Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind [Paperback]

Joe Dispenza (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 2, 2008

Take Your First Step Toward True Evolution

Ever wonder why you repeat the same negative thoughts in your head? Why you keep coming back for more from hurtful family members, friends, or significant others? Why you keep falling into the same detrimental habits or limiting attitudes—even when you know that they are going to make you feel bad?

Dr. Joe Dispenza has spent decades studying the human mind—how it works, how it stores information, and why it perpetuates the same behavioral patterns over and over. In the acclaimed film What the Bleep Do We Know!? he began to explain how the brain evolves—by learning new skills, developing the ability to concentrate in the midst of chaos, and even healing the body and the psyche.

Evolve Your Brain presents this information in depth, while helping you take control of your mind, explaining how thoughts can create chemical reactions that keep you addicted to patterns and feelings—including ones that make you unhappy. And when you know how these bad habits are created, it's possible to not only break these patterns, but also reprogram and evolve your brain, so that new, positive, and beneficial habits can take over.

This is something you can start to do right now. You and only you have the power to change your mind and evolve your brain for a better life—for good.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

It took one moment to change Joe Dispenza's life forever.

A car sent him toppling off his bike, causing multiple fractures to his vertabrae. Several doctors said his only hope of walking again was to fuse some of the vertebrae in an operation that would leave him with a lifetime of pain and limited mobility.

But as a chiropractor, Dispenza knew enough about spinal health and his own post-accident physical state to take a remarkable risk: he refused the operation and, along with a careful therapeutic program, literally thought his way to healing. Nine months later, he was able to walk and function as well as he had before the accident, and he credits a large amount of that recovery to the power of his own mind.

This incredible experience spurred Joe on to learn about this most important tool that we all possess—the brain—and he passes that potent knowledge on to you. He explores how the brain learns, how it processes information, and, when it isn't stimulated enough by new experiences, how it can become addicted to comfortable, familiar patterns.

Every time we think a thought or feel an emotion, the brain sends chemicals throughout the body that reproduce that feeling, often giving us a physical reaction. Through prolonged repetition, self-limiting thoughts and feelings can become habitual—producing mindsets such as unworthiness and attracting negative experiences—yet we can still crave them, even when they don't feel good.

But all this can change—and Joe Dispenza will show you how to do it. Step by step, he'll walk you through the structures of the brain, how your thoughts and emotions become hardwired in the brain, how to recognize the patterns you want to change, and finally, how to create new, positive habits that will not only change your life, but also change you—into the person you've always wanted to be.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Joe Dispenza, D.C., studied biochemistry at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Life University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Dispenza's postgraduate training and continuing education have been in neurology, neurophysiology, and brain function. Dr. Dispenza has authored several scientific articles on the close relationship between brain chemistry, neurophysiology, and biology, and their roles in physical health. Dr. Dispenza has a chiropractic practice in Rainier, Washington.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: HCI; 1 Reprint edition (December 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0757307655
• ISBN-13: 978-0757307652
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (122 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Compulsive Behavior
  • #59 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Neuropsychology
  • #96 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Emotions

More About the Author

Joe Dispenza Joe Dispenza, D.C., studied biochemistry at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. He also holds a BS degree with an emphasis in Neuroscience. Dr. Dispenza also received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Life University in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating magna cum laude.

Dr. Dispenza's postgraduate training and continuing education has been in neurology; neuroscience; brain function and chemistry; cellular biology; memory formation; and aging and longevity. He is an invited member of Who's Who in America, an honorary member of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the recipient of a Clinical Proficiency Citation for clinical excellence in doctor-patient relationships from Life University, and a member of Pi Tau Delta - the International Chiropractic Honor Society.

Over the last 10 years, Dr. Dispenza has lectured in 24 different countries on six continents educating people about the role and function of the human brain. He has taught thousands of people how to re-program their thinking through scientifically proven neuro-physiologic principles. As a result, this information has taught many individuals to reach their specific goals and visions by eliminating self-destructive habits. His approach, taught in a very simple method, creates a bridge between true human potential and the latest scientific theories of neuroplasticity. He explains how thinking in new ways, as well as changing beliefs, can literally rewire one's brain. The premise of his work is founded in his total conviction that every person on this planet has within them, the latent potential of greatness and true unlimited abilities.

His first book, Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind, connects the subjects of thought and consciousness with the brain, the mind, and the body. The book explores "the biology of change." That is, when we truly change our mind, there is a physical evidence of change in the brain. As an author of several scientific articles on the close relationship between the brain and the body, Dr. Dispenza ties information together to explain the roles these functions play in physical health and disease. His latest DVD release of Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind, which was filmed in Australia, is based on the book and looks at the ways in which the human brain can be used to affect reality through the mastery of thought. He also sits as an invited editorial advisor of Explore Magazine.

In his research into spontaneous remissions, Dr. Dispenza has found similarities in people who have experienced so-called miraculous healings, showing that they have actually changed their mind, which then changed their health.

Dr. Dispenza is one of the scientists, researchers, and teachers featured in the award winning film, "What the BLEEP Do We Know!?" He also has guest appearances in the theatrical directors cut, "What the BLEEP Down the Rabbit Hole" as well as the extended Quantum Edition DVD set, "What the BLEEP Down the Rabbit Hole".

When not traveling and writing, he is busy seeing patients at his chiropractic clinic near Olympia, Washington.
Company: Encephalon, LLC & Rainier Chiropractic Clinic
Website: drjoedispenza.com
Recent Releases: Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One | Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

267 of 270 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An answer to many prayers! May 21, 2007

By Nina Clock

Format:Hardcover

I had no trouble whatsoever relating to Dr. Dispenza's descriptions of how the human brain functions. In fact, I found his no-nonsense discussions of the brain extremely refreshing and encouraging, especially in view of the fact that I was so sorely in need of obtaining a practical working model of why large-scale healing and personal change are even possible.

For me, the greatest value of Dr. Dispenza's book is in gaining the practical tools to heal. To that end, what healed Dr. Dispenza's multiple vertebral fractures was his level of consciousness and his ability to think. Without prior knowledge of how to help himself, he more than likely would have gone the conventional route of treatment and ended up as a cripple. And without the Four Pillars of Healing (well-described in the text), the cases of spontaneous remission presented by other people in the book would probably not have occurred. Thus, when all is said and done, the power of thought appears to be at the core of healing.

To make this book more user-friendly for myself, I outlined what were, for me, its key points:

1) Decide who/what you want to be and create an ideal picture of that in your mind.

2) Allow the frontal lobe of your brain to fulfill its functions as your guide; the frontal lobe is so skillful that the only limitation on its ability to construct these models is your own skill at envisioning the ideal of yourself. The frontal lobe allows you to transcend the slow, linear process of evolution and to advance beyond the natural progression of adaptation.

3) Regularly rehearse the new attitudes and behaviors internally and externally, including at bedtime.

4) Break your brain and body's chemical addictions to negative thinking and feelings by stopping automatic negative thinking and feeling and interrupting the flow of repetitive thoughts that occupy most of your waking moments.

5) Address your attitudes and discover what groups of thoughts that are clustered together in habitual sequence (i.e., attitudes) that you have to break free of.

6) Resolve to no longer revisit memories of your past and the associated attitudes that define you as a victim.

7) Stop blaming others for your problems.

8) Deny your familiar internal voice and external voices of other people.

9) Replace negative "priming" with positive priming, such as feeling appreciation and gratitude; mentally rehearsing your new role; taking breaks in routine (such as travel); changing negative perceptions to positive perceptions).

10) Break away from customary routines.

11) Get feedback from others on how you're doing [as the "new person"].

12) Devote every spare minute to moving into the new life.

13) Become so involved in focusing on the present moment and on your intent that you completely lose track of your body, time, and space. Nothing, then, will be real but your thoughts.

14) Seek out instruction to get to the next level.

15) Work with the Four Pillars of Healing.

16) Make the healing/changing process the most important thing in your life.

Since reading Evolve Your Brain, I have come across another book called What To Say When You Talk To Yourself by Shad Helmstetter. This book is in the same vein, but it concentrates on the practical aspects of reprogramming your thoughts and feelings and spends almost no time on related scientific aspects of brain chemistry. (What To Say was written much earlier than Dr. Dispenza's book, but is unequivocally on the same page as the work of Joe Dispenza.)

I highly recommend both books - and note that after several weeks of working with each of them, I am in incredibly different and better spaces than I was.

66 of 72 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Beyond "I Create My Day" March 30, 2007

By Amy Wachspress

Format:Hardcover

This is the kind of book that could change your life, but it's not an easy read. If you were looking for more from Dr. Dispenza about "I Create My Day" as seen in What the Bleep, you will be disappointed with this book. If you are fascinated by how the brain works and how to use more of your brain to fulfill your potential, you will love this book. If you are looking for details about exactly how to change yourself and your life with focused intention then skip to the last 2 chapters of this 500-page lesson in brain function. This is a dense, scientific work, not as spiritual as many would like. But Dr. Dispenza finally explained a great many things I have always been curious about, including quantum physics, in a way that I could understand.

58 of 65 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book since Molecules of Emotion on mind/body January 17, 2007

By E. Messer

Format:Hardcover

I HAVE READ this long-awaited book by Dr. Joe Dispenza and have found it to be practical and inspiring. It puts right back into our own conscious control the unfoldment of our lives and our health. It describes Dr. Joe's journey to discovery of principles which he first applied to his own life and then studied in depth to understand the scientific basis for what he was learning. He applies both spiritual understanding and new discoveries in quantum physics and molecular biology in a very understandable and readable format which can be understood by all -- I give it five stars!