Iain McGilchrist on The Divided Brain and Perceiving the Sacred

[@CarolAscot]

I have listened to many Iain McGilchrist interviews over the years and have to say this one revealed more about Iain the man (as opposed to Iain the philosopher/thinker) than pretty much all of the others put together! And Iain seemed very happy to answer questions about his early life and influences, which was wonderful. Thank you for a fascinating interview, Elizabeth.

[@thesacredpodcast]

Thank you for your comment, and glad you enjoyed!

[@elizabetholdfield2124]

So glad you enjoyed it

[@AugustNightingale]

@@elizabetholdfield2124 Fully agree! Thanks so much for doing this the way you did, Elizabeth.

[@jessiemacintosh6627]

Thanks for your valuable podcast, I understood more than I expected.

[@CarrieB22]

Hi Elizabeth Just wanted to comment as I am currently listening to your book "Fully Alive" and also halfway through "The Matter with Things" that I think you were spot on in your comment about the contradiction between exploring or advancing understanding of insights provided by the right hemisphere via applying the left hemisphere. Perhaps it is this that has led to Iain McGilchrist, who has produced largely insightful work, to nevertheless fall into the trap of proclaiming certainty when certainly is out of place. He talks about the value of the experiential while claiming that the science he has depended on is unchallengeable, despite, in the realm of autism research, ignoring research that is experiential i.e. done by autistic researchers into their own condition. Yet he feels able to use (somewhat dated) research done by non-autistic researchers as not only a contributory factor to his overall narrative, but to also make the claim that an autistic person would typically not understand (whatever we are to understand of) the Divine. He does not know this, so why be so certain? It seems he is using his understanding and perception of a category of people to make an assumption.

[@VOCATUS123]

My graduate thesis was on the Sacred (using Jung's psychology), and finding this video is such a breath of fresh air. Thank you

[@alexandresavardo]

As a young adult I feel like the experience that got me closest to what you and Ian were discussing (something that makes us see that there is a "world beyond") was listening to a Brahms recording (Radu Lupu at the piano). A piano teacher had prompted me beforehand (months before actually) to listen for the coloring of the touch of the pianist in the recordings. It was a simple yet extremely potent indication, a proper way to help me balance out a goal- oriented left hemisphere and an imagination-driven right hemisphere. The experience itself, lazily going about it while laying on my bed in a dark room, really is what made me discover this feeling of being in front of an inexhaustible fountain of discovery and deep enjoyment. I later discussed this with another piano teacher, whom had had a lifetime of teaching piano (he was 77 I think back then) and asked him: how do we put more people in contact with something like this ? I'll always remember his answer, which came from a very humble place it seemed: "I think that plunging them in a bath of beauty would help". Yes, beautiful things have the power to grip us and make us see a world beyond. At a more practical level, I think that fostering the collaborations between schools and art institutions is definitely one way we can favor this kind of experience. I think the simple open prompts about what to look out for can be a great helper, on the teachers' side.

[@margueritespringer3687]

Iain is such a kind man

[@healthdoc]

What we think is the result of how we think. Knowing is not understanding, looking is not seeing.. Life must be lived.

[@matthewsheek8306]

Your interview with Paul VanderKlay brought me here. I saw this ‘cast with Iain McGilchrist and new it had to be the first thing to listen to. As a right brain dominant person I found your questions intuitive. You are a wonderful host

[@thesacredpodcast]

Thank you! That is so wonderful to hear, and welcome!

[@cheri238]

An open-hearted discussion, Elizabeth with Dr. Iain McGilchrist. An endearing man he is. What an interesting journey of life he has with his education. The time he was able to have to become the man he is with learning. I place him at genious level, and look what he has given our world with his books that will be handed down for generations. With the deepest appreciation and reverence to hear words so relevant for an awarness understanding and observation of life. Attention is so important. 🙏❤️🌍🕊🎵🎶📚

[@thesacredpodcast]

Thanks for sharing, and glad you enjoyed it!

[@cheri238]

@thesacredpodcast I truly did. Thank you, Elizabeth .

[@unaagnew6623]

I learned from this wonderful interview the following insight . When you stay with something that speaks deeply to you, cherish it in your heart for a while and mark the spot with a stone or a little altar , then you have been on a holiday with your right hemisphere and come back to this left-brain dominated world with a treasure to which you can return again and again and draw life from it. Thank you.

[@wehsee912]

🌚☄️❤️💫

[@CarolAscot]

Wonderful suggestion. Thank you.

[@mikerichter1694]

Elizabeth.. You have a wonderful presence! Ian comes across as a very kind, generous and intelligent man. This broadcast makes we want to check out his books. Thank you!

[@thesacredpodcast]

Really glad you enjoyed it, and definitely recommend his books!

[@shiracohenyoga3492]

Wonderful conversation ! Thank you both so much for your passion and work to embody the Divine and heal the divide

[@MusicaAngela]

I’m so grateful for Iain McGilchrist’s work. It helps me on a daily basis giving me insights into how people are using their brain. I appreciated your reflection at the end of this interview. Although Iain didn’t come from a religious family, the rich spiritual practices at his school, combined with an extraordinary house master, the beauty of the environment and his love of poetry all helped to shape his intuitive side, leading him towards an understanding of the sacred and how real that is. I recently heard former archbishop Rowen Williams say that although he came from a practicing Anglican family, he also had key adults and an environment that enabled healthy formation as a teenager. I would love for you to do a podcast on what are we providing or not providing, for our teenagers to enable them to develop a healthy faith?

[@tommorris8066]

Great conversation. Love hearing from Iain McGilchrist, and I loved the way that you drew out different things from him through his story. I have a dream podcast idea which takes great people and tracks the story of their vocation - how did they find their calling? What was the journey? You did a great job of that here and it was so revealing and refreshing :)

[@thesacredpodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for sharing!

[@JimKanaris]

Thank you for this interview. Like all things McGilchrist, I found it, fortuitously, both informative (LBH) and inspiring (RBH). Your commentary toward the end was also unique in that I don't find podcast hosts doing that sort of thing. Again, much appreciated.

[@thesacredpodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jericosha2842]

Wow this is the best interview with him I've seen. Great questions and you are equally interesting to listen to. Appreciate you sharing.

[@tomgreene1843]

Great to see these conversations on utube.

[@PaulVanderKlay]

Another outstanding interview. Oh my, what amazing work you're doing!

[@thesacredpodcast]

Thank you Paul!

[@elizabetholdfield2124]

Really appreciate that Paul, thank you

[@dalibofurnell]

Totally agree!

[@dalibofurnell]

Ps Paul, have you listened to the one with John ? That was so beautiful ❤ I felt compassion and I realized where I relate to Him and understand him the most. I thought it was so lovely how he honored his mom ❤

[@jeaninerumble6503]

I enjoyed this interview very much. Refreshing depth in exploring the views of such a sincere guest. As an American that had an opportunity to tour the Winchester School, I felt that Dr. McGilchrist is a good example of the rich depth of learning that the school represented.

[@ChrisOgunlowo]

Brilliant and beautiful. I've watched a lot of Iain's conversations. This allows us a glimpse into his private life. With such encounters with brilliant minds and the early conditions that prepared him for a life devoted to the brain - and the divine, no wonder he turned into one of the most cultured, humble and clear-headed humans alive. Thanks for bringing that out. New fan here 😊

[@thesacredpodcast]

Thanks so much! Really glad you enjoyed the episode ☺️

[@kamiltrzebiatowski9331]

I have come to your channel here through Dr McGilchrist's work. He's been the most influential (on me) person I've come across. Although not religious, I'm very spiritual, particularly when it comes to nature and my very long distance solitary hikes. If there is God or any kind of deity, it must live in the trees, burns and in the moorlands, I think, as these are all sacred. I will look at more of your content. Most who seriously speak of the sacred, and don’t reject it for materialism, has my attention.

[@Strictlyinblackandwhite]

What an interesting conversation. Very enlightening. Thank you.

[@thesacredpodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it! Lots of people who enjoyed this episode also found our episode with John Vervaeke to be of interest. Do go check it out if of interest!

[@mckennasweda3614]

This video was lovely. Im going to rewatch it probably several times. As someone who supposedly has schizophrenic symptoms and whose view of reality has shifted this was a great explanation of how the hemispheres could affect viewpoints and pattern recognition. I believe everything is predetermined and our thoughts, imagination and perceptions are not immune. Which oddly feels very spiritual to me.

[@jml2683]

Beautiful interview.

[@cyrusready-campbell1874]

Really excellent interview, @thesacredpodcast. Thank you so much for your efforts.

[@thesacredpodcast]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jml2683]

Beautiful conversation. Thank you.

[@pennyfrance8312]

Great discussion, thank you.

[@MikeFuller-ok6ok]

I am of 'Mildly Gifted' intelligence level but I just couldn't function well at Secondary School and so was put in remedial sets.

[@macoeur1122]

Regarding the statement at 16:43... Some of us admire those who DON'T have that certainty.... and I would be one of those people.

[@KenStubbs1]

Fantastic, thank you!

[@sherrilawrence662]

First time listening, great job, loved it ❤

[@thesacredpodcast]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it ☺️

[@margueritespringer3687]

Thank you

[@gaylemurray2855]

I enjoyed this interview greatly! It helped to show the person behind the public face. We all have a story. I see why this interview had so many views. Not bad for an old-white guy (in his words). It's pitiful, but true, that in today's culture that is a somewhat disqualifying characteristic. Anyway, good job...loved it. Thank you.

[@thesacredpodcast]

Really glad you enjoyed the episode! Lots of people who’ve enjoyed this conversation also liked our episode with John Vervaeke - perhaps worth checking out!

[@gazzthompson]

Fantastic

[@betterdaysahead3746]

Wonderful discussion. Thank you. Are you familiar with Jonathan Pageau? I think you might enjoy talking with him. God bless.

[@thesacredpodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it! And we are indeed familiar. We we're actually able to talk to him last year, he was a great guest. You can listen to the episode here. Let us know what you think! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHrYgKKje6ydbqs

[@betterdaysahead3746]

@@thesacredpodcast wonderful! Thank you!

[@geoffreynhill2833]

Many years ago I enrolled for Psychology at a Russell University only to find Jung, Freud et al. summarily dismissed in favour of testing hand /wrist reflexes under a number of control conditions. This went on for several weeks until something called Chi Square was applied to the stats. I'm sure the results were helpful to the local industry that supported the Department but I eventually changed to Sociology & Eng Lit in my spare time.🤔 (Green Fire UK) 🌈🦉 PS: As for supernatural experiences, I think they come as they will, regardless of whether or not you've read William James, perhaps just when you need them.

[@theostapel]

While the brain - (l and r ) - plays its part - Raja Yogic meditation - also centralises - on the human heart - which is proven - to be the instrument -for deepest revelation - as it is there - that Divinity - in the nuclear form - at the core - has Its Presence. That is for humans - and that is a whole method/theory and practice - on its own - for those involved - in the mystical quest - in so many cultures. Revelations in the heart - mind sees - and orders - this experience (words etc) - and heart's will - guides - action ... May it be so. Fare thee well.

[@wehsee912]

1:06:47 why I decided to take the leap and study at quantum!

[@GordonSymons-BEYOND]

Yes, categorising people, including ourselves, is the road best not travelled. But we are given no helpful education on who we really are, our True Self, our spiritual centre.

[@Meejateacher]

I reach out across time and space with this comment. Hello

[@wehsee912]

24:24 problem with entire educational system..

[@wehsee912]

1:02:21 meditation at sea

[@CarrieB22]

Just wondering what has happened to my comment regarding Dr McGilchrist's characterisations of autism?

[@simex909]

Your comment is still there. You posted it as a reply to the top comment. Perhaps you meant to post it as a stand-alone comment and that's why you can't find it?

[@j.douglasraines7279]

Hello, Ms. Oldfield! (any relation to Mike, of "Tubular Bells"? ) I really enjoyed your podcast with Dr. Gilchrist and I highly value the feminine perspective, or maybe, approach you can facilitate. Your intrigue juvenates my thoughts more fully? May I make a small suggestion, as a professional camera person, to maintain the 'proper headroom' in your camera framing? I shouldnt be offering such petty, unsolicited advice which is most often rude. But in your intro and extro of Gilchrist, I cant help but thinking I should reach in and rescue your pretty head from slipping out the bottom of the frame! I am so sorry! (Any cinematographer's site on proper framing could be found helpful.) I thank you, with kindness, for sharing your wisdom with the world! Cheers!

[@thesacredpodcast]

Thanks for sharing, and for the suggestion! Since filming this episode we have been doing some work to get our visuals up to scratch, and still aiming to improve further. Very much appreciate your support!

[@j.douglasraines7279]

You are very kind. Big fan of kindness here. Love and peace.@@thesacredpodcast

[@lynnmccreadie9631]

💜

[@wehsee912]

26:48 at 37

[@SacraTessan]

❤

[@lkae4]

I've yet to see any evidence that empathy exists. I've seen much evidence that those who claim empathy care very little for the emotions and well-being of others.

[@RobDCoons]

... communicating the importance of right hemispheric forms of attention in left hemispheric ways ... The left hemisphere method is to take a shred of evidence, perform logical operations, and construct a giant castle in the sky. What Dr. McGilchrist does is to present a huge pile of evidence from which shreds of truth may be distilled.

[@paulcouillard4993]

Iain mcgilchrist seems to place the brains of anyone who doesn't see things his way in a box marked "defective."

[@kateknowles8055]

Surprised you commented. What would a psychiatrist be without some idea of defects? For any writer to write at all requires some viewpoint. I would not spend much time to argue that my thinking has defects or not. I take other view points as open questions.