Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to...

Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform ... | Sharon Begley | Fantastic book.

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Train Your Mind, C...

	Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform ... Sharon Begley Ballantine Books, 2007 - 304 pages average customer review:based on 70 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Excellent book that binds physiology with psychology

This is an excellent book that explains the science behind the brain as it is presently understood in a very clear and extremely engaging way. There are multiple aspects that make this book a worthwhile read:

1) It shows how science is typically done and how scientific progress is made. First some data that are pointing to a different conclusion than the previaling theories emerge and are ignored. Then, over time, scientists driven by theie integrity and perseverance to get to the truth begin accepting the conclusions

2) The relief that the brain is, in fact, very plastic. A fact intrinsically very uplifting on its own

3) That the plasticity takes many forms - brains getting damaged leading to assignement of a different region for the function, functional loss leading to re-use of the brain for a different function, gene-expression based on nurture rather than nature

4) Controlled outcomes that can be had by using this power of plasticity effectively (such as "cures" for dyslexia etc.)

5) The power of meditation to change the brain especially in areas such as decreasing depression and OCD, improving ones intrinsic positivity and allowing one to be compassionate

As a student of science and meditation (Practicing with Erhard Vogel, Journey Into Your Center, Second Edition, The Stress Release Response Meditation : 7 Steps to Triumph Over Stress), I understand and buy into the premise that we are all intrinsically equal (and equally endowed in the grand traditions of Nature) and, therefore, must have love and compassion for fellow beings (human or otherwise). Equally, I believe that the basis for feeling good about onself is not some California thing but is, rather, rooted also in this intrinsic equality and divinity. Ever since I have managed to internalize this perspective my life has improved immensely (physiologically and psychologically). I have stopped having headaches, I have stopped biting my nails (a lifelong habbit) and my productivity at work (signal processing for wireless applications) has increased significantly.

Obviously there is no way I can claim that my perspective change has changed my brain. There are no measured data supporting such a broad claim. Nonetheless, from personal experience I can understand and believe the premise of the book and the underlying positive implications that a plastic brain would entail.

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Fantastic book.

It really makes you reconsider how your brain works. Very well thought out book that outlines and gives hard evidence of research. My friend's aunt who had a stroke is reading it and it's helping her tremendously.

Fantastic

I have not yet finished this book, but already about half way through it is a winner to this special education teacher with a real interest in the brain.

Train Your Brain

This book was extremely informative. My own interest in the book was sparked by the stroke my father suffered in August of 2005 and his subsequent and amazing recovery. TRAIN YOUR MIND, CHANGE YOUR BRAIN explains the processes in the brain that effect changes such as those my father's brain had to undergo to relearn even the simplest tasks. The first day he had to relearn to swallow, in order to even drink water safely. This was done by repeatedly speaking certain vowels. The scientific studies Begley writes about describe similar, seemingly unrelated exercises that increase ability or circumvent damage in the brain. She also writes in detail about the convocations between the science community and Buddhist community in this area. Buddhist monks were studied in order to ascertain the changes in the brain brought about by intense meditation. These studies seem to prove that we have the power to "think" changes in our own brains. From watching my father, I would have to agree that patterning hard wires changes, but thinking about the ability to perform certain tasks also helps increase the ability to do so. I recommend the book to anyone interested in the brain for whatever reasons.

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No instructions on How

I was disappointed as it doesn't tell one how to do it although meditation is highly recommended. Lots of details about research on monkeys which is a bit upsetting for animal lovers.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, page 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

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