ASIN : B002IPZDQ6 Publisher : HarperCollins e-books (July 23, 2009) Publication date : July 23, 2009 Language : English File size : 5838 KB Text-to-Speech : Enabled Screen Reader : Supported Enhanced typesetting : Enabled X-Ray : […]
ASIN : B002IPZDQ6
Publisher : HarperCollins e-books (July 23, 2009)
Publication date : July 23, 2009
Language : English
File size : 5838 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 436 pages
Best Sellers Rank: #3 in Neuropsychology (Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews: 467 ratings
| ASIN : | B002IPZDQ6 |
|---|---|
| Publisher : | HarperCollins e-books (July 23, 2009) |
| Publication date : | July 23, 2009 |
| Language : | English |
| File size : | 5838 KB |
| Text-to-Speech : | Enabled |
| Screen Reader : | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting : | Enabled |
| X-Ray : | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise : | Enabled |
| Print length : | 436 pages |
| Best Sellers Rank: | #3 in Neuropsychology (Kindle Store) |
| - | |
| Customer Reviews: | 467 ratings |
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Ian –
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my must reads
Great book on treatment strategies for folk with obsessive and compulsive struggles plus detailed history of neuroscience developments which support the treatment approaches and then a treatise on the application of quantum physics as an explanation on the relationship of the mind and the brain. I was fascinated by this treatise but confess to not being able to explain the intuitive sense it makes to anyone else. Have reread and referred back to this book a number of times.
One person found this helpful
Kevin –
3.0 out of 5 stars
A book on OCD
I bought this for a friend and she said it was mostly about OCD. She said the discussion of the brain was always in connection with OCD. If this is the case then I feel that the description of the book needs to be clarified because from my impressions of the description (and why I ordered it) this book was going to be about the brain, the mind, neuroplasticity, and mental force. I think a better title and description of this book should be “How the Brain Functions With OCD”. If you have OCD or an interest in OCD then this book is for you, if you are interested in the topics of the title of this book I think you’d be better off finding another book.
3 people found this helpful
Pat King –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Neuroplasticity explained
An excellent semitechnical source for information on neuroplasticity. His personal research into OCD and using neuroplasticity to cure what had previously been considered to be a quite intractable condition is totally fascinating. He also goes into how quantum mechanics can overcome the previous fixity of the notion that the brain is fixed in childhood and cannot be changed; this should help overcome some of the inertia of scientific prejudice on the subject. This is not a quick or easy read, but it is well worth the effort needed to extract the amazing revelations of this new field.
One person found this helpful
0006 –
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Mind and The Brain
Definitely one of the best reads for anyone interested in the question of the juncture of mind and brain. Jeff Schwartz builds a powerful case for the agency of free will in humans. Very readable, full of information. He provides a more humane therapy for OCD than exposure therapy. Being a biology major before I turned to psychotherapy, I was fascinated by his explanation of how quantum physics, of all places, could provide the answer of how the human soul can “animate” or cause action in the body, the mind-body connection. One of my favorite books.
One person found this helpful
inge amery –
5.0 out of 5 stars
exceptionally well written. The historical explanations are essential, and those are fascinating. Also funny in parts.
The only other book, written by Julian Jaynes in the late seventies, which was as fascinating was ‘The Origin of Consciousness inthe break-down of the Bicameral Mind’. I has become a cult-read, though rejected and derided at the time. J.M.Schwartz explaining about cross-modal functional plasticity answers the question Prof. Jaynes posed: why gods and what happened to them? I wish he had lived to learn about neuroplasticity and why those conclusions were also received with hardly concealed contempt. But they have begun their triumphant course through neurology.
American Woman –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Informative
As a self-taught student of psychology, I learned quite a lot from reading this book. It is almost mind-numbingly repetitive at times, which I suppose is only natural since the author believes in repetition as essential to learning or changing. I did retain the key concepts a lot better than I usually do after one reading. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the study of psychology.
Kindle Customer –
5.0 out of 5 stars
such a great read historically that it’s hard to put down…buy it
Combing quantum mechanics with the brain through the mind is historically addressed in a ground breaking scientific story that could/should change the way we address serious problems in our personal lives and in our culture through the correct implementation of the will forces that many have thought don’t really exist. The rebirth of “will” as seen through his work is startling in its implications to all areas of scientific endeavors.
2 people found this helpful
Jerome Boulle –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational Implications for Anyone
The scientific backup for how mental effort and will actually change the brain can be life altering. This book is surprisingly uplifting in its clinical representation of the various studies describing not only neuroplasticity; but also the very real power of will. For the reader, the practical implications are limited only by the imagination – which is constantly changing. Enjoyed every minute.
Ant Blair –
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Science of Mind Over Matter
I didn’t learn new concepts by reading this book. Mind over matter is not a new idea. Understanding the science behind mind over matter is what I learned. Having some background with neuroplasticity and mindfulness helped me get through this book. If you’re not “geeky” the middle of this book is a struggle. I wanted the book to dig into the quantum and mindfulness topics a little more.
2 people found this helpful
Sharon L. Presley –
5.0 out of 5 stars
A strong research argument in favor of free will.
Schwartz provides a strong argument in favor of free will. He discusses research in areas such as neuroplasticity and his own research on obsession-compulsive disorders that show that people can will changes in their behavior that actually affect the structure of the brain. The directionality of influences is not jsut one way; it go both ways, from brain to action and from action to brain.
One person found this helpful
RDM Indiana –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must read for anyone interested in the brain-mind connection.
GREAT explanation of the brain and mind connection. Easy to understand even though it is a complex subject.
2 people found this helpful
Nyasha –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Meh. I think that this book is too author-centric …
Meh. I think that this book is too author-centric. Too much about his travels, who he knows, and what he has done. I was looking for a less self-centered read on the subject matter.
3 people found this helpful
Jack B. Hughes –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blew my mind
I found the science in this book to be accessible and clearly explained. I especially appreciate the restoration of the moral dimension of human action through the understanding of quantum mechanics.
One person found this helpful
FD –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most enlightening book I’ve ever read.
This book has truly changed my life. It has explained scientifically what I have always believed religiously. The true implications of the philosophy described within are staggering. I would recommend this book to any and everyone.
Kindle Customer –
5.0 out of 5 stars
love this book!!!
I love this book!!! If you have any interest in psychology and some training in it, this book is totally fascinating. I have recommended it to a ton of other people in psych
One person found this helpful
Marjorie –
5.0 out of 5 stars
This terrific book was in perfect shape and arrived in the …
This terrific book was in perfect shape and arrived in the time frame expected. The book itself is wonderful and a great addition to my medical library.
Carlos Jimenez –
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing discussion on mind and brain.
This book encapsulates modern neuroscience breakthroughs regarding white matter self directed development. It also covers the philosophy of what is the mind versus the brain from the perspective of someone deep in the trenches of psychology.
One person found this helpful
G. A. F. Seber –
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent book that counters the materialism pushed by many psychologists …
An excellent book that counters the materialism pushed by many psychologists today. As a counsellor I find the ideas also helpful in areas other than OCD. Mindfulness is being used more an more in counselling/psychotherapy.
Virginie Hofmann –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
If you wanna know what is happening and how you can control your brain and mind it is an awesome book. However, if you don’t like endless introduction this book will bored you very fast.
James Volpi –
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Mind and how it affects the Brain
Excellent reading portraying how the mind can affect the physical brain. This can be achieved through conscious efforts of volitional attention resulting in mental forces that alters the material brain utilizing the concepts of quantum physics. The author uses several documented examples of successful uses of techniques utilizing these concepts especially with patients suffering from obsessive compulsive behavior.
One person found this helpful
Norma –
5.0 out of 5 stars
fantastic book
Fantastic book! Brings you up to date on physiology of trhe brain and how there is hope! The brain is not frozen-it changes, regenerates, takes over lost functions etc. Really thought provoking and helpful.
One person found this helpful
Jerome E Rattner –
3.0 out of 5 stars
ok
it is a book that requires complete attention and understanding of the different parts of the brain and much more has been learned about the brain since it was written
Thomas –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
Good read if you are interested
AndeeAndee –
1.0 out of 5 stars
1st chapter not readable — printer ink ran out
The print of the intro chapter of the book is not readable — looks like the printer ran out of ink.
3 people found this helpful
Kim –
5.0 out of 5 stars
impressed
I was pleased that the book arrived in only a few days, less than the time promised. The superb packing insured that the condition of the book was still excellent, it could have been off the shelf from a bookstore.
George Macdonald –
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book
This is an excellent, well written and very readable book on new and, to me, highly interesting topic of how a person can influence and even create physical changes in his/her brain through the mental force of the mind. And, it is not meta-physics, but uses scientific evidence to record the changes…….. Fascinating….
9 people found this helpful
Kenneth W. –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Three Stars
Some part were very interesting to me and others parts seemed to drag and be overload with technical jargon.
2 people found this helpful
wayne harbaugh –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good try though
Very interesting and full of knowledge but I am still not persuaded that quantum mechanics makes the case for free will. Good try though.
eleanav –
5.0 out of 5 stars
What is the difference and the connection between the physical brain and what we do with it?
Taking into consideration the plasticity of the brain, how learning and meditation change the brain, this book evokes thoughts about the physical, the mental, and the spiritual aspects of the brain.
Nora –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Three Stars
In good condition was well worth the price I paid for.
Kindle CustomerKindle Customer –
1.0 out of 5 stars
Poor quality
Some pages have very light print very difficult to read
One person found this helpful
Robert Affolter –
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a thought provoking book.
Schwartz and Begley provide evidence for our dualistic existence. While physicists have ducked the question of determinism, evolution has been based on random mutation, a physical impossibility. Schwartz and Begley examine some evidence that shed light on the discrepancies between biology and physics. They are hinting at what I get to: you can’t be intelligent and believe in evolution. I highly recommend it. Robert Affolter
Dupe ’em and Dope ’em
Josh –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intense read
There are some scientific terms in there, but I still just loved this book. I learned so much more about The Four Step Method and even testing on monkey’s. I learned that, indeed, our brains are able to change at any age. We are never “set for life” as we were taught in school. This book even talks some about how to do that.
Janis Grummitt –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not for the faint hearted
This is a very good book if you have studied neuroscience. Otherwise it is quite hard going. This is an important source book for facts and research that backs up much of the recent theories on the practical use of the brain. The ability of the brain to ‘create itself’ and to constantly change is a reletively recent understanding and it is extremely significant in all areas of thinking and personal development. Just don’t take it to read on the beach!
15 people found this helpful
Richard B. Lanoue –
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Brain-What a tool!
I’m getting me graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and I’m always amazed to read books about how the brain works. It’s a surprise to me that 2 people can come together and stay married for life.
pahouseholder –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enthralling
Schwartz & Begley are so engaging in manner & content that I am compelled to state this work is enthralling. As a pastor, I’ve never considered deeply more than half the content herein. However, the authors kept me engaged as they tied together evidence for their understanding all along the way.
Paul B. Miller –
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Mind is a great book with a mix
This book combines research and his own experience and life involvement with mindfulness. The book was informative and helpful. His arguments of the cruelty of some behavior techiques was compeling I highly recommend this book for those wishing to examine how you can better understand and control the anxiety and stress that washes over all of us.
One person found this helpful
Ramanan A –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book
Awesome book. Enjoyed it thoroughly.Great compliment to other books on Neuroplasticity.Is a good introduction to understanding’ consciousness’ to people who are not aware of the Advaita philosophy. And it tries explain it ( consciousness) at the neuromolecular level & using Quantum Physics also
Victoria Hayteas –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Arrived on time
College level reading – a lot to learn, well written, excellent read
Amazon Customer –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mind expanding easy reading.
I loved the intersection of neuro-science, paradigm shifting and pioneering that takes Newtonion reasoning and slams it up against the cutting edge of quantum physics. What a ride! Plus, it is such a relief to have my mind in charge of the gray-matter.
Courtney J. McCormick –
5.0 out of 5 stars
“An Enticing Amalgamation of Neuroscience, Psychology, Philosophy, and Physics”
The Mind & The Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force was a very tantalizing read. This review is to highlight points of the book so that you will pick it up and take a look yourself. Overall, I enjoyed this book. I learned a great deal about neuroplasticity and its implications in treating certain disorders such as OCD and depression. The book is split into 12 sections: an introduction, 10 chapters, and an epilogue. All are very interesting and successfully carry on into the next section, creating a continuous, enlightening learning experience. Within the chapters, Schwartz also adds intriguing anecdotes about other researchers and scientists that helped him to produce his 4 Step regimen, a program that greatly assisted his OCD patients in their quest for control of their chronic urges.The Introduction of the book starts with a brief explanation as to why Schwartz decided that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) would be his model for neuroplasticity and the reason as to why he thought prior methods for treating OCD. He describes how the current treatments for OCD involved Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) that could include very unusual methods and were mildly successful in the patients that tried them. In addition to the initial story, Schwartz gives stories about other treatments for OCD and how dangerous they could be for the patients. He goes on to discuss Bare Attention, mindful awareness, and mindfulness which together are ways of perceiving what is going on around and to you without being directly influenced by it. He leads into the book by introducing his 4 Steps: Relabeling, Reattributing, Refocusing, and Revaluing that each help the patient overcome their OCD. They are discussed further in the coming chapters.The first part of the book, Ch.1 -The Matter of Mind, compares and contrasts the differing of opinions about how the mind and brain are related. It begins the debate on the reality of the ability of the mind to have an effect on the brain. An intriguing alien short story by author Terry Bisson ponders “the utter absurdity of the situation” when an alien scout reports on a trip from our planet. Next, the human conscious and its uniqueness are dissected. To conclude the chapter, the author concludes that there must be a “mental force” that connects the mind and the brain.Ch.2 – Brain Lock goes back to OCD and discusses how it locks the brain into consumingly compulsive thoughts which take over the patient’s attention, hence the title of this chapter and another of his books. The chapter also discusses how OCD takes over the mind (“OCD circuit”) and how the therapy that the author proposes will change the mind of the patient. The creation of the counteracting “Therapy circuit” and the 4 Steps are also elaborated on in this chapter.The downfall of the notion that the adult brain cannot change is the purpose of Ch.3 – Birth of a Brain. It had been documented previously that that there are many changes in the brain from the fetal to adolescent ages, but not the adult human brain. The vast complexity of the brain, with a large number of neurons and synapses, is also discussed. The way that the perfect steps to create this large complex of neurons and synapses that created an intricate network that controls the body occur took a great amount of time and will, whether divine or one of chance.The infamous tale of Edward Taub and the 17 monkeys with which he was charged for animal cruelty discussed in Ch.4 – The Silver Spring Monkeys is possibly the most interesting story of the book. It is possibly because this was my first time hearing about the story of Taub and his research on “deafferentation in monkeys” and his run-in with PETA that I was enamored by this chapter. Learning that he was exonerated of his crimes and that his findings led to some very compelling research dealing with plasticity helped in enjoying this chapter. Taub and his research are mentioned throughout the rest of the book as well.Ch.5 – The Mapmakers reaches into the brain to focus on the sensory and motor cortices to discuss how they relate to neuroplasticity. The chapter discusses that the more a part of the body is used, then the more that is represented in the two cortices or “maps” as they are described. It elaborates on how the sensory and motor “mapping” takes hours of time and how much the researchers put towards determining that the brain maps changed when the subjects were put through experimental trials.The next chapter Ch.6 – Survival of the Busiest compels the reader to take note that only neurons and synapses will survive the changes of the brain. This “cortical remapping” of the brain can have positive or negative results, as indicated in the book. This chapter also gives a formal definition of what neuroplasticity is and is not. Attention is brought forth as the key to plasticity at the end of the chapter.Ch.7 – Network Remodeling discusses how the brain attempts to adjust to functional setbacks by changing itself. This remodeling can be self-initiated, shown by research revealed in the chapter. The chapter focuses on OCD and specific language impairments like dyslexia and how the attempts to fix them and their roots results in a program called Fast ForWord being put on the market. This chapter also discusses a program similar to the author’s that involves using comparable steps to assist subjects with Tourette’s syndrome.The most powerful lessons of the book come from Ch.8 – The Quantum Brain. The chapter gives a tutorial in the fundamental differences between classical physics and the much more recent quantum physics. The chapter then goes into how lessons learned in this book are much more readily reinforced by the theories of quantum physics than classical physics. The ability for researchers to completely confirm the concreteness of quantum physics, even though they cannot fully discover the reasoning behind it, leads to a compelling argument as to why there is a “mental force” that connects the mind to the brain. Be prepared to expand your mind with this chapter.Ch.9 – Free Will, and Free Won’t describes how humans have some sort of control over the daily choices that we make. The “mental force” that is described in the chapter is “the physical expression of will.” This same “mental force” allows our minds to control our brains. If we did not have control, then we would be the same as automatons and would not be able to be punished for our crimes since they would not be our fault.The last chapter is Ch.10 – Attention Must Be Paid. As the title suggests, attention is the focal point of this section. The culmination of the research put forth and discussed in this book. It states that a person cannot change their brain if they are not paying attention. Attention serves as the vehicle for true neuroplasticity in humans. It creates our conscious and is also our focusing point in our perceived “reality.”The Epilogue compiles the information from all of the previous chapters and brings the book to a close. Attention, as well as its place as the power behind human will, is given a second look. It also discusses how the author plans to further research into the mind, its awareness and true relation to the brain, and how all of that could be used to help treat certain disorders.Although I tried to convey all of the great aspects of this book, I, in no way, did this book the complete justice that it deserves. I would greatly recommend this book for a novice with a basic knowledge of the field of neuroscience or anyone else that is interested in learning more about true plasticity of the brain. I will definitely suggest buying the book to anyone that seems to be interested in the neuroscience community.Interesting Quotes from the Book”…through mindful awareness, you can stand outside your own mind as if you are watching what is happening to another rather than experiencing it yourself.””The will, I was starting to believe, generates a force.””Consciousness is more than perceiving and knowing; it is knowing that you know.””The rise of modern science…reduced human beings to automatons.”…when the mind changes, so does the brain””…cognitive therapy alone seemed to lack what OCD patients needed.””…the Silver Spring monkeys also changed forever the dogma that the adult primate brain has lost the plasticity of childhood””…most believed that learning physically alters the brain.””the cortical representations…reflect the history of use of the motor system””The amount of cortical territory assigned to a given part of the body reflects not the size of that body part by its sensitivity””Neuroplasticity…refers to wholesale remapping of neural real estate””…brain plasticity follows an increase or decrease in sensory input””…both quantum physics and classical Buddhism give volition and choice a central role in the workings of the cosmos.””A quantum theory of mind, incorporating the discoveries of nonlocality and the Quantum Zeno Effect, offers the hope of mending the breach between science and moral philosophy.”
16 people found this helpful
David J. Kreiter –
5.0 out of 5 stars
The dissolution of mind and matter
Neuropsychiatrist Jeffrey Schwartz stood at the precipice of a great divide: a divide between classical physics and quantum physics, between behaviorism and cognition, between physiological determinism and free will, between John B. Watson and William James. Behaviorist John B. Watson, an adherent to the philosophies of classical physics, functionalism, and determinism believed that consciousness is nothing more than the product of causal events in the brain. These notions implicitly deny the ideas of consciousness and free will, and his writings served as the guiding philosophy for the behaviorists who were providing therapy for obsessive/compulsive (OCD) patients in the 1980s. “In the United States, therapists in the forefront of developing these techniques have had patients rub public toilet seats with their hands and then spread…whatever they touched all over their hair, face, and clothes. They have had patients rub urine over themselves…They have had patients bring in a piece of toilet paer soiled with a minuscule amount of their fecal material and rub it on their face and through their hair during therapy sessions…In other cases patients are prevented from washing their hands for days at a time, even after using the bathroom”(3). Jeffrey Schwartz was appalled at this inhumanity. A student of Buddhism, Schwartz believed that mindfulness or “bare attention” might be more suited in helping his obsessive/compulsive patients than the cruel and unnecessary treatment at the hands of the behaviorist therapists, and decades of research backed us his ideas that the mind is not immutable. These experiments conclusively showed that the adult brain has the ability to form new connections as well as grow entirely new neurons from stem cells in the hippocampus of the brain. These finding were largely ignored by behaviorist therapists treating patients with obsessive-compulssive disorder. Schwartz began to recuit his own OCD patients. He convinced them that the obsessive thoughts were the result of the faulty functioning of their brains. In a four step prcess of “relabeling”, “reattributing”, “refocusing”, and “revaluing”, he was able to instill in his patients a method of self-induced therapy. Over time these procedures altered brain chemistry, brain function, and produced long term favorable and measurable changes in the physical structure of the brain. These successes were not limited to OCD patients. Similar procedures, which rely upon focused attention, produced equally successful therapies for patients of stroke, depression, turrets syndrome, and autism. Schwartz coined the term “mental force” implying that the mind affects matter and he states: “Mental force affects the brain by altering the wave functions of the atoms that make up the brain’s ions, neurotransmitters, and synapic vesicles”(318). Seeking a more rigorous quantum mechanical description of his idea, it seemed only fitting that in the spring of 1988 he would meet quantum physicist Henry Stapp. Both he and Stapp had been profoundly influence by the writings of William James. Stapp, like James, believed that a materialist view of the mind was untenable. The brain, Stapp insists, is a quantum mechanical system subject to all the properties of quantum mechanics such as non-locality, quantum tunneling, and the principle of uncertaintly. In particular, the ion channels, which are the chemical gateways that connect neurons across the synaptic gaps, are extremely narrow providing a large amount of uncertainty. As a result a quantum superpositon of states is created in which the neuron both fires and does not fire, both possibilities existing simultaneously. At the moment of observation, the superposition of states of the brain and of the aspects of nature being probed, collapse into a definitve state in which informtion or meaning is gained. The dualistic boundary between mind and matter collapses. The role of the observer, Stapp suggests, is to decide which questions to pose. The mind chooses which deterministic thoughts welling up in the brain should be held in consciousness in what William James called the “stream of consciousness” and what physicists call the “quantum Zeno effect”, named after the Greek philosopher Zeno of Elea. The quantum Zeno effect, describe what happens when certain quantum attributes exist in a superposition of states. An observation will collapse the superposition into one particular state and hold it there indefinitely. This then is the essence of free will, and this is what gave OCD patients the choice not to act upon the unwanted thoughts that welled up in their brains as a result of deterministic processes. Schwartz’ effort was a triumph of quantum physics over classical physics, of cognition over behaviorism, of free-will over determinism, and of the ideas of William James over the ideas of John B. Watson. This was a masterful and well researched book that documents many years of Jeffrey Schwartz’s professional career, from his early influence by William James to his groundbreaking work with OCD patients and culminating in his fortuitous meeting with physicist Henry Stapp. This book had an influential affect on my philosphy of the nature of reality.Qreality1@aol.com
11 people found this helpful
Yvonne –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this Book!
I love Jeffrey Schwartz! He is a man with a lot of insight and wisdom. I read this book about 10 years ago, and I read it again just recently. I enjoyed it just as much the second time as I did the first. I learn new things and make new connections every time I read it. I remember in the 1990’s when my father cut out and handed me an article from our local newspaper talking about Jeffery Schwartz and his research in neuroplasticity. I was so excited, and I put the article on our refrigerator. I finally had the science to support what I believed. I had always believed that there was more to humans than just a brain (a biological organ). I always thought of the brain as the hardware, but what about the software? What about free will? Do we make choices or were we just “born this way?” “Are we just our brain?” As a lover of psychology, I am very analytical and have spent a lot of time analyzing myself. Through this analytical process, I have become very self aware of who I am, the choices I have made in my life and how those choices have impacted, formed and shaped “who I am.” I have been able to connect many dots in my life which has helped me better understand myself, understand why I think like I do and understand why I feel what I feel. Jeffrey Schwartz does an excellent job at presenting the facts with documented studies showing that our brains are changing, and we are not just our brains. My father is the one who introduced me to Jeffrey Schwartz’s research and books. We both have read his other books, “Brain Lock” and “You are not Your Brain.” Both books are great and highly recommended. Thank you so much Jeffrey Schwartz for your research, taking the time to write it down and share it with the world. Lives will be changed for the better when people realize they are not “trapped” or a “victim of their mind,” but that they can take control and “change their brain.” There is “freedom” and “power” in knowledge, and Jeffrey Schwartz has provided that knowledge.
5 people found this helpful
L. Yang –
4.0 out of 5 stars
A physicist’s review
(1) A book with good information and thoughtsThe Mind and The Brain covered many interesting and important subjects for those who consider themselves thinkers of humanity.I had Ph.D in solid State Physics and had been thinking along a similar line of thoughts about the philosophical implication of Quantum physics for 30 years. I think the book has the breath and the depth to be considered a great book, although the conclusion of attention being the mental force, in my opinion, is a bit premature.From other reviews on, I found the responses were largely based on the background of the reviewers. As a physicist with Asian culture background, working in US for 30 years, I can appreciate many aspects of the reviews. I made a table below showing what I would think how the readers would consider the subjects when reading this book. (This is simply my guess of others’ views and could be very inaccurate.)………………….Neuroscientist…….Physicist……Westerner……..Asian4R for OCD……..revolutionary………new…………acceptable……acceptableBrain lock …….common sense………new…………new……………newBrain plasticity..revolutionary……….new…………new…………..common beliefQuantum brain…..new………………debatable……new……………newFree will………..debatable………….debatable……debatable…….common beliefIf you are a physicist with western culture background, you might find this book very informative in the brain structure but skeptical about the quantum theorem portion. But, if you have an Asian culture background, you might find the proof of mental force is pointless because it was taken for granted for thousands of years.From this table, this book is a very informative book to nearly everybody and I highly recommend it. I also agree with many reviewers that some repetitions and the over-mentioning of OCD therapy often turn off the readers.(2) A respectable attempt:Although very often I thought Dr. Schwartz was repeating the obvious, such as 4R. I think many people perform this exercise whenever you feel itchy of your throat on stage or an urge of your bladder in a long bus ride. But, I realize he was trying to provide scientific evidence to a common practice. Even we have accustomed to something, the details of scientific evidence is the foundation of enhancement of understanding. Therefore, to say the practice was commonly used elsewhere did not diminishing the importance of scientific explanation of how it works. Further, the OCD PET scan data was used as an evidence of Brain plasticity.Similarly, many therapies used for stroke recovery were practiced widely. Those people did not care about theory. They just want to recover their paralyses. But, providing scientific understanding of why it was possible is still an important work.It is respectful that Dr. Shwartz conducted these works in the science community which had long established the belief that human brain loses its plasticity after childhood.(3) A not-successful-yet attempt:The motive of Dr. Schwartz’s work, initially on OCD patients, was extended to seek for finding the link between the mind and the brain, via scientific method and a hope for the existence of free will.But, the problem is Dr. Schwartz does not understand Buddhism enough or quantum physics enough. He relied on Dr. Henry Stapp of UCB to form the foundation of quantum interpretation of mind. I read the same arguments in “Quantum Brain” written by Jeffrey Satinover:— Classical physics lead to determinism— Determinism leads to materialism— Materialism leads to non-existence of free willThe triumph of quantum physics broke this chain. But, to say it provides the ultimate answers is an overstatement.What Dr. Stapp provided was just a hypothesis or a possibility. While personally, I, who had a Ph. D in Solid State Physics, think it is going a wrong direction, I have to applaud Dr. Stapp for trying. Maybe it will lead to new hypotheses to be verified or discarded. And, this is of the spirit of scientific method.Finally, the claim the existence of a mental force is not new or supported by Dr. Schwartz’s work.The link between mind and brain remains un-discovered.
29 people found this helpful
SANDY HANBERG –
5.0 out of 5 stars
I liked the 4 step Method.
The reason that I purchased the Mind and Brain book was because it was similar to a paper That I have written, which I will list below.SANDY’S MIND BODY SILENTCONNECTION CONVERSATION LIST05/13/13 08:13 PMINTRODUCTIONThe following is a TOP PRIORITY LIST That I call “SANDY’S-MIND-BODY-SILENT CONNECTION-CONVERSATION-LIST” that I have silently followed with myself at bedtime.every night for years. It appears to be mostly working.The pain , Itching and Tennis sections are probably the more easily sensed parts of the conversation list than the cancer or heart problems. Some items like growing hair on the top of my head are probably impossible but I say it to myself anyway.Trying to converse with another person’s Trillion Computer Systems [Gerri [(Wife) & Jackie (Daughter)] is much more improbable than conversing with my Trillion Computer Systems. I do it any way.I believe that you can converse with the Trillion Computer Systems in your body.This is not praying to God. There are Scientists now working to develop an electronic digital computer system to replace the part of a defective brain that cannot remember things.This is a scientific experiment. The Trillion Computer Systems in your body has MANY ACTIVITIES TO PERFORM EVERY MICROSECOND.Since I am the Commander of all the Trillion Computer Systems in my body, I am going to indicate to the Trillion Computer Systems in my body MY TOP PRIORITIES.This a PARTNERSHIP between MY INTERNAL TRILLION-COMPUTER-SYTEMS and MY OUTER-BODY’S-ACTIVITIES[exercise procedures , food intake, vitamin intake and dieting procedures].The Trillion Computer Systems activities inside of my Body will not be as effective if I do not perform my Outside Activities properly and efficiently.The Trillion Computer Systems will help guide my Outside Activities properly and efficiently.You can follow “SANDY’S-MIND-BODY CONNECTION-CONVERSATION-LIST every evening by substituting your name for mine.You can also change my top priorities list for your top priority list.You can eliminate my Tennis procedure if you are not a Tennis player.Why should you try SANDY’S-MIND-BODY CONNECTION-CONVERSATION-LIST”?Because its free and you have nothing to loose and everything to gain.I believe the the Trillion Computer Systems in my body guided me to have a Right Knee Replacement, which I fought not to do for a long time. The results of the Right Knee-Replacement on my Tennis playing ability was fantastic.My Tennis Playing Doctor who replaced my Right Knee gave me a thumbs up as I played him for about 10 minutes. I will have a Left Knee Replacement June 12,2013.I started to take the sleeping aid drug Ambien[5mg] last night. I have not slept that well in decades.I believe that the Trillion Computer Systems in my body guided me to ask the Doctor for a sleeping aid. I have always fought the idea of a sleeping aid. SANDY’S-MIND-BODY CONNECTION-CONVERSATION LIST “This is Sandy Hanberg, Commander of Trillion Computer Systems in the body of Sandy Hanberg.I want all Trillion Computer Systems in the body of Sandy Hanberg to figure out a way to eliminate or minimize the following Aging problems in the body of Sandy Hanberg: A. CANCER PROBLEM SOURCES Melanoma Pancreatic Diverticulitis Throat Lung Esophagus Lymphoma Brain Colon Prostate Kidney Liver Lukemia Bone Head and Neck Thyroid Bladder Testicular B. PAIN PROBLEM SOURCES Severely Arthritic Bone on Bone Knees Pain above the Right Knee Replacement ankle Toe Shoulder Elbow Wrist Intersection of the Left Wrist & Left Palm Stomach Head Migraine Headache Eye Ear Hip C. GENERAL PROBLEM SOURCES Arthritis Vision Hearing Parkinson Bowlegged Rash Leg itching Blood in the Urine Urine leaking Dizziness Gall Bladder Liver Vertigo Sweet Craving Fast Eating Elbow Facial Wrinkle Shoulder Stomach Back Herniated Disk Arm Muscle Prostate Bladder Esophagus Swallowing Seizure Aneurism Stroke Alzheimer Dementia Lou Gehrig’s Disease Diabetes Lung Kidney Pneumonia Cold Disease virus Flu Atrial Fibrillation Post Nasal Drip Throat Clearing Sneezing Short Term Memory Long Term Memory Growing Hair on the Top of my Head[impossible?] Hair Falling out from the Top of My Head Scabs and Sores on the Top of My Head Constipation Depression Diarrhea Epilepsy Hepatitis Hypertension Incontenance Insomnia Longevity Lupus Multiple Sclerosis Shingles Tuberculosis Ulcers Urinary Tract Infection Rheumatic Disease Dental Health Sebaceous cysts Drinking too much Wine Drinking too much Beer Drinking too much Coffee Poor Eating Habits Weight Gain Lack of Willpower to Exercise Sexual Capability Blood Clots in the Lungs D. HEARING PROBLEM SOURCES Low or High Background Noise Environments People’s voices at a dining table in a Noisy environment Television sounds Radio Sounds Movie Sounds Low or High Frequency components of Sound Ear Wax E.. TENNIS PROBLEMS Remembering Tennis Scores Remembering when I serve[after an Opponents Serve] Making Good Line Calls Not to make a Line Call on a Blurred Shot Poor Forehand Top Spin Drive [Sweep the Racket from Low-to-High over the outer Jacket of the Ball ,while making good eye contact with the Ball & Racket, then following through over my left shoulder so that the outside of my arm covers my left eye-brow and my left shoulder rotates slightly ccw. Sandy does not look where the ball is going.] Poor Backhand Top Spin Drive [Sweep the Racket from Low-to-High over my left shoulder so that the outside of my arm covers my left eye-brow and my left shoulder rotates slightly ccw,then sweep the Racket from Low-to-High over the outer Jacket of the Ball ,while making good eye contact with the Ball & Racket, then following through. Sandy does not look where the ball is going.]. Poor Lefthand Top Spin Drive [Sweep the Racket from Low-to-High over the outer Jacket of the Ball ,while making good eye contact with the Ball & Racket, then following through over my right shoulder so that the inside of my arm covers my right eye-brow and my right shoulder rotates slightly cw. Sandy does not look where the ball is going.] Poorly hitting the Ball over the Net by at least 3 feet Poor Lobbing [Sweep the Racket from Low-to-High over the outer Jacket of the Ball ,while making good eye contact with the Ball & Racket, then following through over my left shoulder so that the outside of my arm covers my left eye-brow and my left shoulder rotates slightly ccw. Sandy does not look where the ball is going.] Poor Overhead Drives [ Rapidly throw the Racket at the bottom of the Ball, while making good eye contact with Ball and Racket, then snapping my wrist, saying down and following through. Sandy does not look where the ball is going.] Poor First Serves [Lift the Ball very high over my head,then rapidly throwing the Racket at the bottom of the Ball, while making good eye contact with Ball and Racket, then snapping my wrist, saying down and following through. Sandy does not look where the ball is going.] Poor Second Serves [Lift the Ball very high over my head,then rapidly throwing the Racket at the bottom of the Ball, while making good eye contact with Ball and Racket, then snapping my wrist, saying down and following through. Sandy does not look where the ball is going.] Poor Return from an Opponent Drive on the Right [Retrieve the ball and hit a good Lob over the Opponent on the left side of the court, then immediately run to the center of the court and return the Opponents return with my backhand or my left hand]. Poor Return from an Opponent Drive on the Left [Retrieve the ball and hit a good Lob over the Opponent on the right side of the court, then immediately run to the center of the court and return the Opponents return with my forehand]. Poor Attack of the net when the Opponent is in a week position [Attack the Net with my Forehand, when the Opponent is in a weak position]. Poor Return of an Opponents Drive that appears to be going Out but goes in instead Poor Return of an Opponents Drive that appears to be going into the Net but goes over the Net instead I Poorly Take Charge of the net, Both sides of the Center Line and the Base Line if my partner cannot run very fast My Partner Poorly Takes Charge of the net, Both sides of the Center Line and the Base Line if he runs faster than I do I Poorly return an Opponents Drive from No-mans Land I Poorly return an Opponents Drive from my Base Line[Opponent hitting Balls near my feet]. I Poorly return an Opponents Deep Lob on the Fly in No-mans Land [Sandy does not try to hit the Deep Lob after it bounces near the base line, too hard to get]. I Poorly return an Opponents Short Lob on the Fly in No-mans Land I Poorly return an Opponents Short Lob on the Fly in No-mans Land that is too close to my Body[I must step back one step and wait for the Short Lob to bounce before driving the ball] I poorly run up to the Net when the Opponent runs up to the net, so I can prevent an Opponent Drop Shot Left Knee Pains[Requires Massaging of the Knee]——————————————————————————II> This is Sandy Hanberg, Commander of aTrillion Computer Systems in the body of Sandy Hanberg.I want all Trillion Computer Systems in the body of Gerri Hanberg to figure out a way to eliminate or minimize the following Aging problems in the body of Gerri Hanberg: A. GENERAL PROBLEM SOURCES Severely Arthritic Bone on Bone Knees Severely Arthritic Hips Ankle Leg Thigh Budox Back Breathing Blood Clots in the Lungs Appetite Stomach Aches Anxiety Getting up from a Chair,Toilet Seat, or a Car Seat with ease Walking easily Walking up & Down the Stairs with ease Alzheimer or Dementia Possibilities Short Term Memory—————————————————————————————————–III. This is Sandy Hanberg, Commander of a Trillion Computer Systems in the body of Sandy Hanberg.I want all Trillion Computer Systems in the body of Jackie Nelson to figure out a way to eliminate or minimize the following Aging problems in the body of Jackie Nelson: A. GENERAL PROBLEM SOURCES Manic Depression Short Term Memory Neck pain problems Dieting
5 people found this helpful
Allen –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good Read; very in-depth on Neurology but lacking in understanding in Christianity
The author has presented a very good book on the basic topic of Neuroplasticity. However, his treatment of the Catholic Church and her teachings on science/faith and the so called “war” between them falls, like so many others, into the “trap” set by materialists which has been promulgated by our media to enduce readers to actually believe that the Catholic Church was against Science, when in fact, if you do your homework, it was THE Catholic Church that sustained ALL science and all scientific studies as well as the arts during the Medieval age.Other than this faux pas, much of what he states is really quite beautiful. He never actually describes what is “mind.” It begs the question: Are we going to, yet again, deny the reality of the Spirit? And state, as materialists do, that all that exists is material? Well then, what are these words? I mean the concepts? Are they material? Not. They are ideas, concepts, which ARE REAL and they do exist but not in a base material form. The theology of the Catholic Church and Christianity has answered the question about mind-matter for over 2000 years and we received much of our understanding from the Jews and ultimately, YHWH, yet, the reason, I believe, so many so called educated folk chose to deny the existence of “Spirit” is to deny the existence of God …. for one reason: so that they may be their own God. This author finds a way to harmonize Mind-Matter for those educated types. The rest of us who are theists, well, we already knew that the Mind can change the brain, just look at how we learn any sport, subject or skill. However, to have a “scientist” in this day and age to agree with this basic and ancient truth is very very refreshing. Materialism has allowed so many “educated” and selfish, self-serving folk to deny their personal responsibilities that it is appalling. This scientist, though he may be in a minority, is taking a very unpopular stand and I applaud him. It will cost him but he is a Man and a Man to be highly respected.
7 people found this helpful
Judy P. –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful and inspiring
I just finished reading The Mind and The Brain for the second time because of an interest in how hypnotherapy might help stoke survivors. This book offers the most succinct examination I’ve found on the difference between the brain and mind – terms often erroneously used interchangeably. The book draws from research in neuroplasticity conducted over the past two decades, combined with the philosophical underpinnings of Buddhism and William James, along with the conclusions of Henry Stapp on quantum processes in the brain. The main premise is that willful effort and focused attention create self-directed neuroplasticity in the form of reassignment of damaged neural functions and repair of weak circuitry. The authors make it clear that “the lives we lead create the brains we have.”The book offers hope and much practical advice for the treatment of depression, stroke, and phantom limb pain. Schwartz discusses at length his own research on how mindfulness training and his four step cognitive therapy process (Relabel, Reattribute, Refocus, and Revalue) brought significant changes in the brains of OCD patients, along with much symptom relief. This work holds implications for how the rest of us can deal with habits, addictions, cravings, and emotional drives.Throughout, the authors weave a thought-provoking discussion on how our views on the human brain ultimately shape our opinions on morality, culpability, responsibility, and free will. Schwartz enters the debate between free will and determinism, declaring that determinism is insufficient to explain human behavior. He states that scientific materialism renders human beings as nothing more than automatons, subject to their neurology and genes. For its blending of neuroscience and philosophy, this book makes a significant statement on the over-medication of our society.This book is recommended reading for psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and rehabitation therapists working with any kind of brain injury. This is one book that I’ll be citing in my own writing.
6 people found this helpful
Mr.V –
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good, when he’s talking neuroscience and history. Bad, when he’s talking interpretation.
I did learn some interesting information from reading this book and would thus recommend it to those intrigued by neuroscience and the mind. However, his desire for free will to exist biases his interpretations. In fact, I became quite embarrassed while reading some parts where he kept writing about how will (the power to wish) changes neuronal connections. I think everyone who reads this should either before or immediately afterwards read into 1) neural darwinism and 2) a book called ‘Synaptic Self’. He doesn’t even talk about the emotional brain and how it influences our actions. The mind (mental phenomena) is indeed causal; our feelings influence our next reaction, our next conscious state. However, the neural activity underpinning the genesis of said mental phenomena, as well as how the mental phenemona are perceived as novel stimuli, are out of our metaphorical sense of control. We, through ‘will’, do not control how we create a mental state or how we respond to a mental state.This is just my opinion, but I feel that after stripping away all of our biases and predispositions, thus assuming an objective stance that would resemble that of a martian perspective, this is the logical conclusion that remains… I know logic can be hard to take and I am not saying that the reality of our existence is easy to take, but I feel will is not evolvable when you realize how the brain and its abilities have evolved..through neuronal activity.
20 people found this helpful
Elwood D. Baas –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mind-Equals-Brain Fails
Neuroplasticity: Changing the physical brain by using the mind itself. Rewiring the brain by conscious activity. Tracing the author’s path on how how he came to his conclusions over the years is interesting in its own right.1. He was well aware of William James (1900) who wrote on the “mind and the brain” and contended that there was more to the mind than a physical entity. James talked about “volition” (free will), but could not make a scientific case for proving it.2. Author knew that a child forms most all brain function potential by the age of two. He also knew that when young children lost half of their brain to surgery, they were NOT severely handicapped.3. As a neuropsychologist, the author worked with many patients who were suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and others who had lost part of their brain function due to stoke or other causes. Instead of giving patients drugs to affectcertain parts of the physical brain, which was common practice, he tried self-mind-healing remedies where the patient took back control by “focus”, “intention” and “attention”. Author quote: “The discovery that neuroplasticity can be induced in people who have suffered a stroke demonstrated, more than any other finding, the clinical power of a brain that can rewire itself.”4. After years of working with OCD patients, the author used a disciplined format of, “Relabel, Reattribute, Refocus, Revalue”, resulting in an independent scientific application that could be applied to validate the results. (All the while he was bucking the materialist psychologists who wanted no part of his “mysterious solution”.) Author’s process was at last confirmed scientifically by controlled studies.Author quote: “Since I was arguing that the mind can change the brain, persuading the scientific community that I was right required that scientists accept an evan more basic fact that the adult brain can change at all.”5. At this point the author had won the argument for “duality”; that the brain and the mind are connected but that they are completely separate entities. (Darwinists and materialists deny duality since brain to them equals mind.)He also had vindicated William James contention that there was a real concept of volition or free will.6. The author then goes on to investigate if there is any basis in science for this “mind over matter mystery” to come about, i.e., how does the rewiring take place? He was open to the option that it might be a mystery or enigma of physics, so he investigated quantum physics where physicist Niels Bohr had already shown that consciousness between mind and quantum particles changes the state of the particles.Niels Bohr quote: “Anyone who is not shocked by quantum theory has not understood it.” (Einstein understood what Bohr meant but never accepted it.) With the triumph of the quantum theory, physics stopped being about nature itself and instead became about our knowledge of nature (human observations): “No phenomenon is a phenomenon until it is an observed phenomenon.” Without knowing the details of quantum theory, It should be obvious that the mind and matter are in some way mysteriously entangled.The final step was to apply the quantum effects to what is going on in the brain of an observer, and what scientists know as the Quantum Zeno Effect. The neurons involve electrical impulses and ions so we have the quantum ingredients needed if changes can be effectual. Simply put, the Zeno Effect says that when an observation is made (intention/attention of the mind), it holds onto the neural connection that has been created, and with continued, focused observations over time holds that neural connection. So the brain gets physically changed/rewired by focused use of the mind!So the author finally satisfied his puzzlement on how the OCD patients and those with other brain damage could by “force of mind” produce healing. The author makes a comment “that although I believed in the concept in a spiritual sense, I wasn’t yet thinking about whether such a mental force might have a physical reality.”
39 people found this helpful
sully –
4.0 out of 5 stars
After the OCD it goes way too far
I can personally vouch for the efficacy of Cognitive Therapy at altering my own OCD and this book’s descriptions and explanations explain what is going on. It has been wonderfully reassuring to read a scientific explanation for the lessening of my symptoms. Yet, I was troubled by the further arguments. 1. The author claims that successful use of willful mindedness changes the brain circuitry and lessens OCD symptoms and this is proven by PET scans. Yet I can’t agree that this demolishes the Newtonian materialist world view because it shows the mind changing the brain. A non material thing changing a material thing. This is a vast conclusion based on a specific insight. It is eerily evocative of the Creationist arguments which claim to demolish natural selection by pointing to one problem with the fossil record. An entire foundation of science is not destroyed by one contradictory or unexplained aspect. 2. Quantum mechanics and the brain are a major part of this book. Fascinating but the idea that the world only exists when humans observe it seems preposterous. The brain only exists because of the observing mind is implied. The strange issues of quantum physics are blended into spiritual concepts of mind. I am uncomfortable with this. 3. The author claims that the firing of neurons cannot explain all that the brain does, but does that mean we have to accept forces and non-material concepts as real? A gap in our understanding has to be filled with a “force” which cannot be quantified or described? Because neuroscience ignored consciousness and mind does not mean they are totally wrong and we can go back to spirits and demons running things. The excesses of the materialist viewpoint pale in comparison with the excesses of centuries of the alternative. An OCD sufferer of the Middle Ages would have been considered to be under the control of a demon, now it seems we are asking a demon to stop the OCD. The firing of neurons explains so much while a non material spirit mind can not be described. I am not ready to overturn the materialist world view but I very much appreciated this book’s discussion of OCD and neuroplasticity. It is worth reading for those points and also to make you think about the topics I have mentioned above.
22 people found this helpful
A Busy Bee –
2.0 out of 5 stars
A red herring
I don’t have direct access to my brain, so I don’t really care what state it’s in. What I do have access to is my mind and behaviour, and I know that if I change the contents of my mind (thoughts, beliefs, desires, motivations, wishes, etc.), I can change my behaviour and if I change my behaviour the contents of my mind change, in a constant feedback loop…. and mutatis mutandis for the way my mind *operates*. And changing our thinking and behaviour is what matters to us as consciously experiencing beings. Everything to do with improving our experiences (a.k.a. quality of life) can be achieved at the level of the mind …. as the Buddha taught us 2,500 years ago.It’s best to treat the brain as a black box. I am prepared to grant that everything the neuroscientists say at the level of neuroscience is correct. It’s just not *relevant* to anything, unless you’re in the business of building artificial brains and human beings. Treat the brain as a black box. If you change your ways of thinking and your behaviour, your brain will change, but so what? Everything to do with enhancing your experiences can be done at the level of the mind (except if the brain has some sort of physical dysfunction.)
Aditya K. Prasad –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Informative but flawed
I learned quite a bit from this book, and believe it is a worthwhile investment. However, instead of spending this review writing about the information I gleaned from this book (essentially all of which can be found in previous reviews), I would like to outline what I believe is its main shortcoming.In one sentence: the author arrives at a conclusion that is not warranted by the arguments he presents. He attempts to argue for the existence of free will, but he bases his argument on a false dichotomy: his claim is that attention must either be (1) a causal and fundamental (i.e., irreducible) force, or else (2) a deterministic (and therefore predictable) physiological response.He does a marvelous job showing that attention is indeed a causal force (e.g., citing studies of his OCD patients), but doesn’t demonstrate its irreducibility. For example: How do we know that attention does not itself arise from physical processes? To answer this, he presents an evolutionary argument: what use would attention be if it were a mere side-effect of a physiological (and actually causative) process?To rule out determinism, he introduces quantum mechanics. However, while he is correct in asserting that this allows attention to arise from stochastic processes, he does not explain why this by itself implies free will. Does the fact that our minds behave nondeterministically (and therefore ‘unpredictably’) allow us to conclude that we have something called “free will?” The author seems to believe so.He goes to great lengths to prove that our minds respond to more than simple sensory input, being also controlled by this nebulous thing called ‘attention.’ But without being able to argue that attention is not itself the product of a purely physical process (mind you, I’m not sure how one might go about this–but he should be up front about this), and without explaining his definition of “free will” to be little more than physical nondeterminism, I believe it is premature to draw the conclusions that he does.All in all an excellent book, with (what I believe are) faulty conclusions.
23 people found this helpful
Amy E. Hawthorne –
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Exploration of Neuroplasticity, but Weak on Link to Quantum Physics and Proof of Free Will
The majority of this book deals with the biological, neurological and psychological threads that all came together only recently to support the theory of adult neuroplasticity and these chapters are riveting and informative. (N.B. there’s lots of info on animal experiments that is unpleasant for squeamish non-scientists like myself) The authors amass and a wide range of experiments and evidence that prove the brain is plastic throughout normal adulthood and after traumatic injuries, and further that conscious choices can help shape the brain. It is presented in a way that is very easy to follow, even without a strong biology background. It’s quite compelling and convincing and was a pleasure to read.Then it veers into a tenuous link to quantum physics and the proof that we have Free Will (or Free Won’t in some cases) and a mind that exists as more than the sum of chemicals and physical states of our brain. I found these chapters rather disappointing and not nearly as rigorous or strongly grounded as the earlier ones. However, I don’t think this detracts from the central points of the book in any way. I think this is a must-read for anyone interested in modern neurology or the mind-brain question.
7 people found this helpful
Texas Shopper –
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Mind and My Brain Loved This Book
I’ve always been fascinated by the workings of the brain, so I knew I had to read this book after reading a brief excerpt in “The Wall Street Journal.” The idea that mindful attention to the workings of the brain can cause physical changes in the brain is a radical departure from recent scientific thinking. For many years, it has been believed that the brain is “hard-wired,” a process completed early in childhood, and the adult brain can not be rewired in any significant way. The work of Dr. Schwartz and his colleagues demonstrates that the brain can be retrained to overcome the effects of illness or injury, at any age.I am not a scientist, so I’ll admit that some of the scientific explanations caused my brain to do some heavy lifting. And, there were parts of the chapter on the Silver Spring Monkeys I found too disturbing to read. That aside, this book excited me about the possibilities to retrain the brain. Dr. Schwartz’s work has been primarily with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) patients, but the implications for other mental disorders, as well as victims of stroke and brain injury, are monumental.This book also got me excited about learning other subjects it touches on, such as quantum physics and Buddhism. (Really!) If you are ready to expand your thinking on this important subject, you will certainly want to read “The Mind and the Brain.”
29 people found this helpful
Sarah Higley –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes, We Have a Mind!!
Loved the book! I’m not a subject matter expert, but I wanted to look into the mind/brain dilemma. If you believe that we have a will that allows us to make choices, then you want to read this book.
Hristijan –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Neuroplasticity is an amazing concept and in this book it is used in …
This books sets out to scientifically prove that them ind can heal the body. Neuroplasticity is an amazing concept and in this book it is used in depth to treat and cure many mental illnesses. If you’re interested in the power of the human mind and brain I highly recommend getting this book. It’s a fantastic read.You will have to learn one key thing if you don’t know already; and that is that the mind is different than the brain…Or is it? *brain explodes*There are many great comparisons in this book to try to validate that the mind is separate the brain and others that say the mind is the same as the brain.
Elizabeth R Skoglund –
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Liberating Book!
In my opinion, the greatest contribution of The Mind and the Brain lies in it’s discussion of the potential of brain cells to change and adapt to new functions and even to reproduce. Brain plasticity is a new, revolutionary concept in neuroscience. It is revolutionary concept in psychotherapy as well. Dr. Schwartz’s particular interest seems to lie in the area of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Using the concept of brain plasticity he presents a four step plan in the treatment of OCD. He offers evidence of the effectiveness of this approach as opposed to more traditional methods. Dr. Schwartz offers some proof that this treatment based on the plasticity of the brain can be effective with or without medication. This book is one of the most worthwhile books I have ever read.Elizabeth Skoglund, Author of Divine Recycling: Living Above Your Circumstances
One person found this helpful
Maki –
5.0 out of 5 stars
Neuroplasticity and Mindfulness
I’ve known about “Mindfulness” for years, but I guess my problem with it in the past had to do with semantics: the word smacked too much of pop psychology for me.But reading (and listening to) this book gave me the cold, hard science – neuroplasticity – I needed to hear in order to see Mindfulness in a new light, and to reassure me it wasn’t just more fluff.I’m bipolar (hate that word), and unable to tolerate the all too often negative side effects of the vast array of medications out there, so I’ve decided I need to find more non-medication based techniques to help manage this illness.The science in this book, and it’s excellent presentation, has given me new hope….
2 people found this helpful
Harrison –
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Mind and The Brain
This books sets out to scientifically prove that them ind can heal the body. Neuroplasticity is an amazing concept and in this book it is used in depth to treat and cure many mental illnesses. If you’re interested in the power of the human mind and brain I highly recommend getting this book. It’s a fantastic read.You will have to learn one key thing if you don’t know already; and that is that the mind is different than the brain…Or is it? *brain explodes*There are many great comparisons in this book to try to validate that the mind is separate the brain and others that say the mind is the same as the brain.
10 people found this helpful
NAJ –
2.0 out of 5 stars
Wasn’t the book I expected.
I was advised on this topic to help me reprime, if you will, my association to certain settings and reactions to certain behaviors. I thought this book would spend half its time explaining neuroplasticity and half its time explaining how to apply it to life. The latter seems promised early within the book with its cliche title The Four Steps. Long story short, it’s skimmed over like a small tone skipping a few steps on the Caspian Sea, ultimately sinking deep and forgotten. The rest is the history and explanation of neuroplasticity detailed in exhausting rehashes of professionals who thought there was no mind and no way it could change the brain, scolding the author’s theories, and then proven wrong . This goes on for 400 pages. If you want solely the science behind the science, this is the book for you. If you’re looking for application, don’t crack this open.
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