Your Brain Has 2 Masters — And One Is Leading Us Astray | Dr. Iain McGilchrist
World-renowned psychiatrist and author Dr. Iain McGilchrist explores the profound truth about the left and right hemispheres of the brain, and why understanding their relationship can change the way you see yourself, others, and the world. We go far beyond the popular myths of “creative right brain” vs “logical left brain.” Dr. McGilchrist reveals how the two hemispheres actually work together to shape perception, meaning, and even our experience of the sacred. This is a conversation about imagination, intuition, and truth... and about what we lose when the left hemisphere dominates our culture. From education and consciousness to the future of humanity, Dr. McGilchrist shows how rebalancing our relationship to the brain can awaken a deeper, more fulfilling way of living.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
RIGHT vs LEFT BRAIN
The 2 hemispheres don’t just process information differently — they generate different ways of seeing reality. Understanding this can shift how you engage with life.
OUR culture is left-brain heavy
Reductionism, categorization, and efficiency dominate our systems. While useful, this narrow lens often blinds us to meaning, nuance, and the sacred.
FORGOTTEN WISDOM OF THE RIGHT BRAIN
Receptivity, intuition, imagination, and a sense of the whole are the gifts of the right brain. When neglected, we lose connection to depth and beauty.
JOURNAL PROMPTS
prompt 01
Where in my life do I notice myself overvaluing logic, efficiency, or certainty?
prompt 02
What daily practice could help me strengthen my right hemisphere’s gifts (like spaciousness, receptivity, or imagination)?
prompt 03
If my brain is helping shape the world I experience, what small shift in perception or attention could change how I see life today?