Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation

by Daniel J. Siegel

Book Overview

From a pioneer in the field of mental health comes a groundbreaking book on the healing power of mindsight, the potent skill that allows you to make positive changes in your brain-and in your life.

Foreword by Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence

- 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...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553804707
• ISBN13: 9780553804706
• Release Date: January 2010
• Publisher: Bantam
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Listening to audiobook

It is a very insightful book. I need to have it in print!

Mindsight is a Must Read For All

Mindsight is a great read for everyone. In the first half of the book, Dr. Siegel relates the concepts involved in Mindsight including the basics of brain function and psychological phenomena. Dr. Siegel relates this complex material in a clear, easy to follow manner- the hand model of the brain is genius! As a clinician and teacher, I find the hand model to be a brilliant teaching tool. In the second half of Mindsight, Dr. Siegel shares several stories of the various people he has worked with whose lives have been transformed by applying mindsight. In addition, Dr. Siegel includes a transcript of a meditation exercise he uses in sessions. The stories of the people are intriguing, making this book an enjoyable, engaging and educational read. Also intriguing are Dr. Siegel's tales of his personal experiences and challenges. Mindsight proves to be an engaging follow up to The Mindful Brain as Dr. Siegel elaborates on the ideas he presented in his prior work including how each of us can transform our lives. Dr. Siegel's vision of mindsight and his ability to relate and apply the concepts involved in mindsight has been transformative both personally and professionally.

Life changing, solid science, easy to read

Mindsight is a life changing, well researched, easy to read book. Life changing because Dr. Siegel explains the science of the brain in an understandable way so you can apply it to everyday life. Knowing how your brain works is a game changer when you are trying to improve your life, parent or help other people improve their lives. Mindsight is a fantastic resource for teachers, because knowing how the brain learns; why your connection to your kids helps learning; and, why kids lose it when they get frustrated (and what to do about it) changes the way you deal with them in a positive way. I know because I teach and use Mindsight to train teachers. It is a valuable resource for therapists, because teaching people how their brain works gives them hope and a huge amount of power in their own lives. I know this from my own experience as a psychologist. Mindsight, written in two sections, combines factual presentation with captivating story for an integrated reading experience. Buy and read Mindsight. You will need to own it, because if you are like me, you will put it down - mull it over - go back pick it up - and re read parts. I've been having this long term dialog with Mindsight since I read it, I think you will too. Kirke Olson, PsyD[...]

This is the book to read for 2010!!!!

Mindsight may be one of the most important books to read for 2010! Siegel cleverly guides us on a journey of hope and potential through vignettes based on interesting people. At the end of the book, our perspectives have shifted, and we have tools to change our lives and relationships for the better. In the introduction, Siegel suggests: "Within each of us there is an internal mental world...that is a wonderfully rich place, filled with thoughts and feelings, memories and dreams, hopes and wishes. When this inner sea seems to crash in on us, threatening to drag us down below to the dark depths, it can make us feel as if we are drowning....Mindsight is a kind of focused attention that allows us to see the internal workings of our own minds. It helps us to be aware of our mental processes without being swept away by them, enables us to get ourselves off the autopilot of ingrained behaviors and habitual responses, and moves us beyond the reactive emotional loops we all have a tendency to get trapped in." Mindsight can also increase our capacity to savor joy and realize that our life can become better and better. If you have not heard Dan speak, go find him on YouTube. Some of the most influential and highly respected people in the world are listening to Dan! I am glad he has written Mindsight!

Outstanding presentation of mindfulness techniques

I'm so grateful to Dr. Siegel for writing this book. I've been somewhat ambivalent about various mindfulness practices that are popular today. They promise so much, but they're usually presented in the context of promoting philosophies/religions/worldviews that are antithetical to my personal beliefs. As a result, the barrier to sifting through the material has been just too high for me. That's why this book is such an important addition to the popular literature. Dr. Siegel explains how developing our capacity for attention changes the wiring of our brains. Given how our brains function, exercises that increase our capacity for attention - e.g., focused breathing and body scans - aid in the development of important attributes such as empathy and the ability to self-calm turbulent emotions. After reading the introduction, I skipped to Section 2 of the book, which contains practical application material presented in the context of case studies from Dr. Siegel's counseling practice. I was so taken by the material that I then went back Section 1, where Dr. Siegel explains how the brain functions. Both sections are outstanding! Thank you, Dr. Siegel, for explaining these powerful techniques for personal growth in a way that is accessible to all!

Ticket to a Higher Quality of Life: Buy Yesterday

I found this gem of a book in a Dallas, TX bookstore before the official release date. As an educator with post graduate work in teaching children how to think as they learn (cognitive learning specialist), I loved Dr. Siegel's tag line "Inspire to Rewire". That is exactly what the book teaches you to do. I now work as an educational consultant and a parenting consultant. It is so evident that people are holding onto thoughts that are keeping them in their own prison of the mind due to the rigid or chaotic thinking and lack of cohesive brain integration. While working with a client, who was struggling with parenting issues, she began to develop Mindsight and understood the leftover issues keeping her trapped in a rigid mindset. After applying Dr. Siegel's suggestions to overcome the brain's rigidity, she realized that she received a message from her childhood implying that she was responsible for everything and everyone. We were both "inspired to rewire" her thinking, as it was apparent that she was learning to see her own rigid views on life. After three sessions, she began to change her own views on parenting and responsibility. For the first time in her life, she understood her story. This book belongs in the hands of everyone in the helping profession. It's also written in such a way that your clients/parenting students, spouses, friends can use the meditations and other suggestions by Dr. Siegel to begin to rework their story into a cohesive narrative. Boomers will love this, as they search for reasons why their lives may not be working. Dr.Siegel's suggestions for rewiring take time, but I'm convinced they are well worth the time involved. There appears to be a better life awaiting all, who are dealing with confusion or a weak sense of self. His teachings illustrate how to rewrite a new autobiography in a way that makes sense. The book is a huge prescription for a happier more resilient life. An added bonus is the fact that the book offers Mindsight exercises designed to foster enjoyable relationships with those in our families and circle of friends. I'm pleased to recommend this book to my colleagues and friends. Mary Ann Lowry, M.Ed.