The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens Iain McGilchrist: “Wisdom, Nature, and the Brain”
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Aug 23, 2023 
Iain McGilchrist, a literary scholar and psychiatrist, joins Nate to discuss the imbalanced use of the two lobes of our brains, and its impact on our communities and the environment. They explore the differences between the left and right hemispheres, the importance of expanding empathy, and the integration of science, imagination, and intuition. They emphasize the need for a fundamental change in our perception of the world, embracing stillness, peace, and love, and investing in wisdom and practical good works.
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Two Hemispheres, Two Worlds
- The brain's two hemispheres offer distinct perspectives: the left focuses on details and manipulation, while the right grasps context and connections.
- Imbalance in their use can lead to a fragmented, mechanistic worldview, hindering our understanding of reality.
Cultural Left-Brain Dominance
- Cultural shifts towards left-brain thinking can stem from overreach of civilizations, leading to simplification, control, and detachment from nature.
- Overemphasis on material aspects further diminishes our understanding of the interconnected world.
Electric Fence Zen
- Nate Hagens shares a personal story of a brief zen-like state after being hit by an electric fence.
- He questions if this experience mimicked a temporary right-brain shift, highlighting the potential for altered states of consciousness.