The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force

The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force
by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, Sharon Begley

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Book Summary Information

Author: Jeffrey M. Schwartz, Sharon Begley
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2003-10-01
ISBN: 0060988479
Number of pages: 432
Publisher: Harper Perennial

Book Reviews of The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force

Book Review: Profound Study on the Mystical Possibilities of the Mind
Summary: 4 Stars

There is a divide in neuroscience regarding the views of the physical elements of the brain and the metaphysical possibilities of the mind. Schwartz is an advocate for the existence of a metaphysical mind as well as the mind's ability to change the elements of the physical brain. He has combined his studies of philosophy with his neuroscience practice (centered around his specialties on OCD) to develop conclusions about the possibilities of the mind and its abilities.

The material view of the brain holds that the mind is an illusion created by the physical elements of the brain; suggesting the neurons are bundled so complex that thoughts, dreams, and memories are all mere physical brain combinations stored in the same manner as computers, just far more complex. This view suggests redundancy in the terms brain and mind, the latter not being required at all in science. A more philosophical look towards the possibilities of the mind leaves this depiction lacking. Deepak Chopra once stated that, "If one could calculate every vibration of a violinist's bow while playing a Beethoven sonata, that wouldn't explain music or its beauty." It is this basis that is the essence of Schwartz's work, suggesting that science has yet to discover the essence of the mind because of its focus only on the physical elements of the brain in the same manner that only studying musical notes will leave one short of understanding the beauty of music.

Equally compelling is Schwartz's discoveries regarding the mind's ability to change the physical nature of the brain. One story presented is about a girl who had a brain injury at three years of age and developed epilepsy as a result, but still went on to become a music prodigy. When the epilepsy began to interfere with her performances, she sought brain surgery to remove the parts of the brain causing the epilepsy, which put her music and memory at risk as they are held in the same area of the brain. After successful surgery she surprisingly maintained all her musical and memory abilities. It was discovered that her brain had moved the music and memory capabilities to a different part of the brain, completely alien to normal brain functioning. What had happened is that at an early age, having a critical component of her brain damaged, her brain had changed to permit the lost functions to take place in other parts of the brain, a sign that her will had changed the physical elements of her brain. These findings, among many others, lead Schwartz to the study of the mind's ability to change the physical components of the brain, and his studies followed along these lines.

The Mind and the Brain is an in depth look into the sections of neuroscience that are open to metaphysics, possibly the most open minded of all the areas of neuroscience. Schwartz is unambiguous and persuasive, easily able to maintain interest no matter your views of his conclusions and sentiment. At the very least, Schwartz provides a compelling piece that will leave anyone open to the mysterious possibilities of the brain and mind.

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Summary of The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force

In his work treating patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz made an extraordinary discovery: by focusing their attention away from negative behaviors and toward positive ones, his patients were able to make permanent changes to their own neural pathways. In The Mind and the Brain Schwartz explores this power -- the power of the mind to shape the brain.

Through research and case studies, he demonstrates the brain's ability to be drastically rewired, not just in childhood but throughout life -- a paradigm-shifting discovery that could transform the treatment of every neurological dysfunction, from dyslexia to stroke.

Schwartz's landmark book challenges the idea that we are merely biologically programmed automatons and proves that we have the power to shape our brains and, consequently, our destiny -- a revolutionary insight that continues to provoke debate among those who care about the future of man's role in the universe.

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