Cutting-edge science and the ancient wisdom of Buddhism have come together to reveal that, contrary to popular belief, we have the power to literally change our brains by changing our minds. Recent pioneering experiments in neuroplasticity—the ability of the brain to change in response to experience—reveal that the brain is capable of altering its structure and function, and even of generating new neurons, a power we retain well into old age. The brain can adapt, heal, renew itself after trauma, compensate for disabilities, rewire itself to overcome dyslexia, and break cycles of depression and OCD. And as scientists are learning from studies performed on Buddhist monks, it is not only the outside world that can change the brain, so can the mind and, in particular, focused attention through the classic Buddhist practice of mindfulness. With her gift for making science accessible, meaningful, and compelling, science writer Sharon Begley illuminates a profound shift in our understanding of how the brain and the mind interact and takes us to the leading edge of a revolution in what it means to be human. Praise for Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain “There are two great things about this book. One is that it shows us how nothing about our brains is set in stone. The other is that it is written by Sharon Begley, one of the best science writers around. Begley is superb at framing the latest facts within the larger context of the field. This is a terrific book.”—Robert M. Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers “Excellent . . . elegant and lucid prose . . . an open mind here will be rewarded.”—Discover “A strong dose of hope along with a strong does of science and Buddhist thought.”—The San Diego Union-Tribune

This book answers why. Dr. Kawashima, a prominent neurologist in Japan, developed this programme of daily simple brain exercises that can help boost brain power, improve memory and stave off the mental effects of ageing. It explains How reading, writing and listening to music affects our brain. How physical motion activates the brain. Where are memories located? What activity of the brain causes likes and dislikes? How the mind is related to the brain. Will brain transplantation be possible in the future? It is never too late to begin building a better brain! Unlock the mysteries of your brain, to train it to function optimally and to your advantage through simple exercises that will maximize memory and better your learning capacity.

Train Your Brain was written to provide older adults, and the people who work with them, with practical and scientifically based suggestions and interventions on how to maintain and even improve memory ability. Researchers have found that certain lifestyle factors predict the likelihood of developing memory problems. Most chapters begin with research summaries, followed by practical suggestions for taking advantage of the identified factors that affect memory. The book also contains information and suggestions for people interested in starting a cognitive enhancement program in an assisted living facility, senior center, or medical setting. Two chapters, "How Memory Works" and "How the Brain Works," provide readers with a foundation of knowledge so they can get the most out of subsequent chapters. The author presents the "Use It or Lose It" theory of memory and aging and the overwhelming evidence that cognitive stimulation is associated with better memory ability; he also provides information on how nutrition, physical exercise, mood, stress, and sleep all affect memory. The book contains cognitive enhancement activities, with instructions, that can be used to create a memory enhancement program for oneself or others. However, even all of this information won't help the older adult who is unmotivated to make the necessary behavioral changes, so the author includes information on how to motivate people to do the things that can improve their quality of life and their ability to make new memories.

Like the body, the brain needs exercise. And Dr Ryuta Kawashima, world-renowned professor of neuroscience and the expert behind the bestselling computer game Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training, will give you the tools to make your brain work better.Follow his advanced programme of carefully chosen, yet deceptively simple activities. Each day you fill in a worksheet of exercises and with weekly self-tests and a personal logbook you can track your progress. Taking just a few minutes a day over two months, you really can boost your brainpower and creativity, and change your life!

“Using Train Your Brain, in two years, I’ve gone from zero to a million dollars a year in my business and paid off $30,000 in debt!” ~ Sarah Thomas, Basehor, KS When Dana Wilde began her direct-sales business, she realized that education for entrepreneurs typically consisted of endless “how-to” explanations: how to market, how to pick up the phone, how to manage your time, how to increase bookings or sales. There always seemed to be a new system to learn, a new surefire method or cutting-edge technique for entrepreneurs to master. In an effort to teach her team members a better and easier way, Dana Wilde created Train Your Brain, a tested and proven system combining elements of both mindset and action ... or as Dana likes to call it, Intentional Action. What Dana discovered by using Train Your Brain is that mindset can be “taught” and that learning simple mindset strategies not only allows you to understand how the brain works but also shows you how easy it is to change your thinking and, as a result, change your outcomes. In Train Your Brain, Dana breaks down the Cycle of Perpetual Sameness—the number one reason why most people only experience incremental change in their lives. More importantly, she also provides the much-needed blueprint to help you get off this counterproductive cycle quickly. Train Your Brain, with its twenty easy-to-implement “Mindware Experiments,” gives you all the necessary tools needed to get off ... and stay off ... the Cycle of Perpetual Sameness, so you can transform your life and grow your business in record time!

Presents a series of activities which can be implemented to increase personal happiness, including such strategies as fostering positive thinking, improving nutrition, getting enough sleep, learning a new skill, and incorporating relaxation exercises.

Our schools and parents teach us only a small fraction of what we need to learn in order to reach our true potential and achieve success. The rest we must learn through our own trials and tribulations. 'Street kid' John Assaraf broke free from a troubled past to create a multi-million dollar empire. In Having it All, Assaraf tells of his discovery that, no matter what kind of difficult circumstances someone happens to be in at any one time, he or she can achieve whatever they want in life. By combining old-world wisdom and street-smart tactics, Assaraf created the life of his dreams. He shares his method here.