The language of the mind

Prof Tony Buzan says the human mind thinks with images, not words

KARACHI: What comes to your head when you think of a banana? It is an image, not words, right? Thinking with the help of images is human language, says Professor Tony Buzan, an English author and inventor of a thinking technique, called ‘Mind Mapping’.

“Mind Map is a powerful graphic technique that holds the key to unlock the hidden potential of the brain,” he explained. The professor was delivering a talk at the Oxford University Press head office on Monday evening. He kept the lecture interactive by engaging the audience in simple, yet interesting, exercises to make his points clear.



Buzan asked the audience what their immediate association with the word ‘banana’ was. He asked the audience to close their eyes for a few seconds. The latter collectively responded with the image and colour of the banana, thus proving the professor’s point that thinking with images was our first language, not Urdu or English.

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Dream big

He started off his lecture by asking the audience about the importance of daydreaming. He asked the audience whether they had daydreamt in school life or not? “A person who daydreams, converts it into actions as without daydreaming, the future stops,” he reasoned. It is a pity that daydreaming in schools is considered bad globally, he added. He then spoke about the concept of metacognition, which he explained as ‘thinking about thinking’. World-renowned intellectuals the likes of Einstein have always advised people to use their imagination, said Prof Buzan.

Let creativity flow

Speaking about the importance of creativity, he said that a study conducted by psychologists suggested that kindergarten students used 95 per cent of their creative skills, primary school students 80per cent, senior school students 50 per cent and university students 25 per cent. “Creativity is declining and it is a matter of serious concern. Therefore, publishing is facing a difficult time,” he said. “Normal is not natural but natural is creativity. Everyone should know how to use the brain,” he said.

A colourful world

How does one use the brain, he asked? He answered his own question by discussing the importance of colour in one’s life. “Colours activate your mind and increase creativity while using a single colour leads to boredom and monotony,” he said, adding that when we are bored, the brain shuts down. It does not matter which part of the world we live in. We all know about colours because they help us focus, organise and give us stimulation. “The brain loves colours,” he stressed.

For Prof Buzan, it is very important to tell and listen to stories. He shared a story of his childhood days when he and his friend, Barry, developed an interest in nature. Barry was fond of birds and could tell if a blackbird was on the horizon or a thrush. Teachers in their school didn’t realise his potential because of the school system, he recalled sadly.

Applying the technique

Mind maps can be applied to every aspect of life where improved learning and clearer thinking will enhance human performance, he said. Buzan reasoned that mind maps can make life more productive and successful at every level when used on a daily basis.

Managing director, Oxford University Press, Ameena Saiyid said that the talk is part of their ongoing efforts to promote literary and cultural events in the country. Brain Trust (UK) Pakistan Chapter president, Ahmed Ali Khan, and former Sindh Police IG, Niaz Ahmed Siddiki, also spoke at the event.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2015.