Healing the Hardware of the Soul: Enhance Your Brain to Improve Your Work, Love, and Spiritual Life [Paperback]

Daniel Amen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 16, 2008

Dr. Daniel Amen's breakthrough brain-healing program has helped hundreds of thousands to overcome depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder. The maverick author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Life and Healing ADD now presents his proven program for repairing and strengthening our relationships, child-rearing practices, work and study routines, and, ultimately, our soulful connections, in the deepest ways possible. Guided by this book, each of us can learn to balance and optimize the parts of the brain responsible for inner growth, intimacy, and spiritual health.

Drawing upon his experience with over fourteen thousand brain-imaging studies of patients from all walks of life, Dr. Amen has developed an essential tool called the Amen Brain System Checklist, a 101-question self-test used to evaluate the five brain systems that are key to achieving and maintaining a healthy brain-soul connection. The questionnaire identifies the problem brain areas readers may need to work on, offers insight into the degree to which these imbalances affect their lives, and provides targeted strategies for each area of the brain involved with spiritual issues.

These are just a few of the many "brain prescriptions" to be found in Healing the Hardware of the Soul:

• Develop focus and improve decision-making with the One-Page Miracle for the Soul
• Use prayer, meditation, and diaphragmatic breathing exercises for superior emotional and spiritual flexibility
• Heal painful deep soul memories through thought and behavior exercises
• Learn how forming strong, positive new bonds actually controls impulsive behavior and stabilizes mood swings

Dr. Amen's recommendations include cutting-edge advice on diet, nutritional supplements, and the judicious use of medication when needed. He also explains which medications can unbalance the brain when used improperly. Dramatic before-and-after pictures of the brain demonstrate the medical effectiveness of these clinically based healing techniques.

Whether we learn the self-help strategies of cognitive reprogramming, self-hypnosis, or nutraceutical therapy, seek out psychotherapy, or rely on prescription antidepressants and antianxiety medications, Dr. Amen's sage advice and comprehensive treatment programs give us all the tools we need to optimize our work, relationships, and spiritual connections to become the people we want to be.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Barry Sears, M.D. author of The Zone Amen continues to be one of the most innovative researchers of the mind. He is one of the few scientists willing to cross the frontier between neurology and religion to describe the soul in terms of cutting-edge science. I strongly recommend this book to anyone searching to build a better life.

Thomas M. Brod, M.D. Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA Dr. Amen links his new observations of brain effects to real problems many people suffer, and then offers solid practical advice about what to do about them. Applying his discoveries, many of my patients have experienced "miracles" of sustained relief from misery they thought would be theirs for life.

Emmett Miller, M.D. author of Deep Healing and the web site www.DrMiller.com Healing the Hardware of the Soul takes science a brave and much-needed step forward, bringing mind, body, and soul together in a most fascinating way. It will prove as enlightening for health professionals and religious/spiritual teachers as for anyone who desires deep self-knowledge.

Timmen Cermak, M.D. author of A Time to Heal: The Road to Recovery for Adult Children of Alcoholics Dr. Amen takes another bold step toward a unified understanding of the human brain and all of our human experience. Since all consciousness funnels through the brain, we must accept that the health of our personality can never outstrip the health of our brain. Consequently, our spiritual maturity also rests upon optimal functioning of the brain.

Diane E. Hough, M.S. Counseling Professionals Northwest, Mercer Island, Washington Dr. Amen's work brings science to character traits once considered to be moral or psychological flaws and opens up a door of opportunity to optimize the strength of the human spirit. His book allows people to create behavior changes worthy of trust, leading to healthier relationships by integrating physiology, psychology, and spirituality.

Review

Barry Sears, M.D.author of The ZoneAmen continues to be one of the most innovative researchers of the mind. He is one of the few scientists willing to cross the frontier between neurology and religion to describe the soul in terms of cutting-edge science. I strongly recommend this book to anyone searching to build a better life.

Thomas M. Brod, M.D.Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCLADr. Amen links his new observations of brain effects to real problems many people suffer, and then offers solid practical advice about what to do about them. Applying his discoveries, many of my patients have experienced "miracles" of sustained relief from misery they thought would be theirs for life.

Emmett Miller, M.D.author of Deep Healing and the web site www.DrMiller.comHealing the Hardware of the Soul takes science a brave and much-needed step forward, bringing mind, body, and soul together in a most fascinating way. It will prove as enlightening for health professionals and religious/spiritual teachers as for anyone who desires deep self-knowledge.

Timmen Cermak, M.D.author of A Time to Heal: The Road to Recovery for Adult Children of AlcoholicsDr. Amen takes another bold step toward a unified understanding of the human brain and all of our human experience. Since all consciousness funnels through the brain, we must accept that the health of our personality can never outstrip the health of our brain. Consequently, our spiritual maturity also rests upon optimal functioning of the brain.

Diane E. Hough, M.S.Counseling Professionals Northwest, Mercer Island, WashingtonDr. Amen's work brings science to character traits once considered to be moral or psychological flaws and opens up a door of opportunity to optimize the strength of the human spirit. His book allows people to create behavior changes worthy of trust, leading to healthier relationships by integrating physiology, psychology, and spirituality. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Free Press; Reprint edition (September 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 143910039X
• ISBN-13: 978-1439100394
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #276,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Amen is widely regarded as one of the world's foremost experts on applying brain imaging science to clinical psychiatric practice. He is a board certified child and adult psychiatrist and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is the medical director of Amen Clinics, Inc. in Newport Beach and Fairfield, California, Bellevue, Washington, and Reston, Virginia. Amen Clinics have the world's largest database of functional brain scans relating, totaling more than 60,000 scans. The clinics have seen patients from 90 countries.

Dr. Amen is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. He has presented his work around the world. He is widely regarded as a gifted teacher, taking complex concepts in neuropsychiatry and imaging and making them easily accessible to other professionals.

Dr. Amen is the lead researcher on the world's largest brain imaging/brain rehabilitation study on professional football players, which not only demonstrated significant brain damage in a high percentage of retired players, but also the possibility for rehabilitation in many with the principles that underlie his work.

Dr. Amen is the author of 40 professional articles, the co-author of the Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry's chapter on Functional Imaging in Clinical Practice, 28 books, including three New York Times bestsellers: Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, Magnificent Mind At Any Age, and Change Your Brain, Change Your Body. He is also the author of Healing ADD, Making A Good Brain Great, Healing the Hardware of the Soul, and co-author of Unchain Your Brain, Healing Anxiety and Depression and Preventing Alzheimer's.

In 2011, Random House will release his latest book, The Amen Solution: Brain Healthy Ways to Lose Weight and Keep It Off. In late 2011, Random House will also release Dr. Amen's Upcoming book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Age (tentative title).

Dr. Amen is the producer and star of 5 highly popular shows about the brain, which have raised more than 32 million dollars for public television.

A small sample of the organizations Dr. Amen has spoken for include: the National Security Agency (NSA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), Harvard's Learning and the Brain Conference, The Million Dollar Roundtable, Retired NFL Players Summit, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the Supreme Courts of Delaware, Ohio and Wyoming. Dr. Amen's work has been featured in Newsweek, Parade Magazine, New York Times Magazine, Men's Health, and Cosmopolitan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 111 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Book, November 13, 2008

By 

Cheryl D. (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Healing the Hardware of the Soul: Enhance Your Brain to Improve Your Work, Love, and Spiritual Life (Paperback)

I read this book after reading Dr. Amen's "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life." This was the perfect follow-up.

A lot of the information is the same as "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life" but it is expanded to include spirituality.

Dr. Amen explains his theory on the brain, how it works, and how it can often mis-fire, causing a physical imbalance that is shown on his SPECT scans. He gives great examples of case studies he's done to help the reader relate to an in depth topic.

I greatly enjoyed the authors take on religious and political leaders in regards to brain function.

I found this book very helpful and very insightful. I have gained empathy and respect for myself and everyone close to me. After reading this, you will understand yourself and the people around you so much better.

55 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy with book, February 23, 2009

By 

Ms. G "savy shopper" (NE Ohio) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Healing the Hardware of the Soul: Enhance Your Brain to Improve Your Work, Love, and Spiritual Life (Paperback)

I heard Dr.Amen speak one Sunday afternoon on PBS and was taken by his philosophy about brain health so I ordered this book and another about ADD. I want to pass them on to everyone I know because they are so informative.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Will Change Your Life, June 30, 2010

By 

L8blumr "L8blumr" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Healing the Hardware of the Soul: Enhance Your Brain to Improve Your Work, Love, and Spiritual Life (Paperback)

Every person should read this book! Dr. Amen explains the brain and its function in an easy-to-understand manner, then offers both pharmaceutical and natural supplementation solutions. I liked this book so much that I purchased one for each of my loved ones!