Blueprint for a super brain

Growing old is a natural process. Children are active, both physically and mentally, and they do better in examinations and IQ tests. This has driven us to the wrong conclusion that adults cannot learn nor do IQ tests because their brains are not functioning properly. New research in this field suggests that your brain does not get old along with your body. If you do not exercise your body, it will lose its strength. Similarly, if you do not exercise your brain, it will begin to decay.

Many elderly people give up their studies thinking that their brains are not fit enough to store new knowledge. This is completely a negative view of the brain's functions. When you learn a new subject, you have to exercise your brain to remember facts, do research and sift what you want from a mass of information. In other words, when an elderly person starts learning something new he takes the first step in the right direction.

Goethe once said, "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." Although these are encouraging words how many elderly people will take them seriously. When you reach old age at 60 you begin to think that everything is over for you. It is not so. This is the time to start a new course of studies. There are many courses to choose from.

Most local universities have clamped an age barrier for their postgraduate courses. The university authorities seem to believe in the myth that old people cannot learn. In comparison, foreign universities encourage elderly people to follow degree and postgraduate courses in many subject areas.

Science tells us that the brain is one of the marvellous creations in the universe with an extremely complex network of minute cells. It helps you to learn a subject and do many other functions. Your brain is such a powerhouse that you yourself do not know its capacity. When you say that Socrates was a brilliant philosopher you simply mean that he used his brain to the maximum.

Another myth is that your brain cells die or fade away when you use them. Naturally, you tend to think that old people have no grey matter in their heads. In fact, we have forgotten the fact that the scene in the brain is quite different. Throughout your life your brain connections keep on changing. New connections replace the old ones. Your brain's neural network does not remain static. It keeps on changing from moment to moment.

Take the case of a paralysis patient. He is unable to use one of his legs and arms. What has happened is that his brain has ceased to function properly as far as those limbs are concerned. In a foreign country a neurosurgeon helped a patient to retain his body and mind. Through rigorous physical exercise and medication the patient was able to move one finger in his paralysed hand. Gradually he was able to lift his arm and leg.

What has to be remembered is that the brain does not age so fast as your body. So, it is within your power to control the brain. However, if you think that this is something impossible, there is nothing we do about it. If you believe that you are the master of your brain, you can do wonders.

Recently a retired person suffered a stroke rendering his left leg and arm lifeless. The neurosurgeon advised him to use a wheel chair or a walking stick to maintain his balance. However, he told the doctor that he would like to walk unaided! The neurologist looked at him in surprise and said, "Then try." The patient tried to walk unaided, with some difficulty at the beginning. However, today he goes about quite freely. Probably his brain had opened up new areas to control his lifeless limbs.

According to another research, those who are mentally active are able to protect their brains. Even if some parts of the brain may decay, such people can compensate for the loss by producing new matter or regrouping the neurons. Another good news is that if you use your brain regularly, you tend to forget less. In fact, Parkinson's disease is rather uncommon among highly intelligent people.

Whether you are intelligent or not, you must stimulate your brain periodically. When there is no stimulation brain cells remain inactive. The best way to stimulate your brain is to do something new. If you are a lecturer in philosophy or biology, learn how to play a musical instrument. In fact physicist Albert Einstein played the violin and the war-time British Prime Minister Winston Churchill painted landscapes.

If you wish to retain your sanity and brain agility, you will have to learn something new every how and then. The more you learn, the more you become a better learner. Learning can be compared to driving. The more you drive the more you become a better driver. What prevents you from learning is inertia ingrained in your system. Sometimes, you come under peer pressure.

They would tell you, "What's the use of learning? There are so many unemployed graduates." These are only puerile arguments. Give them a wide berth.

If you want to learn a new skill and keep your brain active, think in terms of becoming an expert in the field. Sometimes we are amazed at the way some experts exhibit their knowledge. Like magicians they simply surprise us with facts and figures.

Have you ever thought how they became experts? The answer is: through hard work and commitment. You too can be an expert with a little more dedication.

Memory plays a major role in learning. If you cannot remember what you learn, the whole exercise is meaningless. Therefore, while learning a new subject you have to improve your memory power which is unlimited. As Samuel Johnson said, "The true art of memory is the art of attention." If you do not pay attention to your lectures or what you read, then be prepared to face the consequences. I still feel sorry for the man who met me opposite the Fort Railway Station and greeted me in a funny way: "Good morning... but I forget your name!" I worked with him in the same office for several years and we had a cordial relationship. But he had forgotten my name! This is not a stray incident. Many elderly people forget names and telephone numbers. With a little more care they can avert this situation. In the final analysis, old age does not lead to memory loss or brain malfunction.

Everything depends on you. Stay active, exercise your brain and bathe it with new ideas. Read authors such as Bertrand Russell, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Malcolm Muggeridge, Osho and George Orwell who are bound to challenge your age-old ideas. Draw inspiration from Goethe who wrote "Faust" at the age of 82.