The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force
| BUY FROM AMAZON.COM |
|---|
|
List price: Our Price: $11.53 Usually ships in 24 hours |
Consumer Rating: 
By: Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Sharon Begley
Format: Paperback
From: Harper Perennial
Pub. Date: September 2003
From: Harper Perennial
Pub. Date: September 2003
Product Details:
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2003-10-14
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 432
Ean: 9780060988470
Isbn: 0060988479
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2003-10-14
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 432
Ean: 9780060988470
Isbn: 0060988479
ABOUT THE BOOK
EDITORIAL REVIEW
A groundbreaking work of science that confirms, for the first time, the independent existence of the mind–and demonstrates the possibilities for human control over the workings of the brain.
Conventional science has long held the position that 'the mind' is merely an illusion, a side effect of electrochemical activity in the physical brain. Now in paperback, Dr Jeffrey Schwartz and Sharon Begley's groundbreaking work, The Mind and the Brain, argues exactly the opposite: that the mind has a life of its own.Dr Schwartz, a leading researcher in brain dysfunctions, and Wall Street Journal science columnist Sharon Begley demonstrate that the human mind is an independent entity that can shape and control the functioning of the physical brain. Their work has its basis in our emerging understanding of adult neuroplasticity–the brain's ability to be rewired not just in childhood, but throughout life, a trait only recently established by neuroscientists.
Through decades of work treating patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), Schwartz made an extraordinary finding: while following the therapy he developed, his patients were effecting significant and lasting changes in their own neural pathways. It was a scientific first: by actively focusing their attention away from negative behaviors and toward more positive ones, Schwartz's patients were using their minds to reshape their brains–and discovering a thrilling new dimension to the concept of neuroplasticity.
The Mind and the Brain follows Schwartz as he investigates this newly discovered power, which he calls self–directed neuroplasticity or, more simply, mental force. It describes his work with noted physicist Henry Stapp and connects the concept of 'mental force' with the ancient practice of mindfulness in Buddhist tradition. And it points to potential new applications that could transform the treatment of almost every variety of neurological dysfunction, from dyslexia to stroke–and could lead to new strategies to help us harness our mental powers. Yet as wondrous as these implications are, perhaps even more important is the philosophical dimension of Schwartz's work. For the existence of mental force offers convincing scientific evidence of human free will, and thus of man's inherent capacity for moral choice.
USER REVIEWS
"This book presents a scientific premise that though you may be born hard wired or predisposed to certain thinking patterns those patterns are change able. You are what you think and how you think will make you what you will be. Yes we can inherit certain traits and chemical imbalances can affect our attitudes , but we are not bound , we are not slave to these patterns of thought . We can change the way we think . The admonition of scripture " to let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus " is achievable . We can develop new thinking patterns . That is one of the great blessings of meditating (thinking in a specific manner) on scripture that by this we can develop the mind of Christ in us . We do not have to be bound by hatred of another . When we consistently pray for one ( not pray against ) who is a perceived enemy , with time and practice our perception will change , our attitude will change , our MIND will change , even though they may not change their attitude towards us( this is about changing ourselves "0UR own MIND"). We cannot always make people like us but we can chose to love them . This book presents the scientific facts concerning the plasticity of the brain (the ability to reshape our brains by the application of our mind (will). ) This book is a great encouragement for personnel change . Chemical imbalances affect the way we think , but the way we think affects the chemicals we release . Bitterness is rooted in our habits of thought and can only be rooted out by a new way of thinking (Jesus is the way the truth and the light). This book is not a theology book but The Bible will shed a lot of light on it . The heart of man ( how he thinks , our emotional seat )can be changed . With the help of Christ we can break the chains and habits of (the motions) miss thinking , negative thought life , lustful thinking(sin) . Some may call it "the power of positive thinking" , the Bible refers to it as righteous living or , doing what is right in the sight of God (as defined by scripture in the Bible). We can develope an attitude of gratitude for the blessings in our life even as we strive to over come the difficulties we daily face . The fact that there are now instruments that can register our mental activity and quantify mental changes is a bonus."
~ Written on 2008-08-10
~ Written on 2008-08-10
"Schwartz provides a thorough picture of the development of neuroscience over the 20 years. His research into OCD is presented in a simple yet beautiful way. His book open my mind to the beauty of the human brain and to the idea of the mind. The chapter on physics was a little hard to understand. "
~ Written on 2008-07-31
~ Written on 2008-07-31
"This book provides the reader a very thought provoking experience regarding what causes a person to produce certain thoughts and how one is able to regulate unwanted thoughts and actually change brain morphology and thought patterns. It integrates concepts in neuroscience with physics and applies these concepts to patients with neurological/psychological disorders. There are spots in which readers interested in neuroscience may think the discussion of physics requires a bit of patience and thought, but if you continue reading it will continue to suprise you."
~ Written on 2008-04-10
~ Written on 2008-04-10
"Exercise is not only necessary for the body but for the brain as well. Great tie in of mindfulness with neuroplasicity and quantum theory."
~ Written on 2008-04-07
~ Written on 2008-04-07
"There is something very intriguing to the concept of neuroplasticity. Many will find the idea that you can rewire or rezone the brain by the force of will is a welcomed revelation by people, stricken by brain illness or not. For those who are ill, it is a chance for a cure. For those who are not, the people who care to control their life, they will find neuroplasticity a revelation. Control your brain, and may then, life.
Another thing that is fascinating is this book is that it recounts the development of a new science that will shape psychology and neuroscience forever. Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Sharon Begley recount how the polemic idea of neuroplasticity began and by force of undeniable empirical findings began to be accepted. The findings of the pioneering scientist gave rise to new effective therapies to cure a variety of mental illnesses. An example is a treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. It is appalling to find out the draconian, humiliating, and unsafe methods to "treat" OCD patients, now that humanity understands neuroplasticity, illnesses such as OCD can be treated more humanely and safely. The people and places behind this new science make for a quite fascinating reading, they have had to overcome many obstacles, and the experimental work itself is grueling, someone even got convicted of a crime. While the main topic is neuropalsticity Schwartz toggles subjects covered back and forth. The philosophy of the mind is covered, which makes for dense reading, be that as it may, I can't take off a star for this.
This is not a self-help book, if it is such, then it would be a highbrow one. There are other books that take up that topic. At times I was astonished with what was written in the book. But more importantly for me, I came way feeling that I was now in the know about an important emerging new science.
"
~ Written on 2008-03-26
Another thing that is fascinating is this book is that it recounts the development of a new science that will shape psychology and neuroscience forever. Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Sharon Begley recount how the polemic idea of neuroplasticity began and by force of undeniable empirical findings began to be accepted. The findings of the pioneering scientist gave rise to new effective therapies to cure a variety of mental illnesses. An example is a treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. It is appalling to find out the draconian, humiliating, and unsafe methods to "treat" OCD patients, now that humanity understands neuroplasticity, illnesses such as OCD can be treated more humanely and safely. The people and places behind this new science make for a quite fascinating reading, they have had to overcome many obstacles, and the experimental work itself is grueling, someone even got convicted of a crime. While the main topic is neuropalsticity Schwartz toggles subjects covered back and forth. The philosophy of the mind is covered, which makes for dense reading, be that as it may, I can't take off a star for this.
This is not a self-help book, if it is such, then it would be a highbrow one. There are other books that take up that topic. At times I was astonished with what was written in the book. But more importantly for me, I came way feeling that I was now in the know about an important emerging new science.
"
~ Written on 2008-03-26