Escape the Left Brain Trap: Finding Freedom from Overthinking | Chris Niebauer

Apr 28, 2025

01:58:56

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In his superb book No Self, No Problem: How Neuropsychology is catching up to Buddhism Chris Niebauer explains how the left side of the brain — brilliant at language and problem-solving — also creates constant mental chatter. It labels, judges, compares, and spins stories, including the biggest story of all — the idea of a solid identity or self-concept.

But this overthinking isn’t who we are — it’s just a habit of the left brain doing what it does.

In this conversation, Chris shares how recognising this can free us from getting caught in endless thought loops, helping us drop back into the present moment where clarity, ease, and creativity naturally arise.

Key Insights:

The left brain is responsible for language, categorization, and creating a narrative of who we are
Our thinking mind is not our true self, but a survival mechanism that generates constant stories
Suffering often leads people to spiritual exploration and understanding consciousness
The right brain represents intuition, playfulness, and immediate experience
Consciousness is fundamental, not an emergent property of the brain
Meditation and self-inquiry can help us recognize the space between thoughts

Themes Explored:

The illusion of self
Limitations of psychology and materialism
Flow states and intuition
The role of suffering in personal growth
Potential of AI and consciousness

If you would like to explore more you can sign up for my free mini-course on finding flow: https://www.simonmundie.com/restore-balance-mini-course

Or get in touch about 1:1 explorations: https://www.simonmundie.com/restore-balance-coaching