Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard trained and published neuroanatomist who is now affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology. In 1996 she experienced a severe hemorrhage in the left hemisphere of her brain causing her to lose the ability to walk, talk, read, write or recall any of her life. Her memoir, My Stroke of Insight, documenting her experience with stroke and eight-year recovery spent 63 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list. Her most recent 2021 book is WHOLE BRAIN LIVING: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life.
Dr. Taylor is a dynamic teacher and public speaker who loves educating all age groups, academic levels, as well as corporations about the beauty of our human brain and how we can work with ourself to live a more peaceful life. In 2008 she gave the first TED talk that ever went viral on the Internet, which now has well over 28.5 million views. Also in 2008, Dr. Taylor was chosen as one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” and was the premiere guest on Oprah Winfrey’s “Soul Series” web-cast.
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group.
Summary and transcript of this interview
Interview recorded May 14, 2023.
Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
- 00:05:33 – The Evolutionary Goal of Humanity
- 00:11:07 – The Experience of the Present Moment
- 00:17:04 – Developing the Whole Brain
- 00:23:18 – Understanding the Dynamics of Relationships
- 00:28:43 – Understanding Character Two and Emotional Pain
- 00:33:33 – Understanding the Little Character Two
- 00:38:03 – The Richness of Human Emotions
- 00:42:05 – Autism and Brain Circuitry
- 00:47:10 – The Potential Risks of Whole Brain Living and Psychedelics
- 00:52:44 – Exploring the Options for Bipolar Disorder and PTSD
- 00:59:58 – The Beauty of Humor
- 01:07:06 – The Interface of Individuality and Universality
- 01:16:07 – Bringing Balance and Meaning Into Life
- 01:25:16 – The Differences in Perception and Information Processing
- 01:32:07 – The Absurdity of Language and Consciousness
- 01:37:18 – The Value Structure of Character Four
- 01:44:01 – Changing the Model of Enlightenment
- 01:48:18 – The Existence of Free Will
- 01:53:44 – The Subtle Work of Cells and Neuronal Networks
- 01:59:21 – The 90-Second Rule & Addiction in the Brain
- 02:04:19 – Exploring Selective Mutism and Addiction
- 02:11:27 – Dealing with Fear of the Future and Worry
- 02:17:51 – Farewell and Thank You
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