FitMind: Neuroscience, Meditation & Mental Fitness Training
FitMind: Neuroscience, Meditation & Mental Fitness Training
#103: The Divided Brain, Attention & Meaning - Iain McGilchrist
#103: The Divided Brain, Attention & Meaning - Iain McGilchrist
#103: The Divided Brain, Attention & Meaning - Iain McGilchrist
Tuesday 17th June 2025
Dr. Iain McGilchrist discusses the divided brain's impact on perception and consciousness, exploring mindfulness and the moral dimensions of attention.
108 minutes
informative
insightful
hopeful
thought-provoking
reflective
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FitMind: Neuroscience, Meditation & Mental Fitness Training
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Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindful Recovery
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Entrepreneurship for Personal Growth
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Get the buttons here!Exploring the Divided Brain with Iain McGilchrist
Episode Overview
- The brain's hemispheres shape perception and consciousness.
- Mindfulness is influenced by the right hemisphere.
- Attention can shape reality and has moral implications.
- Walking supports fluid thinking and mental balance.
- Insights from neuroscience and ancient wisdom.
"Attention itself is a moral act, literally shaping the world we experience."
In this episode of the FitMind Podcast, host Josh is joined by Dr. Iain McGilchrist, a renowned psychiatrist, philosopher, and author known for his insightful exploration of the brain's two hemispheres. McGilchrist, author of 'The Master and His Emissary' and 'The Matter with Things', delves deep into the fascinating ways in which the left and right hemispheres of the brain shape our perception, attention, and consciousness.
Throughout the discussion, McGilchrist emphasizes the importance of understanding how these hemispheres interact and influence our worldview. The left hemisphere, often dominant in modern culture, fosters a fragmented, analytical approach, while the right hemisphere offers a more connected, meaningful experience of reality. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on mindfulness, which McGilchrist argues is predominantly a right hemisphere phenomenon.
He suggests that cultivating mindfulness can enhance the influence of the right hemisphere, allowing us to quiet the often insistent voice of the left hemisphere. McGilchrist also introduces the idea of attention as a moral act, explaining how the way we direct our attention can literally shape the world we experience. This concept is pivotal in understanding the moral and spiritual dimensions of perception and consciousness.
The episode further explores practical methods to shift out of left-brain overdrive, reclaiming a spacious, connected awareness that fuels insight, compassion, and everyday joy. McGilchrist shares his thoughts on how modern neuroscience, ancient wisdom, and even a simple walk in nature can contribute to a balanced and mentally fit life. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on these insights and consider how they might apply them to their own lives, fostering a more holistic understanding of the self and the world.
Overall, this episode offers a thought-provoking journey into the complexities of the divided brain and its profound impact on our perception and consciousness.