemisphere theory of Berry Edwards when it comes to art and drawing, I was naturally curious to read this book and see how it applies to other fields and to psychology.

While some of her points are very interesting, I’ve found myself not very comfortable reading some of the exercises in this book, mostly because of their dualistic nature. Some, in my point of view, could plausibly be harmful. the author is very influenced by C.G Jung which is wonderful and inspiring, but to bring it back to my criticism, I can think of at least one or two major Jungian followers who would probably strongly advise against some of the exercises here.

[Jeane Watier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal! Journaling has taken on a whole new dimension!

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out really well, describing how writing with your left hand can improve creativity and help you to access repressed emotions. However the further along it got the more ‘woo woo’ the book became with the author insisting that you you can access multiple personalities through your left hand as though everyone were schizophrenic. Towards the end she actually put forth the theory that God lives inside you and you can converse with him through your left hand, literally. I’m sorry but I found the second half of the book to be complete bunkum!

[Iryna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can believe that writing with a non-dominant hand can help you develop some hidden abilities but I can't see how through my left hand I can speak with multiple identities within me and even parts of my body. It's still the same brain that dictates to either hand. I did the exercises but nothing happened. But I will try use my left hand more often.

[Suzette Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book literally changed the course of my life.
The author taught me to access my inner child through the non-dominant hand--and I made an amazing discovery.

[Maha Ishtiaq · Rating 4 out of 5]

About time human mind shaping can be mapped and traced to its wiring for better insight and development of personality types, unique set of abilities, and skills.

The roots of this are traced to the utility of hemispheres, and can only be imagined how criminal it has been to expect a left-handed child to interpret data and information the same as a right-handed one. This prejudice permeates even deeper into the generalized schooling systems that strip students and educators alike in a controlled and curbed fashion.

Demonstration of comprehension and awareness of surroundings, art and linguistics abilities, creativity, and aptitude all would be enhanced if the non-dominant hand is let's say empowered. Conversations and dialogues are more empathetic and emotionally evolved. Subpersonalities are uncovered and in the long run, a clearer career course can be defined. This initial step can build a tremendous momentum that not only helps in thoughtful parenting but also conscientious educational mentoring.

Although this book is for right-handers who were either switched from left hand to right or were born right-handed, it goes on to encourage everyone to make the most of both cerebral hemispheres for their inner child healing, amusement, awe, and surprise.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did my thesis on the positive effects bilateral writing has on helping an individual remove negative self-talk. I love all of Lucia Capacchione's books. Very helpful, powerful, and user friendly

[Max Smirnoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Best to be read after Embracing Yourself and Games People Play.

[Marie E. Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is intriguing. I'm am just starting to experiment with this process. I did something like this for my final paper in Psychology when I studied John Bradshaw and had conversations with my "inner child." Again, it is working with the right/left brain and non dominate hand in drawing and in conversing with oneself. Tricky. I was unable to engaged my "other brain." I think it may be brain-dead. It needs resurrection.

[Haze · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be reviewed again.