The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being by Daniel J. Siegel

The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being Reviews

• 
  Judy Frabotta

  I think this is one of the most important books I've ever read. It's a bit dense and heavy going, but the information is really fantastic. It has refocused me on mindfulness is a way that the "mind shapes the brain." Taking spirituality out of the realm of religion and into the world of ordinary mental health and brain science is a helpful exercise that should benefit not only regular meditators, but also those who are thinking about how to live a more meaningful and satisfying life. It almost could be called, "The Brain: an Owners Manual." Since life consists only of our moment by moment experiences as filtered through the brain, it makes sense to understand how to get the most out of it, I think.
• 
  Brennan

  I just finished this book for the 2nd time and I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time. If you have any interest in the practice and benefits of mindful meditation, this is a great introduction to the topic.
  
  I used this as a text in a summer mindfulness course I taught and the students really enjoyed it as well. I have both the hard copy and the audiobook. Unless you are a hard core scientist and have a deep interest in neurology and the brain, I would recommend the audiobook (less than 5 hours) as I think it is more accessible. Seigel has a great way of presenting his material. He also adds two actual mindfulness exercises which I actually use in my personal practice and also with my students and clients.
  
  The power of this book comes from Seigel's ability to balance the science of mindfulness with the practice of mindfulness. He summarizes the 9 core outcomes from mindful meditation in an amazing clear way that always gets me excited about the possibilities. For those interested, the 9 outcomes (which are also the outcomes of secure parent/child relationships) are body regulation, attuned communication, emotional balance, response flexibility, insight, empathy, fear modulation, intuition, and morality. Seigel gives examples to help the reader see the bigger picture and the powerful possibilities that are linked with consistent mindfulness practice.
  
  There are several research studies which show that after 8 weeks of consistent mindfulness practice, real benefits can be seen in the lives of those who do it (reductions in chronic pain, decreased depression and anxiety, improved mood and well-being, improved emotional regulation). I have always tried to practice mindfulness, but have typically been hit or miss in my practice. So earlier this year, I committed to do 56 days of practice in a row to see if I could do it for 8 weeks straight. I am happy to say that I did it! I have definitely felt a difference in my ability to be more mindful of the moment and be connected with the present. And my kids will continually remind me to do it which is great as I am trying to get them to do it too (a lot of new research aimed at school-aged children is showing improved academic performance, less school absences and suspensions). So if you have ever wondered what mindfulness is - this is a great place to start. If you want more information and a resource where you can have access to to free guided meditations, go to marc.ucla.edu I hope you check it out!!
  
• 
  Oleksandr Golovatyi

  After the book "Mindsight" Daniel Siegel immediately fell in love with this author's books and decided to read his other book - about meditation "Attentive brain: A scientific view of meditation." The book is interesting, but not for general reading, as it contains many scientific terms. It was hard to read it. I often had to use footnotes and google a lot of incomprehensible words. But in general the author very interestingly laid out the material and scientifically through neurobiology explains the work of the brain during meditation. (Enslish)
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  После книги "Майндсайт" Дэниела Сигела сразу полюбил этого автора и решил прочитать его другую книгу - о медитации "Внимательный мозг: Научный взгляд на медитацию". Книга интересная, но не для общего чтения, так, как содержит много научных термионов. Было тяжело ее читать. Пришлось часто пользоваться сносками и гуглить много непонятных слов. Но в общем автор очень интересно изложил материал и научно через нейробиологию объясняет работу мозга при медитации. (Русский)
• 
  Sinclair

  Actually I listened to the audio book, which was incredibly well read and felt like Siegel chatting with me over tea about brilliant ideas. Made me want to meditate every day.
• 
  Peter House

  The Mindful Brain tackles the interesting questions around what happens with our brains when we meditate or practice other reflective techniques.
  
  I found the book to alternate between fascinating observations and laborious detail. Overall, I generally liked the book and left it with new tools in my meditative kit.
  
  
• 
  Melsene G

  This is not an easy read for laymen, so if you're not in a neuro-doctoral program or residency, you might be hard pressed to get to the end. I had read one of Mr. Siegel's other books which was not as scientific and technical. With that said, here are the highlights for me. Being mindful is a way of becoming your own best friend.
  
  Mindful awareness is paying attention. This can improve healing, immune response, and overall life. There's tons of acronyms like MAP, COAL, SOCK, which refer to traits one needs to be mindful. Curiosity, openness, acceptance, and love = COAL. There are chapters on brain basics with diagrams and more. You've got your Left/Right dichotomy. Left for linguistics, linearity, logic, literal thinking. Right for non-verbal, holistic, visuospatial, autobiographical memory, emotion. Creativity is from integration of both.
  
  The author immersed himself in a week of silence and other mindful retreats and I found those very interesting. When he gives examples, it's easier to comprehend and relate to the concepts at hand.
  
  Being in the present and get rid of top-down concepts. (So many people I know are closed minded and could use a little mindful meditation!) Try to be non-reactive, regulate your emotions, etc. He sites lots of other scientists, psychologists, etc., and provides references in the back. I enjoyed the chapter on education and how the typical learning in public schools is antithetical to this way of thinking and they should adopt some of these practices to help students achieve better outcomes. Resiliency should be taught in the schools, at young ages.
  
  In short, you can change your brain, neuroplasticity, and become more compassionate and kind. Sign up for meditation, breathworks, yoga, or tai chi and see if it makes a difference in your life.
  
  
• 
  Ryan

  This book is heavy on the neuroscience and generally reads more like a really long literature review in a scholarly article. It is an outstanding review of the scholarly work done in neuroscience to understand mindfulness meditation’s impact on the brain at the time of its writing. Of course, more is being done all the time. Interspersed throughout the literature review are long personal accounts of the author’s experiences at meditation retreats, etc, and mnemonic devices of the author’s creation to help explain goals of mindfulness practice.
  
  I’ve read a great deal on the subject of mindfulness meditation and the scientific studies and scholarly articles themselves, but the writing style of this book was hard to get into. Too heavy for most laypeople or those generally interested in mindfulness but without a lot of study of the neuroscience and neurology. It is a great resource for anyone wanting an extensive bibliography and review of the scholarly work being done in the field at the time of publication.
• 
  J Crossley

  This book discusses the brain, the mind, and how meditation and mindfulness can change the brain for the better. Mindfulness is paying attention, and this can improve your immune response, your stress response, your physiology, and your general well-being. There are mindfulness exercises that are included. I found that this was a very educational book because it talked about the brain side of meditation. Most books about mindfulness and meditation are about how to do the process, rather than the effects that the practice has on your brain.
• 
  Karli Sherwinter

  Several nice insight meditations along with a neurobiological explanation of how mindfulness practice shapes the brain. He believes that the world would be a better, more compassionate place if we could help parents learn to form healthy attachment with their children, and then continue that mindful attention as we live our lives. Rather than focusing on academic achievement, we can actually learn the social emotional skills of connection, empathy, and present moment awareness to create a better future.
• 
  Sonia Agosta

  Una ricerca sul rapporto positivo tra Mindfulness e sviluppo di capacità cognitive (attenzione, presenza mentale, apertura al nuovo, autoregolazione emotiva, metacognizione, empatia). Il testo è spesso molto dettagliato e con un lessico non sempre scorrevole per i non addetti al campo della neuroscienze; in ogni caso è illuminante perché offre una valida base scientifica per vivere la vita con un approccio mindful.
• 
  Chevy

  Listened as an audiobook. I really like Dan Siegel and have listened to a couple of his books already. I enjoy his voice. I liked this book in the beginning and really enjoyed the meditation section. I found the acronyms hard to take in and the last section really fizzled out for me. The wrap up with Albert Einstein and our humanity pleased me very much. I may try this book again in print and see if I do better with it.
• 
  Amanda

  It's difficult for me to mark a book DNF--especially when I am almost done. But, this book has been a SLOG. I picked it up because I loved Mindsight and have enjoyed many books that quote this one frequently...but too many times I've found excuses to avoid reading this book. Then, I find out The Mindful Therapist is one of my texts for this semester--I'd much rather just ditch this one and move on to that one right away.
• 
  Reba

  This book was so-so for me. I have been using the breathing technique discussed in this book for many years to help with falling asleep at night. It is a highly successful way to turn off the thoughts that usually keep people from falling asleep. Sleep benefits were not mentioned in the book as a use for the technique. I like to read books like this to gather nuggets of wisdom to pass on to my patients and I didn’t find any new nuggets in this book.
• 
  Laura Clawson

  I have come to really respect the work of Dr. Siegel and was glad to dive into this work on meditative reflection. So much of his careful work is about paying attention to the world around us and it's incredible to read how paring down, slowing down, and caring for our selves and those around us really does lead into deeper, richer relationships. The brain and body are so beautiful and I'll never get over the gorgeousness of being a creature. Will buy this one for my shelves.
• 
  Chad

  I am used to some amount of repetition in this genre: each author is liable to cite the same studies, tell the same same jokes and anecdotes, read from the same poems, etc. Siegel is able to offset this somewhat by providing a uniquely scientific perspective. But then he makes the mistake of repeating himself.
• 
  John

  This book is filled with brilliant insights and ideas. Unfortunately most of them were beyond my comprehension abilities. This however, is not the fault of the author. If I was a neurobiologist I would be in awe of the author, but I’m not and I can only trust the premises articulated will stand in the face of further empirical research
• 
  Gary Stewart

  The book was just "wow". It had answers to a fathomless of unresolved ifs that wanders around a curious being. The only reason, I have reduced a star is because of its complexity and bulkiness, the book has too much irrelevant or I should say "referenced" ammunition that shouldn't have been documented. This sidetracked me a few times. However, my determination allowed me to put the seal on.
• 
  Sterling Wood

  This audiobook is fantastic I would recommend it to all! Mindedness and meditation can seem like lower priority practices in our busy lives but the author really dives deep into a Physiological understanding of the brain and how we can heal, grow and cultivate stronger minds and live more peaceful whole lives. 5 stars!
• 
  Shannon Enloe

  Intentionally focused daily practice.
  Staying mindful creates and reinforces myelin in your brain and develops the trait to live mindfully.
  Training your mind forms your brain.
  Practice it until it becomes automatic.
• 
  Siiri

  Kattava tietopaketti aivoista (neurologiasta) ja mindfulnessista. Käytännöllisemmät osiot mindfulnessin käytöstä opetustarkoituksiin ynnä muihin olivat parasta antia. Jokunen helmi jäi mieleen tästä, mutta melko raskas kirja kokonaisuutena.
• 
  Veronika S

  I tried and tired and tried to finish this book and I failed. Maybe I don't have enough basic knowledge to truly appreciate it. Got lost in all the scientific terms in the end - a shame!
• 
  Duncan

  Second time of listening to the audio book. Very good. It has helped to encourage me into a regular meditation and reflective practice.
• 
  Holly

  Amazing book. Amazing author. I could read this ten times and still not fully understand it.
• 
  Jason Scott

  Audiobook. It was just ok. Not a lot of new ideas, and seems to return to a lot of the ideas from Mindsight but they aren't laid out as well.
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  Tré

  I love the way this guy explains stuff. Will definitely have to read this again and have added his other books to my to read book. Especially his books on parenting and secure attachment.