Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves
by: Sharon Begley
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In this fascinating and far-reaching book, Newsweek science writer Sharon Begley reports on how cutting-edge science and the ancient wisdom of Buddhism have come together to reveal that, contrary to popular belief, we have the power to literally change our brains by changing our minds. Recent pioneering experiments in neuroplasticity–the ability of the brain to change in response to experience–reveal that the brain is capable of altering its structure and function, and even of generating new neurons, a power we retain well into old age. The brain can adapt, heal, renew itself after trauma, compensate for disabilities, rewire itself to overcome dyslexia, and break cycles of depression and OCD. And as scientists are learning from studies performed on Buddhist monks, it is not only the outside world that can change the brain, so can the mind and, in particular, focused attention through the classic Buddhist practice of mindfulness.
With her gift for making science accessible, meaningful, and compelling, Sharon Begley illuminates a profound shift in our understanding of how the brain and the mind interact and takes us to the leading edge of a revolution in what it means to be human.
“There are two great things about this book. One is that it shows us how nothing about our brains is set in stone. The other is that it is written by Sharon Begley, one of the best science writers around. Begley is superb at framing the latest facts within the larger context of the field. . . . This is a terrific book.”
–Robert M. Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers
“Excellent . . . elegant and lucid prose . . . an open mind here will be rewarded.”
–Discover magazine
“A strong dose of hope along with a strong does of science and Buddhist thought.”
–The San Diego Union-Tribune
In this fascinating and far-reaching book, Newsweek science writer Sharon Begley reports on how cutting-edge science and the ancient wisdom of Buddhism have come together to reveal that, contrary to popular belief, we have the power to literally change our brains by changing our minds. Recent pioneering experiments in neuroplasticity–the ability of the brain to change in response to experience–reveal that the brain is capable of altering its structure and function, and even of generating new neurons, a power we retain well into old age. The brain can adapt, heal, renew itself after trauma, compensate for disabilities, rewire itself to overcome dyslexia, and break cycles of depression and OCD. And as scientists are learning from studies performed on Buddhist monks, it is not only the outside world that can change the brain, so can the mind and, in particular, focused attention through the classic Buddhist practice of mindfulness.
With her gift for making science accessible, meaningful, and compelling, Sharon Begley illuminates a profound shift in our understanding of how the brain and the mind interact and takes us to the leading edge of a revolution in what it means to be human.
“There are two great things about this book. One is that it shows us how nothing about our brains is set in stone. The other is that it is written by Sharon Begley, one of the best science writers around. Begley is superb at framing the latest facts within the larger context of the field. . . . This is a terrific book.”
–Robert M. Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers
“Excellent . . . elegant and lucid prose . . . an open mind here will be rewarded.”
–Discover magazine
“A strong dose of hope along with a strong does of science and Buddhist thought.”
–The San Diego Union-Tribune
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:

Rating:
- A New Scientific Approach to Human Development
Begley, the well-known science writer from Newsweek and the Wall Street Journal, is a genius at translation.She has the ability to go from scientific research to the application of that research to life.Typically, scientists stick to their science, and practitioners stick to their professional practice.Begley has a near-unique ability to make the successful translation between the two disciplines.
She's also an interesting--even fun read.This book, among the first to show the ... Read More
Rating:
- The Method is everything
Train Your Mind Change Your Brain is a very insightful book and has special meaning for me because I started my career as a nurse working in medical neurology.For me, probably more than for most readers, some of the old mantras about damage to the nervous system are familiar, since I worked with stroke and accident victims, among others, who were told they would only recover the function that arose after the edema from the incident subsided.In the old days, rehab was initiated more to facilitate ... Read More
Rating:
- Begley's Excellent Job Describing the Budding relationship between Buddhism and Neuroscience
For many of those interested in the brain, questions linger about the relation between the brain and the mind. While science typically avoids dealing with the philosophical and religious implications of this dichotomy, this book explores head-on the relationship that has been growing between the new discoveries in neuroplasticity and the ancient traditions of Buddhist meditation practices. I hope to provide a brief overview of Train Your Mind Change your Brain and describe what a fantastic job Begley ... Read More
Rating:
- Excellent book
The power of thought has more influence in our physical and mental health than we can imagine. A group of Western and Eastern influencial people work together to discover how our own thinking creates changes in our brain. This book has already changed my brain This is one of many great books that talk about neuroplasticity. I strongly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
Rating:
- A fascinating read
This was a very good read on a subject--the brain, neuroplasticity, and the power of the mind--that I have long found particularly interesting. The author writes very eloquently, and at times, in just such a way that I felt was also quite touching. I found this to be an absorbing book, both due to the nature of the subject matter and the writer's wonderful ability to present it. I would highly recommend this book, especially to anyone with a bit higher than average curiosity regarding this particular ... Read More
- A New Scientific Approach to Human DevelopmentBegley, the well-known science writer from Newsweek and the Wall Street Journal, is a genius at translation.She has the ability to go from scientific research to the application of that research to life.Typically, scientists stick to their science, and practitioners stick to their professional practice.Begley has a near-unique ability to make the successful translation between the two disciplines.
She's also an interesting--even fun read.This book, among the first to show the ... Read More
- The Method is everythingTrain Your Mind Change Your Brain is a very insightful book and has special meaning for me because I started my career as a nurse working in medical neurology.For me, probably more than for most readers, some of the old mantras about damage to the nervous system are familiar, since I worked with stroke and accident victims, among others, who were told they would only recover the function that arose after the edema from the incident subsided.In the old days, rehab was initiated more to facilitate ... Read More
- Begley's Excellent Job Describing the Budding relationship between Buddhism and NeuroscienceFor many of those interested in the brain, questions linger about the relation between the brain and the mind. While science typically avoids dealing with the philosophical and religious implications of this dichotomy, this book explores head-on the relationship that has been growing between the new discoveries in neuroplasticity and the ancient traditions of Buddhist meditation practices. I hope to provide a brief overview of Train Your Mind Change your Brain and describe what a fantastic job Begley ... Read More
- Excellent bookThe power of thought has more influence in our physical and mental health than we can imagine. A group of Western and Eastern influencial people work together to discover how our own thinking creates changes in our brain. This book has already changed my brain This is one of many great books that talk about neuroplasticity. I strongly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
- A fascinating readThis was a very good read on a subject--the brain, neuroplasticity, and the power of the mind--that I have long found particularly interesting. The author writes very eloquently, and at times, in just such a way that I felt was also quite touching. I found this to be an absorbing book, both due to the nature of the subject matter and the writer's wonderful ability to present it. I would highly recommend this book, especially to anyone with a bit higher than average curiosity regarding this particular ... Read More
