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Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation
From a pioneer in the field of mental health comes a groundbreaking book on the healing power of "mindsight," the potent skill that is the basis for both emotional and social intelligence. Mindsight allows you to make positive changes in your brain-and in your life.- Is there a memory that torments you, or an irrational fear you can' t shake?- Do you sometimes become unreasonably angry or upset and find it hard to calm down?- Do you ever wonder why you can't stop behaving the way you do, no matter how hard you try?- Are you and your child (or parent, partner, or boss) locked in a seemingly inevitable pattern of conflict? What if you could escape traps like these and live a fuller, richer, happier life? This isn't mere speculation but the result of twenty-five years of careful hands-on clinical work by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. A Harvard-trained physician, Dr. Siegel is one of the revolutionary global innovators in the integration of brain science into the practice of psychotherapy. Using case histories from his practice, he shows how, by following the proper steps, nearly everyone can learn how to focus their attention on the internal world of the mind in a way that will literally change the wiring and architecture of their brain. Through his synthesis of a broad range of scientific research with applications to everyday life, Dr. Siegel has developed novel approaches that have helped hundreds of patients heal themselves from painful events in the past and liberate themselves from obstacles blocking their happiness in the present. And now he has written the first book that will help all of us understand the potential we have to create our own lives. Showing us mindsight in action, Dr. Siegel describes- a sixteen-year-old boy with bipolar disorder who uses meditation and other techniques instead of drugs to calm the emotional storms that made him suicidal- a woman paralyzed by anxiety, who uses mindsight to discover, in an unconscious memory of a childhood accident, the source of her dread- a physician-the author himself-who pays attention to his intuition, which he experiences as a "vague, uneasy feeling in my belly, a gnawing restlessness in my heart and my gut," and tracks down a patient who could have gone deaf because of an inaccurately written prescription for an ear infection- a twelve-year-old girl with OCD who learns a meditation that is "like watching myself from outside myself" and, using a form of internal dialogue, is able to stop the compulsive behaviors that have been tormenting her These and many other extraordinary stories illustrate how mindsight can help us master our emotions, heal our relationships, and reach our fullest potential. A book as inspiring as it is informative, as practical as it is profound, Mindsight offers exciting new proof that we aren't hardwired to behave in certain ways, but instead have the ability to harness the power of our minds to resculpt the neural pathways of our brains in ways that will be life-transforming.
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First published January 1, 2009
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About the author
Daniel J. Siegel
187 books3,232 followersDaniel J. Siegel, M.D., is an internationally acclaimed author, award-winning educator, and child psychiatrist. Dr. Siegel received his medical degree from Harvard University and completed his postgraduate medical education at UCLA with training in pediatrics and child, adolescent and adult psychiatry. He is currently a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, where he also serves as a co-investigator at the Center for Culture, Brain, and Development, and is a founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center. In addition, Dr. Siegel is the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute.
Dr. Siegel has the unique ability to convey complicated scientific concepts in a concise and comprehensible way that all readers can enjoy. He has become known for his research in Interpersonal Neurobiology – an interdisciplinary view that creates a framework for the understanding of our subjective and interpersonal lives. In his most recent works, Dr. Siegel explores how mindfulness practices can aid the process of interpersonal and intrapersonal attunement, leading to personal growth and well-being.
Published author of several highly acclaimed works, Dr. Siegel’s books include the New York Times’ bestseller “Brainstorm”, along with "Mindsight," "The Developing Mind," "The Mindful Brain," "The Mindful Therapist," in addition to co-authoring "Parenting From the Inside Out," with Mary Hartzell and "The Whole-Brain Child," with Tina Bryson. He is also the Founding Editor of the Norton Professional Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology, which includes "Healing Trauma," "The Power of Emotion," and "Trauma and the Body." Dr. Siegel currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife.
For more information on Dr. Siegel's work, please visit DrDanSiegel.com.
Dr. Siegel has the unique ability to convey complicated scientific concepts in a concise and comprehensible way that all readers can enjoy. He has become known for his research in Interpersonal Neurobiology – an interdisciplinary view that creates a framework for the understanding of our subjective and interpersonal lives. In his most recent works, Dr. Siegel explores how mindfulness practices can aid the process of interpersonal and intrapersonal attunement, leading to personal growth and well-being.
Published author of several highly acclaimed works, Dr. Siegel’s books include the New York Times’ bestseller “Brainstorm”, along with "Mindsight," "The Developing Mind," "The Mindful Brain," "The Mindful Therapist," in addition to co-authoring "Parenting From the Inside Out," with Mary Hartzell and "The Whole-Brain Child," with Tina Bryson. He is also the Founding Editor of the Norton Professional Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology, which includes "Healing Trauma," "The Power of Emotion," and "Trauma and the Body." Dr. Siegel currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife.
For more information on Dr. Siegel's work, please visit DrDanSiegel.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 675 reviews
January 25, 2012
The problem with books of this nature are unfortunately named.
This is true of this book, Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation, sounds as self help-y and new age-y as a book title can get. It does have some of those elements, but it's more of a science/psychology book. I read a lot of these books because I find the brain and psychology endlessly fascinating. I try to figure out what makes some people are douche-nozzles and some not. If listening to peoples problems on a daily basis had appealed to me, I may have gone into the field.
You know what they say about people who find the subject of crazy fascinating.........?
Check.
What I keep coming across in different books lately is this word mindfulness. It's meditation basically, and learning to pay attention to your mind and the thoughts that trudge though it. Notice them, and put them aside and in there place instead of letting them make you crazy. The meditation doesn't have to be complicated.....no beaches, forest,.....birds are necessary. Just pay attention to your breath, count each breath (and in and out cycle) up to the count of ten. If you have a thought creep in at any point, put it aside and start over at the count of one. Keep going until you can get to the count of 10 (and beyond) without a thought. Not as easy as it might sound.
I have done this a few times....practiced, and an odd thing happened. I started noticing my thoughts, and the things I was about to say to people slightly removed from them. I would notice that what I was about to say was a bit mean, and could stop myself before I let it fly. Before, I might have let it fly.
Also what I liked about this book and this author is that when he would treat a patient, he would not reach for the prescription pad first off. He would do therapy and mindfulness training. I have a problem with how readily doctors reach for the drugs first these days.
There is much more to this book than I can cover here, so if you are interested give it a read.
This is true of this book, Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation, sounds as self help-y and new age-y as a book title can get. It does have some of those elements, but it's more of a science/psychology book. I read a lot of these books because I find the brain and psychology endlessly fascinating. I try to figure out what makes some people are douche-nozzles and some not. If listening to peoples problems on a daily basis had appealed to me, I may have gone into the field.
You know what they say about people who find the subject of crazy fascinating.........?
Check.
What I keep coming across in different books lately is this word mindfulness. It's meditation basically, and learning to pay attention to your mind and the thoughts that trudge though it. Notice them, and put them aside and in there place instead of letting them make you crazy. The meditation doesn't have to be complicated.....no beaches, forest,.....birds are necessary. Just pay attention to your breath, count each breath (and in and out cycle) up to the count of ten. If you have a thought creep in at any point, put it aside and start over at the count of one. Keep going until you can get to the count of 10 (and beyond) without a thought. Not as easy as it might sound.
I have done this a few times....practiced, and an odd thing happened. I started noticing my thoughts, and the things I was about to say to people slightly removed from them. I would notice that what I was about to say was a bit mean, and could stop myself before I let it fly. Before, I might have let it fly.
Also what I liked about this book and this author is that when he would treat a patient, he would not reach for the prescription pad first off. He would do therapy and mindfulness training. I have a problem with how readily doctors reach for the drugs first these days.
There is much more to this book than I can cover here, so if you are interested give it a read.
December 30, 2016
After almost a year of having read this amazing book I opted for rewriting a worthy review.
The spirit of this book has always been with me during the past year. The insights Dr. Siegel provides to human mind and emotion are just marvelous. You start to see events and their effects on you from a whole new perspective.
I learned a lot about human brain, its structure and the way to cultivate and steer its power.
After getting to know the insights and techniques included in the book, I've never felt more peaceful and in control of my emotions even in the toughest of moments and that's the invaluable gift the book has for you.
I hope you read this masterpiece and benefit as much as I did and gain the ultimate peace of mind.
The spirit of this book has always been with me during the past year. The insights Dr. Siegel provides to human mind and emotion are just marvelous. You start to see events and their effects on you from a whole new perspective.
I learned a lot about human brain, its structure and the way to cultivate and steer its power.
After getting to know the insights and techniques included in the book, I've never felt more peaceful and in control of my emotions even in the toughest of moments and that's the invaluable gift the book has for you.
I hope you read this masterpiece and benefit as much as I did and gain the ultimate peace of mind.
June 1, 2012
I read this book as part of a reading group at work. We had read Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, and we had mixed feelings about that book. We had enjoyed the ideas but were disappointed by a lack of practical suggestions for personal growth. Siegel's Mindsight only focuses on one of Goleman's domains of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, but that piece is the fundamental one on which all other skill of social and emotional intelligence are built.
Siegel's book describes many practical actions one can take to increase self-awareness. These techniques will sound familiar to anyone familiar with mindfulness traditions (observing the breath, the sensations of the senses, sensations within the body, thoughts, connections to others), but he brings a different perspective. Siegel is a practicing psychotherapist with an interest in understanding the neuroscience behind different techniques. Instead of presenting mindfulness practices from a religious/spiritual point of view, he presents these practices from a practical (e.g., case study oriented) and scientific point of view. For those who have studied mindfulness from a spiritual perspective, this book will broaden your perspective For those who see mindfulness as new age woo woo, this book shows the scientifically and practically grounded effects and benefits of mindfulness practices.
That said, this book was much more focused on the stories of the case studies than on the concepts or the science. This was interesting, but most of us in the reading group would have liked to see this coupled with a more conceptual presentation. Oddly enough, the author would have preferred that too. We had coordinated the reading of this book with a visit from Dr. Siegel. In addition to giving an interesting talk, Dr. Siegel was generous enough to have a more focused session with the members of the reading group. During that talk, he revealed to us that he wrote this book for a general audience, and most people learn best through stories. However, he did have another book which, as he put it, contains everything his editor would not let him put into Mindsight. That book is The Mindful Therapist, and I look forward to reading it!
Siegel's book describes many practical actions one can take to increase self-awareness. These techniques will sound familiar to anyone familiar with mindfulness traditions (observing the breath, the sensations of the senses, sensations within the body, thoughts, connections to others), but he brings a different perspective. Siegel is a practicing psychotherapist with an interest in understanding the neuroscience behind different techniques. Instead of presenting mindfulness practices from a religious/spiritual point of view, he presents these practices from a practical (e.g., case study oriented) and scientific point of view. For those who have studied mindfulness from a spiritual perspective, this book will broaden your perspective For those who see mindfulness as new age woo woo, this book shows the scientifically and practically grounded effects and benefits of mindfulness practices.
That said, this book was much more focused on the stories of the case studies than on the concepts or the science. This was interesting, but most of us in the reading group would have liked to see this coupled with a more conceptual presentation. Oddly enough, the author would have preferred that too. We had coordinated the reading of this book with a visit from Dr. Siegel. In addition to giving an interesting talk, Dr. Siegel was generous enough to have a more focused session with the members of the reading group. During that talk, he revealed to us that he wrote this book for a general audience, and most people learn best through stories. However, he did have another book which, as he put it, contains everything his editor would not let him put into Mindsight. That book is The Mindful Therapist, and I look forward to reading it!
June 25, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. It basically makes the case that a lot of problems people go to counseling for can be addressed by a form of mindfulness meditation. It describes how the brain drives behavior, and then presents a series of case studies detailing ways a brain can drive negative or destructive behavior. And then illustrates how each patient was able to use practised focused attention to train the brain out of bad habits, rewiring it to work better.
I share some of the problems presented in his case studies, and it was very helpful to see that other people share my exact problems and it is simply the result of parts of the brain not operating in balance. I also find the idea that i can retrain my brain into healthier patterns. By indulging in what is more or less a form of mindful meditation. It's still hard work, but it gave me hope that i can retrain myself into better modes of being.
The only thing i didn't like is it seemed a little light on techniques and helpful things to practice. It taught me a lot about what's wrong, but less about how to fix it. Also, he's invented the buzzword "mindsight" and insists on using it constantly in hopes it will catch on.
Recommended if you suffer from depression, anxiety or other emotional disconnects, although maybe as a library rental.
I share some of the problems presented in his case studies, and it was very helpful to see that other people share my exact problems and it is simply the result of parts of the brain not operating in balance. I also find the idea that i can retrain my brain into healthier patterns. By indulging in what is more or less a form of mindful meditation. It's still hard work, but it gave me hope that i can retrain myself into better modes of being.
The only thing i didn't like is it seemed a little light on techniques and helpful things to practice. It taught me a lot about what's wrong, but less about how to fix it. Also, he's invented the buzzword "mindsight" and insists on using it constantly in hopes it will catch on.
Recommended if you suffer from depression, anxiety or other emotional disconnects, although maybe as a library rental.
March 10, 2012
*Pieces of mind integrated into peace of mind,*
Only a (highly human) genius like Daniel Siegel could write such a masterpiece that magically transforms the complex science of interpersonal neurobiology into an understandable,compelling, fascinating, and exciting read. He beautifully weaves the concept of mindsight--the process that enables us to monitor and modify the flow of energy and information in our brains so we can achieve the ability to objectively look inward to our subjective internal world--into the journey of creating healthy, stable, compassionate, and flexible relationships with the self and others. He provides illuminating guidance for this literally mind-altering journey via (clearly explained) emerging neuroscience research, clever acronyms/metaphors/models/illustrations, fascinating case studies, (at times humbling) personal experiences, mindfulness techniques, spiritual wisdom, and gracefully written prose. Siegel convincingly conveys how integrating the "pieces of the mind" (i.e., consciousness, horizontal, vertical, memory, narrative, state, interpersonal, and temporal domains) ultimately results in enhanced peace of mind, fulfilling reciprocal relationships, and the ability to feel connected to a much larger whole. _Mindsight_ clearly shows how "seeing the mind can enhance our individual and collective lives."
Your brain will never be the same after fully integrating the literally mind-altering concepts of _Mindsight_.
Only a (highly human) genius like Daniel Siegel could write such a masterpiece that magically transforms the complex science of interpersonal neurobiology into an understandable,compelling, fascinating, and exciting read. He beautifully weaves the concept of mindsight--the process that enables us to monitor and modify the flow of energy and information in our brains so we can achieve the ability to objectively look inward to our subjective internal world--into the journey of creating healthy, stable, compassionate, and flexible relationships with the self and others. He provides illuminating guidance for this literally mind-altering journey via (clearly explained) emerging neuroscience research, clever acronyms/metaphors/models/illustrations, fascinating case studies, (at times humbling) personal experiences, mindfulness techniques, spiritual wisdom, and gracefully written prose. Siegel convincingly conveys how integrating the "pieces of the mind" (i.e., consciousness, horizontal, vertical, memory, narrative, state, interpersonal, and temporal domains) ultimately results in enhanced peace of mind, fulfilling reciprocal relationships, and the ability to feel connected to a much larger whole. _Mindsight_ clearly shows how "seeing the mind can enhance our individual and collective lives."
Your brain will never be the same after fully integrating the literally mind-altering concepts of _Mindsight_.
July 18, 2016
This book is much more about neurology than your typical self-help book. I enjoyed immensely the first part, which presents the advancement in neuroscience and theory of the mind. The second part focuses on a number of psychotherapy study cases and the use of mindfulness in their treatment to leverage neuroplasticity. I felt that this second part, while interesting, was not very helpful in practice. 3.5 stars
August 1, 2011
Mightsight is an interesting book about the neuroplasticity of the brain. To quote, "Mindsight is a kind of focused attention that allows us to see the internal workings of our own minds."Neuroplasticity is the ability for the brain to grow new pathways between neurons that fire in your mind, which create new pathways. These new pathways mean you can change. You can strengthen the areas that you are weak in and learn how to make better, healthier choices as a person. He talks about finding a deep core within where you can observe your thoughts and feelings and not be tossed around by them or caught up in them. I really loved this book, it made me miss my psychology classes oh so much. Yes, it's true, this book may be a little dense for people not fascinated by the brain/behavior link. It requires concentration, focus and attention to get through and isn't a breezy read. However, Dr. Siegel does write in a way that is understandable and easier to follow than other brain-based books I read. He sprinkles his chapters liberally with analogies, some pictures, acronyms and vignettes to help the reader understand the abstract concepts. Part One focuses mainly on the brain and neurology 101. Part Two is actual experiences with his therapy clients, the problems they came in with and how applying his theory involving "Mindsight" these patients were able to change their minds and way of thinking and were much happier as a result. He talks about mood swings, OCD, couples therapy, overcoming your past, overcoming trauma and even developing the lesser used half of your brain to enjoy all aspects of life more fully. It's definitely inspiring to hear the problems and then after consistent sessions see how his clients are helped, although I do wish there had been a bit more specific techniques on how to strengthen your mind. He recommends writing, meditating, exercise and a regular sleep schedule, which I try to do now anyway. Since more specific steps were lacking, it kind of made me feel like I wanted to sign up for some therapy with this guy to help me become more responsive to life, not reactive. I hope to adhere more thoroughly to all the ideas in this book because the results he describes are so awesome and empowering. I definitely could read it again and continue to try everyday to apply these principles into my life.
My favorite quotes-many sections in the book!
My favorite quotes-many sections in the book!
June 15, 2021
Daniel J. Siegel nöroplastisite ile açılış yapıp, beyindeki rezonans devreleriyle devam edip, sağ ve sol beyin arasındaki uyumu yakalayıp, örtük bellek ile farketmediğimiz alanlara ışık tutarak bunları yaşamış vaka örnekleriyle aktarmış.
Psikoterapi ile beyin bilimini birleştiren kitaplara ilgisi olanlar belki okumak isterler. Benim acayip ilgimi çekiyor.
Psikoterapi ile beyin bilimini birleştiren kitaplara ilgisi olanlar belki okumak isterler. Benim acayip ilgimi çekiyor.
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November 3, 2021Uzun zamandır okuduğum en aydınlatıcı, rahatlatıcı ve keyifli kitaplardan birisi oldu. İsmi itibariyle uyduruk bir şey gibi gelebilir fakat isim sizi yanıltmasın; nörobilim ve psikolojinin müthiş uyumuna örnek bir kitap, Akılgözü(orijinal ismi Mindsight).
Kitap, beynin farklı bölgelerini tanıtarak; bunların işlevleri ve birbirleri arasındaki iletişim ağlarının önemini anlatarak başlıyor ve bize nöroplastisite kavramını tanıtıyor. Kitapta zihin(mind), bir beyin işlevi olmaktan ziyade, sinir sistemi ve orgaları da kapsayan bütüncül bir bakış açısıyla ele alınıyor. Ardından farklı vaka örnekleriyle sağ ve sol beyin, beynin aşağı ve yukarı bölgeleri ve beyin ile boyundan aşağısı arasındaki iletişimde tıkanıklıklar olduğunda ne gibi sorunlar yaşayacağımızı ve bunları onarmanın yollarını anlatıyor. Beyni ve bedenin geri kalanını yeterince tanıyarak ve aradakı bağları onararak, kendimize anlattığımız acı verici hikayeleri dönüştürmemizin mümkün olduğuna değiniyor Dan Siegel.
Kitabın bana kalırsa en önemli yanı, gayet tutarlı bir şeklilde ''başka bir ihtimal''i hatırlatması. (vaka örneklerinden birisinin 92 yaşında olması, bu ihtimale dair inançları pekiştirir nitelikte)Kendimi ve ilişkilerimi anlamam konusunda dört yıllık psikoloji eğitimimden daha verimli olduğunu düşündüğüm bir kitap oldu; psikolojiye merakı olanlara tavsiyemdir.
Kitap, beynin farklı bölgelerini tanıtarak; bunların işlevleri ve birbirleri arasındaki iletişim ağlarının önemini anlatarak başlıyor ve bize nöroplastisite kavramını tanıtıyor. Kitapta zihin(mind), bir beyin işlevi olmaktan ziyade, sinir sistemi ve orgaları da kapsayan bütüncül bir bakış açısıyla ele alınıyor. Ardından farklı vaka örnekleriyle sağ ve sol beyin, beynin aşağı ve yukarı bölgeleri ve beyin ile boyundan aşağısı arasındaki iletişimde tıkanıklıklar olduğunda ne gibi sorunlar yaşayacağımızı ve bunları onarmanın yollarını anlatıyor. Beyni ve bedenin geri kalanını yeterince tanıyarak ve aradakı bağları onararak, kendimize anlattığımız acı verici hikayeleri dönüştürmemizin mümkün olduğuna değiniyor Dan Siegel.
Kitabın bana kalırsa en önemli yanı, gayet tutarlı bir şeklilde ''başka bir ihtimal''i hatırlatması. (vaka örneklerinden birisinin 92 yaşında olması, bu ihtimale dair inançları pekiştirir nitelikte)Kendimi ve ilişkilerimi anlamam konusunda dört yıllık psikoloji eğitimimden daha verimli olduğunu düşündüğüm bir kitap oldu; psikolojiye merakı olanlara tavsiyemdir.
August 29, 2010
Yet another book that supports the importance of meditation, or as I like to call it now, Self-directed-intentional-authorship. Good read, I especially enjoyed hearing all the success stories of people who managed to overcome life-long mental illnesses by using the power of their focused attention.
Too much of our lives appears to be fear-based-living which with its gradual grinding and gnawing saps the positive energy of our lives. It isn't surprising that this is the case, it is how we have survived as humans for thousands of years. Unfortunately most of that fear is simply psychological dead-weight that we continue to lug around. The author contends that it is possible to free ourselves of that through careful and focused meditation geared towards self-awareness. Feeling the emotions but not identifying with them, letting them wash over us like the waves of the sea.
To resolve unhealed issues of our past we have to develop a coherent narrative of our lives that makes sense to us. That is part of how we move on and get over the past.
So many good ideas from this book, I wish I could just perfectly remember them all.
This book has many fascinating ideas and for some odd reason I keep finding myself with books like this on my shelf without me really seeking them out. hmmm.....
Too much of our lives appears to be fear-based-living which with its gradual grinding and gnawing saps the positive energy of our lives. It isn't surprising that this is the case, it is how we have survived as humans for thousands of years. Unfortunately most of that fear is simply psychological dead-weight that we continue to lug around. The author contends that it is possible to free ourselves of that through careful and focused meditation geared towards self-awareness. Feeling the emotions but not identifying with them, letting them wash over us like the waves of the sea.
To resolve unhealed issues of our past we have to develop a coherent narrative of our lives that makes sense to us. That is part of how we move on and get over the past.
So many good ideas from this book, I wish I could just perfectly remember them all.
This book has many fascinating ideas and for some odd reason I keep finding myself with books like this on my shelf without me really seeking them out. hmmm.....
December 10, 2009
An accessable but rigorously researched take on neuroplasticity, with useful approaches to how mindfulness can assist in overcoming a range of what are usually considered mental illnesses only treatable with medication. A unique and clear approach to the question of what is mind and what is brain, incorporating relationships into the concept of what it is to be human, and the importance of attachment in infancy, and how issues with attachment can be addressed in adulthood.
A positive and inspirational contribution to the applications of the neurobiology of brain plasticity in psychotherapy and personal fulfillment in life.Not just a good read, but an essential desktop reference for anyone working in mental health who is interested in instilling hope in clients who may have doubts of their ability to transcend the "chemical imbalence" in the brain version of mental illness, or parents of young people with developmental disabilities. His "holy trinity" of brain, mind, and relationships as what makes us human places Dan Seigal as a paradigm shifter extrordinaire. Worth reading over and over IMHO. If you know the value of meditation but have trouble finding the self-discipline, this book will reingnite your motivation!
The title may be misleading- The actual title of the edition I read was "Mindsight- change your brain and your life" and there were a couple of other titles in the Goodreads list which just read "Mindsight". I was fortunate to hear Dan Seigal speak at the Mind and it's potential conference in Sydney Nov 2009, and picked up a signed copy.
A positive and inspirational contribution to the applications of the neurobiology of brain plasticity in psychotherapy and personal fulfillment in life.Not just a good read, but an essential desktop reference for anyone working in mental health who is interested in instilling hope in clients who may have doubts of their ability to transcend the "chemical imbalence" in the brain version of mental illness, or parents of young people with developmental disabilities. His "holy trinity" of brain, mind, and relationships as what makes us human places Dan Seigal as a paradigm shifter extrordinaire. Worth reading over and over IMHO. If you know the value of meditation but have trouble finding the self-discipline, this book will reingnite your motivation!
The title may be misleading- The actual title of the edition I read was "Mindsight- change your brain and your life" and there were a couple of other titles in the Goodreads list which just read "Mindsight". I was fortunate to hear Dan Seigal speak at the Mind and it's potential conference in Sydney Nov 2009, and picked up a signed copy.
January 22, 2011
This book was really interesting to me in light of my current interest in substance dualism; the idea that we have a soul that is immaterial and yet can influence the brain, while being influence by the physical itself. Siegel is quite obviously a scientific naturalist, yet he is unlike many others in that he is willing to live with the mystery that the mind is non-physical, and this was fascinating to me. Mind, in his mind of course is just the magical result of evolution, and as of yet it can't really be understood or explained scientifically, but its reality is obvious; this consciousness, this ability to think about thinking, to have beliefs, freewill and volition is commonsense. The main idea of the book is we need mind sight, the ability to be an observer of the happenings within our brain. The low road as he calls it, is influence by desires, personality, trauma, memories and evolutionary factors of fight, flight and freeze among many other things will cause us to do extremely inappropriate and irrational things if we let it have its way. But since we are not only our brain, we can in essence take a step back and observe that what is happening inside of us is just mere happenings in parts of our brain, that most often are influenced by our childhood and genes. The emotions and irrational fear or self-destructive tendencies are not our identity, these things can be changed. And through mindfulness we can rewire our brain. He never calls the mind our soul, which is important since I am sure he wants to remain a respected academic, yet the theist could easy reference this book in making a cause for a soul that fills the body, and that the only reasonable explanation for this non-physical mind is A MIND, the Spirit who fills the universe. For how can non-thinking materiel create a non-phyiscal mind through the process of evolution?
After Siegel writes about the mind, the rest of the book is filled with examples of psychoanalysis with his patients. With each person he discovers the childhood events that has resulted in their current issues and helps the patient by getting them to understand that what they are feeling is located in the brain and that the brain can be rewired through mindful effort. Recognizing whats happening inside and the why its happening, takes a lot of the wind out of the sails. I like that he never wanted the patients to blame other or see themselves as victims, but wants to help them to rise above it through mindsight. But yeah, I am making a mess of this review, I think I ought to stop.
After Siegel writes about the mind, the rest of the book is filled with examples of psychoanalysis with his patients. With each person he discovers the childhood events that has resulted in their current issues and helps the patient by getting them to understand that what they are feeling is located in the brain and that the brain can be rewired through mindful effort. Recognizing whats happening inside and the why its happening, takes a lot of the wind out of the sails. I like that he never wanted the patients to blame other or see themselves as victims, but wants to help them to rise above it through mindsight. But yeah, I am making a mess of this review, I think I ought to stop.
October 15, 2017
The first half of this book is largely theory, which was a little dry but interesting. The back half is then basically case studies used as examples to prove his theories. However, it started to feel self-indulgent pretty quickly, and more like he wanted to show off what he'd accomplished than like he was demonstrating the science of it. I have a hunch that the science in this is outdated as well, since he focuses heavily on left brain vs right brain theories, but I'm not a psychologist so I can't be too confident in that statement. Overall left me feeling very meh. Had some interesting content, but was somewhat dry and self-indulgent.
June 3, 2018
The author defines Mindsight as "...a process that enables us to monitor and modify the flow of energy and information within the Triangle of Well-Being." (The triangle being composed of Mind, Brain and Relationships.)
So thinking about thinking. Mind you, we already have metacognition, introspection, self-awareness, and Blue Hat Thinking (from DeBono's Six Thinking Hats. http://www.debonogroup.com/six_thinki... ) and probably a dozen others. But if "mindsight" works better for you, then great. It is short and easy to remember.
The book is packed with fascinating case studies and approaches to using mindsight as a psychotherapy tool. I liked the emphasis on integration. Many people seek to eliminate psychological problems, but Mindsight works to come to terms with the problem, recognize why the brain works that way in the first place, and learn how to accept and work with the brain instead of against it. Very holistic thinking. Very Tao. And from the case studies in this book, very effective.
The focus is on neural integration, which relies on neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to adjust itself. There's some mentions of science and studies without too much reliance on terminology. Very accessible, and while the book touts "personal transformation" I'd say it's more useful to my therapist friends. For those seeking personal transformation, start with meditation and learning to control your own awareness. If you aren't there yet, then Mindsight is best left to the person in the chair and not the person on the couch.
Of course there's an entire cult built around this, with online courses and "immersion weekends." Have fun with that.
So thinking about thinking. Mind you, we already have metacognition, introspection, self-awareness, and Blue Hat Thinking (from DeBono's Six Thinking Hats. http://www.debonogroup.com/six_thinki... ) and probably a dozen others. But if "mindsight" works better for you, then great. It is short and easy to remember.
The book is packed with fascinating case studies and approaches to using mindsight as a psychotherapy tool. I liked the emphasis on integration. Many people seek to eliminate psychological problems, but Mindsight works to come to terms with the problem, recognize why the brain works that way in the first place, and learn how to accept and work with the brain instead of against it. Very holistic thinking. Very Tao. And from the case studies in this book, very effective.
The focus is on neural integration, which relies on neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to adjust itself. There's some mentions of science and studies without too much reliance on terminology. Very accessible, and while the book touts "personal transformation" I'd say it's more useful to my therapist friends. For those seeking personal transformation, start with meditation and learning to control your own awareness. If you aren't there yet, then Mindsight is best left to the person in the chair and not the person on the couch.
Of course there's an entire cult built around this, with online courses and "immersion weekends." Have fun with that.
September 18, 2018
Review/Personal insights ahead: I’ll be up front. This was a very hard book for me to read. I long ago decided, arbitrarily and with the mind of a teenager and then a (unintentionally) delusional adult that my past, including my childhood, through college, had absolutely no bearing on my current life, thought, mood, proclivities, etcetera.
This seems immensely foolish. Yet even a short time ago I would have fought tooth and nail to defend that belief. (Just ask my wife). This began to change after I read Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance. That opened the door, the tiniest crack, to the idea that maybe, just maybe, something hadn’t been ‘normal’ or ‘average’ about my life. Ironically, it wasn’t in nursing school, (where low socioeconomic status seemed to be a prime predictor of social, substance abuse, crime, health problems and psychological problems) where I learned this. It was through more books like ‘The Deepest Well’ by Nadine Harris, MD, and now by this book, Mindsight, by Daniel Siegel.
I admit body scanning, insight meditation, attachment theories, and mindfulness sound dreadfully ‘new age’ to me, but given how DEEPLY UNSETTLING these books are to me, if nothing else, is opening my eyes to where I might have been going wrong all these years.
Thank you for those of you who prodded, poked, or cajoled me into reading more about this. I think I need to, and I think I’m convincing myself that I need to even though I have an IMMENSE unconscious aversion to reading about it.
This seems immensely foolish. Yet even a short time ago I would have fought tooth and nail to defend that belief. (Just ask my wife). This began to change after I read Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance. That opened the door, the tiniest crack, to the idea that maybe, just maybe, something hadn’t been ‘normal’ or ‘average’ about my life. Ironically, it wasn’t in nursing school, (where low socioeconomic status seemed to be a prime predictor of social, substance abuse, crime, health problems and psychological problems) where I learned this. It was through more books like ‘The Deepest Well’ by Nadine Harris, MD, and now by this book, Mindsight, by Daniel Siegel.
I admit body scanning, insight meditation, attachment theories, and mindfulness sound dreadfully ‘new age’ to me, but given how DEEPLY UNSETTLING these books are to me, if nothing else, is opening my eyes to where I might have been going wrong all these years.
Thank you for those of you who prodded, poked, or cajoled me into reading more about this. I think I need to, and I think I’m convincing myself that I need to even though I have an IMMENSE unconscious aversion to reading about it.
November 27, 2012
Siegel wrote an interesting book about neuroplasticity, attachment, and a concept he identified as "mindsight." As a neuropsychologist, this is important work and hopeful work, because it talks a lot our ability to change. He provides a number of useful vignettes to help the reader along on the way to understanding his ideas. I got to the penultimate chapter that deals with mortality, and I was reminded how thankful I am for Christ. Siegel is very clear in his writing that before life and after life there is nothing, so basically we have to find ways to deal with death. Though admittedly this is not the right place to deal with questions of life after death, he takes it as a foregone conclusion that there is no eternal life rather than dealing with the philosophy and theology that suggests that there is.
July 5, 2017
Dan Siegel's approach to psychotherapy seems to be sound, rooted in the scientific understanding of brain functioning and its changes in response to the activites of daily life and deliberate practice. Speaking of practices, I haven't much new stuff in the book, but Dan's explanation of practice's mechanics and long-term effects were very good. I was inspired by an example of a man who went into therapy being 92 years old and who could significantly improve the quality of his and his wife's lives. It's never too late to grow!
May 7, 2025
I neeeeed to stop reading books that I think will fix my brain but then ultimately just tell me I need to journal and meditate more.
February 28, 2021
O carte care mi-a plăcut foarte mult, cu o parte teoretică despre creierul triurn - care merită reluată oricând pentru împrospătarea cunoștiințelor- și una practică, cu exemple și experiențele pacienților doctorului Siegel.
July 29, 2011
Siegel provides an excellent clinical guide for any aspiring therapist. Using case examples he weaves the latest in neuroscience into an easy to read manual, which is well organized and inspiring. Siegel makes complex systems theory remarkably easy to understand and he makes neuroanatomy come alive with his lucid writing style and simple metaphors. Siegel's case examples are charming and he includes anecdotes from his own life with good effect. Siegel's "domains of integration" are logical and resonate with my clinical and personal experience. There is wisdom to the concepts he presents that is badly needed in the field of psychiatry. Siegel's use of meditative practice may seem new age and at times Siegel's lucid style seems almost deceptively simple. Don't be deceived, Siegel's work translates the latest in neuroscience and research on meditative practice into a practical clinical guide. I highly recommend this book. Time to bone up on my mindfulness techniques. Anyone know a good yogi?
March 28, 2017
It's interesting in theory, but it ended up being so-so. Good old Daniel is a psychiatrist who uses mindfulness to treat all sorts of mental illnesses, from PTSD to OCD to emotional stuntedness... It's great to see Western docs digging into the science of mindfulness, but I like Jon Kabat-Zinn's books about mediation better, and other books about psychology (Predictably Irrational or Thinking: Fast and Slow) are more compelling. So, it was a nice mix of psychology AND mindfulness, but other books about those independent topics were more interesting.
December 15, 2017
The book was pretty clinical, but totally fascinating. Siegel talks about how he helped a variety of his patients learn to essentially rewire their brains in a more healthy way. The theory is that you do a lot of things that are unhealthy because your brain is aware of things your conscience self is not. It's sort of freud for the neuroscience-y world we're in.
February 17, 2014
Recommended by the psychologist teaching the healing from trauma seminar I am taking. This book is useful and insightful, and offers great ways of explaining the mind to clients. Good suggestions for healing as well. It was a library book but will have to buy a copy!
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November 19, 2018Neurons that fire together, wire together.
This is far beyond my typical reading. I'm not rating it, because I don't even know how to. A random reference to it stimulated my interest. Two things attracted my attention: neuroplasticity and trauma-induced memory loss.
About neuroplasticity? Factors that enhance changing the channels or canals of brain activity, I learned, are diet, sleep, focused attention, aerobic exercise, novelty, and emotional arousal.
Dr. Siegel is a pioneer in "Interpersonal Neurobiology." I guess that's a thing. Although Siegel used case histories and employed a really cool model of the brain using a folded hand to show how the cortex is folded over the limbic areas, I struggled with the esoteric nature of the book.
But this gripped my musical sensibilities. When Siegel teaches, he uses an exercise called The Complexity Choir. A group of random volunteers comes forward and is asked to sing, a capella, three ways.
1. Sing the same note at the same time. Dull and boring, but it illustrates how their voices are linked.
2. Covering their ears, each launches into any song. The cacophony and chaos illustrates differentiation.
3. Choose a song, sing together, harmonize freely. The glory of the blending voices illustrates integration at its acoustic best.
I learned that stress hormones can be memory-blocking. This intrigued me because there are a few chapters of my childhoold memories after the sudden death of my mom that remain blank pages. When families do not offer a place for children to express their feelings and recall what happened after an overwhelming event, their implicit-only memories remain in dis-integrated from and they have no way to make sense of their experience. 161
I'm not sure how to process Siegel's beliefs in the context of my own belief system (Creator-made, Creator-involved). They seem to have the thinnest line of overlap. But I like the challenge of reading outside the canon, so to speak.
The best chapter title I've read in a long time: The Crepes of Wrath
This is far beyond my typical reading. I'm not rating it, because I don't even know how to. A random reference to it stimulated my interest. Two things attracted my attention: neuroplasticity and trauma-induced memory loss.
About neuroplasticity? Factors that enhance changing the channels or canals of brain activity, I learned, are diet, sleep, focused attention, aerobic exercise, novelty, and emotional arousal.
Dr. Siegel is a pioneer in "Interpersonal Neurobiology." I guess that's a thing. Although Siegel used case histories and employed a really cool model of the brain using a folded hand to show how the cortex is folded over the limbic areas, I struggled with the esoteric nature of the book.
But this gripped my musical sensibilities. When Siegel teaches, he uses an exercise called The Complexity Choir. A group of random volunteers comes forward and is asked to sing, a capella, three ways.
1. Sing the same note at the same time. Dull and boring, but it illustrates how their voices are linked.
2. Covering their ears, each launches into any song. The cacophony and chaos illustrates differentiation.
3. Choose a song, sing together, harmonize freely. The glory of the blending voices illustrates integration at its acoustic best.
I learned that stress hormones can be memory-blocking. This intrigued me because there are a few chapters of my childhoold memories after the sudden death of my mom that remain blank pages. When families do not offer a place for children to express their feelings and recall what happened after an overwhelming event, their implicit-only memories remain in dis-integrated from and they have no way to make sense of their experience. 161
I'm not sure how to process Siegel's beliefs in the context of my own belief system (Creator-made, Creator-involved). They seem to have the thinnest line of overlap. But I like the challenge of reading outside the canon, so to speak.
The best chapter title I've read in a long time: The Crepes of Wrath
December 5, 2017
This book took a long time to read. A really long time.... It was hard to put down and hard to move through all at the same time. It was hard to move through because there were so many stories and anecdotes, so many strategies and things to look into further, that I had to keep going away to come back. I am trying to restore some old neural pathways that are withering away because our brain remaps itself to how we do things - I'm reading proper paper books again instead of on my tablet (that's not true - I'm using a device with e-paper but it's as close to a paper book as my nerdy side will allow me to get) and I'm trying not to google stuff while I read, highlight passages and see what other people are noting down in sections etc. It's a real challenge in the modern world as we are so connected. This book explains how the brain works, what parts do what and why we do the things we do. It really takes all the stuff I have learnt in personality profiles, HBDIs and other tests and makes me go.... ohhhhhhh! Now I get it. It's the why to the how. It's how our neurons fire and who they fire with, it's the primitive brain and how it interacts with our higher order brain. It's helped me think about responding to situations and not to react. I'm excited to have finished this book because I now get to slide back into a trashy book, but I'm excited to have read it. It's an amazing piece that will neatly slot into any number of other reading I've done on behaviour because this was about the brain. Loved it!
July 15, 2024
Mindsight proceeds from the premise that the brain's neuroplasticity continues into adulthood and can be harnessed to solve mental health issues by encouraging increased activity and new connections in the frontal lobe. The therapy involves mindfulness training, as well as other interventions developed by Dr. Siegel. If I understand it correctly, his method relies on making lasting changes to the brain that relieve painful mental and emotional states. If some of his methods sound familiar, you will not be surprised to find leading US Buddhist practitioners among the acknowledgments. Combining the two forms of wisdom makes good sense to me, though I wonder how accessible his methods are to those without access to therapists as brilliant and insightful as Siegel.
March 16, 2019
Beyin hakkında çok doyurucu bilgiler içeren bir kitap
April 20, 2024
Cu toții tânjim, conștient sau nu, după ce nu am primit în trecut și după ce ne lipsește în prezent.
April 19, 2021
I like Dr. Dan Siegel's definition of mind vs. brain. He doesn't isolate the mind to the organ of the brain, but that our consciousness requires integration from brain, mind, body and relationships. Mindsight is the term he created for the space our mind can create to observe our body. Siegel isn't breaking new ground with this: mindfulness and meditation have existed for millennia. He is examining mindfulness from the concrete qualitative research on the brain and seeing data to match the success of mindfulness. It's one thing to say "practice mindful breathing, it'll help" vs "practice mindful breathing, this is why/how/what is happening in the brain during the process, and here's how it can help change your mental health, approach past trauma, and give you power in changing the pathways in your brain."
Mindsight introduction goes through Siegel's own experience in medical school and the frustrations he found in the system; like not connecting emotionally to patients. This ultimately brought him to the neuroscience work and therapy work he spent. The rest of the book is broken down into eight types of integration that occur throughout the mind, body, and relationships. He gives examples through patients he worked with in therapy to illustrate the progress of the mindful work and progress made.
Just one approach of many to the world of mindful awareness practice. Combined with qualitative data, this is a good place to join the conversation and practice.
Mindsight introduction goes through Siegel's own experience in medical school and the frustrations he found in the system; like not connecting emotionally to patients. This ultimately brought him to the neuroscience work and therapy work he spent. The rest of the book is broken down into eight types of integration that occur throughout the mind, body, and relationships. He gives examples through patients he worked with in therapy to illustrate the progress of the mindful work and progress made.
Just one approach of many to the world of mindful awareness practice. Combined with qualitative data, this is a good place to join the conversation and practice.
March 12, 2021
Tons of value here. Loved the anecdotes about real people with mental health issues and how using mindsight helped them overcome their problems. A little too heavy on the brain science for me. You can skip some of it though.
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