Memories – such fleeting things sometimes. And yet, other memories seem to last and last – flush with details. Researchers at Duke University led by neuroscientist Roberto Cabeza, Ph.D. have discovered that information retrieved from memory is simultaneously processed in two specific regions of the brain, each of which focuses on a different aspect of a past event. The medial temporal lobe (MTL), located at the base of the brain, focuses on specific facts about the event. The frontal parietal network (FPN), located at the top of the brain, is more likely to process the global gist of the event.

What does this mean for us "ordinary folks?"

It's back to the eyes. When you move your eyes, you tend to focus attention in your brain in an opposite direction. For example, when you look to the left, you tend to activate right hemisphere areas of your brain; when you look up, you tend to focus attention on lower brain areas, etc. It is as though you have a line-of-sight fulcrum inside your head with the fulcrum center-point in the very center of your brain (at eye level, of course). When you swing your gaze to the left, the other end of the fulcrum swings right, etc.

Consider this process to fully recall a memory:

First, look down, activating the FPN to get the gist of the memory. Cast your eyes side to side while looking downward to gain further information from the cerebral hemispheres associated with the FPN. When you feel ready to recall the details of that memory, swing your eyes upward and side-to-side. The upward gaze will tend to activate the MTL portion of your brain while the side-to-side action will tend to activate right and left hemispheres associated with the MTL.

Now, one more thing…

When you access a brain region, it wants something to DO. I recommend that you consider blinking – it's a simple and easy thing to do that creates huge fluctuations in light (from all to nothing and back). What you'll probably find is that by looking up and blinking, you'll activate the details-oriented MTL – and you'll stop blinking automatically as the details of a memory come to mind. Same goes for the FPN. And my guess is that if someone were to be looking at your eyes while you do this, they'd see small but perceptible jumps in the size of your pupils as memory gist and details come to mind.

Perhaps someday some curious scientist will seek to investigate my theory that one can consciously access memory aspects better with eye movement and blinking. Rapid Eye Technicians and their clients are already aware of the connection between eye movement, blinking, and memory – and the discharge of emotional energy tied up in certain types of memories.

Although some consider Rapid Eye Technology to be a spiritual process, the movement and blinking of the eyes is a physical aspect of a psychological process of memory that can be personally experienced by anyone – and when done in a controlled fashion can enhance memory while separating memories from their emotional charge. Further, the basic processes and techniques of Rapid Eye Technology take advantage of the connection between physical, emotional, and mental aspects of memory.