I am a 45 year old pastry chef, doula, housewife, not a serious student of Hegel and Heidegger. I have been near tears for much of this lecture. One thing that comes to mind is something I have told my children when they are really getting on my nerves and I have responded angrily and must apologize: What drives me most crazy about you is also the thing I most admire in you. My daughter is intuitive or overly sensitive. My son is creative, effective or disaster making/annoying. It was a wonderful thing to realize about people in general. McGilchrist and Jordan Peterson and Jonathan Pageau and others like them are truly shining beacons in our dark times.
I am right there with you my dear. So beautifully said that it made me cry!! ❤️🔥🙏🏻💯🌎 To see people as instruments on your life-ship not tools or obstacles. Life is a conversation with god. 🥰♾
@@spiralsun1 Could not agree more with you, Zada, Ian and all creation. God is having a conversation with himself through his creation as long as "his creation" is tuning into HIS wavelength. Thank you wonderful beings!
This is easily - and certainly - the most beautiful lecture to which I've listened. I love and i am moved deeply by the unabashed sincerity, the grace and disposition toward human value and beauty, which roils sweetly through McGilchrist's every word. .
I love this man, he simply makes me feel closer to God. It’s interesting that so many of the quotes Iain bring to us are of not of current thinkers. Thank you 🙏
@tama I’m not sure, it’s not conventionally religious though, but then I don’t know much about any particular religion, so it might be. I like to think it’s about a combination of Love and Wisdom.
A scholar and an incredible orator! Few people speak English this well and functionally oriented anymore these days. With great ideas must come great capability to express them.
I wish my Mom could have seen this. She always said her and I were like water and oil and we did not mix. Unfortunately it took me having raised my own children and the different stages in my life to understand her ……put down….as I seen it then. Wish I had understood we were meant to be different and that’s not bad. I love all of your work Iain ..Thankyou 👍🏼🌎💙
Listening is something I do a lot of. I’ve listened to all kinds of podcasts on a daily basis (which I can do as I work with my hands) and I’ve been doing so for the past 6 or 7 years.
After setting out to find a podcast to listen to while I set about weaving some flax, it was such a beautiful surprise to hear this talk, as I pulled and pushed opposites within the weaving, uniting black and white strands together. Your conversation Iain has been warming to the heart and hands.... thank you. It would be great to hear of your explaination of the Hieros Gamos, in light of a follow on from this conversation, please.
Quite extraordinary lecture. Mr McGilchrist has truly sharpened his saw in a quite magnificent way. What he has to say would have found a ready audience and an instinctive "yes, of course" in an earlier culture within my own 60 year span. We instinctively know the world is complex, mystical and ,"held" in the transcendant. Sadly his findings and conclusions are far more controversial in 2021. The audience questions were searching. I was as delighted as was McGilchrist.
Yes, thankfully he's saying these truths now, and we're witnessing a reemergence of people like Alan Watts (from 60 years ago) via youtube - the world is waking up.
Before I've even listened I am grateful that synchronicity ALWAYS provides the next bread crumb on my journey back to self. Thank you for sharing this conversation! *Wow. Has anyone ever spoken truer, more prescient words?*
@@goawqebt6931 How so, the true definition of synchronicity (meaningful coincidence) involves supplied, or perceived interaction of meaning with chance. It's 99% of the time a moment of insight in which meaning and resonance are found in unlikely patterns, and may involve more than the RU-vid algorithm (ie: internal thoughts and other thinkers being read by the person, life events etc, and moments of that being desiussed in a way she was unaware of McgilChrist going on about.) The intuitive aspects of the brain, activation of hippocampal regions, superstitious and personified ways of thinking in CEO's, athletes (and even societies under duress) who need to problem solve in real time while under duress are lining up with many studies on primitive and magical thinking. I would agree that the algortithm would play a major role here, and that there is a reasonable explanation for 99.9% of sychchronistic phenomenon. I would further argue that many synchronistic, or "supernatural" phenomenon that we do not currently have an explanation for, will one day be explanable (and likely open new lines of inquiry.) I think having a psychological/mythological script of mythology and astrology for a culture following those religious beliefs, and a mythical ecology of personified aspects of reality would also explain a percentile of "correct" predictions in someone like Nostradamus, as well as a large number of errors, and murky areas that can't really be proven, and endlessly connected all over the place in intersectional thinking. I do think that there are certain recorded phenomenon that occur over time and space to a degree they will not so easily be explained away, and research will open up new issues. To sum up, I would agree that the term is massively misused, often in a flaky and idealistic manner, there are issues in Jung and New Age that have to be paired off, updated, and put into context with other schools of thought. These issues multiply as they trickle down to people who don't understand their own ideas (just as they do in Christianity, Conservatism, or the average left winger with a science is real t-shirt.) As the term means "meaningful coincidence" and we are coming to an area of conciliatory relationships between knowledge fields and psychology schools: you are very incorrect to completely dismiss the term and school of thought as completely wrong and valueless.
Thank you! Worth a second listen. Permaculture experts speak of action at the edegelines. After noticing it is very hard not to see it everywhere. Peace Love Gratitude
I've mulched on top of gravel to allow grasses to take . After thinning the larger chunks , I see that patch shrinking , edgelines, as you call them , slowly encroaching.
Thank you Iain, Stephen and Questioners. At the age of 3 score and 15 ,I want to live longer and stay well awake. The Conversation here is what we should have been talking about all along And i hope to participate a while longer. May the number of conversants grow and grow and listening improve.
In awe and gratitude … as a lifelong humanities teacher with knowledge in Campbell and Jung, Freire and Many other contemporaries… I feel so validated by my passion and emphasis in teaching students how to think and feel ❤ And yes ending on Love was divine! I am a firm believer that Love is always the answer to any question
He taught me English Lit A-level 40 years ago, when he was fresh down from Oxford. He was a very, very nice man, and a bit naughty too. He used to drive two or three of us out to a country pub for a cheeky pint while he gave us our tutorial.
Reconciled so many aspects of spirituality that I’ve struggled with as a student of Eastern philosophy- deep gratitude for posting this lucid exploration of polarities
Excellent talk. Thus the mystics say we live in a world of opposites and Nicolas de Cusa in his Divine Vision tells us 'He lies beyond the coincidence of contradictories'. Thus also the Buddhist doctrine of 'Two Truths' and the 'calculus of indications' (distinctions') of George Spencer Brown. It's odd that a psychologist can be so much better at philosophy than most philosophy professors.
How fortunate we are to live in a time when the antidote to a problem created by a technology can be delivered by the same mechanism. Thank you gentlemen for an enlivening dialogue.
that's because the problem wasn't created by technology - it's the natural state of our human minds, driven to name and categorize a world that can't be named and categorized. Except that it can, mostly, be named and categorized. But only mostly. That's why technology works so well and yet never solves the psychological / existential dilemma.
Thank you for your service as a veteran in the true understanding wars. Seriously, thank you. I have children. I want them to be happy and have a future and stuff like that. Not joking at all. 🙏🏻❤️🔥
@@spiralsun1 the sad thing is that without some kind of problems in their life, they won't be able to appreciate it. This is the mighty fail that has befallen the last few generations, and many have no capacity to appreciate what they have, though they have more and better than anyone in history. They are not able to see it for what it is, but are willing to throw it all away for a sense of righteous self-flagellation that's supposed to make them morally superior to what they see as the depraved civilization that gave them almost everything they could want. I suppose it demonstrates that what people crave most is a sense of rightness....but only to this degree when they have nothing to contrast with a life of no actual problems, that left them so bereft of meaning that they had to literally invent problems of identity in order to feel something that seems genuine. Fortunately there are some kids who have come through it, at least to some degree, with their heads still on straight, and I hope for their sake that we don't have to go through the culmination of what seems to be developing around us.
This is monumentally paradigm altering-a profound, articulate & much needed reconsideration of our world, our reality & its composition! Some of the most magnificent truths derive from the cooperation of opposites. But in an attempt to understand our world, we’ve-in too many ways-oversimplified it. It’s time we step back & re-examine the reality we’ve created. There can be no meaningful relationship without some measure of resistance. And the more cooperative resistance, the more potential for relationship to deepen & grow in complexity & meaning.
I cannot thank you enough for this immense wisdom!!! We are living at a crossroad of human existance, and it is very scary; you have given me hope with your voices. You have also helped me understand my personal conflicting beliefs about universal love and life meaning. May the universe lead us to the paths of wisdom 🙏❤️
Elizabeth don't worry, it inevitably will turn out towards the outcome the universe is heading towards. It always has and it is not our task to find out where, when or how it will turn out. Just keep walking, observing and witnessing by being present at all times. Anxiety is simply a sign of lack of faith of the left hemisphere of the human brain by clinging to the "status quo" of past, present or future. Without insinuating anything, rather speaking of my own experience. Dark times are the most visible part of the universe testing its own creation all the time. Call it evolution if you want or God - not the bearded one 😉 - for lack of a better word.
@@ACuriousChild thank you for your wonderful reply, so true. I will try to stop worrying and being more present; caring and attending and doing in whichever way my capabilities allow, but letting go of worry ❤️
@Elizabeth Terry Wonderful, don't thank me thank the universe, i.e. yourself for "letting go" the fear. Nothing is a "problem" even "less" stumbling or falling. Everything is in constant flow, to whichever "end" it may be. To be reminded of this wisdom is all anyone of us needs. Anything done in the "spirit" of one's right hemisphere of the human brain will do it. Although certainly the wisdom coming through Ian's voice does the "trick" too. But only if one's left hemisphere of the human brain is soothed to calm down. Just breathe! ❤️
Yes, though we can't choose love. We can only choose to place our attention upon the world (sensations, sights, sounds) instead of thoughts (not that thoughts are bad, they're just contrast). And with attention placed on the world or on the sensations of the body (and not on the formulated thoughts in own mind), that thing we call love starts to shine forth from us. May take a while. May only take a moment.
Focus and organization does not preclude awareness or insight and are in fact precursors to the broader understanding of relationships. Additionally all things are seen more clearly in recognition of, and continued inquiry into, what our blindnesses may reveal. Thank you for your work.
I am an Educationalist in Secondary context and have been for 20 years. In that time I have a unique subject that is an interface for many topics and crosses the boundaries that are set up by the segmented curriculum. I would like to believe that "our" epistemology has purpose, depth and value. However, for the last 12 years "we" are second if not third in what is "important" for pupils. I teach Design and Technology and I teach children to engage with their ideas and understand the concerns around being consumers and using materials. I have listened, read and re-listened, re-read and thought and then thought some more around you the ongoing work, publications and discussions of Iain McGilchrist. I have some reflections too! I will share but I might also risk exposing my opposites of my existence. I have absolutely no idea whether they mean anything, other than what I understand and "see" from my experience. I "see" LHS traits in disadvantage pupils so much so that is is alarmingly familiar that I wonder if their connections are much disconnected. I see a educational system that is hierarchal and fixated on performance and yet detached from meaning, to what it means to be a human, our connection, our ancestry. I "see" how both LHS and RHS engagement in learning has been lost within the drive to make every second count, filling up young minds like filling up a jug of water as if this will provide insight and connections to what it means to learn? I "see" an education that is about getting pupils to gain a "good" job so wealth can be obtained but not necessarily about aligning a purpose to life to our young people. An opposite set of needs being imposed. A lesson with a "gap" of nothing, would be seen as "wasted" so the value of allowing time to play, wonder and explore is opposite to valuable learning. I "see" how those that are disadvantaged are sometimes not given any value to taking part to the process of what we call value. They are the opposite of what the system can tolerate so find it hard to integrate. I am not sure whether I am a failing teacher but what I have done is to leave space for learning what is hard - to believe in ideas, to believe in who we are and to believe we are all valued even if we are opposite. What I remember from my studies at Cambridge was Phronesis as described in a paper about education related to what I was learning - that is a blend of Praxis and Theory. I found that my subject could have a place in Phronesis the blending of opposites giving rise to wisdom. I think I am not educated enough to debate this but what I want from my pupils is the wisdom to understand the value of their ideas, which might be naïve but are important to their journey of self realisation and what we make,' our artifacts, our ancestry, it is all important and has formed the basis of our developed society - Technology and Design does not the "value" as it sits in opposition to other academic demands. It use to have, but that is not a reflection on what it is, more than what "value" it does bring for a society's industrial need and to the immediate world, to what needs to be grasped. Wonderful lecture and beautifully explained by Dr Iain McGilchrist. Thank you for sharing.
I'm reminded of the seeker Saint Francis and his findings after his life long search: "What you are looking for is what is looking". Yes, this has truly destroyed my brains understand of religion's and the spiritual life. All for the better understanding of life and living in the spirit. Nice talk, with much to ponder. Thanks for sharing your work!
Yes, thank you for the video. After countless hours listening to and reading Mcgilchrist, I have to say, that last hour of Q and A was amazing ... kudos to those excellent questioners.
@7:28 Dr. Ian is talking about the Iroquois. When I was a kid in elementary school, I ran across a language map showing the relationship between the language of the Iroquois and the French. I was very intrigued and found out many years later that indeed some of the French found their way to America and intermingled with the Iroquois.
With Marshall McLuhan's explanation of how and why the electronic communication technology changes are speeding up the bias change from left hemisphere to right and how it is absolutely shredding all our current relationships and definitions. Only by understanding do we a chance to mitigate the most destructive effects and amplify the good effects
Gratefully to find my alleged "Purple Alert" squared now! Siriusly relivant, as a Two Dog Star, maybe yet brightest together, even from Berkeley CA, where one can cut the irony with a butter knife now. So mucho gracias to you both!
One divides into two, synthesis divides into thesis and antithesis and they unite to produce synthesis. Creation contains its opposite, containing its undoing, dissolution.
I had a laughing/crying moment yesterday on a long walk, in which I stumbled upon the idea of making "It's always going to be like this," a mantra. We are eternally looking for a 'way out' of our state of being. What happens when we say, "This play of emotions, this feeling of a fleeting life, this struggle mixed with joy and awe, this confusing assortment of contrary desires interwoven with the wonderful feelings of meaning and purpose and beauty... it's always gonna be like this."
Thank you this was a very interesting talk... It made me think of Bonaventure and also made me wonder as a theology student about what Iain would say about the Christian doctrine of the Trinity?
These two voices speaking together, well now, to me,I think it constitutes a kind of heaven. ( can somebody help with my commas, I’m trying to learn English, even though it’s my first language) please
On 🎯 @ 1:36 to 1:37 ~ His view @ 1:55 to1:57 resonates with that of a genius of his era, Gibran Khalil Gibran when he said"Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup."
Thank you Dr. McGilchrist! Very insightful lecture and question period. I was saddened though by the glaring omission of references by you of an important opposite - the female - poet, philosopher, artist and scientist. The day was saved however when you referenced the work of Dr. Jean Twenge at the end of the question period.
I may add the teaching in CIM. "We are giving life all the meaning it has". Truly a profound statement that maybe a fact, and that all of our problems are truly of our own making. Excluding lightning, earthquake and the acts of God, lol. Have a good day! PS Nice comments on mental health illnesses. Yes, don't give up and seek your answers, please. Your not alone and help is available and never ever give up! Thanks again!
A quik trip around EQ 8 quilting design software and using the “symmetry” function with various blocks will illuminate this in fact for you. Symmetrical blocks just repeat. Asymmetrical blocks can create about 17-18 patterns I think - And this really shellacs (slang definition: to defeat, to thrash soundly 💪🏼☕️) this duality issue flat. A very helpful knowledge to bring about some internal peace when confronted with opposition.
Of this we must remain certain: some things will always remain unknowable, and which things those are we must always remain uncertain. This we know for sure. (Sorta)
Patanjali wrote that subject and object can be regarded as one from the point of view of perfect awareness, which is normally assumed and invisible to us. We don't experience simple or perfect awareness.
Thank you for this. The 'problem' of contradiction underlies nearly all of my existential crises. Though I 'know' that opposites are an essential part of human understanding of about the cosmos, my mind always fights against any reconciliation with this fact. It is as if my brain has been coded in binary language and I'm trying to translate the non-binary nature of nature. Any suggested further reading/watching/listening would be greatly appreciated.
I think this is true for absolutely all of us. Gonna sound corny here for a second, but think about the actual elements of consciousness for a moment: you have thought (which is left brain), and then you have sensation also. Sensation is from the external world (stubbing one's toe, for example), but also we get sensations that are generated in our body from our thoughts - our body tells us how we feel about what we just thought about. We label these emotions, but really they're just sensations. Most of us don't realize that we clench against the sensations that our body presents to us when we think about things. Start there. Just pay attention to sensation (before you even label it as an 'emotion')- just see how long you can focus on some sensation in your body. Play a game with yourself. Dare yourself to feel more. Dare yourself to let go more and feel the sensation of being alive in your body. Interesting things happen. Things start to look beautiful. Sensation itself (buzzes or flushes or whatever) starts to feel captivating. Paying attention to sensation is how I've found I can turn off my word-based mind for a while, and the calm center I become is the person who sees the beauty and peace in the opposites. But start thinking again and it goes away. And then you see the rhythm and cycle in the back and forth of remembering and forgetting even this truth. And you smile for as long as you remember to.
I’m inclined to agree with your guest considering my experience and intellectual grounds. I’m also inclined to agree that ideology is the problem: for it only works in reductionistic thinking, black and white, purity code, etc. We need to get out of ideology and into mythology.
"Absolute truth resides in paradox." -Michael Englehart (that is me) Edit: If someone claims that everything is relative, ask them, "even that statement?"
