Customer Reviews

Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

First, I must make it clear that I have interacted with this book in ways which the average reader probably never will. For starters, I myself am in the process (though currently paused) of earning a degree in a psychology field. This was, in fact, one of the reasons I selected this book. However, my academic appreciation for Anatomy of the Soul did not keep me from appreciating it on other levels. I'll attempt to briefly discuss a few of them below.

Literary, Dr. Curt Thompson is a master storyteller. I'm willing to admit that my own interest in counseling/psychology probably has a lot to do with my fascination of his stories, but he illustrates his points in a fascinating way through real-life examples. On the other hand, his metaphors can be over-exaggerated at times, and he has accepted too many of the modern chic elements of writing, but the book is definitely engaging and well-written. The structure of the book does oscillate between the scientific, theological, and practical, but Thompson does an excellent job of keeping each type of section compelling.

One fairly major quibble with the book format is the way in which his Integration Exercises have been randomly inserted throughout the book. These are several hands-on exercises, described in a page or two, which readers may use to help integrate Thompson's points into their lives. The idea of including these exercises was brilliant, but they occur in random places, many times breaking up sentences or paragraphs. The first few confused me greatly since the only differentiation between them and the surrounding text is a slight change of font. The biggest problem with this approach, besides being confusing, is that the readers will probably skip them to finish the rest of Thompson's thought and forget to come back. It would have been much more helpful, not to mention logical, for the Integration Exercises to be included at the end of chapters or in logical breaks in Thompson's thoughts.

Scientifically, Dr. Thompson does an excellent job of presenting a heap of psychological, neurological, and other scientific material in layman's terms. The front cover says that the book will explore "surprising connections between neuroscience and spiritual practices that can transform your life and relationships". It does just that. At times the scientific terminologies were slightly over my head, but Thompson does an outstanding job of explaining how neurological pathways are created, pruned, strengthened, and weakened throughout an individual's life. A portion of his book explores how consciously creating new neurological pathways can help to strengthen the Christian life, particularly the Fruit of the Spirit and the two qualities of Mercy and Justice (more on that in a bit). This proves to be an enriching and blessing blend of Christianity and Neuroscience.

One section of the book deals with how the ancient spiritual disciplines, so often and tragically neglected by modern Evangelicals in the West, have been proven scientifically as ways of reinforcing this brain re-wiring. Thompson points out in multiple places that he views Scripture as authoritative and thus is not shocked to find that there are now scientifically verifiable reasons for practicing the disciplines of fasting, confession, silence, solitude, Scripture reading, etc.

Along the way, Thompson reviews Attachment Theory (something every Christian parent, teacher, or child worker should be familiar with), the biological make-up of the brain (right v. left and the triune brain), the role and substance of memory, the dis-integration that happens in a person's mind because of shame ("Pride and shame are in fact two sides of the same coin" [page 241] says Thompson), the dangers of having a dis-integrated mind and the value of having a integrated mind, and the role of the prefrontal cortex in the areas of decision making and emotions. He emphasizes multiple times the importance of integration, specifically of the right (emotional, "we" centered) and left (logical, "I" centered) hemispheres of the brain (neither is more important than the other), and of "paying attention to what you're paying attention to". His scientific discussion also helps readers understand how the brain functions during an emotion, thought, or subconscious action. Knowing this allows one to rewire his neural pathways so that a) if the emotion, thought, or action is sinful, the root causes can be dealt with or b) if the emotion, thought, or action is holy, it can be encouraged, repeated, and memorized.

Another important aspect of the book is Thompson's idea of, as he calls it, the process of being known. He states the importance of being known: "It is only when we are known that we are positioned to become conduits of love" (page 3). This is an important element of Christianity, one that reaches into eternity past through the doctrine of the Trinity but which has been tragically forgotten in modern Christian thought, to the point that, as Thompson points out, few people realize that they are not being known by anyone, including themselves. Thus, we define "love" either intellectually or emotionally, but rarely a synthesis of the two.

Thompson also points back to the importance of both knowing and being known by God, something he says is next to impossible if the neurological patterns of an individual haven't been ordered through foundational relationships to at least have a blueprint (I.E., Attachment Theory) of the way God responds. In other words, if a person has grown up with angry, demanding parents, he cannot see God as anything but angry and demanding until his brain has a blueprint, picked up from other relationships or observing others' relationships, that enables his neurons to create a pattern for a non-angry God.

Theologically, Thompson has a lot of interesting ideas. First, he points out (somewhat subtly) that science and theology are both written by God and should fit together; his definition of "science" is "the study of God's good creation" (page 238). Ergo (though technically unstated by Thompson), what Scripture reveals should help guide our interpretation of scientific facts and what science reveals should help guide our theological interpretation of Scripture. It's an interesting idea, one that many Christians, especially scientists and theologians, will not agree with.

One of the biggest controversial theological claims Thompson makes in Anatomy of the Soul is that "We delude ourselves into thinking that we know God, but God as we believe him to be - in control and invulnerable - not God as Scripture describes him to be: risk-taking and able to be hurt badly." He argues, in essence, that humans can affect God (not his being, but his emotions). Hard-core Calvinists will likely find this idea repugnant. Indeed, most other orthodox Christians will find the idea difficult to balance with their (quite proper) theology of God as sovereign, unchangeable, all-knowing, etc. Yet the idea has clear Scriptural backing, and I wonder if there is as big of a paradox as first appears, but perhaps it's an idea that should be explored and discussed more.

One thing that does make me a bit squeamish, though, is the way in which Thompson presents his theological ideas (with the exception of the above idea): He rarely cites Scripture accurately and, even when what he's saying clearly agrees with what Scripture says, he tends to get there in a sketchy or confusing way. For example, in one section discussing the Fall and Eve's reaction to the Serpent, he goes out of his way to say that we can't add to what is in the text, but the whole discussion is based on analysing Eve's brain processes which of course involves several extra-textual presuppositions. Elsewhere, Thompson often dismisses or twists Scripture to fit what he's saying, even when his interpretation makes little sense in the original context. Not that he isn't in good company since 100% of human Christians (especially theologians of all brands) do this at some point, but it is a little too prevalent in the book. Again, I'm not saying his interpretation of Scripture is heretical or seriously flawed, but his methods are. Unfortunately this flaw will likely give credence to those wishing to ignore the major themes of his book.

Another troubling example of Thompson's tendency in this area has to do with his elevation of mercy and justice as the primary functions of Christians in social interaction. No Christian should have a problem with mercy and justice, to be sure, but there's absolutely no Biblical reason (or scientific reason for that matter) why these two should be elevated above, say, harmony, grace, humility, or, most importantly, Truth. Not that Thompson doubts or questions the value of any of the above, especially Truth. On the contrary, he does discuss each of them and, despite sounding like one at times, Thompson is certainly no post-modernist. He strongly believes in the authority of Scripture. But the problem lays in his making assertions (such as that justice and mercy are the greatest outworking of the Spirit in society) with no real backing, either Scriptural or scientific, for his claims.

Related, Thompson tends to make brief comments about several hot-button political issues that are at least a distraction from the main thesis of the book and at most should make anyone familiar with Scripture raise their eyebrows. His unspoken but between-the-lines views of the death penalty, Evolution, and homosexuality reveal a troubling arrogance and elevation of his own mind/emotions above what Scripture clearly says (I could have misinterpreted his positions on any/all of these, but there I would say he should be faulted for being so vague and repeat the assertion that these issues shouldn't even be addressed unless one wants to take the time to properly clarify one's position, something which would be highly inappropriate for this book).

The biggest problem with Thompson's sketchy interpretation of Scripture (or ignoring of Scripture) and his needless inclusion of hot-button political points is that, because he is wrong in some of these areas, it calls into question his major themes and points, especially for those who tend to be more theologically astute. This presents a two-pronged problem:

Those who are in the most need of this book are probably the more conservative, fundamentalist types who will automatically use Thompson's weakness in this area as an excuse to ignore the rest of his mostly excellent ideas. Thus, those who would have benefited the most will simply ignore his valid points because of his weak, minor points.
Thompson's faulty interpretations and other errors are likely to be swallowed whole by those who do benefit from the book. This is why the apostles and Early Church warned about being too anxious to teach: you are responsible for even the minor errors you teach.

All of that detracts from the otherwise strong and beautiful theme of Anatomy of the Soul: "When our brains operate in a flexible, adaptive, coherent, energized, and stable fashion, we are able to live in community in a way that encourages those around us to develop these same qualities." It is a stellar theme, one that the Evangelical world is, quite literally, dying to understand (or for lack of understanding). What I mean is that ignoring the basic principles Thompson presents in this book are what have lead to the spiritual and intellectual devolution of modern Evangelicals, whether they be more liberal-minded or conservative fundamentalists.

Despite the flaws, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in discovering how to improve relations, move closer to God, or integrate his mind, spiritual life, and actions more fully. As with any book, just be cautious about the author's own flaws, particularly how his political ideals may affect his interpretation of data (both Scriptural and Scientific).

One last word of caution: About halfway (or earlier) through the book you will feel overwhelmed. I certainly did and the majority of the scientific and relational material was not new to me. Keep with it. Anatomy of the Soul is definitely worth reading to the end. Feel free to take a break, but make sure you go back and finish.

*Please note: Anatomy of the Soul was provided free of charge by Tyndale Press for review purposes. The author of this review received no financial compensation and has not been influenced by Tyndale Press, the author, or any entity concerning this product.

**This review was originally published at [...]

'Anatomy of the Soul' by Curt Thompson, MD is excellent. Just excellent. He makes connections between how our brain works and puts it together with our spiritual self. I was amazed, and continue to feel that way as I use the suggestions in his book to come to grips with my own struggles.

And while Dr. Thompson calls on the reader to attend to past experiences in order to deal with the present, it's not about placing blame. The exercises instead are meant to reprogram the brain---to help the individual live a more joyful life.

He sites Scripture to show how much God loves His people. We get into ruts (literally) in our heads that cause us to be repeatedly self-destructive. By changing the pathways our thoughts and actions take us, we're able to focus on God's love for us, and turn away from thoughts of negativity.

I love this book, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to understand aspects of their own personality that might not always make sense. I felt like I had my own personal psychiatrist---someone who looked beyond the surface and offered practical, yet spiritual help. But be sure to have a pencil in hand while reading this book. I've marked up my copy thoroughly.

(This book was provided for review by Tyndale House Publishers.)

"Anatomy of the Soul - Surprising connections between neuroscience and spiritual practices that can transform your life" by Curt Thompson is a compelling read! Despite what science has tried to get us to believe, neurology and spirituality are connected.

I have long been a believer in the power of our mind, and when I saw the subtitle to this book, I was immediately intrigued. Author Curt Thompson does a great job explaining for the average reader just how this is possible.

Most reviewers of this book have given a general overview, but something has been on my mind all my life, growing up with a family member who is an atheist. Never for one minute understanding how that person could possibly not have any faith, not believe in God......I could not wrap my brain around that. Or why some people can easily share their faith, willingly and openly pray with their families and friends, yet others just cannot imagine doing so? Then along comes this book and it is explained to me, so I am thrilled to share this part of the book with you.

Dr. Thompson explains that our attachments from childhood can make all the difference. There are 4 attachment possibilities:

~~~~~~~~~

1. Secure Attachment: Children who are blessed to become securely attached have one common theme - their emotions were validated during childhood. They had parents who were empathetic. As an example, let's say Sally is crying because she has scraped her knee. An empathetic parent would come to her aid asking how she is doing rather than curtly telling her to stop crying like a baby. These children feel understood and connected, and the universe makes sense to them. As Thompson states, "This mindful approach to the emotional state of a child literally prepares at template at a neurological level that enables the child to grow into an awareness of a God who also cares about his or her joys, hurts, fears and mistakes." The child ultimately is able to envision God as responsible and trustworthy and that the world is safe, despite evidence to the contrary. God does not expect parents to be perfect, but they must be perceptive.

2. Insecure Attachment - Avoidant: Parents of children with this type of attachment will hands down claim to love their child deeply, but were more concerned about their child becoming a positive member of society, having morals, doing well in school and obeying rules. These parents tend to be emotionally unavailable, imperceptive, unresponsive or rejecting of a child's emotional state. This doesn't mean the parents are always like this or even do this on purpose, but enough so that these children learn from an early age that feelings don't matter and they gain nothing from it. They decide emotional input from their brains is unreliable , and over time learn to ignore their own distress and rely on avoiding closeness or emotional connection. Ignoring their emotional "right' brain functions, they often focus strongly on the logical, linear left brain functions, and may be highly accomplished in their vocations. But listening to them tell their story will be a little like watching paint dry, as it will be more logical than emotionally descriptive.

3. Insecure Attachment - ambivalent/anxious: Parental hallmarks of children with this type are mostly inconsistent and intrusive. These parents are unable to read their children because they are usually consumed with anxiety themselves. These children experience the lack of sensitivity and predictability and have increased levels of anxiety, uncertainty and insecurity. They will conclude the world is an emotionally unreliable place. Those with this attachment pattern filter God and the Bible logically with their left brain, taking in the "facts", but their right brains cannot incorporate the necessary emotional qualities involved in "taking on faith" those facts. These children grow up to be adults who are easily overwhelmed with doubts and fears about relying on others and may at times be "flooded" with right brain processing. This makes it difficult for them to attend to others' needs, given that their own emotional states have taken over.

4. Insecure Attachment - disorganized: These children find the world to be an unsafe place, having had frightened or frightening parents, who have varying states of behavior. Happy one minute, raging the next. These parents may have abused their children (in various ways) or may have had significant emotional disorders, such as schizophrenia, severe bipolar disorder, or alcohol or drug abuse. Most of these parents report they deeply love their children, but are clueless that their actions are preventing their child's mind from forming a coherent sense of the world. These children, having lived a life of traumatic events (in their experiences), often cannot view God as a loving figure, but of someone who is displeased or raged with them. They often do not desire to get close to God due to their discomfort with intimacy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So.......why does our attachment pattern matter and can we do anything about it? The answer is YES! Author Curt Thompson explains in detail how we can heal our past and learn to have an amazing relationship with God, one that is fulfilling and loving. As he states, the manner in which we tell our own stories will reflect the degree of our ability to let God's story fully interact with our own.

We can get to the point of having what is called "Earned Secure Attachment" and learn to live our lives fully and joyously and relate to God in an intimate way. So if you have wondered why you can't seem to connect with God in ways you see others do or know someone who struggles, do not fret.

We can renew our minds and experience more peace, more freedom, more happiness. Our lives can be radically changed.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

Enjoy!

This book provided to me for review by Tyndale House Publishers.

Some books wrinkle your brain when you read the cover, and "Anatomy of the Soul" is no slouch. The subtitle is "Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships." In a nutshell, this resource I received for free from the Tyndale Blogging Network explores the connection between the mind and your faith in the way it impacts how you relate with others. This involves exploring your past (and your memories of it) to better understand why you are where you are and the things you are pursuing to find a deeper meaning in life.

I'm not kidding when I say this - it's high-end reading. It will change the way you think about God, and I mean that literally... the way/manner you "think" about God. The book contains some well-told everyday stories that harness a recognition of otherwise "heady" scientific terms, allowing the average reader to better track with some concepts that are typically found in academic circles. The big takeaway from this is a better awareness of how neurological pathways work in order to create and strengthen your integrity in living out your beliefs.

The main downside is that any references to biblical truths are more summarized than anchored. The author offers some decent ideas in how to better grow your faith, but without clear teaching these ideas remain opinions at best. It left my final takeaway less inclined to recommend the book and more apt to quote parts of it.

This is the most helpful, insightful book I've read in a long time. There's advice, guidance, explanations and examples to illustrate discussion offered by the author. Best of all, for me anyway, it explains some of what I had suspected about how things work all along. Dr. Thompson links human anatomy and physiology to the spiritual part of our being throughout the text. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. And God uses His creation of the physical body in amazing ways. The author does a great job showing God's wisdom found in research and the discoveries that science has made recently in neuroscience. Whether science wants to or not, it is describing the wonders of creation.

Read this book. The text will require thought, evaluation, and time to go through. The author's writing style is quite readable and he covers the material well. While this isn't a how to or self help book, there are several examples of exercises he recommends to his patients. Most are very simple, but do achieve their goal if they are practiced as prescribed.

If you work with people (who doesn't?) this book should help you immensely. What makes us tick and why is good to know especially in stressful situations. If you are in the midst of raising children or caring for them, there is some helpful discussion about their way of processing life at different ages. Wish I'd known some of that when mine were younger. I'm sure they would say the same.

The final chapters tie it all together and in a way that makes so much sense you want to cheer. Maybe one of these days the author will develop that material into a longer work. It deserves the attention.

The only thing I didn't like is that it felt like the first chapter or so kept repeating the same thing, almost as if he was trying to get his footing before he started in earnest. Or maybe I'm just impatient. That could be too.

I'd recommend this book and intend to reread it to glean more from it before I loan it out to friends. A book that merits another read these days is rare. Take advantage of this one.

Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my written review.

Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson M.D. wasn't what I expected. I thought the book was going to be dry scientific data made mildly interesting through case studies. I thought it would be packed with information for scientists and pre-med students but not laymen. But the book is concise and easy to understand even though the soul and how it work not so easily summarized and worthy of the attention.
Thompson states: "No matter how fixed your thinking or behavior is, research tells us that you can make a significant change in the way you remember your past... even though you cannot change the events of your story, you can change the way you experience your story." He begins by asking, "How well am I paying attention, to what I am paying attention to?"
Because the brain is seemingly much more plastic than originally thought, we can form new brain connections. As Thompson explains the basics of brain function, regarding their affect behavioral change, in terms accessible to non-medical students, he presents seven key points: Being known, Attention, Memory and Emotion, Attachment, An integrated mind, Sin and Redemption and Community and how these are affected by events in our lives.
He expounds on each of the points showing how each successive step is necessary the one before. He underlines it with Biblical passages and repeats himself to a small degree. Through a few well-chosen cases, Thompson shows how most were able to change their outlooks on life through Intentional Change. He mentions keeping the brain active through regular intervals aerobic activity, focused attention exercises and novel learning experiences. Thompson maintains that each of our brains constantly affects the brains of those we are around, and that a person paying attention to God can literally create a new mind within.
I found this arresting book surprising and well expressed.The book would be of interest to anyone who enjoys reading about the way the mind works, how memories affect our daily lives and those who want to heal traumas from the past. I found the book deeply insightful with exercises that are easy to grasp and a section that lists chapter by chapter questions for reflection.
Anatomy of the Soul is worthy of not only a first read, but also a second. I feel certain that the re-read will be as rich and insightful as the first. I recommend this book to anyone who is tired of spinning their tires and wondering why they have had difficulty making changes that last or that lead to a healthier happier life.


Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my written review.

I received this complimentary book from Tyndale House to review

Full disclosure: I am pretty confident that I do not have this book or the concepts in it mastered. If I had to retell what some of the chapters are about I may be at a loss. Is this because of me, the author, or a combination of the two? I'm not sure. But here is what I did get from this book.

I learned a fair amount of things about the brain and how it works. This book did cause me to pay a little more attention to the way that I am thinking and feeling. I made connections in my soul that I have never made before. For that I am thankful.

Now for the not so helpful...
Sometimes this book was so bogged down with technical terms that I felt I needed to take an anatomy and physiology class to get anywhere. I am not sure that most people will be willing to sift through that difficulty. But this may just be my own ignorance showing. But that is not my major concern with this book.

My major concern with this book is the theology and use of Scripture that undergirds it. This is often the problem with full integrationist in psychology. There are a few times that it seems the author tips his hand--Christ and the Scriptures are not fully sufficient for life and godliness. I may be reading this the wrong way but on page 10 I think there may be a clue to the author's denial of the full sufficiency of Christ:

"This book, then, won't prove anything. But if you hunger and thirst for God, and if you somehow sense that in Jesus you will be closer to having your hunger satisfied and your thirst quenched..." (Italics mine).

It seems that throughout this book the findings of neuroscience is the grid for determining truth and Scripture is just used as a backup. There are more than a few times that Scripture is used out of context and words of neuroscience are interjecting into the passage. The connection between neuroscience and Scripture often seems forced.
At the end of the day I'm not really sure that I recommend this book. I wouldn't talk anyone out of it, but I probably won't be putting it in the hands of people seeking soul care.

Occasionally I have found books on this subject to be informative, but rarely have I discovered a repository of wisdom that inspires as I have in Dr. Curt Thompson's, Anatomy of the Soul. I have recommended it to our counseling department here at Dallas Theological Seminary, and we have discussed chapter 6 in particular (The Emotions of God) in a divisional meeting. I have used the information regarding the relationship between more primitive (Reptilian) area of the brain and the more highly developed PFC (prefrontal cortex) in my lectures on the creative process in adolescents and adults while in Taiwan. The faculty, staff, and students in the University in Tainan City, and in the seminary there expressed appreciation for the insights I shared from AOS. Dr. Thompson provides a neurological road map for understanding how we learn, how we mature in our abilities to manage and direct our emotions, and how we can harness the creative potential inherent in our spiritual DNA to maximum effect. He does not push his Christian worldview, but he does not have to. The biblical wisdom that informs his interpretation of the significance of brain/mind function is woven into the fabric of his analysis. That's one of the things that makes this book so refreshing. It reveals a mind that has consolidated the physical/neurological functions of the human brain and the spiritual evidence that suggests a divine Architect into a coherent paradigm for helping the reader understand the big picture - what makes our creative process uniquely and wonderfully human. Anatomy of the Soul constitutes an elegant revelation of the link between the neurological complex of our brains and the Imago Dei that is resident in all of us. Dr. Thompson's style is equally engaging. I read it straight through in a few hours. And then again, making notes along the way. It is a wonder and worthy of multiple readings. Here you will discover an anatomy lesson that will help you understand not only HOW we are wired (neurologically and spiritually), but WHY.

Curt provides so many insights into the connection between the healing effects of the gospel on the mind, incorporating biblical truths and the latest body of knowledge from neuroscience. A must read for people interested in learning more about healing and wholeness!

ANATOMY OF THE SOUL offers some detailed surveys of neuroscience and spiritual practices, and is designed to document how these connections can change spiritual approaches to life. The Christian spirituality foundation and blending of science shows how it's possible to rewire your mind, changing brain patterns to further a Godly approach to life and the soul. The unique approach represents a smooth marriage between science and Christian belief.