Living with Two Minds: Why Understanding Your Brain Changes Everything
Have you ever done something and then wondered, "Why did I do that?" The answer might lie in understanding how our brain works - specifically, how its two distinct sides process our world differently.
The challenge of understanding our unconscious mind is a lot like trying to explain why you love the smell of rain or why certain songs make you cry. These experiences are real and powerful, but hard to put into words. This difficulty makes more sense when we look at the groundbreaking work of psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist, author of "The Master and His Emissary" and "The Matter with Things."
Think of your brain as having two different ways of experiencing life. The right side is like being in the middle of a concert - you're feeling the music, moving with the crowd, and experiencing everything all at once. It's where we process our gut feelings, bodily sensations, and deep emotional connections. It's also where we store our life story and most meaningful experiences.
The left side is more like watching a recording of the concert and analyzing it. It breaks things down, categorizes them, and tries to explain everything logically. When it doesn't have all the information, it fills in the blanks with what seems most reasonable - even if that's not actually what happened.
So what does this mean for daily life? When you find yourself making quick judgments, jumping to conclusions, or struggling to explain your feelings, remember that you're working with two different processing systems. The key is learning to listen to both:
Before making important decisions, pause to notice both your logical thoughts AND your gut feelings
When trying to understand your reactions, look beyond the obvious explanations
Practice activities that engage both sides: journaling combines emotional expression with analytical thinking
In relationships, value both clear communication and emotional understanding
Understanding this two-brained nature helps us make better decisions, form deeper relationships, and live more integrated lives. It's not about choosing logic over feeling or vice versa - it's about embracing both as essential parts of who we are.
References:
McGilchrist, I. (2009). The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World. Yale University Press.
McGilchrist, I. (2021). The Matter with Things: Our Brains, Our Delusions, and the Unmaking of the World. Perspectiva Press.