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Mindfulness and the Brain: A Professional Training in the Science and Practice of Meditative Awareness

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The Buddha Meets Neurobiology in the Science of Heightened Awareness

Mindful awareness creates scientifically recognized enhancements in our mental functions and interpersonal relationships. But how can we integrate this information into our personal or professional lives?

In the Mindfulness and the Brain audio learning course, Jack Kornfield, PhD, and Daniel Siegel, MD, offer theoretical and experiential teachings on the power of inner transformation and the cultivation of a wise and loving heart.

Whether you’re a therapist, healer, educator, parent, meditation practitioner―or anyone interested in developing a healthy mind―this training offers a practical exploration of what it means for our world and us to be able to nurture and sustain heightened awareness

Course

Summarize basic concepts of neurobiology and neuroplasticity
• Explain the difference between the concept of mind and the brain
• Summarize the Buddhist model of mental health
• Compare awareness with mental activity
• Discuss how mindfulness practices can change the brain
• Practice mindfulness meditation exercises
• Evaluate the practical relevance of these insights on the individual and on the world as a whole
An Integration of Head and Heart

In this training, you’ll discover how mindful practice helps reduce suffering and promote resilience; the "resonance circuit" that enables an individual to attune to oneself and others; and how intrapersonal attunement can catalyze mental, interpersonal, and psychological well-being. /p>

From scientific findings and down-to-earth Buddhist perspectives to memorable anecdotes and real-life stories that illustrate key concepts, Mindfulness and the Brain invites you to discover a more integrated and connected way of knowing and developing a wise and loving heart.

Course Highlights

Clinical findings on the transformative power of interpersonal neurobiology
• The structure of the mind and how understanding consciousness can lead to freedom
• Neural integration and how it helps create more balanced lives
• How to incorporate compassion and forgiveness into our personal and professional life
• More than six hours of essential teachings and tools for cultivating healthy change in ourselves and others

6 pages, Audio CD

First published April 28, 2010

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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Dharmamitra Jeff Stefani.
30 reviews16 followers
August 21, 2013
UPDATED REVIEW: My experience with this has changed, from 4-Stars with a tepid review, to 5-STARS and a RARING Review. What changed? Obviously I did...

Take Jack Kornfield, a Stream-Winner, Insight Attainee, who then went on to become a Clinical Psychologist, then on to start and run two of the biggest, influential Buddhist Dharma & Meditation Centers in the US, and with the foremost leader of Neuronal-plasticity, and you get a very interesting Seminar.
One Reviewer called is "A nice "introduction, for those unfamiliar with Mindfulness..." or something close to that. That Review is Absurd!

There is profound depth and breadth in the 6.5 hour Audio/Seminar version that I have and LOVE! I am far from an expert, but I did study Physiology and Psychology for eight years at University, with my main interest being neurophysiology and the interface with psychology, until I departed that trajectory to study, practice, live, teach Buddhism, over 16 years ago, so I love this stuff! I would probably be doing something like Dr Siegel if I hadn't found the Direct Experience of Meditation far more meaningful, but I appreciate both, and this, of all the books I've read in this field of Mindfulness Meditation mixes with Neuronal-Plasticity, to be the best, because it brings you into the experience, makes you try these practices and get a first-hand taste of what kind of impact Mindfulness and Equanimity can have on one's Direct Experience.
It's intended for Professionals in the field of Psychology Counselors, MBSR, and related fields.
It obviously cannot be comprehensive to either neurophysiology and anatomy, nor to Buddhism, Mindfulness, meditation, and the infinite applications, but it does provide REAL, PRACTICAL, EXPERIENTIAL understanding and learning.
It takes on too much.
That said, with obvious limitations, it is a OUTSTANDING resource and a Must-Read for anyone in MBSR or Mindfulness-Based Therapy, or How Mindfulness Influences the Mind, What is Consciousness, and how it all applies to Neurology, Neuronal-plasticity and Therapeutic applications.
Profile Image for Ginger Kretschmer.
39 reviews4 followers
March 2, 2026
A seminar captured in a book, just what my mind needed this week 🙌
Profile Image for Lara.
72 reviews
April 4, 2026
The book "Mindfulness and the Brain" is very similar to the book "The Neurobiology of We", as both collect lectures by Siegel. "Mindfulness and the Brain" includes meditations and gives more attention to states of discomfort, for which aerobic exercise, proper nutrition, meditation, forgiveness, and gratitude are recommended. In addition to these well-known methods, Siegel provides a powerful visualization exercise for difficult moments, which I deeply appreciated, as well as a concept that seemingly contradicts the idea of an overstimulated society: when the brain keeps doing the same things, it becomes depressed, so the pursuit of novelty is a fundamental aspect of human nature and well-being. Finally, the book discusses the importance of helping those around us—family, friends, and members of our community: everyone is the bodhisattva of the situation they are living.
37 reviews
March 9, 2020
I loved listening to this audiobook - and I'll continue to listen to it as I head to and from work in the car. It's so exciting to have two people from such different backgrounds come to a mutual understanding as regards the benefits of mindful practice. There are many explanations of complex mechanisms that happen in the brain but I really don't think this should be off-putting. You definitely do not need expert knowledge to take from this the essence of what is being said. Fantastic and so beautiful to listen to.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
21 reviews
May 17, 2020
This recording of a seminar was so interesting, and the authors so engaging, with so much information and humor. The things they are discovering about the brain and how it matches so closely with many Buddhist practices is amazing, especially when they didn't have the technology or research that we have today.
Profile Image for Jackie.
1,530 reviews
November 11, 2024
This audio was a series of lectures by two men and includes meditations. The voices of the two men are indistinguishable. It's all very new-age stuff. Reincarnation is part of the belief, the Dalai Lama, and buddhism.
Profile Image for Jenny.
141 reviews
July 14, 2018
Meaningful anecdotes, beautifully woven wisdom, timeless spiritual truths and neuroscience discoveries presented by respected experts. Thank you.
Profile Image for Dani Scott.
387 reviews
April 27, 2020
An incredible look at how mindfulness affects the brain, but also how pain, compassion, anger, empathy, etc. affects the brain. Very instructive and completely accessible.
Profile Image for Emily.
4 reviews
March 8, 2026
This book made me feel like I was receiving wisdom from the father I never had. So beautifully intelligent and loved the format.
Profile Image for Nicole.
13 reviews9 followers
April 6, 2013
Positively fascinating. I saw Dr. Siegel at a special education conference in Monterey this past winter and was very much taken with and inspired by his studies. Hearing him again was amazing - his voice is very soothing, he is very funny as well as intelligent. I have just purchased Kornfield's book, Buddhist Psychology, as a result of how much I enjoyed this collaborative work.
Profile Image for Stan Bartkus.
44 reviews1 follower
Read
December 3, 2015
The philosophy & the science behind how Meditation heals the brain from a miss-spent youth or PTSD.

I did an audio book with several meditation lessons demonstrated rather than just explained.

Enjoyed the whole thing tremendously.
Profile Image for Eirika.
63 reviews2 followers
October 4, 2015
Hoping for more science, more how this works.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews