The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles by Bruce H. Lipton

The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles Reviews

• 
  Jason , etc.

  This probably would've been a much more impressive book if I didn't have a background in molecular and cell biology. I'm not saying that science can't be tied to the power of positive thinking, but his conclusions require enormous leaps in order to tie one to the other. Some of the experimental results he points to are incredibly weak and superficial (DNA-methylation rates), and his attempt to involve quantum theory by including it in a later chapter like an afterthought in order (I guess) to make everything seem deeper and more metaphysical was a ridiculously poor choice. Quantum theory isn't something that anyone should attempt to wrap their hypothesis in just because it sounds convincing. Done wrong, it's actually a shortcut to losing credibility.
  
  And as for epigenetics, there's nothing 'new' about the science. The processes involved in controlling gene expression are ridiculously complicated. Implying that positive thought can alter cell-membrane structure, and through that alteration affect DNA transcription/translation in a way favorable to cell survival or death (depending on the circumstances) has the potential to lead to truly ignorant and insensitive statements, such as, "Well, that person died because they didn't think positively enough".
  
  Again, I'm not saying that there isn't a connection between science and belief. I'm saying that this book fails to make it.
• 
  David Rubenstein

  I listened to this short audiobook, which contrary to the "unabridged" description, is much much shorter than the book by the same title and author. It starts up with an in-depth look at how perception alters the response of cells. It discusses epigenetics, and how proteins really contain the "secret of life", and not DNA itself. So far, so good.
  
  The author then tries to make a parallel between cellular perception and an organism's sense of perception. He describes ways in which perception and beliefs can alter one's biological functions. For example, stress can impair the immune system. And, the placebo effect has a strong impact on the defense against many diseases. This is true enough, but the book does not explain, at least to my satisfaction, how beliefs can have these effects. We learn the "what" but not the "how". Then, when the book brings in teachings of Jesus, I lost all hope for this book.
• 
  Angela

  This is awesome! I've been learning and working the Law of Attraction for the last few years and have seen marked results. But there have been times that I've wondered, "where's my stuff" some of the other things I've been trying to manifest. After reading this book, I not only understand how LOA works, but am now able to break through the barriers of the few things I've had a difficult time attracting. Seems too good to be true, from inside the box we've all been trained to think in, but I do believe it's all good and very true! If you're ready for real positive changes, read this book! Also, check out Bruce Lipton's "Biology of Perception" lecture on YouTube, it's a great visual companion to the book!
• 
  Jrobertus

  Lipton was once on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin, and then went off to be in a rock band. It appears that loud music and drugs burned out his brain cells. He got a job at a forth rate med school in the Caribbean, but discovered there is more money in writing junk science. This guy is a charlatan, but as H.L. Mencken said, " nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public". In this book, Lipton misrepresents the view of contemporary science and demonstrates that he knows nothing at all about quantum mechanics. He preaches that QM is the key to understanding life and it is being hidden by from the public, largely by the interests of the drug industry. There is certainly lots to criticize about the pharmaceutical industry, and also the medical profession, but arguing from ignorance and superstition is not the way to do it.
• 
  Ayse_

  3.5 stars. It was going very logical and as expected from a scientist with a spiritual awakening until I hit the last chapter. The last chapter is like: `and now for something completely different`, thunder and smoke, vavavwoom, and `its a slippery thing that slips down the slope as it slips` kind of explanations. And the so called magical PSYCH-K that he directs you to, is just the plain old tool that is being used in hypnosis/hypnotherapy for a hundred years, so no point in presenting it as if they found the gold at the end of the rainbow. Read without high expectations.
• 
  Jonathan Jobe

  As I read this book I established a love-hate relationship with the author. I agree with the author wholeheartedly that the fields of epigenetics and quantum physics can and will significantly change the way we treat illness. His discussion of the placebo effect with respect to antidepressants was fascinating. However, I became annoyed by his many jabs at "the establishment" and his insistence that his "New Science" and "New Biology" would lead to his condemnation like a modern day Galileo. His sudden leap from "the environment has an effect on gene expression" to "mystical energy and the subconscious mind control everything" is alarming and not well explained or reasoned.
  
  Everything falls apart completely with his Addendum. In the Addendum we learn that a lifetime of subconscious programming can be reversed in just MINUTES through the revolutionary practice of PSYCH-K (TM) starting at $350! The author reduces his entire book to an infomercial for an unscientific and unexplained product.
  
  If you choose to read this book, do so with a grain of salt. The author's valid criticism of our drug-focused treatment of illness does not legitimize his mystical beliefs
• 
  DailyKaffee

  I still own this book as it was given to me as a present and I am too embarrassed to hand it over to anyone else and thus admitting it is in my possession in the first place. I thought about reading it again and marking all the falsehoods I found within the pages, so in case I die, nobody will think I endorse the contents in any form or way.
  
  Okay, jokes aside - reading this book left me so frustrated, I do not exactly feel like writing a tame, sweet, scientific-minded review. This frustration was further fueled by reading some reviews and realizing how easily people are drawn in by hollow pseudoscience and some fancy terms that are used in the hopes that the reader doesn't actually know what they mean and believes the authors' version instead. If you look beyond the fog that this book pulls up, there isn't anything truly valuable to find.
  
  Bruce Lipton tries, with a remarkable ability to stretch his imagination to the breaking point, using popular scientific terms like "quantum physics" to make his book sound especially fancy and sciency. Behind the smoke screen is not much more than a vivid, unscientific bit of imagination, bloomy speech that manages to intentionally and unintentionally distort the science behind it, spiritual voodoo and a dire need for self-gratification that, luckily, he finds in the few students he managed to pull into the world of his pseudoscience. Bruce Lipton attacks his own false depictions of modern science, also known as "attacking a straw-man", and purposefully overestimates single aspects of complex science, while misunderstanding or misrepresenting other aspects, such as the placebo effect. Peppered with claims of mysticism and spiritualism, the book is sure to lull anyone in who would like to have their magical beliefs ratified by science without actually knowing much about it.
  
  Surprisingly, this is not the worst book I have ever read, but it comes really close.
• 
  Christopher

  This book was okay. The parts about new biology were interesting, but i just do not feel that the author had a strong enough understanding of the other topics to adequately tie them together. He talked some about quantum mechanics and how it has changed our understanding of reality, but did not make a clear connection between that and what he was saying.
  Also, he wrote the book as if to say that his message, that people are largely influenced by their environment and are able to make of it what they wish, is some sort of heresy and paradigm shift.
  And yet he is an american! I feel this is the subject of 80% of every american film, book, play etc. this is the driving theme of all of America: You are a product of your environment, and you can become whatever you want if you put your mind to it.
  He tried to present the biological basis for this, by showing that cells are not as entirely controlled by dna as had once been thought, which was interesting, and perhaps in the community of cellular biologists is groundbreaking, but when extended by analogy to the terms of every day life, this is a pretty common and well accepted idea, that I don't believe can reasonable be concluded from the cellular biology he presents.
• 
  Lee Harmon

  Lipton is a cell biologist whose “study of cells turned [him] into a spiritual person.” This is a highly readable science book, defining how beliefs control behavior and gene activity, and consequently the unfolding of our lives. It’s a fun learning tool that doesn’t dig too deeply, with an uplifting message.
  
  Belief truly is biological. One interesting topic that Lipton addresses is the placebo effect. It “is quickly glossed over in medical schools so that students can get to the real tools of modern medicine like drugs and surgery. This is a giant mistake. The placebo affect should be a major topic of study in medical school.” Of course, Lipton is a realist; he realizes placebo pills are a threat to the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the scalpel holders, and Lipton is not one to mince words.
  
  It should be pointed out that this is no dry textbook; it borders in places on metaphysical and holistic speculation. But the book is so darn fun. In this light, do not ignore the epilogue; it’s the best part of the book, where Lipton deals with speculative conclusions regarding our “me-ness” and the power of the mind that transformed him into a bubbly, optimistic believer. His “aha” moment was the realization that every protein in our bodies is a physical/electromagnetic complement to something in the environment … that environment being the universe, or to many, God. As we are inextricably intertwined with the divine, survival of the fittest turns out to mean survival of the most loving.
• 
  Sarah

  There is a lot of dense and tedious information here, so let me save you some time. Basically... saturating yourself in love rather than fear is the best way to stay healthy, to avoid cancer, etc. Apparently, it’s an even bigger factor than food and physical proximity to environmental toxins.
  
  Is this a surprise to any of us?
  Probably not.
  
  But Lipton is a science guy, so his stamp of approval on the very, very obvious is supposed to count for something.
• 
  Jenell

  Some teachers can just kill your interest in science. They can make it so impossibly abstract that you can’t find any relation to it. Perhaps that is what put me off as I began to read Bruce Lipton’s The Biology of Belief—not that he wasn’t giving a context and showing a relationship to science—quite the opposite. He reminded me of someone receiving an award for the first time and thanking everyone! He was unbridled, unguarded—unintelligent? No! That I was offput by his enthusiasm, is really a reflection on me, not him. We are subtly taught to look cool, to appear unaffected, because if we are moved by something, we might be moved into the unknown. This illusion of control seems solid, but it is death for an organism. It is static, whereas life is responsive, adaptive—dynamic. And so is Bruce Lipton. I appreciate that he loves science and is so enthusiastic about it, while acknowledging that science is the continuing exploration of theories. He adheres to objectivity, one of the main tenets of scientific research, but you can definitely see the twinkle in the eye behind the lens!
  
  After Lipton has given us a picture of his academic journey and his unfolding interests, questions and discoveries, he gives a very thorough explanation of the workings of the cell. His writing is well thought-out and organized. He provides extensive end notes as well as referencing other chapters in the book. He really ties everything together and gives great metaphorical examples for laypeople like me so that we can begin to understand the complex machinations, not only of the cell, but of how it is related to quantum physics and what he calls Systems Biology. Lipton believes that the Neo-Darwinian adherence to the theory of survival of the fittest characterizes life in competition, whereas at the cellular level, there is complex communication and collaboration—strength in numbers. The world is not our enemy; it is our belief that it is that causes disease. Beliefs are our subconscious programming. Conversely, if we believe in our vitality, it will flourish.
  
  While we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction in our planet’s history, our fate is not sealed. While the segue was a little abrupt, I believe that the implication is that our consciousness can change the future and that we must start with ourselves and our children. I thought, “This is great! I can’t wait to hear his ideas on how to do this!” Lipton explains how we have two minds: the subconscious mind for processing vast amounts of information in the present moment (including habits and beliefs) and the conscious mind that has the ability to learn from the past and plan the future. He states how difficult it is to change subconsciously acquired habits and beliefs. Don’t we all know that! So, how do we do it? How do we change our subconscious programming? Unfortunately, Bruce Lipton is not a psychologist. It is not in the last chapter or the Epilogue—but after that—in the Addendum, that the reader is merely referred to someone who is a psychologist and practices something called PSYCH-K. The “K” stands for kinesiology, the science of human movement. The website referred to was not very revealing, and the one book on it was not well-reviewed, saying it had little substance and appeared to be a promotional ploy to get people to go to the author’s expensive workshops. Though The Biology of Belief was a very good book (so deliciously over my head that it deserves a second read) and so well-referenced throughout—it leaves me shocked that it led to this singular reference on the application of his ideas. But I sense that Bruce Lipton is a seeker, and perhaps his continuing research and collaboration will prove ever more fruitful. He does have an audio cd coming out in October 2008 entitled, Spontaneous Evolution. I’ll have to check that out.
  
• 
  Joye

  I really wanted to like this book. I just listened to it on a long car ride. First of all, the writing was terrible. He must have used the word "interesting " every 3 sentences. I learned very little from this book except some biology about DNA that I hadn't read before.
  The beginning was interesting(tee hee, there is that word again!) about the history of science and biology, but I had read other books about it in more depth. He was following a thought about the role of DNA in our body's workings and how perception and proteins play a more vital role than we previously thought. I figured he would then logically go to how we can influence our bodies through thoughts and attitudes, but he started rambling about fetuses, upbringing, consciousness, and cognitive therapy. It wasn't presented in a logical way like the beginning was written. It seemed like att the middle of the book a lot of his conclusions were his own without scientific studies to back anything up. When he started to talk about cognitive therapy incorrectly and going to therapy is a waste of time, he lost me.
  I have read many books about physics, neuro science and psychology and this is the most poorly presented and written I have encountered. Oh well,but I do think we have power over our bodies, this book wasn't one to convince.
• 
  Dennis

  Outstanding presentation of the science behind positive subconscious programming! Written by a cellular biologist, Dr. Lipton presents a very strong case for why the cell's membrane runs the show and how we directly influence those membranes with our minds.
  
  Easy to read. Helps the reader move smoothly beyond outdated Newtonian physics, Descartes' separation of science/spirit, and Darwin's survival of the fittest into Einstein's quantum physics and the truth about cooperative living for survival among single cells that form multicellular organisms.
  
  Too involved to write much more about it here...just go get yourself a copy! Definitely worth it.
  
  Must Read - 3
• 
  Jakub Micko

  It is disappointing and ironic that Lipton is just another "scientist" who refuses to actually debate the gray, and instead does the same thing that he vilifies the scientific community of doing: turning complex multifactorial issues into black and white topics. For the most part, I found this book hard to read, a jumpy amalgamation of his life's woes mixed in with fairly creative scientific models which he then leapfrogs off of to present cherry picked studies and a plethora of anecdotal evidence in order to defend his blaming of the "science boys club" and "pharmaceutical" companies as the causative agents that prevent real progress towards health and happiness.
  
  To be fair, by treating health as a black and white issue, for the readers who do not have degrees or strong foundations in medical science, I'm sure most of these ideas sound exciting, compelling, and even plausible. Unfortunately the type of conspiratorial baiting is effective because now even my critique of Liptons book can be discredited with "oh I must be paid off by a pharmaceutical company to be disagreeing with him."
  
  The reality is that yes of course people would rather take a pill- it's easy and this does not make it inherently bad. Yes it is bad if there is abuse of profits (and there often is), but this is more of a capitalism/economic issue instead of a scientific one, which seems to be a convenient straw man argument that Lipton employs. There are people who work years in order to understand diseases and test out treatments and cures that require the intersection of chemistry/physiology/statistics/bioinformatics, and to discredit them with one alternate study and claims of profiteering seems downright insane. Lipton also ignores the thousands of real Mendelian inherited diseases where a malfunctioning or missing protein is literally the cause of and that a pill with said protein can legitimately cure you. As we research cancers this is sometimes the case, even mutated ones such as the BCR-ABL1 9:22 translocation mutation often found in acute lymphocytic leukemia that a tyrosine kinase inhibitor can allow someone to have much less chemo. The simple truth is that science and the cause and treatment of human disease is infinitely complex and hard. It will be slow progress riddled with mistakes, but progress nonetheless. Ignoring these realities and scientific principles is not an ethically allowable strategy if one wants to help people. Lipton presents some fascinating studies that could have merit- but why give so much weight to a study one team does once and no weight to studies thousands of scientists have done ? That is not how science works- it must be a consensus over time and it is misleading to present arguments in the manner he does.
  
  Some examples that stick out I have particular issues with:
  
  Trying to make the argument that some research and topics are hidden from students. Honestly, I didn't understand this one at all. Maybe this he's simply old and cynical or because he doesn't teach anymore so he doesn't realize the topics like epigenetics/quantum mechanics/environmental-gene effects are regularly focused on in schooling nowadays. I specifically recall learning tons of ways that environmental signals and their corresponding regulatory proteins control DNA expression, and that "junk DNA" is a huge misnomer because it's all basically a sensor for when to activate specific genes. No one is trying to hide these things- there are just so many specialties and research that it can be difficult to learn and understand it all.
  
  Using the example of a sentence in an article about a disbeliever to Koch's germ theory swallowing cholera and surviving as a metaphor for science being too dogmatic (pg 119-120). This one Litpon really had to stretch- In the exact same article it says cholera has been a scourge for hundreds of years. Lipton says they should have figured out how he avoided the disease. If he had done more research he would have learnt Pettenkofer did get violent diarrhea and likely didn't die because he had it as a child thereby having protection- simple critical thinking that real scientists do day to day. And by picking on the quick sentence in the article that one reviewer wrote to ascribe a characteristic to all scientists is ridiculous, another strawman.
  
  Using articles that encourage pharmaceutical medical interventions in children and then showing more recent articles that prove they should't be used in children (page 194). Yes, this is how science works... no one is going to change medical practices based off of a random study.
  
  Having a life changing experience from a chiropractor that used manual muscle testing (page 168). Apparently Lipton also doesn't realize that this is a basic technique taught to and used by most if not all medical professionals to quickly assess musculoskeletal imbalances. This actually weakens his point if anything, because muscle testing is inherently flawed because humans are dominant in one side, and so most professionals just use it as a basic test with much follow up testing. That a chiropractor used just that to lead to some miraculous improvement shows that his training was lacking as well.
  
  Giving readers absolutely false misinformation that babies "automatically swim when placed in water" (page 170). This one is dangerous. Yes, babies exhibit a bradycardic response of holding their breath when submerged, and make repetitive circling motions with hands and feet that may resemble swimming as a reflex, but this is NOT SWIMMING because they are also not physically strong enough to hold up their heads independently, and thus will drown.
  
  I gave 2 stars for the very imaginative ways of describing certain scientific models (the pictures of the butter sandwich are great), and the general attitude of hope. I may disagree with most of it but certain statements such as "Perhaps the most widespread and insidious form of human violence is ideological control. Throughout history, religious movements and governments have repeatedly prodded their constituents into aggression and violence to deal with dissenters and nonbelievers." are well written and overall I think he means well, though I think his argument would be strengthened with less anecdotal evidence, and more of a basic understanding of human nature and how research works.
• 
  Maria

  Наистина, какво е новото в тази книга? Според мен нищо, а аз дори нямам обща култура в сферата на биологията. Може би д-р Липтън да е основоположник на някаква нова биология, но за това не стига само личното му твърдение. А определено тази книга не поставя началото на нищо ново. Дори не мога да я причисля към книгите, които популяризират науката и са насочени към широк кръг читатели, просто защото научното в нея беше няколко зрънца, разпръснати тук-там измежду личните драми на добрия доктор, „невероятните“ му прозрения, „шокиращите“ истини, които са му се разкрили и прочие високопарни изявление.
  А аз дори съм привърженик на идеята, че съзнанието може да промени битието. Започнах да чета книгата с идеята, че ще разбера биологичния механизъм, чрез който това се случва. Нищо подобно! Искаше ми се да прочета какви точно експерименти е направил Липтън, какви са резултатите и до какви изводи е стигнал. Отново нищо такова нямаше. Ако все пак се цитира някакво научно постижение, то е от публикация на други учени в списания или книги. Нито ред за някоя от публикациите на самия Липтън, което ме навежда на мисълта, че такива или липсват изобщо, или не са по темата. Не вярвам да е някаква конспирация на конвенционалната наука – в крайна сметка може и да има консервативни учени, но някак си „наука“ не ми се връзва с „догма“, както се опитват да ни убедят в книгата. Науката върви напред именно като отхвърля догмите, поставя нови хипотези, прави изследвания, съпоставя емпиричните резултати и ако те не отговарят на теорията – търси друго обяснение.
  Понеже не издържах да дочета книгата до самия край, въпреки скромния й обем, ще посоча само някои от крайно невероятните и дразнещи (за мен) твърдения:
  1. Крайно невероятно ми се струва съществуването на клетъчни биолози, които изследват клетки без да отдават значение на средата, в която к��етките живеят. Това не е ли съвсем близко до ума? Явно за първи път е хрумнало единсвено на учителя на Липтън и докторът е попил познанието, за да го използва по-късно.
  2. Книгата е писана през 2005 година – сериозно ли се опитват да ме убедят, че някой все още вярва в генетичния детерминизъм? Кои са тези хора, които оправдават житейските си провали с дефектни гени? Аз поне не съм срещала такива. Освен да е някаква особеност на американците, която не се среща по нашите ширини. Което също е съмнително – Холивуд трупа милиарди именно чрез опровергаване на генет��чния детерминизъм („Гатака“ излиза през 1997 година).
  3. От кога физичните закони на Нютон станаха демоде? Както казва сър Тери Пратчет „Гравитацията е навик, от който е трудно да се откажеш“, но това не е проблем за Липтън. Според него Нютоновата физика е остаряла, сега на мода е квантовата. Толкова се изумих, че се стегнах да чета по-внимателно и за щастие открих едно изречение, в което се прави уточнението, че законите, открити от Нютон действат за големите тела, докато квантовата физика обяснява процесите на атомно ниво. За съжаление не става ясно, че едното не отрича другото и в момента физиците се опитват да намерят обща теория, която да обедини Нютоновата и квантовата теории. Но добре че това го знам от преди, та не останах с грешно впечатление.
  4. Критиката на Дарвинизма също е смешна – няма посочени сериозни аргументи, освен позоваването на труда на Ламарк, предхождаш Дарвин с около 30 години, но за човек като мен, който има само много обща култура по проблема не става ясно къде е драмата.
  5. Особено ме подразни частта за осъзнатото родителство. В опита си да отхвърли влиянието на гените, Липтън изпада в друга крайност – според него за създаване и отглеждане на здраво и щастливо дете от значение е единствено психологическата настройка на родителите. Всеки, който има деца, ще му каже, че това изобщо не е така. Човешките същества са толкова сложни, че е крайно невероятно върху тях да влияе само един фактор. С радост бих прегърнала теорията за осъзнатото родителство, само дето не мога да го направя без убедителни доказателства. А как може някой да твърди, че психологията на родителите е единственият важен фактор, по-важен от гените, от социалната среда, от ранното обучение, от приятелите, роднините, храната, климата и прочие? Кой е изследвал още от зачеването им две съвършенно еднакви човешки същества, при които всичко е било абсолютно еднакво, само ангажираността на родителите е била различна? Със сигурност знам кой не е – Брус Липтън!
  6. Споменава се и нестинарството като духовен феномен, т.е. явление, при което духовната сила побеждава физическата реалност. Да, ама не! Бърза справка в Уикипедия (елементарно!) показва, че за нестинарството има научно обяснение - "Противно на идеята, че краката на нестинарите не изгарят, защото те изпадат в транс или ги закриля висша сила, ходенето по жарава има научно обяснение. Два основни фактора правят ходенето по жарава възможно и предотвратяват изгаряния:
  -Въглените имат много ниска топлопроводимост.
  -Контактът между въглените и босите крака е много краткотраен. Нестинарите стъпват бързо по повърхността, без да задълбават към по-горещите въглени отдолу.
  За краткия момент на допир и при лошата си топлопроводимост, въглените предават малка част от топлинната енергия към кожата."
  Добре де, имаше 2-3 неща, с които няма как да споря. Но и тук според мен няма такава драма, каквато се опитва да представи авторът. Например антибиотиците – трябва да се избягват винаги, когато е възможно, всеки го знае. И „прозрението“, че всички живи същества в света са свързани и образуват една екосистема – това за кого е новост? ГМО продуктите са бомба със закъснител – да, така е, въпреки, че все още няма голяма гласност за вредите. А зависимостта на лекарите от фармацевтичните компание отдавна за никого не е тайна, за каквато се опитва да мине в книгата.
  Единственото ново нещо, което разбрах беше, че няма начин да си купя антихистаминов препарат без страничните ефекти сънливост и замаяност. Тъй като антихистамин, влязал в тялото, не се ограничава само до един орган, той се разпространяв в мозъка, а там действа върху нервите. Може би добавят някакъв антидот на това действие, но това не ме успокоява, а ме стряска още повече. Е, и обяснението на действието на клетъчната мембрана беше разбираемо, но не схванах защо механизмът й на действие я превръща в „мозъка“ на клетката.
• 
  Josh

  The Biology of Belief was written to convey “ground-breaking work in the field of new biology.” The author, Dr. Bruce Lipton, certainly has the educational and professional background to deliver this new information. He taught at two medical schools and performed some of his cell research at Stanford University. However, some readers may be disinterested in reading this book simply because the information ‘should be presented in a medical or peer-reviewed journal if the information is accurate and credible.’ I can appreciate this view, but on the other hand, the medical world may not be prepared to accept the information Dr. Lipton includes in these pages.
  
  Lipton begins his treatment of the subject on the right foot: discussing his background, his research, and how and why he became so interested in cellular research. He also discusses at length his dissatisfaction with the dominant paradigm in his profession. It is widely accepted in the scientific community that DNA pretty much rules the roost, so to speak. It is “biology’s Central Dogma…The dogma is so fundamental to modern biology it is essentially written in stone, the equivalent of science’s Ten Commandments. The dogma, also referred to as ‘The Primacy of DNA,’ is a fixture of every scientific text” (61). This is the paradigm that Lipton argues against.
  
  In order to solidify his point with his readers, later in the book, Lipton has to explain the foundation of his subject, so he discusses at length DNA, cellular proteins, cell biology, and a new field of scientific inquiry called epigenetics. While the average reader may look at this information and think, “that just sounds like reading a science textbook,” in a way, it is. However, Lipton has to talk about it (and does so using language that most readers will easily understand) in order to get to the topic in Chapter 3: the cell membrane. DNA enthusiasts believe that the true “brain” of each individual cell is the nucleus of that cell. The nucleus contains all genetic material, so this makes sense. But Lipton contends that the cell membrane is the actual “brain” of every living cell. This shift in thinking is foundational in Lipton’s premise: that we have the power to actually change our biology simply by believing that we can.
  
  Lipton’s journey towards understanding the new biology next took him into the world of physics—specifically, quantum physics, or quantum mechanics as it is commonly called. Quantum mechanics has been around since the days of Einstein’s famous equation: E = mc2. Lipton avoided this field of study as much as possible when he was a biology student because “…almost all of my peers avoided it like the plague. Quantum physics was shrouded in mystery—we biology majors were convinced that it was very, very ‘weird’ science. We thought only physics majors, masochists, and outright fools would risk five credits on a course whose premise was, ‘Now you see it, now you don’t’” (95).
  
  Quantum mechanics deals with matter at the sub-atomic level. Remember learning about atoms in school? Quiz question: atoms are made up of what? If you answered protons, electrons, and neutrons, you are correct! If not, most people probably didn’t either. It has probably been a while since you even thought of the word “atom.” Do you remember what protons, electrons, and neutrons actually are? If you said positively, negatively, or neutrally charged particles, you were correct again. If not, well, life goes on. The point is this: atoms are simply small bits of energy, and everything in our universe is made up of atoms. So, at the atomic level, human beings, along with everything else, is composed of energy.
  
  Yes, energy. “Einstein revealed that we do not live in a universe with discrete, physical objects separated by dead space. The Universe is one indivisible, dynamic whole in which energy and matter are so deeply entangled it is impossible to consider them as independent elements” (102). Lipton argues that the current medical educational system and profession is “…trained to view the body only as a physical machine that operates in accordance with Newtonian principles…However, because of their Newtonian, materialistic bias, conventional researchers have completely ignored the role that energy plays in health and disease” (102). Because our biology is based on energy at the atomic level, human beings have the power to manipulate their biology for their own good by learning to manipulate that energy. Case in point: the placebo effect.
  
  In order to avoid giving away the rest of the story, I will conclude my review here. While it is true that Lipton’s arguments would be “easier to believe” had his findings and conclusions been published in a medical or scientific journal, he uses recent, documented scientific research to back up his claims and conclusions. Overall, Lipton proved his point and piqued my curiosity. The book is well written and follows a thought process that is easy to follow. Oh, and another thing, you do not need to brush up on physics or cell biology to get through this book.
  
  I would suggest this book to anyone, whether you are a skeptic or a believer in alternative healing methods. In a world that requires major medical innovations, alternative healing methods may be exactly what the doctor ordered. Dr. Bruce Lipton may, by the final page, make you a believer.
• 
  Yasser Mohammad

  Once in a while you have to read something that you think is not worth it to open your mind for new ideas that may turn out to be worth it after all. That is why I started reading this book. I expected some more of the law of attraction stuff.
  
  I am still 33% through the book and it was much better than what I expected. The idea of the cell not being completely controlled by DNA is for me interesting. Nevertheless, it seems that the author jumps too fast sometimes to unwarranted conclusions.
  
  For example, for some reason he seems to imply that energy is not as 'material' as say electrons. This is of course ridiculous because whatever e=mc2 is saying is that both mass and energy are the same thing and even a passing knowledge of relativity shows that the main feature of matter in Descartes's sense (extension) is present in both energy and mass.
  The author also mentions quantum mechanics many times but I can see no relation between its concepts and whatever he is talking about.
  
  Nevertheless, I will complete the book and may have something more to say in a couple of days.
• 
  Shilpa Harry

  A good blend of biology, psychology, and spirituality... the author also a biologist talks about cell interaction and its correlation with DNA alteration via his research and experiments. The book highlights that 'the outside world is a true reflection of our inner world'( our body, mind, and spirit).
• 
  RbbieFrah

  Lipton makes the point that our conscious thinking affects the environment in our body in which our cells live. He says the cells of our body have a brain which is the membrane of the cell (not the nucleus ) . The membrane of the cell has thousands of protein strands that act as receptors --much like the nerve endings in our skin --these receptors transmit to the cell knowledge of the cells environment --wither be toxic or nutritious and what sort of hormones are out there (stress hormones(fight flight) , or growth hormones (love , nurturing) .
  
  He makes a very solid scientific case that it is the environment that the cells membrane is exposed to which is affected primarily by our thoughts (NOT the genetics ) that is the main factor in the cells health and evolutionary development . In his lab experiments . He even got identical cells to mutate in to muscle , bone or fat cells depending on the environment in the container that they where being stored.
  
  I definitely agree with the above. It is well documented that loving thoughts and emotions do heal cancer, help plants grow etc etc
  
  He makes the point that we have to rise above negative addictions (like sex, food or drug over indulgence which are merely reflexive activities(knee jerk reactions to stimuli regardless of where it is taking us or the price we are paying for these stimuli and involve no conscious intelligence at all ) If These negative addictions dominate our habit patterns we will develop out rear brain( the reflective brain) at the expense of the development of our fore brain ( conscious intelligence) . The blood flow goes to the part of the brain we use the most and away from that which we use least and that is that part that will develop.
  To over come the negative programming of our subconscious mind which is sabotaging our conscious desires to have happy , loving successful lives we need to use and develop our consciousness (mindfulness) so it dominates and over rides the merely reflexive subconscious mind .
  
  The subconscious mind however is much larger that the conscious mind and reprogramming it of all its unhealthy negative sabotaging recordings is not possible unless our conscious reunites with its source which is pure consciousness( aka spirit , energy , the universal higher creative consciousness , God etc ) with the help of this positiveness power which can be contacted only in the part of the brain that is intelligent and conscious can w succeeded in cleansing our subconscious mind of its negative recordings and have fully healthy , happy , loving and successful lives . It is only by trading addiction to teh spirit for sensual addictions that this cleansing can be achieved . By contacting spirit within us and remaining in contact with it all 24 hours we not only gain a healthy body but realize that we are not the body at all but that our home is in spirit -vastly better that this world--to which we no longer have to return ....
  Spirit has to become our constant companion in life . It heard within our brain as a sweet undulating euphoric music that sustains us and guides us and is very blissful. The natural sate of man is dependence on and companionship with this spirit by it our consciousness is enhanced and our creative consciousness is helped to achieve a high pure noble things in life and we become assets to our generation and our society .
  
  Therefore invoking and ,in fact romancing this spirit, should be the primary focus of our lives because by it all things are attained . With the ringing radiance of spirit in very atom of our being our success in all things is assured . It is friend , lover , helper , guide and energizer and is well worth leaving the negative addictions for
  
  
  2 points I differ with Him on are
  1) Hypnosis is great tool to help you reprogram your subconscious mind thoughts so that your subconscious mind stops poisoning your cells ( we should never allow any one to hypnotize us as it permanently weakens our will ) rather we should develop the power of our conscious mind by daily meditation as taught by the spiritual teacher of our choice --mine is Baba Gurinder Singh Ji . There eis really no short cut to developing our will power and mental control by meditation and abstinence from animal food, intoxicants(including pot and alcohol ) and sex out of marriage
  
  2) Each cell is a complete miniature reproduction of a human being . While I agree that each cell has its own mind there is only one soul in the body activating and harmonizing all these minds. If we limit our study to teh physical then yes every aspect of a cells behavior does correspond biologically with the entire human organism . ( each cell has organs of reproduction , digestion, filtration, circulation, respiration, regulation , sensation and action --just like a the human being it is part of
  except THAT it can not reason consciously or question what it is doing here nor consciously contact
  the source of its consciousness via mediation and merge back into its source attaining God consciousness and REALIZING that it is not the body at all but an eternal being of infinite love , light and bliss .
  
  3)There is one more point about which I do not disagree but that I would like to improve upon and clarify.
  Bruce gives the impression (perhaps unintentionally) that if the cells of a child (or adult) which are in a stressful environment(mindful of stressful thoughts and blood full of stress hormones) the preferential blood flow will be to the hind (reflexive) brain ( fight flight) and to the limbs (legs to run and arms to fight ) and if the cells of a person are in a loving nurturing environment the preferential blood flow will go the fore( intelligent) brain and the visceral organs ( liver, spleen, pancreas , kidneys etc ) that maintain our health .
  
  This intentionally or unintentionally gives the impression that a person whose mind is full of flight or fight thoughts and whose blood is full of adrenaline time will be stronger of limb and faster of reflex than a person whose mind is full of loving thoughts and whose blood is full of growth and healing hormones. Yet Dr James Loehr showed that it is alternating waves of stress and loving nurturing that make us tougher ( faster , stronger ) So the strongest fastest person will be one who is maintaining a loving attitude in stressful conditions . In other words a person with a stressful external environment who is maintaining a loving inner environment will be the strongest and fastest(see The Toughness Training manual by Dr James E Loehr)
  
  4) So I also to like to add a point that Bruce left out: When we divert the blood flow (nutrients thoughts and hormones ) from the quest for sexual pleasure (which is reflexive) to intelligent pure loving pursuits (like providing food , clothes, shelter to disaster stricken populations) there is a tremendous redirection of the preferential blood flow from the sex organs to the brain , arms and legs . From lust (the reflexive desire to seek pleasure ) we direct out thoughts to love and compassion for our fellow disaster stricken humans .
  
  This redirection of sexual energy to acts of pure love has far greater evolutionary and developmental effect on the cells of our bodies than merely redirecting from the hind brain to the fore brain. Pure love untainted by sex makes a human being stronger and faster than anything else .
  
  As Bruce wrote ( and all psychiatrists will agree ): “the character of our life is based upon how we perceive it.” and how we perceive life is based on the predominating desires in out conscious and subconscious mind .
  
  Therefore I would like to emphasis the supreme importance of stopping dumping pornography into our subconscious mind which will come up to sabotage our attempt to lead a pure , heroic , successful life and go on purifying our subconscious to seek only love in it purest form .
  
  Pure Love untainted by sex makes us stronger faster healthier smarter and happier than anything else . When our conscious mind and subconscious mind want nothing but pure love then we shall attain The Christ like perfection and ability to do any miracle that Bruce speaks of in closing this book.
• 
  Iona Stewart

  This is an exciting book that reveals a scientific basis for the demolition of the theory of genetic determinism.
  In his work as a cell biologist Lipton discovered that the cell membrane and not the gene-containing nucleus is responsible for what happens in the cell. He thereby concludes that we are not controlled by our genes but that it is our interactions with the environment that are significant. His book thus provides a weighty contribution to the nature-nurture debate.
  
  He also refutes the old Darwinian beliefs that evolution occurs through combat and struggle, and confirms the validity of the work of the much maligned biologist Lamarck.
  
  I freely admit that many of the scientific details contained in this book are beyond my understanding. Nevertheless, Lipton's description of his enthusiasm when experiencing his big insight, and of the effect his revelation had on his beliefs, development and life as a whole make this book far from dry, and in fact fascinating.
  
  We learn from the book that regardless of our genes and our circumstances we can change our lives through our thoughts and feelings, though the author emphasizes that our subconscious programmes are a force to be reckoned with, re-programming thus being essential.
  
  I highly recommend this book!
• 
  Janna

  I feel this is another that I will put on my shelf labeled "highly influential". It's a really easy read and a big eye-opener once you consider the implications of what Dr. Lipton has to say. Very nice to have some actual research data to finally back up the real possiblily that the human spirit does have eternal existence. Also makes a great case for why all areas of science should be moving beyond "outdated Newtonian physics, Descartes' separation of science/spirit, and Darwin's survival of the fittest into Einstein's quantum physics."
• 
  Jenna

  A great insightful presentation on the latest modern science on humans consciousness. Something that could be read multiple times to grasp even further. I highly recommend this to anyone, as he does lose me in all the biology, he breaks it down completely and makes it relatable to anyone without a biology background. Uplifting and interesting.
• 
  Calista

  This book is a game changer. Genes are not as controlling as we are led to believe. The cell membrane is the brain of the cell and it receives information from the environment. Our environment shapes our genes. This book will change the way you see life. This is a must READ.
• 
  Lexy Sauve

  Interesting science on how beliefs can change our genes. I believe it because a cheerful heart is good medicine, but the evolutionary explanations behind the whole thing found in this book are silly. It’s almost like the author has a divided personality. So he gets the result of God’s universe right without ascribing them to the proper place.
• 
  Karl

  Having recently listened to Bruce Lipton speak at the annual IONS (Institute of Noetic Sciences) conference I was excited to read this book. Bruce has a knack for taking the information obtained from his scientific background in Biology and making in understandable to someone who has no education in the field of biology. The format Bruce uses, as well as his style, are very “user friendly” and this made for an enjoyable read. As for the material itself, I found that I learned a great deal about the field of Epigenetics and it is refreshing to hear another voice disagreeing with, in my biased opinion, the deterministic views coming from the choir of the majority.
  
  Certainly I am no expert in the field of genetics; however, anytime I hear that scientists have found “the answer" I shudder. The fact that DNA sequencing was supposed to be the holy grail of all things living is no different than when the world was flat and at the center of the universe. I do not dispute the fact that DNA research and the field of genetics is important, but when part of that conclusion says that Mother Nature decided to make 96% of that DNA useless (junk DNA) I tend to believe that there is more to the situation than what we are perceiving or what we have the ability to measure. Perhaps the beleifs of genetic determinism are incomplete, perhaps we need better tools, and perhaps the final word on DNA has yet to be written; however, one thing is certain, the fact is that we don't know everything there is to know and we will only expand our awareness by being open to new ideas.
  
  Science is about discovery and a desire to get to truth, yet it seems that many "so-called" scientists are no different than the religious zealots that burned people at the stake 500 years ago. Anyone remember Giordano Bruno? So, what does this have to do with the “Biology of Belief”?
  
  Well, in this book Bruce goes against the deterministic view and says that it is not only genetics that shape our inner world, it is the environment as well. This book is one of self-empowerment because it says that you aren’t just a machine following orders that came from pond scum 700 million years ago. You have the ability to transform your outer world and INNER world.
  
  Empowered people are healthier and harder to control then their unaware counterparts and they use less pharmaceutical interventions. Hmmm, so by being aware of our power we take money out of the pharma’s pockets, who are the ones providing so much of the funding to the scientific quacks. No wonder the mainstream scientists resist work such as this, it’s their pocket book stupid (you need to read the book to get the gist of that last statement).
  
  In the end, ironically perhaps, the quasi-scientists of today will go the way of their ancestors and go extinct because they refuse to look at the facts, to adapt to the environment and view new ideas with curiosity rather than dogma. Perhaps the title of Bruce’s next book could be something like, “Did dinosaurs wear lab coats?”
• 
  Debbie

  In college, I was took two semesters of General Chem, Biology, and Physics simultaneously (that was a busy year!) and I have to say, I saw similar patterns to Dr. Lipton, despite (or, perhaps BECAUSE OF) my lack of knowledge of genetics. I do think when you look at several fields of science and humanities concurrently, your mind tends to integrate all of the information, rather than compartmentalizing it. I don't think it was until my second semester of physics, during a lecture on the theory of relativity, that I became certain of my own belief in God. I guess because I found God through science, I think that route of understanding is normal, but I realize it doesn't usually happen that way for most people.
  
  Most of my criticisms of the book have to do with construction, not content, of the book. The first few chapters of this book felt a bit like a weak attempt to build the credibility of the author. I tend to think that cutting directly to the chase is more important than explaining how he came to see certain connections: DON'T BURY THE LEAD!!! The cover and the beginning detract from him, making him look like a new-age wacko/loser (if viewing from a traditional lens), but I suppose it was important for him to key in on a sympathetic audience who is primed to hear his message, rather than to make an attempt with the hard-core, anti-God scientists who think they, themselves, should play God...you know the ones I'm talking about, the geneticists who envision a genetically-engineered future and who secretly believe in euthanasia and testing on unwilling human subjects in the aims of a more perfect society, and the ones who look at life-long illness as a lucrative business...(I should note here that I don't identify with the religious fundamentalists who don't acknowledge evolution as a plausible scientific theory, in case you're wondering...)
  
  Nonetheless, the core content is well explained for people who have a minimal understanding of cell biology, ecology, and physics. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is open to seeing the bigger picture and living more in accordance with natural law.
  
  I was disappointed that Dr. Lipton undermines many of his own conclusions by separating them from the body of the text in an epilogue. I suppose he does this to prevent the proverbial baby from being thrown out with the bath water in the scientific community. Bthe truth is, it is the ENTIRE point of the book, and some people are too committed and entrenched in wrong/compartmentalized thinking to see what truths this book might hold.
  
  Science IS the study of natural law and spirit, whether people like to think of it in those terms or not. Overall a worthwhile read for those who like to see connections between science and spirit.
• 
  J.C. Ahmed

  I find the idea of how beliefs affect health to be very interesting (think of the placebo effect or the effects of stress on physical health), but I’ve avoided this book due to criticisms that it veers into pseudoscience despite being written by a biologist. When I came across an abridged 2 hour audio version of The Biology of Belief on Libby, I thought I’d give it a listen and see what I thought.
  
  One common criticism of Lipton is that he makes leaps in logic without enough research to support his claims. As an example, the placebo effect is a real thing. But Lipton uses it as evidence that positive thinking/changing your mindset can cure physical ailments. I’m not aware of any science that backs this up. From everything I’ve read about placebos, they don’t cure illnesses, their effects are short-lived and they only work on certain kinds of symptoms like pain and insomnia.
  
  While I think having a positive outlook and reducing stress can impact physical health, I think Lipton took the idea way too far. Also, his overuse of the word ‘interesting’ started to drive me crazy about half way through the book. The impact of beliefs on health is an important topic, but this book didn’t come across as a balanced examination of the issue.