Preview
  • Into the Magic Shop

  • A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart
  • By: James R. Doty MD
  • Narrated by: James R. Doty MD
  • Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (190 ratings)

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Into the Magic Shop

By: James R. Doty MD
Narrated by: James R. Doty MD
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Publisher's summary

The award-winning New York Times bestseller about the extraordinary things that can happen when we harness the power of both the brain and the heart

Growing up in the high desert of California, Jim Doty was poor, with an alcoholic father and a mother chronically depressed and paralyzed by a stroke. Today he is the director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University, of which the Dalai Lama is a founding benefactor. But back then his life was at a dead end until at twelve he wandered into a magic shop looking for a plastic thumb. Instead he met Ruth, a woman who taught him a series of exercises to ease his own suffering and manifest his greatest desires. Her final mandate was that he keep his heart open and teach these techniques to others. She gave him his first glimpse of the unique relationship between the brain and the heart.

Doty would go on to put Ruth’s practices to work with extraordinary results—power and wealth that he could only imagine as a twelve-year-old, riding his orange Sting-Ray bike. But he neglects Ruth’s most important lesson, to keep his heart open, with disastrous results—until he has the opportunity to make a spectacular charitable contribution that will virtually ruin him. Part memoir, part science, part inspiration, and part practical instruction, Into the Magic Shop shows us how we can fundamentally change our lives by first changing our brains and our hearts.

©2016 James R. Doty, MD (P)2023 Penguin Audio
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Critic reviews

"Into the Magic Shop is pure magic! That a child from humble beginnings could become a professor of neurosurgery and the founder of a center that studies compassion and altruism at a major university, as well as an entrepreneur and philanthropist is extraordinary enough. But it is Doty's ability to describe his journey so lyrically, and then his willingness to share his methods that make this book a gem."—Abraham Verghese, MD, Author of Cutting for Stone


"This book tells the remarkable story of a neurosurgeon's quest to unravel the mystery of the link between our brains and our hearts. From the moment in his childhood when a simple act of kindness changed the course of his own life to his founding a center to study compassion at Stanford University. Jim Doty's life illustrates how each of us can make a difference. We can make the world a more compassionate place. I’m sure many readers will be moved by this inspiring story to open their hearts and see what they too can do for others."—His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Into the Magic Shop offers a gripping, well-told journey into the mysteries of the human mind and brain. Neurosurgeon James Doty has written a heartwarming tale of courage and compassion."—Daniel Goleman, Ph.D., author of Emotional Intelligence

What listeners say about Into the Magic Shop

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Compassion and open hearts can change lives

I wasn’t crazy about the reading at first because it was choppy, but as I pushed forward, I appreciated the vulnerability. It’s a great book that teaches one mindfulness, compassion, and my favorite chapter was Chapter 11

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The most touching book I ever read!

I loved the story and the message it carried! It was so touching that I cried many times when I was listening to this book. It teaches you many lessons that can affect your life and the life of others around you!
Thank you Dr James Doty for sharing your wonderful story!!

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Beautiful Message

A really humble and beautiful account of the journey of learning one's path and the lessons for both embracing and embodying humanity.

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Just Perfect

This may be the best non-fiction books I've ever read. The storytelling sucks you in and the message may be the most important message there is. it was unexpected but powerful, beautiful, and honest. I will recommend this book to everyone I know.

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One of the best books I have ever read

I couldn’t stop listening to this book. I finished the audible version in one day. I just bought the physical book and have started reading it to really absorb it. It’s an incredible book!

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It’s really relatable especially for people in their 20s not really knowing what to do nor how to do it.

This book allowed me to reflect deeply on myself and understand that as long as I believe in something, as longs as that something comes from my heart. A clear and sound mind is the key to many things.

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A book that touches the soul

It is a book that touches the soul and the stories that make you cry over and over again

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Moving and inspiring

I have listened to books in this genre but what stood out to me were the personal stories of how he combined his mind and heart to create miraculous outcomes in his life

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The connection between the heart and brain. I

I enjoyed listening and witnessing how the author overcame where life placed him. I will waiting for his next book.

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Must read

In this day of what appears on surface to be compassion less rhetoric, everyone should take the time to read. Heart Alphabet. I will put this to practice.

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