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Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything
A deep exploration of the neuroscience behind manifestation, with a six-part plan for realizing your dreams.
For decades the practice of manifestation has been widely dismissed as self-involved, materialistic pseudoscience. But as neuroscientist and recognized compassion leader Dr. James Doty reveals, manifestation introduces us to different possibilities, and it lays the groundwork for a kinder, better world.
Doty grounds us in the practices that change our brain attention, meditation, visualization, and compassion. This mind magic allows us to move through the world in ways that help us see clearly—reclaiming our agency, realizing our dreams, and reaching out to help others along the path.
Where previous works about manifestation have focused narrowly on outward success and individual benefit, Mind Magic delivers an openhearted call to make manifestation part of a deeper contribution to healing the problems we face today.
For decades the practice of manifestation has been widely dismissed as self-involved, materialistic pseudoscience. But as neuroscientist and recognized compassion leader Dr. James Doty reveals, manifestation introduces us to different possibilities, and it lays the groundwork for a kinder, better world.
Doty grounds us in the practices that change our brain attention, meditation, visualization, and compassion. This mind magic allows us to move through the world in ways that help us see clearly—reclaiming our agency, realizing our dreams, and reaching out to help others along the path.
Where previous works about manifestation have focused narrowly on outward success and individual benefit, Mind Magic delivers an openhearted call to make manifestation part of a deeper contribution to healing the problems we face today.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2024
2545 people are currently reading
12125 people want to read
About the author
James R. Doty
14 books463 followersJames Doty, MD, is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Stanford University and the Director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University School of Medicine. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of CA, Irvine and medical school at Tulane University. He trained in neurosurgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and completed fellowships in pediatric neurosurgery at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia (CHOP) and in neuroelectrophysiology focused on the use of evoked potentials to assess the integrity of neurological function. His more recent research interests have focused on the development of technologies using focused beams of radiation in conjunction with robotics and image-guidance techniques to treat solid tumors and other pathologies in the brain and spinal cord. He spent 9 years on active duty service in the U.S. Army Medical Corp.
As Director of CCARE, Dr. Doty has collaborated on a number of research projects focused on compassion and altruism including the use of neuro-economic models to assess altruism, use of the CCARE developed compassion cultivation training in individuals and its effect, assessment of compassionate and altruistic judgment utilizing implanted brain electrodes and the use of optogenetic techniques to assess nurturing pathways in rodents. Presently, he is developing collaborative research projects to assess the effect of compassion training on immunologic and other physiologic determinates of health, the use of mentoring as a method of instilling compassion in students and the use of compassion training to decrease pain.
Dr. Doty is also an inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist having given support to a number of charitable organizations including Children as the Peacemakers, Global Healing, the Pachamama Alliance and Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley. These charities support a variety of programs throughout the world including those for HIV/AIDS support, blood banks, medical care in third world countries and peace initiatives. Additionally, he has endowed chairs at major universities including Stanford University and his alma mater, Tulane University. He is on the Board of Directors of a number of non-profit foundations including the Dalai Lama Foundation, of which he is chairman and the Charter for Compassion International of which he is vice-chair. He is also on the International Advisory Board of the Council for the Parliament of the World’s Religions.
- See more at: http://ccare.stanford.edu/about/peopl...
As Director of CCARE, Dr. Doty has collaborated on a number of research projects focused on compassion and altruism including the use of neuro-economic models to assess altruism, use of the CCARE developed compassion cultivation training in individuals and its effect, assessment of compassionate and altruistic judgment utilizing implanted brain electrodes and the use of optogenetic techniques to assess nurturing pathways in rodents. Presently, he is developing collaborative research projects to assess the effect of compassion training on immunologic and other physiologic determinates of health, the use of mentoring as a method of instilling compassion in students and the use of compassion training to decrease pain.
Dr. Doty is also an inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist having given support to a number of charitable organizations including Children as the Peacemakers, Global Healing, the Pachamama Alliance and Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley. These charities support a variety of programs throughout the world including those for HIV/AIDS support, blood banks, medical care in third world countries and peace initiatives. Additionally, he has endowed chairs at major universities including Stanford University and his alma mater, Tulane University. He is on the Board of Directors of a number of non-profit foundations including the Dalai Lama Foundation, of which he is chairman and the Charter for Compassion International of which he is vice-chair. He is also on the International Advisory Board of the Council for the Parliament of the World’s Religions.
- See more at: http://ccare.stanford.edu/about/peopl...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
May 10, 2024
I am manifesting you clicking 'like' on this review.
Mind Magic is a self-help book. It looks at positive thinking/affirmations/visualization/law of attraction/et al, heretofore manifestation, and looks at it from a scientific angle, specifically neuroscience and psychology.
The hook here is how the author calls out the proponents of it as bullshit artists, or at least as morally unglued, as the opening scene has him having manifest a life that he hates.
The author presents a good theory as to why manifestation works, which amounts to the factory settings of your brain not necessarily being those that serve the intentional part of your mind. Manifestation works to set your preconscious act in concert with your conscious towards accomplishing things.
The premise is a mild bait and switch. The lessons here are about meditation and mindfulness. That is the core skill around which all the other work is built. But it makes sense in the context of the author’s theory. You need to practice awareness in hearing the erroneous messages to find out how to turn down their volume. And if you can get what you want, are you sure that you know what you want?
The author is a gifted writer. I am envious of his turn of phrase, and how he can write a sentence that sums something up while also presenting a novel way of thinking about it. I was going to make a further joke about envying the author’s worldly success, and snarking about crying into his Châteauneuf-du-Pape over the Gatsby act the book opens with, but this is one of those cases where I will give it a pass. Yes, the stories tend towards people of enormous achievement, where I am left feeling like these people at their reported worst do better than me at my seeming best. But all reinforce the author’s theme around the importance of values and service, even when they get immodestly wealthy in the course of things.
The book is aware of the structural limitations to this sort of thing, both social and biological, and takes a additive approach. You can’t stop racism or ADHD, but you can build around them. The book makes a point around focusing on the goals and not the methods, and being open to things that might change in the process. And the book scores big on being oriented towards its functional use, both in the process-loaded meditations but also affirming the validity of ‘skipping to the end’ and only reading the how-to as opposed to why. I find it interesting that in a book where I think that the author is particularly skilled in writing, but he is less precious about it than writers of similar books, who insist that you need to understand it all to understand one part.
My first problem is that it is more sciencey than scientific. This is not a study of manifestation, but taking modern science and creating a framework for how manifestation might fit in it. Since it is psychology and neuroscience, it is more credible than if a physicist did it, and there are studies that are adjacent to it that back up things, but it lacks the sort of trenchancy that I want.
My second problem gets a little bloggy, but it feels like there is some unspoken information here. The author tells the story of the problems of building a habit of exercise, specifically after getting older and fatter and having an injury that made progress difficult. At this point my eyes perk up, and I suspect that this is something that a lot of us are nodding along with, myself included. And so I am expecting to read about how the author puts some of the ideas that he has here into practice, and interested to see how I can appropriate them.
Instead, this is the suck it up buttercup section of the book. I understand this in the macro, that sort of Do the Work, you cannot manifest your way into being an actor if you do not audition. In the micro, I am reminded of the Art of Gathering: if I could do the thing, I would not be reading a book about the thing. Or I guess that I am reading the wrong book?
Rephrased, there are points in the book where the order of operations flips. It switches from here is the way to think about doing the hard thing and becomes here is the hard thing that gets you to think the right way. I do not think that the author is incorrect in this sentiment, (or I am wiling to act on it as if), but I feel like there must be some categorization function that I do not see. Or maybe the error is going into a generalist book with specific questions.
This is a self-help book, and so the value and utility of it is what you get out of it, which is related to what you put in. (Brief aside to Hoff and Castañeda aside) there is nothing harmful here, where there could be a lot based on the scope of the content. I hope it helps you, but I also think that there a question of who it can help.
Mind Magic is a self-help book. It looks at positive thinking/affirmations/visualization/law of attraction/et al, heretofore manifestation, and looks at it from a scientific angle, specifically neuroscience and psychology.
The hook here is how the author calls out the proponents of it as bullshit artists, or at least as morally unglued, as the opening scene has him having manifest a life that he hates.
The author presents a good theory as to why manifestation works, which amounts to the factory settings of your brain not necessarily being those that serve the intentional part of your mind. Manifestation works to set your preconscious act in concert with your conscious towards accomplishing things.
The premise is a mild bait and switch. The lessons here are about meditation and mindfulness. That is the core skill around which all the other work is built. But it makes sense in the context of the author’s theory. You need to practice awareness in hearing the erroneous messages to find out how to turn down their volume. And if you can get what you want, are you sure that you know what you want?
The author is a gifted writer. I am envious of his turn of phrase, and how he can write a sentence that sums something up while also presenting a novel way of thinking about it. I was going to make a further joke about envying the author’s worldly success, and snarking about crying into his Châteauneuf-du-Pape over the Gatsby act the book opens with, but this is one of those cases where I will give it a pass. Yes, the stories tend towards people of enormous achievement, where I am left feeling like these people at their reported worst do better than me at my seeming best. But all reinforce the author’s theme around the importance of values and service, even when they get immodestly wealthy in the course of things.
The book is aware of the structural limitations to this sort of thing, both social and biological, and takes a additive approach. You can’t stop racism or ADHD, but you can build around them. The book makes a point around focusing on the goals and not the methods, and being open to things that might change in the process. And the book scores big on being oriented towards its functional use, both in the process-loaded meditations but also affirming the validity of ‘skipping to the end’ and only reading the how-to as opposed to why. I find it interesting that in a book where I think that the author is particularly skilled in writing, but he is less precious about it than writers of similar books, who insist that you need to understand it all to understand one part.
My first problem is that it is more sciencey than scientific. This is not a study of manifestation, but taking modern science and creating a framework for how manifestation might fit in it. Since it is psychology and neuroscience, it is more credible than if a physicist did it, and there are studies that are adjacent to it that back up things, but it lacks the sort of trenchancy that I want.
My second problem gets a little bloggy, but it feels like there is some unspoken information here. The author tells the story of the problems of building a habit of exercise, specifically after getting older and fatter and having an injury that made progress difficult. At this point my eyes perk up, and I suspect that this is something that a lot of us are nodding along with, myself included. And so I am expecting to read about how the author puts some of the ideas that he has here into practice, and interested to see how I can appropriate them.
Instead, this is the suck it up buttercup section of the book. I understand this in the macro, that sort of Do the Work, you cannot manifest your way into being an actor if you do not audition. In the micro, I am reminded of the Art of Gathering: if I could do the thing, I would not be reading a book about the thing. Or I guess that I am reading the wrong book?
Rephrased, there are points in the book where the order of operations flips. It switches from here is the way to think about doing the hard thing and becomes here is the hard thing that gets you to think the right way. I do not think that the author is incorrect in this sentiment, (or I am wiling to act on it as if), but I feel like there must be some categorization function that I do not see. Or maybe the error is going into a generalist book with specific questions.
This is a self-help book, and so the value and utility of it is what you get out of it, which is related to what you put in. (Brief aside to Hoff and Castañeda aside) there is nothing harmful here, where there could be a lot based on the scope of the content. I hope it helps you, but I also think that there a question of who it can help.
June 6, 2024
Don’t listen to other reviews. This book is life changing and amazing. Go into it with an open mind
June 3, 2024
Whereas "Into the Magic Shop" was about Doty's journey, "Mind Magic" is about the reader's.
Many of the techniques can be found elsewhere - the difference here is that Doty often describes the neuroscience behind why it turns out they work.
Spoiler: six steps
1 Focus
2 Get clear on what you want
3 Remove obstacles (list negative beliefs then meditate on their opposites) - includes explanation of why we go into fight-or-flight in response to perceived threats
4 Visualize
5 Notice serendipities (he uses the word synchronicities) and pursue the opportunities they present
6 Let go
Also includes discussion of the difference between pursuing pleasure and purpose (hedonic vs eudaimonic well-being - happiness vs joy).
P.S. I read on hardcover after listening on Audible - because for example the author's own narration of the acronym PNS (parasympathetic nervous system) sounded, well, like something else!!
Many of the techniques can be found elsewhere - the difference here is that Doty often describes the neuroscience behind why it turns out they work.
Spoiler: six steps
1 Focus
2 Get clear on what you want
3 Remove obstacles (list negative beliefs then meditate on their opposites) - includes explanation of why we go into fight-or-flight in response to perceived threats
4 Visualize
5 Notice serendipities (he uses the word synchronicities) and pursue the opportunities they present
6 Let go
Also includes discussion of the difference between pursuing pleasure and purpose (hedonic vs eudaimonic well-being - happiness vs joy).
P.S. I read on hardcover after listening on Audible - because for example the author's own narration of the acronym PNS (parasympathetic nervous system) sounded, well, like something else!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2024
Summary:
1. Focus and build self-efficacy.
2. Clarify your true desires.
3. Silence the inner critic through self-compassion. 4. Embed your intention through vivid visualization. 5. Chase your intention with passionate commitment.
6. Open yourself to how the universe may guide your intention.
1. Focus and build self-efficacy.
2. Clarify your true desires.
3. Silence the inner critic through self-compassion. 4. Embed your intention through vivid visualization. 5. Chase your intention with passionate commitment.
6. Open yourself to how the universe may guide your intention.
June 19, 2024
same thing
I felt it was the same thing over and over again. The 6 week program is just what he asked to do after every chapter. Plain and simple advise from me:visualize your intention and detach yourself from the outcome. Wake up early enough to meditate and let go. Act as if you already have what you want. Detach yourself period and keep moving with life. There were some good information and quotes which I will go back and study.
I felt it was the same thing over and over again. The 6 week program is just what he asked to do after every chapter. Plain and simple advise from me:visualize your intention and detach yourself from the outcome. Wake up early enough to meditate and let go. Act as if you already have what you want. Detach yourself period and keep moving with life. There were some good information and quotes which I will go back and study.
June 22, 2024
Hoped for neuroscience, got moralist self-help
January 31, 2025
Rich man tells us all about his first mansion, then wanders through some unrelated stories about other people (who he claims practiced manifestation, without evidence) with some half cooked mediations and uncited studies (with sample sizes of only a couple hundred people!). Ends the book telling us all about his second mansion.
The book has some cool ideas sprinkled in it, but it’s buried in a mix of terrible storytelling, half cooked research, and humble bragging about his immense wealth. The meditations are repetitive and overly simplify the ancient practice.
But the thing that annoyed me the most was his story about Ruth, the lady at the magic shop who supposedly taught him this manifestation process. I find it impossible to believe that she walked a 12 year old through this whole mediation practice series, and that somehow he remembers it still. All this while saying the first mansion and family (which he supposedly manifested) was wrong and bad, so he had to do it all over again. So then he walked us through a virtual tour of his second mansion, complete with orchard, bronze Buddha, and zip line course for his shiny new kids.
Don’t waste your time. There are so many better ways to learn about manifestation.
The book has some cool ideas sprinkled in it, but it’s buried in a mix of terrible storytelling, half cooked research, and humble bragging about his immense wealth. The meditations are repetitive and overly simplify the ancient practice.
But the thing that annoyed me the most was his story about Ruth, the lady at the magic shop who supposedly taught him this manifestation process. I find it impossible to believe that she walked a 12 year old through this whole mediation practice series, and that somehow he remembers it still. All this while saying the first mansion and family (which he supposedly manifested) was wrong and bad, so he had to do it all over again. So then he walked us through a virtual tour of his second mansion, complete with orchard, bronze Buddha, and zip line course for his shiny new kids.
Don’t waste your time. There are so many better ways to learn about manifestation.
June 13, 2024
Dr. Doty is a neuroscientist and physician.
Trauma is created when we let the environment determine our experiences.
You are already manifesting your life, it’s just more than likely not what you thought you wanted because you haven’t been doing it with intention.
WRITE LETTERS TO YOURSELF AS IF YOU ACHIEVED WHAT YOU WANTED AMD INVISION IT
Sense of agency is what governs our actions as our brain wants to be able to determine outcome
To overcome helplessness one yay learn to observe your own thoughts
EX: BREATHE THEN ENVISION SUCCESS FOR SOMETIME THEN OPEN EYES ANS WRITE DOWN THEN READ IT INTERNALLY AMD GIVE SOME SPACE TO SOAK IN THEN READ OUT LOUD
THE KEY IS TO FEEL IT IN THE HEART AS THIS CHANGES THE PH OF THE PERSON
THE KEY IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE BASE AND SECURE HAVEN FOR ONESELF
DAILY GRATITUDE, PRACTICE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO INCREASE LASTING EFFECTS ON PSYCHOTHERAPY AND OVERALL MENTAL HEALTH.
KINSUKI - THE ART FORM OF PUTTING GOLD IN LACKER TO HIGHLIGHT THE CRACKS AS FIXED
WHEN PRACTICING MANIFESTING IT MUST BE INCREDIBLY VIVID AND USE ALL FIVE SENSES
Trauma is created when we let the environment determine our experiences.
You are already manifesting your life, it’s just more than likely not what you thought you wanted because you haven’t been doing it with intention.
WRITE LETTERS TO YOURSELF AS IF YOU ACHIEVED WHAT YOU WANTED AMD INVISION IT
Sense of agency is what governs our actions as our brain wants to be able to determine outcome
To overcome helplessness one yay learn to observe your own thoughts
EX: BREATHE THEN ENVISION SUCCESS FOR SOMETIME THEN OPEN EYES ANS WRITE DOWN THEN READ IT INTERNALLY AMD GIVE SOME SPACE TO SOAK IN THEN READ OUT LOUD
THE KEY IS TO FEEL IT IN THE HEART AS THIS CHANGES THE PH OF THE PERSON
THE KEY IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE BASE AND SECURE HAVEN FOR ONESELF
DAILY GRATITUDE, PRACTICE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO INCREASE LASTING EFFECTS ON PSYCHOTHERAPY AND OVERALL MENTAL HEALTH.
KINSUKI - THE ART FORM OF PUTTING GOLD IN LACKER TO HIGHLIGHT THE CRACKS AS FIXED
WHEN PRACTICING MANIFESTING IT MUST BE INCREDIBLY VIVID AND USE ALL FIVE SENSES
July 15, 2024
Gotta say I really loved the cover design for this one. I'm always skeptical of shit like this BUT WE'RE GIVING ANOTHER BOOK ANOTHER GO. Should've just focused on visualisation since that's the science side but at least it's the best one I've read so far.
What was good (ish) in this book:
- To produce the results we desire, we must first believe in our ability to produce those results. This is where metacognition – the awareness and understanding of our own thought processes – comes into play. Metacognition allows us to recognise and overcome the limiting beliefs and patterns that hold us back, paving the way for personal growth and transformation.
- Find a comfortable position, relax, and breathe deeply. Visualize yourself displaying the behavior you would like to manifest – see in great detail how you would perform this behavior. After five minutes of visualization, write your goal down on paper. Close your eyes and embed this intention by visualizing yourself carrying it out. In the morning, read your written goal to reinforce the intention for the day. Whenever you actualize this intention, record a sentence congratulating yourself for meeting your intention.
- In today's manifestation culture, there is often a misguided focus on material wealth, cars, houses, and status symbols. (at least someone said it)
- The brain filters information through a process known as value tagging, in which it assigns emotional value to various stimuli, experiences, and memories. When we tap into and are mindful of positive experiences, we can “remind” ourselves of how real and attainable those positive feelings will be when we accomplish our intention.
- not sure about this ancedote: When Jim Carrey was a struggling actor living in a run-down Toronto apartment, he did something audacious – he wrote himself a cheque for $10 million for “Acting Services Rendered,” dated it for Thanksgiving 1995, and carried it in his wallet. This bold act of manifesting his dreams into reality may seem foolish, but just a few years later, Carrey was one of the biggest comedy stars on the planet. His story illustrates the power of embedding intentions deeply into the unconscious mind.
- This is where visualization comes in. By repeatedly imagining our desired outcome in vivid detail, we train our brains to recognize and become comfortable with that future reality. This “cognitive ease” signals the mind to start devoting mental resources to making that vision a tangible success. (so why not just call it visualisation since that's the science side of it?)
- Try this exercise: Find a quiet, private space and relax through deep breathing. Visualize your current intention, then zoom out. What’s the broader context surrounding this goal? Who else is affected, and how might achieving it create positive ripples? Will it inspire others, bring joy to your community, or solve problems?
- Clinging too tightly to a particular envisioned outcome blinds us to other emerging opportunities and causes us to lose presence in the current moment. We may overlook wonderful developments unfolding simply because they don’t match our predetermined ideals.
Thought dumps:
- This practice generates dispositional optimism, a trait that has been linked to numerous benefits, including better physical and mental health, increased resilience, and a greater likelihood of achieving goals. It is rooted in ancient spiritual traditions like the Vedic scriptures and New England Transcendentalists’ “Law of Attraction.” Today, our understanding of neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to reorganize neural pathways – provides scientific insights into manifestation’s mechanisms, showing that this ancient spiritual practice is rooted in science. (sure, i guess)
- In the world we operate in today, our focus is under constant threat. Smartphones, for instance, are designed to pull at our attention, with the average American spending a staggering 1,460 hours per year on these devices – equivalent to 91 waking days. (I never see a good example when it comes to Americans but this is both funny and just embarrassing)
- Self-efficacy is a potent force, often serving as a self-fulfilling prophecy. (oh how I would love a psych person to break down why this isn't good haha)
- there are six steps to the manifestation process: one, focus and build self-efficacy; two, clarify your true desires; three, silence the inner critic through self-compassion; four, embed your intention through vivid visualization; five, chase your intention with passionate commitment; and six, open yourself to how the universe may guide your intention. (sure)
What was good (ish) in this book:
- To produce the results we desire, we must first believe in our ability to produce those results. This is where metacognition – the awareness and understanding of our own thought processes – comes into play. Metacognition allows us to recognise and overcome the limiting beliefs and patterns that hold us back, paving the way for personal growth and transformation.
- Find a comfortable position, relax, and breathe deeply. Visualize yourself displaying the behavior you would like to manifest – see in great detail how you would perform this behavior. After five minutes of visualization, write your goal down on paper. Close your eyes and embed this intention by visualizing yourself carrying it out. In the morning, read your written goal to reinforce the intention for the day. Whenever you actualize this intention, record a sentence congratulating yourself for meeting your intention.
- In today's manifestation culture, there is often a misguided focus on material wealth, cars, houses, and status symbols. (at least someone said it)
- The brain filters information through a process known as value tagging, in which it assigns emotional value to various stimuli, experiences, and memories. When we tap into and are mindful of positive experiences, we can “remind” ourselves of how real and attainable those positive feelings will be when we accomplish our intention.
- not sure about this ancedote: When Jim Carrey was a struggling actor living in a run-down Toronto apartment, he did something audacious – he wrote himself a cheque for $10 million for “Acting Services Rendered,” dated it for Thanksgiving 1995, and carried it in his wallet. This bold act of manifesting his dreams into reality may seem foolish, but just a few years later, Carrey was one of the biggest comedy stars on the planet. His story illustrates the power of embedding intentions deeply into the unconscious mind.
- This is where visualization comes in. By repeatedly imagining our desired outcome in vivid detail, we train our brains to recognize and become comfortable with that future reality. This “cognitive ease” signals the mind to start devoting mental resources to making that vision a tangible success. (so why not just call it visualisation since that's the science side of it?)
- Try this exercise: Find a quiet, private space and relax through deep breathing. Visualize your current intention, then zoom out. What’s the broader context surrounding this goal? Who else is affected, and how might achieving it create positive ripples? Will it inspire others, bring joy to your community, or solve problems?
- Clinging too tightly to a particular envisioned outcome blinds us to other emerging opportunities and causes us to lose presence in the current moment. We may overlook wonderful developments unfolding simply because they don’t match our predetermined ideals.
Thought dumps:
- This practice generates dispositional optimism, a trait that has been linked to numerous benefits, including better physical and mental health, increased resilience, and a greater likelihood of achieving goals. It is rooted in ancient spiritual traditions like the Vedic scriptures and New England Transcendentalists’ “Law of Attraction.” Today, our understanding of neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to reorganize neural pathways – provides scientific insights into manifestation’s mechanisms, showing that this ancient spiritual practice is rooted in science. (sure, i guess)
- In the world we operate in today, our focus is under constant threat. Smartphones, for instance, are designed to pull at our attention, with the average American spending a staggering 1,460 hours per year on these devices – equivalent to 91 waking days. (I never see a good example when it comes to Americans but this is both funny and just embarrassing)
- Self-efficacy is a potent force, often serving as a self-fulfilling prophecy. (oh how I would love a psych person to break down why this isn't good haha)
- there are six steps to the manifestation process: one, focus and build self-efficacy; two, clarify your true desires; three, silence the inner critic through self-compassion; four, embed your intention through vivid visualization; five, chase your intention with passionate commitment; and six, open yourself to how the universe may guide your intention. (sure)
June 10, 2024
Thought provoking and insightful. One of the best self help books I’ve read in years.
I will incorporate the meditation practices outlined in the book.
Recommend you read this one.
I will incorporate the meditation practices outlined in the book.
Recommend you read this one.
July 15, 2024
James R. Doty’s "Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything" explores how the practice of manifestation can lead to personal and professional success by harnessing the power of the mind. Manifestation involves setting an intention so vividly that it becomes ingrained in the unconscious, triggering brain networks geared towards achieving that goal. This process fosters a strong belief in one’s capabilities, which is linked to better health, increased resilience, and a higher likelihood of attaining goals. Drawing from ancient spiritual traditions and modern neuroplasticity research, Doty explains that manifestation is scientifically grounded. By focusing thoughts and emotions on desired outcomes, one strengthens neural pathways, creating a cycle where aligned actions reinforce the manifestation process. Manifestation is not a cure-all but a tool that promotes resilience, positive mindsets, and the alignment of actions with aspirations.
The first step in effective manifestation is focus. Focus is the ability to channel attention towards inner intentions, transcending distractions and obstacles. In today’s world, attention is constantly under threat from devices like smartphones, which can lead to feelings of helplessness and fatigue. However, this sense of helplessness is an illusion. Everyone has agency—the power to shape their circumstances. Self-efficacy, the belief in one’s ability to achieve goals, is crucial and acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy. High self-efficacy motivates individuals to aim higher and work harder. Metacognition, the awareness of one’s thought processes, helps overcome limiting beliefs and patterns, enabling personal growth. To build focus and self-efficacy, Doty recommends a visualization exercise where one imagines themselves displaying desired behaviors, writes down the goal, and reinforces the intention daily.
The second step is to clarify one’s true desires. Often, people focus on material wealth and status symbols, which can distort the true power of manifestation. Instead, it is important to identify what truly brings fulfillment and joy, such as meaningful relationships, passion projects, and connection with nature. Positive emotions act as catalysts for manifestation by activating the brain’s reward system, which directs attention to experiences that caused those emotions. This process, known as value tagging, assigns emotional value to stimuli and memories, helping to recreate positive experiences. To gain clarity, Doty suggests visualizing success, engaging in a body scan relaxation technique, and then vividly imagining the details of success. Writing down this vision further reinforces the intention.
The third step involves silencing the inner critic. This negative internal voice, stemming from the sympathetic nervous system’s fight or flight response, can erode self-belief and discourage risk-taking. To overcome this, one must soothe the primitive nervous system through self-compassionate practices. By relaxing the body and mind, one reassures the brain, allowing negative voices to quiet. Doty recommends dedicating time to be alone, relaxing through deep breathing, recalling positive memories, and transforming negative self-beliefs into positive affirmations. Regular practice can rewire mental patterns, fostering optimism and resilience.
The fourth step is to embed one’s intention deeply into the subconscious mind. Doty recounts how Jim Carrey, as a struggling actor, wrote himself a $10 million cheque, which eventually became a reality. This illustrates the power of sustained reinforcement of intentions. The brain tends to absorb only essential information, so repeated visualization in vivid detail helps the mind recognize and become comfortable with the desired outcome. This cognitive ease signals the brain to allocate resources toward achieving that vision. Doty suggests meditating on a specific goal, visualizing it richly, and writing down the experience to embed the intention.
The fifth step is to chase the intention passionately. Manifestation requires practice and commitment. Starting with small goals and savoring incremental successes helps build confidence. Paying attention to clues from the unconscious mind, such as recurring phrases or synchronicities, can guide one’s efforts. Aligning intentions with a deeper sense of purpose enhances the manifestation process. Doty advises visualizing the broader context of a goal, considering its impact on others, and writing a purpose statement to reinforce the intention.
The final step is to open oneself to how the universe may guide the intention. Letting go of rigid expectations about how an intention will materialize allows one to remain open to synchronicities and emerging opportunities. By observing the impacts of actions, one can recalibrate their inner compass. Clinging too tightly to specific outcomes can cause missed opportunities and hinder presence in the moment. Doty recommends practicing body relaxation, reflecting on past goals, and fostering self-compassion to loosen attachment to specific results.
The overarching message of "Mind Magic" is that manifestation involves six key steps: focusing to build self-efficacy, clarifying true desires, silencing the inner critic, embedding intentions through visualization, passionately pursuing goals, and opening oneself to the universe’s guidance. By following these steps, individuals can harness the power of their minds to achieve their deepest aspirations and transform their lives.
The first step in effective manifestation is focus. Focus is the ability to channel attention towards inner intentions, transcending distractions and obstacles. In today’s world, attention is constantly under threat from devices like smartphones, which can lead to feelings of helplessness and fatigue. However, this sense of helplessness is an illusion. Everyone has agency—the power to shape their circumstances. Self-efficacy, the belief in one’s ability to achieve goals, is crucial and acts as a self-fulfilling prophecy. High self-efficacy motivates individuals to aim higher and work harder. Metacognition, the awareness of one’s thought processes, helps overcome limiting beliefs and patterns, enabling personal growth. To build focus and self-efficacy, Doty recommends a visualization exercise where one imagines themselves displaying desired behaviors, writes down the goal, and reinforces the intention daily.
The second step is to clarify one’s true desires. Often, people focus on material wealth and status symbols, which can distort the true power of manifestation. Instead, it is important to identify what truly brings fulfillment and joy, such as meaningful relationships, passion projects, and connection with nature. Positive emotions act as catalysts for manifestation by activating the brain’s reward system, which directs attention to experiences that caused those emotions. This process, known as value tagging, assigns emotional value to stimuli and memories, helping to recreate positive experiences. To gain clarity, Doty suggests visualizing success, engaging in a body scan relaxation technique, and then vividly imagining the details of success. Writing down this vision further reinforces the intention.
The third step involves silencing the inner critic. This negative internal voice, stemming from the sympathetic nervous system’s fight or flight response, can erode self-belief and discourage risk-taking. To overcome this, one must soothe the primitive nervous system through self-compassionate practices. By relaxing the body and mind, one reassures the brain, allowing negative voices to quiet. Doty recommends dedicating time to be alone, relaxing through deep breathing, recalling positive memories, and transforming negative self-beliefs into positive affirmations. Regular practice can rewire mental patterns, fostering optimism and resilience.
The fourth step is to embed one’s intention deeply into the subconscious mind. Doty recounts how Jim Carrey, as a struggling actor, wrote himself a $10 million cheque, which eventually became a reality. This illustrates the power of sustained reinforcement of intentions. The brain tends to absorb only essential information, so repeated visualization in vivid detail helps the mind recognize and become comfortable with the desired outcome. This cognitive ease signals the brain to allocate resources toward achieving that vision. Doty suggests meditating on a specific goal, visualizing it richly, and writing down the experience to embed the intention.
The fifth step is to chase the intention passionately. Manifestation requires practice and commitment. Starting with small goals and savoring incremental successes helps build confidence. Paying attention to clues from the unconscious mind, such as recurring phrases or synchronicities, can guide one’s efforts. Aligning intentions with a deeper sense of purpose enhances the manifestation process. Doty advises visualizing the broader context of a goal, considering its impact on others, and writing a purpose statement to reinforce the intention.
The final step is to open oneself to how the universe may guide the intention. Letting go of rigid expectations about how an intention will materialize allows one to remain open to synchronicities and emerging opportunities. By observing the impacts of actions, one can recalibrate their inner compass. Clinging too tightly to specific outcomes can cause missed opportunities and hinder presence in the moment. Doty recommends practicing body relaxation, reflecting on past goals, and fostering self-compassion to loosen attachment to specific results.
The overarching message of "Mind Magic" is that manifestation involves six key steps: focusing to build self-efficacy, clarifying true desires, silencing the inner critic, embedding intentions through visualization, passionately pursuing goals, and opening oneself to the universe’s guidance. By following these steps, individuals can harness the power of their minds to achieve their deepest aspirations and transform their lives.
May 6, 2025
Wow… ein höchst interessantes Buch… Dr. James R. Doty bringt uns durch viele Geschichten aus dem Leben, durch wissenschaftliche Belege & durch gut verständliche Erklärungen (auch zur Anatomie von Hirn & Nervensystem) näher was Manifestation bedeutet. Am Ende von jedem Kapitel / Schritt näher zur Manifestation begleitet er uns in einer praktischen Übung , stärkt uns in dem Bewusstsein dass ganz oft das Gute, positive Gedanken & das richtige Handeln schon in uns drin stecken / versteckt sind & wir sie nur finden & festhalten / manifestieren (lernen) müssen. Das Buch regt zum Nachdenken an & vor allem ermutigt es einen , dass man auf dem richtigen Weg ist zu mentaler Stärke. Auf jeden Fall zu empfehlen & ist nun wohl auch in deutsch erhältlich…
‚Manifesting has long been confined to the same new age territory as astrology, tarot cards, & belief in the power of crystals, full of pseudoscience & platitudes. Until recently, it was not possible to scientifically study the concrete processes by which the brain turns intention into reality.‘ (introduction xiv)
‚Manifesting is essentially the process of intentionally embedding the thoughts & images or the life we desire into our subconscious. We are all manifesting intentions in an untrained & uninformed way already, & the results are often haphazard, vague, & unfocused. To manifest consciously, we must learn how to reclaim & direct the power of our attention & understand the physiological mechanism that allow us to direct that attention, as well as the obstacles & false beliefs that limit our power to do so.‘ (introduction xv)
‚In the end, it’s not about the universe: it’s about you. We may have come to believe that our inner power is limited by our external circumstances or our past conditioning, but it starts in our own minds. (S.61 step one)
‚Significant aspects of our intention may already be materialized in our experience, but we fail to recognize them because them because they don’t fit our exact expectation, or our minds are completely focused on other aspects that have not yet come to fruition. Cultivating gratitude is a simple & effective means to shift our focus from what we still lack to what is already working & energizing in our lives. And gratitude is not just a superficial warm feeling promoted by enthusiasts of positive thinking: it produces a whole range of actual changes in the brain that contribute to physical & mental well-being.‘ (S.188)
‚Manifesting has long been confined to the same new age territory as astrology, tarot cards, & belief in the power of crystals, full of pseudoscience & platitudes. Until recently, it was not possible to scientifically study the concrete processes by which the brain turns intention into reality.‘ (introduction xiv)
‚Manifesting is essentially the process of intentionally embedding the thoughts & images or the life we desire into our subconscious. We are all manifesting intentions in an untrained & uninformed way already, & the results are often haphazard, vague, & unfocused. To manifest consciously, we must learn how to reclaim & direct the power of our attention & understand the physiological mechanism that allow us to direct that attention, as well as the obstacles & false beliefs that limit our power to do so.‘ (introduction xv)
‚In the end, it’s not about the universe: it’s about you. We may have come to believe that our inner power is limited by our external circumstances or our past conditioning, but it starts in our own minds. (S.61 step one)
‚Significant aspects of our intention may already be materialized in our experience, but we fail to recognize them because them because they don’t fit our exact expectation, or our minds are completely focused on other aspects that have not yet come to fruition. Cultivating gratitude is a simple & effective means to shift our focus from what we still lack to what is already working & energizing in our lives. And gratitude is not just a superficial warm feeling promoted by enthusiasts of positive thinking: it produces a whole range of actual changes in the brain that contribute to physical & mental well-being.‘ (S.188)
June 19, 2025
An interesting read, definetly worth a listen. I didn't love the authors narration voice but the content was enough of a lure to keep me engaged.
October 22, 2024
James Doty describes the process and mindset of Manifestation from a spiritual and from a scientific perspective. It is refreshing to find a book that describes and offers ways to practice manifestation without resorting to analogies about the 'universe' or a 'higher power'. Literally the book's first sentence is, "the Universe doesn't give a f*k about you." It sets the tone for the rest of the book. James Doty serves up a reality check to the reader... that you are the only one that can make changes happen. That you are the one that must put in the work. That you are the one blocking your own potential opportunities. I found reading the book to be insightful, and I was able to learn more about the sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous systems (PNS), and their impact on a peaceful, relaxing, and creative state of mind. James Doty shares meditation practices, and in fact a month-long plan, for the reader to engage through a mindful and guided practice for manifestation. For me, the first half of the book was really engaging with information on how the brain works, what manifesting is, and how to put oneself into a state where manifesting is possible. The second half of the book felt heavy with stories and anecdotes that personally I found hard to relate to or be in awe of. I will take away from this book a more solid understanding of the SNS and PNS, the notion that you are the one that opens your own doors (or blocks them) and the reminder that negative self talk was historically there to protect us from dangers, therefore limiting thinking and possibilities, and that we can actively choose to move past this and open ourselves up to opportunity.
January 5, 2025
Dr. James Doty has quickly become my BFF heading into the new year. I’m incredibly grateful for the profound messages in his books.
I listened to this one free on Spotify as a follow-up to Into the Magic Shop. While it is less of a memoir and delves deeply into the science of the brain—much of which went over my head during the first half—I found the day-to-day examples he shared to be clear, relatable and impactful. Inspired by these insights, I’ve already ordered the hardcover copy to reread and fully absorb it with the help of a written guide. Highly recommend!
I listened to this one free on Spotify as a follow-up to Into the Magic Shop. While it is less of a memoir and delves deeply into the science of the brain—much of which went over my head during the first half—I found the day-to-day examples he shared to be clear, relatable and impactful. Inspired by these insights, I’ve already ordered the hardcover copy to reread and fully absorb it with the help of a written guide. Highly recommend!
February 11, 2025
Zzzzzzzzzzzz
January 3, 2026
“Any man could, if he were so inclined, be the sculptor of his own brain.”
The exact book I needed to jumpstart my new year! I took so many notes. While much of the information was familiar to me, the format made all the difference.
‘Mind Magic’ offers a sense of safety, peace, connection, and the inner resources needed to allow your mind to manifest its magic.
Dr. James Doty’s techniques guide us to move through the world with greater clarity, building true inner power by cultivating a calm mind, relaxed body, and an open heart. His strategies, analogies, and practices are both informative and deeply relatable. He breaks everything down into simple, digestible concepts that feel genuinely doable and easy to integrate into everyday life.
“There is no favorable wind for the sailor who does not know where to go.”
A major takeaway for me was connecting with my inner compass— understanding what I truly want by setting my mind on a destination worthy of my pursuit. I can’t wait to dive deeper into these practices.
2026, I’m ready for you! ✨
The exact book I needed to jumpstart my new year! I took so many notes. While much of the information was familiar to me, the format made all the difference.
‘Mind Magic’ offers a sense of safety, peace, connection, and the inner resources needed to allow your mind to manifest its magic.
Dr. James Doty’s techniques guide us to move through the world with greater clarity, building true inner power by cultivating a calm mind, relaxed body, and an open heart. His strategies, analogies, and practices are both informative and deeply relatable. He breaks everything down into simple, digestible concepts that feel genuinely doable and easy to integrate into everyday life.
“There is no favorable wind for the sailor who does not know where to go.”
A major takeaway for me was connecting with my inner compass— understanding what I truly want by setting my mind on a destination worthy of my pursuit. I can’t wait to dive deeper into these practices.
2026, I’m ready for you! ✨
September 25, 2025
Absolutely loved. Bought my own copy. This book shifted my energy from my brain to my heart and I’m so grateful. I want to start again from the beginning.
August 16, 2025
Am avut atât de multe conștientizări citind cartea asta, mi se pare cu adevărat magică. Chiar dacă începutul a fost foarte greoi și faptul ca abunda de mulți termeni din neuroștiință m-a descurajat la început, mă bucur sincer ca am trecut peste primele două capitole pentru ca e într-adevăr o lectura valoroasă și una dintre cărțile la care cred ca o să mă întorc.
June 16, 2024
Definitely made me think about lots of things, a clear explanation of how the brain makes your wishes come true.
January 27, 2025
this was incredible—or maybe just perfect timing for where i am right now. i’m currently doing some deep work on my inner critic and limiting beliefs, and this felt like the perfect complement to that journey. i loved the journaling prompts and the opportunity to dive deep into reclaiming my power. manifesting, as i’m realizing, is so much about understanding your strengths and gifts, and how they shape the way you move through the world. it’s not about chasing riches—it’s about creating the life you truly want, recognizing the power you have, and how often you give it away without even realizing it.
March 26, 2024
Interesting read. I love the science behind it, and it's easy to follow.
May 30, 2024
Really enjoyed this. Always been a believer in manifestation but it was great to learn the science behind it. Big fan of Dr Doty.
December 31, 2024
This book took me a while to get through in part because I listened to it as an audiobook instead of reading it physically. In most cases I love a good audio book to listen to while I'm doing chores or something else I can be passive while doing. However, this book definitely would have been better as a read as opposed to a listen. There are a lot of instructional aspects to this book that I think necessitate, at least for me, being seen visually. I also think there were a lot of areas I would have liked to annotate to refer to later, which of course is more difficult with an audiobook if at all possible? Admittedly I didn't listen to the 6 week instructions at the end because I think that truly will call for a physical copy. Another knock against the audiobook is that the author himself read it. While it's nice to connect the book to its author, in this case unfortunately I think it did the book a disservice because he lacked the charisma that is usually needed to be the voice of an audiobook, and his cadence was also distracting. With all of that said, I think there's a lot of super interesting information and great takeaways that make me want to revisit it in the new year, but this time with the physical form. I also think this is a great book to end the year on because it's hopeful and informative and feels like an accessible way to better your mindset as the new year approaches!
3.5 stars as an audiobook but probably 4 if it was physical.
3.5 stars as an audiobook but probably 4 if it was physical.
November 11, 2025
This book changed my life personally along with how I practice therapy with clients. I reference quotes and ideas from it constantly (the amount of highlighting and page markers I placed are a tad ridiculous) and have found that it puts into words things I've been doing, or wanted to do, but didn't know how to describe in a way that feels possible. "Inspired" is the word that best describes how I felt when reading.
I just found out that Dr. Doty passed away last month. Upon learning this, I felt my heart squeeze that a person whose words meant so much to me isn't existing on this plane anymore. However, his heart, mind, and soul still exist on these pages.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt a tad lost in their life or wanted more but didn't know how to begin pursuing it (so basically everyone, yeah?) There are some neuroscience-heavy portions, but if that's not your thing you can skim past and focus on the meat of the work and get much from it anyway.
Rest in peace, Dr. Doty. Thank you for your contributions to this world.
I just found out that Dr. Doty passed away last month. Upon learning this, I felt my heart squeeze that a person whose words meant so much to me isn't existing on this plane anymore. However, his heart, mind, and soul still exist on these pages.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt a tad lost in their life or wanted more but didn't know how to begin pursuing it (so basically everyone, yeah?) There are some neuroscience-heavy portions, but if that's not your thing you can skim past and focus on the meat of the work and get much from it anyway.
Rest in peace, Dr. Doty. Thank you for your contributions to this world.
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December 15, 2025⠀*⠀⠀SP. &. EN. review . scroll down for the english version.
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March 25, 2025
I thought this book would go more into the details of manifesting and how it impacts your brain. Personally I felt like I didn’t gain much from it but in defense of the book, this isn’t my first book on manifestation either. If you’re newer to this concept then you will get more from it than I did.
December 6, 2024
Much of this book was very helpful in separating mysticism and science when it comes to creating the life you want. Some of it shared "science" I don't necessarily agree with but I appreciated the info.
February 13, 2025
Somewhat dry but that's to be expected. It didn't tell me anything I didn't already understand about manifestation in practice but it was really interesting for my inner woo cynic to read something grounded in science. Contains some practical exercises too.
March 22, 2025
Useful. Gave me a much better (and compelling) understanding of “manifesting”, one which makes sense to me and is consistent with neuroscience and mindfulness training. It includes a six-week program which I intend to experiment with.
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