Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain

By: Sharon Begley

Narrated by: Eliza Foss

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Is change possible? Everyone who has tried and failed, wished they could be happier, or has been told they were too old to learn something, has wondered why we just seem to be stuck with ourselves. But this amazing and hopeful audiobook shows us that it is not only possible for us to control our brains but also for us to rewire them.

In late 2004, the Mind and Life Institute brought Western Scientists together with the Dalai Lama and other distinguished Buddhist masters to discuss the cutting edge research being conducted in neuroplasticity, which examines whether neurons can be changed and even grown.

The findings are as astonishing as they are helpful. Flying in the face of previous assumptions, the current research shows that not only is it possible for us to change the physical brain, but it is within reach of every single one of us.

Through research into neuroplasticity, it has been shown that we can:

Reset our happiness meter

Heal from depression, even major episodes

Learn new skills even in old age

Learn, and even teach, compassion, a critical finding for personal happiness and a more peaceful world

Surprising, encouraging, and full of good news that we all want to hear, Change Your Mind, Change Your Brain will help us not only to change our brains but also the way we approach our lives - for the better.

©2007 Mind and Life Institute (P)2007 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Critic Reviews

"The book holds no neuroplasticity tips, but it is a fascinating exploration of the ways the mind can change the brain." (Publishers Weekly)

A good update on brain science

While some readers may be put off by the combination of the connection with the Dahli Lama and science, this book is a great review of current brain science discoveries. If you stick with the book you will get much more science than eastern religion. A very good read but if you are not used to the scientific terminology or if you do not like reading summaries of research (ala Scientific American) then you will struggle and may snooze thru some very important reviews of research.

15 of 16 people found this review helpful

Not what I expected

This book was marginally interesting, with a lot of information presented, although much of it is not new. I kept waiting for something actionable and there is just nothing there short of joining the Mind and Life Institute. In fact, it felt like a lot of the book was just promoting Buddhism and the Mind and Life Institute. I have nothing against Buddhism and will probably do some more research as a result of reading this book, but I was expecting a lot more and never got it.

23 of 26 people found this review helpful

Almost Too much information

Sharon Begley's book reads and listens more like a compilation of facts and data than a book, BUT the content is so rich and useful, that it's worth the purchase.

If you are a fan of positive psychology, mindfulness, meditation, and research into happiness, this will be right up your alley.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Absolutely Fascinating!

This is a non-stop information ride of inspiration. After listening to this book, if you're not convinced of the inherent power and influence of your thoughts, words and actions on your lives then you must have not been paying attention. Sharon outlines from both a scientific and spiritual level the ongoing development and creation that takes place within our brains. With insight from thought leaders, researchers and spiritual leaders everything comes together in a truly fascinating and captivating way. If you're skeptical about the power within and looking for the scientific and psychological proof, then place this at the top of your list.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Too much of Dalai Lama

If you're a scientist, this one is NOT for you. There's nothing new in this book, although some of scientific anecdotes were quite interesting (as anecdotes only, not as a new concept or an inspiration).

I don't know why almost every other sentence must end with "...told prof.XXX to Dalai Lama", or "... asked Dalai Lama", or "suggested Dalai Lama", etc. Of course, Dalai Lama is an important figure, but as a religous leader, not as a scientific expert. Why does it matter whether Dalai Lama agrees to the scientific data or not, or whether he thinks some scientific result is interesting or not? It didn't matter when the church said the earth was flat and the world went around the earth - because the scientific fact is it is round and the world does not go around the globe, regardless of what the church thought. Sure, I understand that a large portion of scientific results in this book were from the conferences organized by Dalai Lama and company. But it should have been enough just to mention it in the introduction or preface, unless this book was heading for a religious book, not a scientific one.

12 of 14 people found this review helpful

Big disappointment

The title is deceptive; rather than providing practical information, this book is little more than a drawn-out description of a series of meetings between Buddhists and scientists and of a few experiments on neural pathways. Here's the synopsis: rather than becoming fixed or rigid in adulthood, the neural pathways in human brains (and presumably in primate brains, since the book's research is based in part on some horrifically inhumane experiments involving monkeys) remain changeable - and, with conscious effort, can change. There: now there's no need to purchase this book and slog through slow narrative, descriptions of animal cruelty, and repetitive messages.

29 of 35 people found this review helpful

Astonishing Findings - A must read

This is an excellent exposition of findings related to Neuro-Science, Psychology and measurable effects of meditation and mental training. A unique scientific enquiry into the possibilities of tomorrow.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Interesting and well researched

What did you love best about Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain?

It managed to keep my attention while being informative. The overall message is a positive one: it is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, and the environment you grow up in can play a powerful and surprising role in human development.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Get ready for Sharon Begley to BLOW YOU MIND!

Where does Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is at the top of my list. It is well done and has valuable information.

What other book might you compare Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain to and why?

Virus of the Mind by Brodie.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite part of this book is when she describes how we can live a much happier life if we take charge of our thoughts.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

In the opening of this book The Dalai Lama's words moved me because he expresses so much hope for the world.

Any additional comments?

This is a must read for anyone that wants to take charge of their life in a very positive and meaningful way.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great book!

I really enjoyed this book and learned more about Neuroplasticity! I have been meditating a while now and really liked the research on meditation and the brain. I highly recommend this one!