The term 'ambidexterity' is basically being adept in the use of both right and left hand. Michelangelo, Leonardo Vinci, Einstein, Fleming, Harry Truman, etc., were all ambidextrous. In modern times, you will find many, who were originally left-handed but in the course of their childhood, were drilled to acquire right-handed habits (at school or home) and thus became ambidextrous.

Using the same analogy, we could say we are being ambidextrous when we are multi-tasking - talking over the phone, writing down information, watching TV and so on. The difference is that instead of our hands, we are using both our right and left hemispheres to successfully juggle our tasks. You may have heard some people referred as 'right-brained' or 'left-brained'. In essence it means that the person displays more 'right' or 'left' oriented skills, although we are all the time integrating both hemispheres in our daily activities.

'Right' brain qualities involve imagination, risk taking, artistic abilities, highly philosophical, creative, etc. 'Left' brain people, on the other hand, are practical, conformist, seek order, have good comprehension skills, etc. Thus 'right-brain' people are said to think subjectively, holistically and have strong intuition, while 'left-brain' people tend to be more logical, analytical and highly rational.

We find some people are more adept at certain kind of thought patterns than others. Notwithstanding the fact that we inherit certain mental traits and capacities, it is how we use our mind that determines our mental prowess. As children we are innately right-brained, revealing great creativity, imagination, spontaneity, open-mindedness and enthusiasm but ironically, as we grow, social, cultural and racial influences constrain these natural traits.

Ambidextrous mind or whole brain thinking optimizes our brainpower and injects a heightened level of awareness. To nurture an ambidextrous mindset, we can work on right-brain learning activities by including patterning, metaphors, analogies, role-playing, visuals, and movement into reading, calculation, and analytical activities. Concentrated effort to involve in left and right brain activities, human consciousness studies, reflective thinking and meditation are excellent means to develop ambidexterity of the mind.

One easy technique that helps in such whole-brain thinking process is Mind Mapping. It helps the mind in diffusion of thought and paves way for streaming line of thoughts and associations. Association essentially is finding the links in logic and ideas, and when these are explored in full, it leads to insight, imagination and creativity.

Colors, pictures, symbols, etc., are valuable aids that strengthen vividness, clarity of perception and easy dissemination. Mindmapping technique employs all these subtle aspects of the brain, thus lending it power and dynamism. When mindmap technique is used for learning, it undoubtedly becomes a highly effective and powerful way of gaining knowledge. It is the best means for developing an ambidextrous or whole brain thinking ability.

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