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Switch On Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health
Over 900,000 copies sold!According to researchers, the vast majority--a whopping 75-98 percent--of the illnesses that plague us today are a direct result of our thought life. What we think about truly affects us both physically and emotionally. In fact, fear alone triggers more than 1,400 known physical and chemical responses in our bodies, activating more than thirty different hormones! Today our culture is undergoing an epidemic of toxic thoughts that, left unchecked, create ideal conditions for illnesses.Supported by current scientific and medical research, Dr. Caroline Leaf gives readers a prescription for better health and wholeness through correct thinking patterns, declaring that we are not victims of our biology. She shares with readers the "switch" in our brains that enables us to live happier, healthier, more enjoyable lives where we achieve our goals, maintain our weight, and even become more intelligent. She shows us how to choose life, get our minds under control, and reap the benefits of a detoxed thought life.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
7,607 people are currently reading
12.4k people want to read
About the author
Caroline Leaf
52books675followersDr. Caroline Leaf is a cognitive neuroscientist with a PhD in Communication Pathology specializing in Neuropsychology. Since the early 1980‘s she has studied and researched the Mind-Brain connection. During her years in clinical practice as a Communication Pathologist she developed tools and processes that help people develop and change their thinking and subsequent behavior. Her scientific Science of Thought techniques have transformed the lives of patients with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), learning disabilities, emotional traumas and released the potential of thousands of young students and adults.
She has presented her unique Switch On Your Brain with the 5-Step Learning Process® and the Metacognitive-Map� learning tool to thousands of students worldwide.
She developed the Geodesic Learning� theory (how we think and process information) that has been conservatively shown to increase thinking, behavioral and academic performance by 35-75%. This revolutionary theory explains the Science of Thought, stating how thoughts form, how we process information and the power of the non-conscious mind and the relationship between the non-conscious and conscious. It explains that everything you do is first a physical thought in the physical brain. You think, and then you do, which cycles back to the original thought, changing it, and the thoughts connected to it, in a dynamic interrelationship. Therefore if your thinking is toxic, then your communication and behavior are toxic, and vice versa.
She has published numerous articles in academic journals and consumer magazines and has been widely interviewed in newspapers, on radio shows, and on television shows about her research and theories.
She has her own weekly TV show called "Switch On Your Brain" airing on TBN.
She frequently lectures to both Christian and secular audiences worldwide, linking scientific principles of the brain to spiritual, intellectual and emotional issues in simple and practical ways. She speaks on diverse topics relating to optimal thinking, and hence, brain performance, including:
1. Thinking and learning
2. Controlling your thought life
3. Managing stress
4. Eradicating toxic thoughts
5. Overcoming mental, emotional, and spiritual strongholds
6. Understanding male and female brain differences
7. Applying wisdom
8. Identifying your unique gifts
DR. CAROLINE LEAF’S DEGREES
University of Cape Town South Africa Degree of Bachelor of Science (Logopaedics) - December 1985
University of Pretoria South Africa Masters in Communication Pathology with distinction/cum laude - June 1990
University of Pretoria South Africa Doctor Philosophiae with specialization in Communication Pathology With distinction/cum laude and academic honors - May 1997
She has presented her unique Switch On Your Brain with the 5-Step Learning Process® and the Metacognitive-Map� learning tool to thousands of students worldwide.
She developed the Geodesic Learning� theory (how we think and process information) that has been conservatively shown to increase thinking, behavioral and academic performance by 35-75%. This revolutionary theory explains the Science of Thought, stating how thoughts form, how we process information and the power of the non-conscious mind and the relationship between the non-conscious and conscious. It explains that everything you do is first a physical thought in the physical brain. You think, and then you do, which cycles back to the original thought, changing it, and the thoughts connected to it, in a dynamic interrelationship. Therefore if your thinking is toxic, then your communication and behavior are toxic, and vice versa.
She has published numerous articles in academic journals and consumer magazines and has been widely interviewed in newspapers, on radio shows, and on television shows about her research and theories.
She has her own weekly TV show called "Switch On Your Brain" airing on TBN.
She frequently lectures to both Christian and secular audiences worldwide, linking scientific principles of the brain to spiritual, intellectual and emotional issues in simple and practical ways. She speaks on diverse topics relating to optimal thinking, and hence, brain performance, including:
1. Thinking and learning
2. Controlling your thought life
3. Managing stress
4. Eradicating toxic thoughts
5. Overcoming mental, emotional, and spiritual strongholds
6. Understanding male and female brain differences
7. Applying wisdom
8. Identifying your unique gifts
DR. CAROLINE LEAF’S DEGREES
University of Cape Town South Africa Degree of Bachelor of Science (Logopaedics) - December 1985
University of Pretoria South Africa Masters in Communication Pathology with distinction/cum laude - June 1990
University of Pretoria South Africa Doctor Philosophiae with specialization in Communication Pathology With distinction/cum laude and academic honors - May 1997
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 766 reviews
August 31, 2020
I found Switch on Your Brain to be a frustrating (but mercifully quick) read. Caroline Leaf's main point is that we can alter our lives for the better by changing our habitual thought patterns. According to Leaf, we can change not only our thought life, but even our DNA by the conscious redirection of negative thinking into positive thinking. Leaf repeatedly claims to be a scientist (which, ironically, always makes me wonder how true it is) and loads the chapters with a lot of surface-skimming of scientific neurological research. She is also a Christian, and she returns to the Bible more often than she turns to science to explain why certain assertions must be true.
I can't say how valid her scientific references are, though from what little I've read about neuroscience I think much of what she says is fine. But I'm more familiar with biblical scholarship, and her use of the Bible was very unimpressive. She picks out verses that seem to affirm the scientific point she's making, but with absolutely no regard for the full context of the verse or the cultural contexts of the original audiences of the Bible's writings. The Bible is much more complex and much more interesting than how Leaf presents it. Her engagement with scripture is not surprising, given the roster of television-star Christians who endorse the book. Her positive-thinking approach reminded me of Joyce Meyer (who endorses the book) and Joel Osteen (notably absent from the endorsers). The afterword is written by TBN's Matt Crouch, who manages in 3 pages to name-drop Barry Sanders, Tom Hanks, and his own network and travels. (Who is this book about again?)
The point of Switch on Your Brain is to explain the foundation of Leaf's thought-changing and healing, and then present a 5-step "21-day brain detox plan." The explanation of this plan takes only the final third of the book, and it is surprisingly vague. I've read the whole book and I have very little idea what I'm supposed to do each day of the plan. Essentially, if you're already doing a daily devotional or prayer or meditation time, you're probably doing what Leaf advocates. It's also a misnomer to call it a "21-day plan," since Leaf says that "It can take anywhere from three to four 21-day cycles to automatize the new healthy thought pattern and to make sure the toxic thought doesn't grow back" (153-154). That's convenient: Didn't work? Try another 21-day cycle!
The book is frustrating because it is unbelievably repetitive, even repeatedly printing pointless diagrams (check out p. 21 and p. 188, or pp. 44, 159, 178, and 194). Not only are the chapters repetitive, but each chapter includes a summary of the main points, which could easily take the place of reading the whole book.
My favorite part? This quote:
I can't say how valid her scientific references are, though from what little I've read about neuroscience I think much of what she says is fine. But I'm more familiar with biblical scholarship, and her use of the Bible was very unimpressive. She picks out verses that seem to affirm the scientific point she's making, but with absolutely no regard for the full context of the verse or the cultural contexts of the original audiences of the Bible's writings. The Bible is much more complex and much more interesting than how Leaf presents it. Her engagement with scripture is not surprising, given the roster of television-star Christians who endorse the book. Her positive-thinking approach reminded me of Joyce Meyer (who endorses the book) and Joel Osteen (notably absent from the endorsers). The afterword is written by TBN's Matt Crouch, who manages in 3 pages to name-drop Barry Sanders, Tom Hanks, and his own network and travels. (Who is this book about again?)
The point of Switch on Your Brain is to explain the foundation of Leaf's thought-changing and healing, and then present a 5-step "21-day brain detox plan." The explanation of this plan takes only the final third of the book, and it is surprisingly vague. I've read the whole book and I have very little idea what I'm supposed to do each day of the plan. Essentially, if you're already doing a daily devotional or prayer or meditation time, you're probably doing what Leaf advocates. It's also a misnomer to call it a "21-day plan," since Leaf says that "It can take anywhere from three to four 21-day cycles to automatize the new healthy thought pattern and to make sure the toxic thought doesn't grow back" (153-154). That's convenient: Didn't work? Try another 21-day cycle!
The book is frustrating because it is unbelievably repetitive, even repeatedly printing pointless diagrams (check out p. 21 and p. 188, or pp. 44, 159, 178, and 194). Not only are the chapters repetitive, but each chapter includes a summary of the main points, which could easily take the place of reading the whole book.
My favorite part? This quote:
Research also shows that there is a negative side to positive self-statements and affirmations, showing that individuals with low self-esteem felt worse after repeating positive self-statements. Don't become part of that statistic. (66)Hey, wait! I think that's me she's talking about, but that's all the advice she has for me: "Don't become part of that statistic"? It was hard to keep reading after that paragraph.
August 18, 2019
I apologize for the lengthy review, but I have never read a book that made me so angry!
This book was recommended to me by someone who thought I would love it because it combines science with Scripture and addresses mental health, all of which are very important to me. The problem is that it is terrible science combined with terrible theology combined with terrible mental health advice, all wrapped up in terrible writing.
If you have a friend who struggles with mental illness, PLEASE DO NOT recommend this book to them. In her first chapter, she says that treating depression with antidepressants is "biblically and scientifically incorrect." She repeatedly makes the claim that "75 to 98 percent of mental and physical illness comes from one's thought life," citing references that say no such thing but implying that if anyone struggles with ANY health issue, mental or physical, it is probably their own fault for not thinking better. She says "wrong choices cause brain damage." She cites a study on adolescents with schizophrenia symptoms to claim that if "we don't help our children and adolescents manage stress, we are potentially causing brain damage," ignoring her own earlier references to studies showing that the brains of people at high risk for schizophrenia are different from infancy (so their "brain damage" resulting in schizophrenia is not caused by teenage stress). She also blames PTSD on the person who has it because they "did not choose, process, or react correctly to the event" while they were being traumatized. Her mental health advice does far more harm than good to people who are already struggling with something they feel is largely out of their control.
Dr. Leaf is not a mental health expert, nor is she the cognitive neuroscientist that she tries to pass herself of as, nor is she an expert in gene expression or quantum physics, both of which get entire chapters in her book. She is a speech pathologist turned inspirational speaker/writer. I am not a neuroscientist nor an expert in quantum physics, but I do have a B.S. degree in psychology and chemistry (including a full year of physical chemistry/quantum physics), and a Ph.D. in biology, and I can tell you that she has a fundamental misunderstanding of nearly every field on which she writes.
She conflates "thoughts" with neurons, when thoughts are actually the results of the combined activity of multiple connected neurons (in a way that we do not fully understand). She says that neurotransmitters carry electrical impulses, when neurotransmitters actually exist because most neurons CAN'T transmit electrical impulses to each other, so they use chemical communication to fill the gap. She describes memories as branches (dendrites) that are glued (cellular adhesion molecule?) on a tree (neuron) that fall off when a toxic memory is destroyed; elsewhere, she describes memories as proteins that denature when we forget. In reality, memories, like thoughts, are the result of the ACTIVITY of connected neurons; learning occurs when those connected neurons increase the number of connections between themselves, and forgetting is the result of a decrease in connections, NOT denatured proteins, NOT dendrites coming "unglued" and falling off of a neuron (which doesn't happen at all, and isn't what CAM even does). Her only claims to being a "cognitive neuroscientist" are her master's thesis, resulting in only ONE almost-scientific article, describing ONE patient with traumatic brain injury that was helped with Dr. Leaf's combination of borrowed therapeutic techniques; and her doctoral dissertation on the "science of thought," which resulted in only ONE descriptive article that has been cited by exactly ZERO other authors. Her theory was completely ignored by the field of cognitive neuroscience and every other field.
She has an entire chapter on how we can alter gene expression with our thoughts, but she makes fundamental errors in describing how gene expression even works. She refers to RNA as "a type of protein that...makes a photocopy" of DNA. RiboNucleic Acid is a nucleic acid, NOT a protein, as any student in Biology 101 could tell you. RNA does not photocopy DNA; it IS the copy, more accurately, a negative. She cites the research of a Nobel prize winner to say that we can "choose" to switch on a gene that will cause the growth of new protein branches and store our memories (again getting the neuroscience wrong). What she doesn't mention is that the work she cites was on habituation learning by sensory neurons in the abdomen of a sea slug. It had NOTHING to do with conscious thought, episodic memory, or choice. She even says "thought networks pass through the sperm and the ova." Seriously?!?
She has an entire chapter on quantum physics, but she doesn't even get the definition right, saying that "quantum means 'energy,'" when quantum actually means "discrete quantity," and is more often used in reference to mass than to energy. She largely, if not entirely, borrows her ideas from a philosophy paper to make claims that "the basic ingredients of quantum physics are paying attention, thinking and choosing, and consequence" and that quantum mechanics proves and measures free will. The "basic ingredients" of quantum physics are actually subatomic particles, which are the only things that quantum mechanics measures. She defines the Quantum Zeno Effect, which has to do with holding a subatomic particle in a particular state by continuous measurement, as "the repeated effort that causes learning to take place." She also says that "there is no space-time dimension." I can't even...
As a scientist, I am incredibly frustrated by her mangling of nearly all scientific details, but as a Christian, I am even more frustrated by her blatant distortion of Scripture to say what she wants. Her favorite verse is Prov. 23:7, but she takes it COMPLETELY out of context. What she wants you to think the verse means: "As he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Prov. 23:7a, NKJV) What the verse, in context, actually says: "Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies, FOR HE IS LIKE ONE WHO IS INWARDLY CALCULATING. 'Eat and drink,' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." (Prov. 23:6-7, ESV) In reference to the woman who bled for 12 years until she touched the hem of Jesus' garment, Dr. Leaf praises her for applying Gen. 11:6[b], "And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them." (ESV), leaving off the first half of the verse and the context that this statement was a REPRIMAND by God to the builders of the tower of Babel. She also makes pantheistic claims at least three times "we are all part of God," "entanglement with God," and "we are part of him." Her entire book is based on the premise that we can bring ourselves "ever closer in alignment to our original design of perfection" through positive thinking with a little Jesus sprinkled in. She twists nearly all of her Scripture references to put the focus on us rather than God, and she never acknowledges that we are sinners in need of salvation by grace.
Finally, as an academic, I was frustrated initially by poor academic writing, taking information from her sources out of context to mean something different than what the authors really said, even citing sources that said nothing at all about the claims she attached the citations to. But then I realized that some of her sloppy citation was actually the result of plagiarism, copying someone else's words (and citations) without referencing her actual source or acknowledging that it was a quote and not her own words. In comparing her book to just EIGHT of her references, I found FIFTY cases of plagiarism, along with ELEVEN instances of paraphrasing another text without citing it. I have contacted the publisher about the plagiarism, but in the meantime, please invest your money elsewhere!!!
This book was recommended to me by someone who thought I would love it because it combines science with Scripture and addresses mental health, all of which are very important to me. The problem is that it is terrible science combined with terrible theology combined with terrible mental health advice, all wrapped up in terrible writing.
If you have a friend who struggles with mental illness, PLEASE DO NOT recommend this book to them. In her first chapter, she says that treating depression with antidepressants is "biblically and scientifically incorrect." She repeatedly makes the claim that "75 to 98 percent of mental and physical illness comes from one's thought life," citing references that say no such thing but implying that if anyone struggles with ANY health issue, mental or physical, it is probably their own fault for not thinking better. She says "wrong choices cause brain damage." She cites a study on adolescents with schizophrenia symptoms to claim that if "we don't help our children and adolescents manage stress, we are potentially causing brain damage," ignoring her own earlier references to studies showing that the brains of people at high risk for schizophrenia are different from infancy (so their "brain damage" resulting in schizophrenia is not caused by teenage stress). She also blames PTSD on the person who has it because they "did not choose, process, or react correctly to the event" while they were being traumatized. Her mental health advice does far more harm than good to people who are already struggling with something they feel is largely out of their control.
Dr. Leaf is not a mental health expert, nor is she the cognitive neuroscientist that she tries to pass herself of as, nor is she an expert in gene expression or quantum physics, both of which get entire chapters in her book. She is a speech pathologist turned inspirational speaker/writer. I am not a neuroscientist nor an expert in quantum physics, but I do have a B.S. degree in psychology and chemistry (including a full year of physical chemistry/quantum physics), and a Ph.D. in biology, and I can tell you that she has a fundamental misunderstanding of nearly every field on which she writes.
She conflates "thoughts" with neurons, when thoughts are actually the results of the combined activity of multiple connected neurons (in a way that we do not fully understand). She says that neurotransmitters carry electrical impulses, when neurotransmitters actually exist because most neurons CAN'T transmit electrical impulses to each other, so they use chemical communication to fill the gap. She describes memories as branches (dendrites) that are glued (cellular adhesion molecule?) on a tree (neuron) that fall off when a toxic memory is destroyed; elsewhere, she describes memories as proteins that denature when we forget. In reality, memories, like thoughts, are the result of the ACTIVITY of connected neurons; learning occurs when those connected neurons increase the number of connections between themselves, and forgetting is the result of a decrease in connections, NOT denatured proteins, NOT dendrites coming "unglued" and falling off of a neuron (which doesn't happen at all, and isn't what CAM even does). Her only claims to being a "cognitive neuroscientist" are her master's thesis, resulting in only ONE almost-scientific article, describing ONE patient with traumatic brain injury that was helped with Dr. Leaf's combination of borrowed therapeutic techniques; and her doctoral dissertation on the "science of thought," which resulted in only ONE descriptive article that has been cited by exactly ZERO other authors. Her theory was completely ignored by the field of cognitive neuroscience and every other field.
She has an entire chapter on how we can alter gene expression with our thoughts, but she makes fundamental errors in describing how gene expression even works. She refers to RNA as "a type of protein that...makes a photocopy" of DNA. RiboNucleic Acid is a nucleic acid, NOT a protein, as any student in Biology 101 could tell you. RNA does not photocopy DNA; it IS the copy, more accurately, a negative. She cites the research of a Nobel prize winner to say that we can "choose" to switch on a gene that will cause the growth of new protein branches and store our memories (again getting the neuroscience wrong). What she doesn't mention is that the work she cites was on habituation learning by sensory neurons in the abdomen of a sea slug. It had NOTHING to do with conscious thought, episodic memory, or choice. She even says "thought networks pass through the sperm and the ova." Seriously?!?
She has an entire chapter on quantum physics, but she doesn't even get the definition right, saying that "quantum means 'energy,'" when quantum actually means "discrete quantity," and is more often used in reference to mass than to energy. She largely, if not entirely, borrows her ideas from a philosophy paper to make claims that "the basic ingredients of quantum physics are paying attention, thinking and choosing, and consequence" and that quantum mechanics proves and measures free will. The "basic ingredients" of quantum physics are actually subatomic particles, which are the only things that quantum mechanics measures. She defines the Quantum Zeno Effect, which has to do with holding a subatomic particle in a particular state by continuous measurement, as "the repeated effort that causes learning to take place." She also says that "there is no space-time dimension." I can't even...
As a scientist, I am incredibly frustrated by her mangling of nearly all scientific details, but as a Christian, I am even more frustrated by her blatant distortion of Scripture to say what she wants. Her favorite verse is Prov. 23:7, but she takes it COMPLETELY out of context. What she wants you to think the verse means: "As he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Prov. 23:7a, NKJV) What the verse, in context, actually says: "Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies, FOR HE IS LIKE ONE WHO IS INWARDLY CALCULATING. 'Eat and drink,' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." (Prov. 23:6-7, ESV) In reference to the woman who bled for 12 years until she touched the hem of Jesus' garment, Dr. Leaf praises her for applying Gen. 11:6[b], "And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them." (ESV), leaving off the first half of the verse and the context that this statement was a REPRIMAND by God to the builders of the tower of Babel. She also makes pantheistic claims at least three times "we are all part of God," "entanglement with God," and "we are part of him." Her entire book is based on the premise that we can bring ourselves "ever closer in alignment to our original design of perfection" through positive thinking with a little Jesus sprinkled in. She twists nearly all of her Scripture references to put the focus on us rather than God, and she never acknowledges that we are sinners in need of salvation by grace.
Finally, as an academic, I was frustrated initially by poor academic writing, taking information from her sources out of context to mean something different than what the authors really said, even citing sources that said nothing at all about the claims she attached the citations to. But then I realized that some of her sloppy citation was actually the result of plagiarism, copying someone else's words (and citations) without referencing her actual source or acknowledging that it was a quote and not her own words. In comparing her book to just EIGHT of her references, I found FIFTY cases of plagiarism, along with ELEVEN instances of paraphrasing another text without citing it. I have contacted the publisher about the plagiarism, but in the meantime, please invest your money elsewhere!!!
January 1, 2016
I read this book twice. Wasn't a fan the first time (given the heavy biblical references) though besides those items the second time made a ton of sense. Would recommend reading.
-- NOTES --
Neurogenesis is how the brain regenerates itself
Ch01
- The mind controls the body
- We can control our reactions and choices
- Our DNA can change shapes bases on our thoughts
Ch02/03
- Pay attention to your thoughts
- You have the power to change
- Epigenetics: your choices affect your life situation
- Whatever you think about the most will grow
- Change your perception, change your life
Ch04/05
- Be mindful of your thoughts
- 5-16 minutes of daily meditation changes lives
- Meditation helps improve our life and our health
- Toxic thinking creates maladaptive cells
Ch06/07
- Multitasking is a myth
- Not multitasking can improve and discipline our thoughts
- Quantum physics is a way of making sense of how energy and our bodies work
21 day brain detox 8 keys
- Mind controls matter
- Choice and your multiple perspective advantage
- Your choices change your brain
- Catch those thoughts
- Enter into directed rest
- Stop multitasking
- Thinking, God, and the quantum physics brain
- The science of thought
Ch09
- Takes about 5-7mins
- It's a deliberate action
- Takes 21 days for the memory to form
- Automozation occurs after 3 full 21 day cycles
Ch11
- Gather awareness
- Sensory information flows into the unconscious via the five senses
- External environment
- Your memories
Ch12
- Focused reflection (Mindfulness Meditation)
- Deep intellectual thinking and a sense of self
- Meditate on knowledge
- Think, understand, and apply the wisdom
- Sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste are the five senses you want to engage if you want to learn something using different brain signals and lanes (Basel ganglia)
- Attitude influences what you say and do
- Hypothalamus responds to your thoughts and emotions. It releases chemicals and hormones via the pituitary gland
Focused reflection (Mindfulness Meditation)
- Watch your thoughts and how they are connected with each other
- It is a directed and disciplined way of thinking
- Huge activity happens when you redesign your brain via neuroplasticity
- Rehearsing your goals every day is a way to mentally rehearse how you will achieve your goals. It will integrate your thoughts to other things via protein synthesis
Writing helps you sort out your conscious and subconscious thoughts
- How to write down your thoughts
- Use a thought journal
- Be playful
- Use word associations/pics/colors/texture
- Metacog: group patterns create branches, then go down the branch as far as possible in detail. Think about the bigger picture and the details. See and evaluate your thoughts patterns.
Redesign your thoughts
You are not a victim of your biology
This step evaluates where you are going and where you are looking to get to
Workout the way forward
Visualize the end result at the end of the 21 days
This is a self reflective side of the process
It is constructive and to think deeply
This is a 21 day process and you should work through the details really deep
Action Reaches
The doing of the action reach is what makes it all happen
Make the lifestyle change
Do it at least 7x a day
Move through the sequence and believe
Summary
Focus on eliminating one toxic thought
Takes 5-7min
Active reach goes out through out the day
One brain detox cycle is 21 days
You breaking down a healthy thought
Breaking down the toxic thought takes 7-10min
Gather: 1-2 min Bring the thoughts into consciousness
Focus reflections 1-2 mins ch12
Writing 1-2 mins ch13
Active reach 1-2 mins
Revisit chapter 14
Building up the better thoughts
Gather and think of the replacement thought
Meditate on the positive
Write about the positive along the negative (ch13)
Firm in the bonds (ch14)
Active reach (ch15)
-- NOTES --
Neurogenesis is how the brain regenerates itself
Ch01
- The mind controls the body
- We can control our reactions and choices
- Our DNA can change shapes bases on our thoughts
Ch02/03
- Pay attention to your thoughts
- You have the power to change
- Epigenetics: your choices affect your life situation
- Whatever you think about the most will grow
- Change your perception, change your life
Ch04/05
- Be mindful of your thoughts
- 5-16 minutes of daily meditation changes lives
- Meditation helps improve our life and our health
- Toxic thinking creates maladaptive cells
Ch06/07
- Multitasking is a myth
- Not multitasking can improve and discipline our thoughts
- Quantum physics is a way of making sense of how energy and our bodies work
21 day brain detox 8 keys
- Mind controls matter
- Choice and your multiple perspective advantage
- Your choices change your brain
- Catch those thoughts
- Enter into directed rest
- Stop multitasking
- Thinking, God, and the quantum physics brain
- The science of thought
Ch09
- Takes about 5-7mins
- It's a deliberate action
- Takes 21 days for the memory to form
- Automozation occurs after 3 full 21 day cycles
Ch11
- Gather awareness
- Sensory information flows into the unconscious via the five senses
- External environment
- Your memories
Ch12
- Focused reflection (Mindfulness Meditation)
- Deep intellectual thinking and a sense of self
- Meditate on knowledge
- Think, understand, and apply the wisdom
- Sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste are the five senses you want to engage if you want to learn something using different brain signals and lanes (Basel ganglia)
- Attitude influences what you say and do
- Hypothalamus responds to your thoughts and emotions. It releases chemicals and hormones via the pituitary gland
Focused reflection (Mindfulness Meditation)
- Watch your thoughts and how they are connected with each other
- It is a directed and disciplined way of thinking
- Huge activity happens when you redesign your brain via neuroplasticity
- Rehearsing your goals every day is a way to mentally rehearse how you will achieve your goals. It will integrate your thoughts to other things via protein synthesis
Writing helps you sort out your conscious and subconscious thoughts
- How to write down your thoughts
- Use a thought journal
- Be playful
- Use word associations/pics/colors/texture
- Metacog: group patterns create branches, then go down the branch as far as possible in detail. Think about the bigger picture and the details. See and evaluate your thoughts patterns.
Redesign your thoughts
You are not a victim of your biology
This step evaluates where you are going and where you are looking to get to
Workout the way forward
Visualize the end result at the end of the 21 days
This is a self reflective side of the process
It is constructive and to think deeply
This is a 21 day process and you should work through the details really deep
Action Reaches
The doing of the action reach is what makes it all happen
Make the lifestyle change
Do it at least 7x a day
Move through the sequence and believe
Summary
Focus on eliminating one toxic thought
Takes 5-7min
Active reach goes out through out the day
One brain detox cycle is 21 days
You breaking down a healthy thought
Breaking down the toxic thought takes 7-10min
Gather: 1-2 min Bring the thoughts into consciousness
Focus reflections 1-2 mins ch12
Writing 1-2 mins ch13
Active reach 1-2 mins
Revisit chapter 14
Building up the better thoughts
Gather and think of the replacement thought
Meditate on the positive
Write about the positive along the negative (ch13)
Firm in the bonds (ch14)
Active reach (ch15)
January 6, 2014
I love neuroscience. I also love the Holy Scriptures. So what a surprise when Dr. Caroline Leaf, a communication pathologist in the field of cognitive neuroscience, summarizes in this book a large part of her research in recent years to link scientific principles to Scripture. Oh my word, I LOVED this book! It blends two of my favorite subjects.
I always trusted and believed God’s Word to contain wisdom and accurate statements about human behaviour and psychology. Finally, a scientist who recognizes this! Dr. Leaf states: Science is catching up with the Bible daily. How true, because God is THE greatest scientist. He created the heavens, the earth and us in it, including all the laws that govern nature, such as the law of gravity and quantum physics.
Dr. Leaf had devoted her life work, since the 1990s, in helping people see that they can renew their minds in a tangible way by learning to control their thoughts and emotions. She says that by doing this through conscious effort, we can actually change the programming and chemistry of our brain, even in the most challenging neurological situations. In other words, we are not victims of our biology or circumstances. How empowering! How hopeful and enlightening. How totally fascinating! The concept of neuroplasticity was always supported by God as stated in Romans 12:2. I knew this because of my studying the Bible for years now, but having a scientist explain the science behind Biblical principles is so gratifying. It makes me appreciate my Creator all the more.
What I also appreciated about this book is that it’s easy to read. Dr. Leaf explains neuroscience in simple terms and her use of repetition of the concepts only served to make me appreciate their value. The more I dug into this book, with highlighter and pen, jotting down notes, looking up Scriptures, the more I realized that my Bible studies have made me wiser and more intelligent because of the time I spent in deep study and meditation. In the last few years, however, because of my busy schedule I have not had the same kind of contemplative studies, and I have seen the difference in how I handle stress.
In the first part of the book, Dr. Leaf explains the science of thought and what it means to switch on your brain. In part two, Dr. Leaf has developed a 21-Day Brain Detox Plan, a practical and detailed plan that helps an individual get rid of toxic thoughts. This non-traditional therapeutic approach has helped her patients who suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury) make remarkable progress. I’ve read through the program, and I figure it won’t be easy to implement, but I plan to use it because I know I could use help getting rid of some toxic thoughts that trigger my depression and mood swings.
I have to say that if you are an individual who does not read the Bible, this book may be a little overwhelming, especially those who believe that the Bible and science don’t mix. I knew all the Scriptures she mentions in her book so I was super comfortable with her applications. Also, Dr. Leaf includes in the back of the book 10 full pages of notes and references, as well as 19 full pages of recommended reading of books and scientific articles. This is perfect for me! I highly recommend this book to anyone who calls themselves a Christian (or appreciates the Bible) and wants to explore the potential of their minds to change their lives for the better.
I always trusted and believed God’s Word to contain wisdom and accurate statements about human behaviour and psychology. Finally, a scientist who recognizes this! Dr. Leaf states: Science is catching up with the Bible daily. How true, because God is THE greatest scientist. He created the heavens, the earth and us in it, including all the laws that govern nature, such as the law of gravity and quantum physics.
Dr. Leaf had devoted her life work, since the 1990s, in helping people see that they can renew their minds in a tangible way by learning to control their thoughts and emotions. She says that by doing this through conscious effort, we can actually change the programming and chemistry of our brain, even in the most challenging neurological situations. In other words, we are not victims of our biology or circumstances. How empowering! How hopeful and enlightening. How totally fascinating! The concept of neuroplasticity was always supported by God as stated in Romans 12:2. I knew this because of my studying the Bible for years now, but having a scientist explain the science behind Biblical principles is so gratifying. It makes me appreciate my Creator all the more.
What I also appreciated about this book is that it’s easy to read. Dr. Leaf explains neuroscience in simple terms and her use of repetition of the concepts only served to make me appreciate their value. The more I dug into this book, with highlighter and pen, jotting down notes, looking up Scriptures, the more I realized that my Bible studies have made me wiser and more intelligent because of the time I spent in deep study and meditation. In the last few years, however, because of my busy schedule I have not had the same kind of contemplative studies, and I have seen the difference in how I handle stress.
In the first part of the book, Dr. Leaf explains the science of thought and what it means to switch on your brain. In part two, Dr. Leaf has developed a 21-Day Brain Detox Plan, a practical and detailed plan that helps an individual get rid of toxic thoughts. This non-traditional therapeutic approach has helped her patients who suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury) make remarkable progress. I’ve read through the program, and I figure it won’t be easy to implement, but I plan to use it because I know I could use help getting rid of some toxic thoughts that trigger my depression and mood swings.
I have to say that if you are an individual who does not read the Bible, this book may be a little overwhelming, especially those who believe that the Bible and science don’t mix. I knew all the Scriptures she mentions in her book so I was super comfortable with her applications. Also, Dr. Leaf includes in the back of the book 10 full pages of notes and references, as well as 19 full pages of recommended reading of books and scientific articles. This is perfect for me! I highly recommend this book to anyone who calls themselves a Christian (or appreciates the Bible) and wants to explore the potential of their minds to change their lives for the better.
February 22, 2016
My mom made me read this. Bullshit pseudoscience. I have no time for this nonsense I have actual books to read.
June 27, 2017
I was recommended to read Switch on Your Brain by a trusted, Jesus following colleague. As an emergency services chaplain, I work in some of the most emotionally draining environments. As a result of that work and the ongoing challenges of daily living, I found myself in need of a brain "detox." It was then my colleague advised me to read this text. I appreciate her love for me and her care for my thought life, even if I did not appreciate this book as much as she thought I'd might.
I feel a need, even if only an obligatory one, to stress my faith in Jesus and in the Scriptures. I believe with certainty that the Bible is the inerrant word of God and within its pages are found truth and power for living. I do not, however, interpret the Bible through a prosperity hermeneutic; in other words, I don't buy the "name-it-and-claim-it" theology that God wants me to be healthy and wealthy if I can muster enough faith to unleash His blessings.
It appears to me that Dr. Leaf seeks to grant academic credibility to the prosperity gospel. The long and the short of her book is that we are responsible for our thoughts. If we can capture our thoughts and replace all negativity with Bible verses and positive affirmations, then we can experience healing and emotional wellness. We can even "think" our sicknesses away by believing in the promises of the Scripture. All of our brains are clay in the potter's hands and we are potters.
Leaf's theology is entirely anthropocentric: man is the center of God's plan and any lack of wellness is the result of insufficient action on a believer's part. God is sovereign only in as much as we allow and His omnipotence is limited by the free will of man. In Leaf's view, man chooses God, God does not choose man, and God is simply cheering for positive outcomes. Leaf does not effectively address the impact of original sin and offers an offensively simplistic approach to post traumatic stress (i.e., think yourself out of it). Leaf has a very high view of man, a higher view of Scripture, a low view of God's sovereignty, and a total disregard for purposeful suffering.
Theology aside, the writing is difficult to read. Perhaps the repetition is intentional, but reading the same material (over and over and over again) is exhausting. I did some individual research on the scientific topics presented in the text (with footnotes that do not include Leaf's own name or Kenneth Copeland) and found that some of the theories presented have merit, but not nearly as much merit within the scientific community as Leaf presents. Leaf sounds as if she is so excited to see science and the Scripture align (and this is indeed exciting), but she presents theories as facts and opinions as gospel (you know, the nonreligious one). I'd respect her position more if she dealt with the opposition more effectively than citing her personal interpretation of one scripture as victory for her position.
We are responsible for what we think. Sometimes we need to see a counselor to deal with thoughts that are beyond are control. Sometimes we really do need medication (not a name-it-and-claim-it cure) for our ailments, including mental illnesses. Sometimes we really need to explore past trauma and ask God where He was during the process. And sometimes, we just need to adjust our thoughts. And for those latter moments, Dr. Leaf's theories apply. I'd respect her approach more if she didn't disqualify all the other circumstances as sinners who can't seem to conjure the faith and courage to think well enough. She may not say those words, but oh how they are implied.
I feel a need, even if only an obligatory one, to stress my faith in Jesus and in the Scriptures. I believe with certainty that the Bible is the inerrant word of God and within its pages are found truth and power for living. I do not, however, interpret the Bible through a prosperity hermeneutic; in other words, I don't buy the "name-it-and-claim-it" theology that God wants me to be healthy and wealthy if I can muster enough faith to unleash His blessings.
It appears to me that Dr. Leaf seeks to grant academic credibility to the prosperity gospel. The long and the short of her book is that we are responsible for our thoughts. If we can capture our thoughts and replace all negativity with Bible verses and positive affirmations, then we can experience healing and emotional wellness. We can even "think" our sicknesses away by believing in the promises of the Scripture. All of our brains are clay in the potter's hands and we are potters.
Leaf's theology is entirely anthropocentric: man is the center of God's plan and any lack of wellness is the result of insufficient action on a believer's part. God is sovereign only in as much as we allow and His omnipotence is limited by the free will of man. In Leaf's view, man chooses God, God does not choose man, and God is simply cheering for positive outcomes. Leaf does not effectively address the impact of original sin and offers an offensively simplistic approach to post traumatic stress (i.e., think yourself out of it). Leaf has a very high view of man, a higher view of Scripture, a low view of God's sovereignty, and a total disregard for purposeful suffering.
Theology aside, the writing is difficult to read. Perhaps the repetition is intentional, but reading the same material (over and over and over again) is exhausting. I did some individual research on the scientific topics presented in the text (with footnotes that do not include Leaf's own name or Kenneth Copeland) and found that some of the theories presented have merit, but not nearly as much merit within the scientific community as Leaf presents. Leaf sounds as if she is so excited to see science and the Scripture align (and this is indeed exciting), but she presents theories as facts and opinions as gospel (you know, the nonreligious one). I'd respect her position more if she dealt with the opposition more effectively than citing her personal interpretation of one scripture as victory for her position.
We are responsible for what we think. Sometimes we need to see a counselor to deal with thoughts that are beyond are control. Sometimes we really do need medication (not a name-it-and-claim-it cure) for our ailments, including mental illnesses. Sometimes we really need to explore past trauma and ask God where He was during the process. And sometimes, we just need to adjust our thoughts. And for those latter moments, Dr. Leaf's theories apply. I'd respect her approach more if she didn't disqualify all the other circumstances as sinners who can't seem to conjure the faith and courage to think well enough. She may not say those words, but oh how they are implied.
August 23, 2016
Reading this book brought me much anguish and self doubt. It was recommended to me by a christian friend who I believe had best interests at heart, however this book is so out of touch with people living through serious day to day mental suffering.
As a person who has suffered with OCD since I was 15 (in the form of unwanted and anxiety riddled sexual thoughts and doubt), this book only attempts to put me back as the person who is responsible for these thoughts. I spent 3 years in secrecy with my thoughts taking up most minutes of everyday life with sexual thoughts. Caroline's positive thinking approach I certainly tried over and over again thus producing more doubt within my mind and constant ruminations, searching for absolute certainty.
Caroline claims that we can out-positive our negative thinking and unwanted thoughts. Boy! I can tell you 3 years of trying to do this in my head made me more and more sick to the point of wanting to die. Caroline tells me I am what I think, 'YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK' screams out of her pages. She tells us we need to stop these negative thoughts - claiming her 21 day detox works for OCD sufferers. As someone who seeks a career in mental health and has experienced a lot of mentally ill people within and outside of the church I can tell you this is an absolutely ridiculous, scare-mongering method which only leaves the sufferer feeling more guilty for having ‘bad� ‘unwanted thoughts.
Dr. Leaf litters her work with biblical support for her claim we should never be anxious. She is selective with her work and does not include examples such as Job where God allows Job to experience circumstantial pain and suffering as well as deep mental anguish. Caroline acts to me like one of Job's companions Zophar who tells Job he needs to pray more and is not repenting enough or Eliphaz who hounds Job with guilt: "Are God's consolations not enought for you?" (Job 15:11). Eliphaz blames Job for his suffering declaring he has shaken his fist at God. Job responds to Eliphaz that: "you are miserable comforters, all of you! Will your long-winded speeches never end?" (Job 16: 3) Job also responds to Zophar "I desire to speak to the almighty and to argue my case with God. You however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!" (Job 13:3-4). Job's 'spirit is broken', his days are 'cut short' and the grave awaits him (Job 17:1). Job is seriously depressed in modern language and needs love and compassion, not the voice of someone telling him he is not doing enough of this, that or the other. The ending of Job ends with the Lord declaring his absolute power and control. He then says to Eliphaz: � I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has" God declares these men need to make many sacrifices in repentence to him. The book of Job ends with these friends now comfoingt and consoling Job after all he has been through because of what the Lord has spoken.
Caroline to me is Eliphaz - burdening Job with more and more condemnation claimed to be from the Lord, instead of comforting and embracing him in the knowledge we are all weak and in need. Eliphaz claims to know the Lords will in Job's suffering but the Lord rebukes his words as lies because he has arrogantly declared that he knows the way for Job to restore favour with God.
In a similar way, a mental health sufferer does not need to feel inadequate because they have not been able to activate their brain in 21 days with the methods Dr Leaf uses. God is far greater I'm afraid than Caroline's research and if he is not performing dramatic healing on a person's life it is He who only can know fully why.
This book is entirely unsympathetic to those who need love and support - reinforcing deep feelings of guilt which the sufferer probably already experiences with words such as: "You have RESPONSIBILTY for your thoughts" "You are YOUR thoughts" "positive thinking can change the negative". I can tell you for a fact that I did not have responsibility for my sexual intrusive thoughts - i did not actively think them - they came into my mind without want and tormented me. To tell me it is my responsibility undoes all what therapy has taught me about accepting the unknown and not seeking absolute certainty in order to break free of these mental struggles. In fact, allowing doubt to be there as opposed to constantly spending every second of the day trying to get rid of it has been incredibly healing. As my specialist OCD therapist has said: Compusive behaviour - trying to control everything in the mind, only makes obsessions worse.
Caroline also writes: "Research also shows that there is a negative side to positive self-statements and affirmations, showing that individuals with low self-esteem felt worse after repeating positive self-statements. Don't become part of that statistic (pg 66)" I read a response to this by ‘Neil Couter� on goodreads,com who says words to the effect of: 'oh wait that's me then, repeating positive self affirmations makes me feel worse. What can I do about it when all the advice you have for me is not to become part of that statistic!!" This made me laugh and comforted me with the knowledge that we can’t out-positive our negative thinking and in fact trying to STOP the brain thinking negatively with constant positive thoughts CAN make us feel 100 times worse and like we're fighting a losing battle!
Dr Leaf clearly has clearly never experienced deep mental anguish which has perpetuated her life for a long period of time. After researching her further I discovered she is not even trained in psychiatry, psychology or medicine! She is a scientist with great things to say about the brain's neuroplasticity and how the mind can reshape the brain. Despite this a 21 day detox is a very simplified response to the various sufferings of individuals with mental illness.
Another serious problem with Caroline’s theology is that she proved a works based theology � (you need to do this so you will be mentally good and free of anxiety and DOING these thing will please the lord). Does she forget we live in a fallen world and anxiety is a consequence of that? If her work doesn't resonate with you or the 21 day detox does not 'switch on your brain' as it promises you are made to feel like a failed christian! Someone who has not been able to work towards something which God wants us to do. No. Paul tells us now there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus and we are all loved by him ESPECIALLY in our brokenness and weakness which Paul boasts in. It is God's grace that delivers us, not our works. We are set free from condemnation and guilt by HIS work on the cross, NOT by resetting our thoughts by our own attempts! We are screw ups - Caroline may perfectly work to build positive proteins in the brain but I'm afraid we are not all so perfectly able! There is no quick fix to mental illness - there is not a one fit for all response.
I apologise for mistakes in my writing here but this book has made me doubt my worth before the Lord and that I am doing something wrong and need to do x,y,z to improve myself. This book made me feel not worthy before God and challenged my therapy of accepting doubt (which has been very healing for me and God-given in my view). For OCD sufferers striving for absolute mental clarity and certainty only causes more uncertainty in our pursuit for perfect mental clarity which is unatable for all in this life. God is the only constant we can rely on who is never-changing. Our brains however are not.
As a person who has suffered with OCD since I was 15 (in the form of unwanted and anxiety riddled sexual thoughts and doubt), this book only attempts to put me back as the person who is responsible for these thoughts. I spent 3 years in secrecy with my thoughts taking up most minutes of everyday life with sexual thoughts. Caroline's positive thinking approach I certainly tried over and over again thus producing more doubt within my mind and constant ruminations, searching for absolute certainty.
Caroline claims that we can out-positive our negative thinking and unwanted thoughts. Boy! I can tell you 3 years of trying to do this in my head made me more and more sick to the point of wanting to die. Caroline tells me I am what I think, 'YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK' screams out of her pages. She tells us we need to stop these negative thoughts - claiming her 21 day detox works for OCD sufferers. As someone who seeks a career in mental health and has experienced a lot of mentally ill people within and outside of the church I can tell you this is an absolutely ridiculous, scare-mongering method which only leaves the sufferer feeling more guilty for having ‘bad� ‘unwanted thoughts.
Dr. Leaf litters her work with biblical support for her claim we should never be anxious. She is selective with her work and does not include examples such as Job where God allows Job to experience circumstantial pain and suffering as well as deep mental anguish. Caroline acts to me like one of Job's companions Zophar who tells Job he needs to pray more and is not repenting enough or Eliphaz who hounds Job with guilt: "Are God's consolations not enought for you?" (Job 15:11). Eliphaz blames Job for his suffering declaring he has shaken his fist at God. Job responds to Eliphaz that: "you are miserable comforters, all of you! Will your long-winded speeches never end?" (Job 16: 3) Job also responds to Zophar "I desire to speak to the almighty and to argue my case with God. You however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!" (Job 13:3-4). Job's 'spirit is broken', his days are 'cut short' and the grave awaits him (Job 17:1). Job is seriously depressed in modern language and needs love and compassion, not the voice of someone telling him he is not doing enough of this, that or the other. The ending of Job ends with the Lord declaring his absolute power and control. He then says to Eliphaz: � I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has" God declares these men need to make many sacrifices in repentence to him. The book of Job ends with these friends now comfoingt and consoling Job after all he has been through because of what the Lord has spoken.
Caroline to me is Eliphaz - burdening Job with more and more condemnation claimed to be from the Lord, instead of comforting and embracing him in the knowledge we are all weak and in need. Eliphaz claims to know the Lords will in Job's suffering but the Lord rebukes his words as lies because he has arrogantly declared that he knows the way for Job to restore favour with God.
In a similar way, a mental health sufferer does not need to feel inadequate because they have not been able to activate their brain in 21 days with the methods Dr Leaf uses. God is far greater I'm afraid than Caroline's research and if he is not performing dramatic healing on a person's life it is He who only can know fully why.
This book is entirely unsympathetic to those who need love and support - reinforcing deep feelings of guilt which the sufferer probably already experiences with words such as: "You have RESPONSIBILTY for your thoughts" "You are YOUR thoughts" "positive thinking can change the negative". I can tell you for a fact that I did not have responsibility for my sexual intrusive thoughts - i did not actively think them - they came into my mind without want and tormented me. To tell me it is my responsibility undoes all what therapy has taught me about accepting the unknown and not seeking absolute certainty in order to break free of these mental struggles. In fact, allowing doubt to be there as opposed to constantly spending every second of the day trying to get rid of it has been incredibly healing. As my specialist OCD therapist has said: Compusive behaviour - trying to control everything in the mind, only makes obsessions worse.
Caroline also writes: "Research also shows that there is a negative side to positive self-statements and affirmations, showing that individuals with low self-esteem felt worse after repeating positive self-statements. Don't become part of that statistic (pg 66)" I read a response to this by ‘Neil Couter� on goodreads,com who says words to the effect of: 'oh wait that's me then, repeating positive self affirmations makes me feel worse. What can I do about it when all the advice you have for me is not to become part of that statistic!!" This made me laugh and comforted me with the knowledge that we can’t out-positive our negative thinking and in fact trying to STOP the brain thinking negatively with constant positive thoughts CAN make us feel 100 times worse and like we're fighting a losing battle!
Dr Leaf clearly has clearly never experienced deep mental anguish which has perpetuated her life for a long period of time. After researching her further I discovered she is not even trained in psychiatry, psychology or medicine! She is a scientist with great things to say about the brain's neuroplasticity and how the mind can reshape the brain. Despite this a 21 day detox is a very simplified response to the various sufferings of individuals with mental illness.
Another serious problem with Caroline’s theology is that she proved a works based theology � (you need to do this so you will be mentally good and free of anxiety and DOING these thing will please the lord). Does she forget we live in a fallen world and anxiety is a consequence of that? If her work doesn't resonate with you or the 21 day detox does not 'switch on your brain' as it promises you are made to feel like a failed christian! Someone who has not been able to work towards something which God wants us to do. No. Paul tells us now there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus and we are all loved by him ESPECIALLY in our brokenness and weakness which Paul boasts in. It is God's grace that delivers us, not our works. We are set free from condemnation and guilt by HIS work on the cross, NOT by resetting our thoughts by our own attempts! We are screw ups - Caroline may perfectly work to build positive proteins in the brain but I'm afraid we are not all so perfectly able! There is no quick fix to mental illness - there is not a one fit for all response.
I apologise for mistakes in my writing here but this book has made me doubt my worth before the Lord and that I am doing something wrong and need to do x,y,z to improve myself. This book made me feel not worthy before God and challenged my therapy of accepting doubt (which has been very healing for me and God-given in my view). For OCD sufferers striving for absolute mental clarity and certainty only causes more uncertainty in our pursuit for perfect mental clarity which is unatable for all in this life. God is the only constant we can rely on who is never-changing. Our brains however are not.
August 16, 2014
Ever tried to put on your old jeans and realised just how much your body has changed since the last time you put them on? Sure, if you tried hard enough, you could get them on, but they would be tight, restrictive and just plain uncomfortable. In this book, Dr Leaf has taken a whole body of new scientific information on thoughts and stress, and tried to writhe and wriggle them into her old theories that she's hung onto from several decades ago.
Dr Leaf presents a number of theories of hers about thinking, mental illness, attention, epigenetics and quantum theory. She claims that 75 to 98% of our health problems are related to thought life, that our minds control our brain, that we can change matter with our minds, that thoughts move faster than light, that stress is a killer, that the choices we make are photocopied into our DNA and passed onto our children and grandchildren, and that depression and other mental health are simply the result of poor choices we make.
Unfortunately, such claims lay in stark contrast to the basics of the medical and physical sciences. Our minds are a product of our brain, not the other way around. We certainly can not use our minds to change matter. Our thoughts don't change our DNA. Her claims are pseudoscience.
A case in point is her claim that 75 to 98% of our health problems are thought related. The sources of information that supposedly validate her statements are biased, out of date, misquoted, or just out-and-out contradictory. Yet this claim is a key tenet in her argument of the importance of thoughts.
My recommendation: Read the book if you want, but do so with an open mind. Look for alternative sources of information. Don't take Dr Leaf's opinion at face value.
Dr Leaf presents a number of theories of hers about thinking, mental illness, attention, epigenetics and quantum theory. She claims that 75 to 98% of our health problems are related to thought life, that our minds control our brain, that we can change matter with our minds, that thoughts move faster than light, that stress is a killer, that the choices we make are photocopied into our DNA and passed onto our children and grandchildren, and that depression and other mental health are simply the result of poor choices we make.
Unfortunately, such claims lay in stark contrast to the basics of the medical and physical sciences. Our minds are a product of our brain, not the other way around. We certainly can not use our minds to change matter. Our thoughts don't change our DNA. Her claims are pseudoscience.
A case in point is her claim that 75 to 98% of our health problems are thought related. The sources of information that supposedly validate her statements are biased, out of date, misquoted, or just out-and-out contradictory. Yet this claim is a key tenet in her argument of the importance of thoughts.
My recommendation: Read the book if you want, but do so with an open mind. Look for alternative sources of information. Don't take Dr Leaf's opinion at face value.
October 24, 2013
I was impressed with this book. She has done a great job of correlation recent brain science with biblical commands, such as renewing your mind. The understanding now that the brain can be changed - neuropasticity - means that renewing the mind is a scientific reality. It takes about 21 days to create integrated long term memory, hence the 21 day plan. Since so many issues people have today are caused by wrong thinking, this is a valuable book. See my full review at .
June 4, 2014
An illuminating read. I firmly believe in the truths Leaf relates here. My main issue with her 21 day detox regime, though, is how obscure it felt. I feel like instruction on actually carrying the process out was lacking, and I'm still not entirely sure how to do it, despite her outlining of the steps. I think I need clearer examples of such a regime, because the mind is an obscure black hole of a thing. I love the science of psychology too, but I feel like in this book she was too wrapped up in convincing people about physiological change in the brain and will power (I am already fully convinced of these things, so it was tiring to hear it repeated over and over, though I'm aware that some people really do need that much convincing), and though the science behind all this was sound, it was somewhat distracting.
This book has helped me to become more conscious of my thoughtlife, and I hope I can get into the habit of catching them before they do more damage than they're worth.
This book has helped me to become more conscious of my thoughtlife, and I hope I can get into the habit of catching them before they do more damage than they're worth.
February 10, 2017
I generally like topics such as this book, but I didn't like the presentation of the material. First, the preamble was excessive. I wanted her to get to the point much sooner. Second, the techno-speak was annoying. I am an intelligent person but I don't want to have to figure out scientific words and then translate into words I can relate to. I was turned off when "satin's lies" were interjected in the middle, which seemed out of context and inappropriate. Overall, not a book I will recommend to others.
June 2, 2018
I was really excited to get this book. But I quickly had red flags appear when Chapter 1 was basically the same as the Introduction. Some of it word for word. I persevered however, but it did not get any better. So much repetition and meaningless gobbledygook. I kept going thinking I will get to the "how to do this" eventually. Which in the end could be summed up in two pages. And even then the two pages of instructions involved having to go back to previous chapters. It was a waste of time for me. So badly written.
September 27, 2013
I think I'm too dumb to get this book. Well, at least I tried to engage my Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum but I think I need more myelin sheath.
May 5, 2017
I think that the basic premise of this book is noteworthy and worthy of further exploration. That begin said, as someone with both a science and ministry background, I felt that four aspects of Dr. Leaf's efforts fell significantly short.
First, parts of the book were overly technical for the targeted audience. Second, I'm not a neuroscientist, but I suspect that at least some of the science was more theory than proven fact. Third, I felt that many of the Scriptural references were taken out of context and clumsily applied to support her points. Finally, I found the actual steps of the 21-day plan to be murky to the point that I reread them and still came away wondering.
If the reader can move beyond these issues, however, I believe that this book is worthy thoughtful consideration. At its heart are some very powerful and challenging ideas.
First, parts of the book were overly technical for the targeted audience. Second, I'm not a neuroscientist, but I suspect that at least some of the science was more theory than proven fact. Third, I felt that many of the Scriptural references were taken out of context and clumsily applied to support her points. Finally, I found the actual steps of the 21-day plan to be murky to the point that I reread them and still came away wondering.
If the reader can move beyond these issues, however, I believe that this book is worthy thoughtful consideration. At its heart are some very powerful and challenging ideas.
July 22, 2017
This book and the help of the woman who suggested it has been a life changer for me. The past few years struggle with CPTSD has been very real and hard for me. God has brought me a long way. For the first time in my life, I truly understand I am brilliant and beautiful. I can't be anything else. I'm created in HIS image and I'm walking HIS path, following HIM and HIS word. This is awesome! I have begun rewiring my brain through the 21 Day Brain Detox and will continue until either HE calls me home or comes to get me. Buy this book. Read it. Use it. Give it as gifts. People need this information!
February 1, 2019
Finished !
I really enjoyed Bruce Lipton's books and have just bought this one by Carol Leaf .
Our cells HAVE BEEN SHOWN in peer reviewed experiments to alter the way they reproduce according the extra cellular environment (chemical/hormonal ). These scientific observations shows that is NOT the genes we are born with as much as the hormonal environment we immerse them in that determines the characteristics (healthy of unhealthy) subsequent generations of cells in our bodies .
"The Plastic Brain --That changes itself"(neuroplasticity) also observes changes in our brain cells and how they connect with each other based on how we use our cells and the hormonal environment we immerse them in . These scientific observances show that keeping our thoughts pure and focused on positive goals definitely cumulates in increasing our capacity to do good and feel good
Now Im 20% into the book and I want to say :
1) So Far Dr Leaf has pointed it that the thoughts we choose to think whether happy or sad , loving or hateful, virtuous or vicious, positive or negative, pure or impure , high or low , Godly or Satanic shape what we are much more than our genes and that we have free will to think HIGHER rather than LOWER thoughts. ( GREAT STUFF!) But the point she has NOT touched on it that their si a MUCH MORE EFFICACIOUS way to clean our mind from toxic dysfunctional thoughts and transform it into a shiny mirror that reflects God's Love , Capability and Wisdom in all we do , think and feel and that MUCH MORE EFFICACIOUS way is to eliminate ALL THOUGHTS (good or evil) from the mind and fill the mind with God's Love , Power and wisdom by listening to the RINGING RADIANCE of the Holy Spirit which is audible in every human being as a sweet unending sound . If we cease all thinking and listen attentively to this inner non physical sound we will absorb its virtues and energy . This is the most rapid way to transform a human mind from a beastly destructive entity into a divine constructive one. It is as if we were tapping into God's consciousness and downloading it into our mind - while simultaneously - deleting all negative toxic thinking . ( for more info on Surat Shabd Yoga see )
Dr Leaf emphasizes that our mind is above our brain but fails to grasp that the SPIRIT OF GOD is above our mind nor that it can be consciously contacted via surat shabd yoga.
Still I love her stand on shaping what we are via our thinking since we cant listen to the shabd all 24 hours . Also, by thinking Godly thoughts can attune our mind to to hear the "shabd" better at the time of our meditation (but while meditating on the spirit of God -all thought should cease and one should be 100% attentive to the divine music which is cleansing one.)
2) Dr Leaf speaks of free will or no free will as if there is no in between. Obviously what we have done in the past CONDITIONS our free will so it is no longer entirely free . It does behoove us however to think and act in a Godly way so that our future conditioning is in a Godly direction.
(NOTE : our food also conditions our mind . It can be sattvic(tranquility producing ) ,rajastic ( resteness producing) or tamasic ( sleep producing) .
In the philosophy of Yoga, all matter in the universe arises from the fundamental substrate called Prakriti. From this ethereal Prakriti the three primary gunas (qualities) emerge creating the essential aspects of all nature—energy, matter and consciousness. These three gunas are tamas (darkness), rajas (activity), and sattva (beingness).All three gunas are always present in all beings and objects surrounding us but vary in their relative amounts. We humans have the unique ability to consciously alter the levels of the gunas in our bodies and minds. The gunas cannot be separated or removed in oneself, but can be consciously acted upon to encourage their increase or decrease. A guna can be increased or decreased through the interaction and influence of external objects, lifestyle practices and thoughts.
Tamas is a state of darkness, inertia, inactivity and materiality. Tamas manifests from ignorance and deludes all beings from their spiritual truths. To reduce tamas avoid tamasic foods, over sleeping, over eating, inactivity, passivity and fearful situations. Tamasic foods include heavy meats, and foods that are spoiled, chemically treated, processed or refined.
Rajas is a state of energy, action, change and movement. The nature of rajas is of attraction, longing and attachment and rajas strongly binds us to the fruits of our work. To reduce rajas avoid rajasic foods, over exercising, over work, loud music, excessive thinking and consuming excessive material goods. Rajasic foods include fried foods, spicy foods, and stimulants.
Sattva is a state of harmony, balance, joy and intelligence. Sattva is the guna that yogi/nis achive towards as it reduces rajas and tamas and thus makes liberation possible. To increase sattva reduce both rajas and tamas, eat sattvic foods and enjoy activities and environments that produce joy and positive thoughts. Sattvic foods include whole grains and legumes and fresh fruits and vegetables. All of the yogic practices were developed to create sattva in the mind and body. Thus, practicing yoga and leading a yogic lifestyle strongly cultivates sattva.
The mind’s psychological qualities are highly unstable and can quickly fluctuate between the different gunas. The predominate guna of the mind acts as a lens that effects our perceptions and perspective of the world around us. Thus, if the mind is in rajas it will experience world events as chaotic, confusing and demanding and it will react to these events in a rajasic way.
All gunas create attachment and thus bind one’s self to the ego. “When one rises above the three gunas that originate in the body; one is freed from birth, old age, disease, and death; and attains enlightenment� (Bhagavad Gita 14.20).
So why not eat a sattvic diet and make things easier ?
Sattvic foods are soothing, nourishing and promote and maintain a quiet, steady mind as well as help to sharpen your intellect and give you a greater sense of empathy. Sattvic foods are vegetarian and do not include foods derived from animals that have been harmed in any way. It is important that foods are grown naturally and do not contain preservatives, artificial flavors, or additives.
A sattvic diet generally consists of:
fresh, organic fruit and vegetables
whole grains and nuts
dairy products such as milk and ghee
beans and lentils
plant-based oils
mildly sweet foods (natural, unrefined sugars), honey, molasses
spices such as cinnamon, basil, coriander, ginger and turmeric
In addition to fresh, organic, whole foods, a sattvic diet requires the energy and intention within your kitchen to be a calm and pleasant atmosphere for food preparation. Preparing your food with mindfulness, care and love will create energetic vibrations that are absorbed by the food you are preparing and will enter your body during digestion. The quality of your food is greatly enhanced by loving attention, including how the vegetables are cut, how the spices are ground and the way you add ingredients to the dish you are preparing.
It is important to remember that a sattvic diet is intended to improve the mind.
(more coming )
Im back --now I'm 210 of 241
So at the core of Dr Leaf's book is that it is our CHOICE what type of impressions we allow into our mind --the company we keep , the books we read, the movies and videos we watch . Because the impressions on our mind give rise to thoughts and our thoughts determine what we become positive and constructive or negative and destructive , functional or dysfunctional , purer or impure , Godly or satanic . Dr Leaf EMPHASIZES that once a negative thought arises from our "unconscious mind" we are to recognise it as undesirable and CHOOSE to think of something else .
What we think creates impressions on our mind even more potently than what we see, hear , taste , small and touch.
Dr Leaf has what she calls a 21 day program for correcting negative adaptions to our brain resulting from a recurring negative thought or genre of thought. For 21 days we are to dwell on the positive opposite of that negative thought. She says that after 21 days our brian will be "hardwired " to think the positive virtue which is the opposite of that vice .
My comments about her 21 day time frame are that this is a lifer long struggle and we should never let our guard down because --"the enemy* "will stop attacking us to lull us into a sense of complacency and then try to pull us down into the filth. So its not a 21 day program its a life long struggle. making it 21 days without caving to a negative trait is definitely a significant victory in a lifer long battle. (* Satan, Kal or what ever you want to call the "negative power" --- whose job it is to make sure we can not enter the pure positive planes of consciousness until we've purified our minds of negativity and who therefore assails us with temptations from time to time. Satan or Kal serves as a sparring partner to strengthen our higher mind's upwards yearnings and strengthen its power of resistance . Satan's challenge is necessary for our evolution into superior beings )
The only real flaw I can see in Dr Leaf's approach is that it is TOO self analytical or diagnostic > for example she says " Ask yourself "What am I thinking , feeling now ? what is my attitude now ? am I fearful? or loving ? Do I feel relaxed or threatened and tense ? " This self analysis is NOT necessary of desirable for "detoxing" and rewiring the brain on the contrary it distracts from the positive focus on the ideal we are heading towards and diverts us back to what we are trying to rise above .
On my spiritual path we have a saying " don't curse the darkness - Light the candle" If we are feeling "dark" then all we have to do is focus on the "light" and the darkness automatically vanishes. So i would advise readers not to pay much attention to any particular defect and just stay focussed on the positive then all negatives will automatically vanish with no need for much introspection .
I really enjoyed Bruce Lipton's books and have just bought this one by Carol Leaf .
Our cells HAVE BEEN SHOWN in peer reviewed experiments to alter the way they reproduce according the extra cellular environment (chemical/hormonal ). These scientific observations shows that is NOT the genes we are born with as much as the hormonal environment we immerse them in that determines the characteristics (healthy of unhealthy) subsequent generations of cells in our bodies .
"The Plastic Brain --That changes itself"(neuroplasticity) also observes changes in our brain cells and how they connect with each other based on how we use our cells and the hormonal environment we immerse them in . These scientific observances show that keeping our thoughts pure and focused on positive goals definitely cumulates in increasing our capacity to do good and feel good
Now Im 20% into the book and I want to say :
1) So Far Dr Leaf has pointed it that the thoughts we choose to think whether happy or sad , loving or hateful, virtuous or vicious, positive or negative, pure or impure , high or low , Godly or Satanic shape what we are much more than our genes and that we have free will to think HIGHER rather than LOWER thoughts. ( GREAT STUFF!) But the point she has NOT touched on it that their si a MUCH MORE EFFICACIOUS way to clean our mind from toxic dysfunctional thoughts and transform it into a shiny mirror that reflects God's Love , Capability and Wisdom in all we do , think and feel and that MUCH MORE EFFICACIOUS way is to eliminate ALL THOUGHTS (good or evil) from the mind and fill the mind with God's Love , Power and wisdom by listening to the RINGING RADIANCE of the Holy Spirit which is audible in every human being as a sweet unending sound . If we cease all thinking and listen attentively to this inner non physical sound we will absorb its virtues and energy . This is the most rapid way to transform a human mind from a beastly destructive entity into a divine constructive one. It is as if we were tapping into God's consciousness and downloading it into our mind - while simultaneously - deleting all negative toxic thinking . ( for more info on Surat Shabd Yoga see )
Dr Leaf emphasizes that our mind is above our brain but fails to grasp that the SPIRIT OF GOD is above our mind nor that it can be consciously contacted via surat shabd yoga.
Still I love her stand on shaping what we are via our thinking since we cant listen to the shabd all 24 hours . Also, by thinking Godly thoughts can attune our mind to to hear the "shabd" better at the time of our meditation (but while meditating on the spirit of God -all thought should cease and one should be 100% attentive to the divine music which is cleansing one.)
2) Dr Leaf speaks of free will or no free will as if there is no in between. Obviously what we have done in the past CONDITIONS our free will so it is no longer entirely free . It does behoove us however to think and act in a Godly way so that our future conditioning is in a Godly direction.
(NOTE : our food also conditions our mind . It can be sattvic(tranquility producing ) ,rajastic ( resteness producing) or tamasic ( sleep producing) .
In the philosophy of Yoga, all matter in the universe arises from the fundamental substrate called Prakriti. From this ethereal Prakriti the three primary gunas (qualities) emerge creating the essential aspects of all nature—energy, matter and consciousness. These three gunas are tamas (darkness), rajas (activity), and sattva (beingness).All three gunas are always present in all beings and objects surrounding us but vary in their relative amounts. We humans have the unique ability to consciously alter the levels of the gunas in our bodies and minds. The gunas cannot be separated or removed in oneself, but can be consciously acted upon to encourage their increase or decrease. A guna can be increased or decreased through the interaction and influence of external objects, lifestyle practices and thoughts.
Tamas is a state of darkness, inertia, inactivity and materiality. Tamas manifests from ignorance and deludes all beings from their spiritual truths. To reduce tamas avoid tamasic foods, over sleeping, over eating, inactivity, passivity and fearful situations. Tamasic foods include heavy meats, and foods that are spoiled, chemically treated, processed or refined.
Rajas is a state of energy, action, change and movement. The nature of rajas is of attraction, longing and attachment and rajas strongly binds us to the fruits of our work. To reduce rajas avoid rajasic foods, over exercising, over work, loud music, excessive thinking and consuming excessive material goods. Rajasic foods include fried foods, spicy foods, and stimulants.
Sattva is a state of harmony, balance, joy and intelligence. Sattva is the guna that yogi/nis achive towards as it reduces rajas and tamas and thus makes liberation possible. To increase sattva reduce both rajas and tamas, eat sattvic foods and enjoy activities and environments that produce joy and positive thoughts. Sattvic foods include whole grains and legumes and fresh fruits and vegetables. All of the yogic practices were developed to create sattva in the mind and body. Thus, practicing yoga and leading a yogic lifestyle strongly cultivates sattva.
The mind’s psychological qualities are highly unstable and can quickly fluctuate between the different gunas. The predominate guna of the mind acts as a lens that effects our perceptions and perspective of the world around us. Thus, if the mind is in rajas it will experience world events as chaotic, confusing and demanding and it will react to these events in a rajasic way.
All gunas create attachment and thus bind one’s self to the ego. “When one rises above the three gunas that originate in the body; one is freed from birth, old age, disease, and death; and attains enlightenment� (Bhagavad Gita 14.20).
So why not eat a sattvic diet and make things easier ?
Sattvic foods are soothing, nourishing and promote and maintain a quiet, steady mind as well as help to sharpen your intellect and give you a greater sense of empathy. Sattvic foods are vegetarian and do not include foods derived from animals that have been harmed in any way. It is important that foods are grown naturally and do not contain preservatives, artificial flavors, or additives.
A sattvic diet generally consists of:
fresh, organic fruit and vegetables
whole grains and nuts
dairy products such as milk and ghee
beans and lentils
plant-based oils
mildly sweet foods (natural, unrefined sugars), honey, molasses
spices such as cinnamon, basil, coriander, ginger and turmeric
In addition to fresh, organic, whole foods, a sattvic diet requires the energy and intention within your kitchen to be a calm and pleasant atmosphere for food preparation. Preparing your food with mindfulness, care and love will create energetic vibrations that are absorbed by the food you are preparing and will enter your body during digestion. The quality of your food is greatly enhanced by loving attention, including how the vegetables are cut, how the spices are ground and the way you add ingredients to the dish you are preparing.
It is important to remember that a sattvic diet is intended to improve the mind.
(more coming )
Im back --now I'm 210 of 241
So at the core of Dr Leaf's book is that it is our CHOICE what type of impressions we allow into our mind --the company we keep , the books we read, the movies and videos we watch . Because the impressions on our mind give rise to thoughts and our thoughts determine what we become positive and constructive or negative and destructive , functional or dysfunctional , purer or impure , Godly or satanic . Dr Leaf EMPHASIZES that once a negative thought arises from our "unconscious mind" we are to recognise it as undesirable and CHOOSE to think of something else .
What we think creates impressions on our mind even more potently than what we see, hear , taste , small and touch.
Dr Leaf has what she calls a 21 day program for correcting negative adaptions to our brain resulting from a recurring negative thought or genre of thought. For 21 days we are to dwell on the positive opposite of that negative thought. She says that after 21 days our brian will be "hardwired " to think the positive virtue which is the opposite of that vice .
My comments about her 21 day time frame are that this is a lifer long struggle and we should never let our guard down because --"the enemy* "will stop attacking us to lull us into a sense of complacency and then try to pull us down into the filth. So its not a 21 day program its a life long struggle. making it 21 days without caving to a negative trait is definitely a significant victory in a lifer long battle. (* Satan, Kal or what ever you want to call the "negative power" --- whose job it is to make sure we can not enter the pure positive planes of consciousness until we've purified our minds of negativity and who therefore assails us with temptations from time to time. Satan or Kal serves as a sparring partner to strengthen our higher mind's upwards yearnings and strengthen its power of resistance . Satan's challenge is necessary for our evolution into superior beings )
The only real flaw I can see in Dr Leaf's approach is that it is TOO self analytical or diagnostic > for example she says " Ask yourself "What am I thinking , feeling now ? what is my attitude now ? am I fearful? or loving ? Do I feel relaxed or threatened and tense ? " This self analysis is NOT necessary of desirable for "detoxing" and rewiring the brain on the contrary it distracts from the positive focus on the ideal we are heading towards and diverts us back to what we are trying to rise above .
On my spiritual path we have a saying " don't curse the darkness - Light the candle" If we are feeling "dark" then all we have to do is focus on the "light" and the darkness automatically vanishes. So i would advise readers not to pay much attention to any particular defect and just stay focussed on the positive then all negatives will automatically vanish with no need for much introspection .
September 11, 2017
So someone recommended this book on Facebook and I am a person who loves self-reflection so I got it. It was a very disappointing read I'm afraid.
The 21-Day Thought Detox is purported to be the gold nugget in the book. It takes 200 pages of "research" that has been twisted and bent in a garish attempt to fit with Christian scripture to get to the "detox", which fills a whopping 2 pages. The detox is nothing new and there wasn't even an attempt to make it new. It was as if all the energy was spent trying to tie all the big words from a first year university Psych class to Christian scripture and no time was left for the actual point of the book. The whole book was presented as evidence for why this 2-page detox is going to work and the detox was simply meditation and mindfulness and writing it down - everyday for 21 days. I am left wondering why I needed the anatomy lesson on the brain and 73 mentions of the word Quantum (quantum physics, quantum theory, quantum zeno effect) to guide me through basic meditative mindfulness and journalling? I didn't.
I know this sounds harsh, and I know it is, but I feel bamboozled, I feel like I am left holding a bottle of snake oil. I feel like this book was aimed at ripping off readers looking for a new book in the Christian section of the book store.
The 21-Day Thought Detox is purported to be the gold nugget in the book. It takes 200 pages of "research" that has been twisted and bent in a garish attempt to fit with Christian scripture to get to the "detox", which fills a whopping 2 pages. The detox is nothing new and there wasn't even an attempt to make it new. It was as if all the energy was spent trying to tie all the big words from a first year university Psych class to Christian scripture and no time was left for the actual point of the book. The whole book was presented as evidence for why this 2-page detox is going to work and the detox was simply meditation and mindfulness and writing it down - everyday for 21 days. I am left wondering why I needed the anatomy lesson on the brain and 73 mentions of the word Quantum (quantum physics, quantum theory, quantum zeno effect) to guide me through basic meditative mindfulness and journalling? I didn't.
I know this sounds harsh, and I know it is, but I feel bamboozled, I feel like I am left holding a bottle of snake oil. I feel like this book was aimed at ripping off readers looking for a new book in the Christian section of the book store.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2022
I've followed the author on IG for a while now but didn't realize she was a Christian. Some of the connections she makes between Bible and science are cool! Sometimes it seems she misapplied some Scripture to fit what she’s trying to say, so it’s one of the things to still take with discernment.
I’m not a scientist nor in the medical field, so I can only speak from a layman’s perspective. Some of the studies she presented are mind-blowing.
Overall I think this is a good resource to critically read and evaluate. There was a lot of repetition for me (which could be applying the principles in the book) that got a little monotonous.
But there were also a lot of good takeaways that help reveal just how powerful our thought-process is.
"Research shows that 75 to 98 percent of mental, physical, and behavioral illness comes from one’s thought life.�
Fear is a learned behavior.
Our thought-patterns visibly rewrite our DNA (proven by scans).
Any type of toxic, negative thinking (anxiety, anger, frustration, worry) is translated in our body as stress.
“Those that believed God did not love them lost helper T cells three times faster. Their viral load also increased three times faster. And their stress levels were higher, with damaging results of cortisol flowing.� (A 4-year study on AIDS/HIV patients)
I’m not a scientist nor in the medical field, so I can only speak from a layman’s perspective. Some of the studies she presented are mind-blowing.
Overall I think this is a good resource to critically read and evaluate. There was a lot of repetition for me (which could be applying the principles in the book) that got a little monotonous.
But there were also a lot of good takeaways that help reveal just how powerful our thought-process is.
"Research shows that 75 to 98 percent of mental, physical, and behavioral illness comes from one’s thought life.�
Fear is a learned behavior.
Our thought-patterns visibly rewrite our DNA (proven by scans).
Any type of toxic, negative thinking (anxiety, anger, frustration, worry) is translated in our body as stress.
“Those that believed God did not love them lost helper T cells three times faster. Their viral load also increased three times faster. And their stress levels were higher, with damaging results of cortisol flowing.� (A 4-year study on AIDS/HIV patients)
February 7, 2017
The author provides interesting strategies for dealing with stress and living a more mindful, stable life.
Examples include resting your mind, the ability for our minds to choose a positive/negative outlook, how to deal with toxic thoughts etc.
I was surprised by the parallels between religion and science. Even more surprising was how I could relate more towards the religious message. The science was a little above my head :)
Examples include resting your mind, the ability for our minds to choose a positive/negative outlook, how to deal with toxic thoughts etc.
I was surprised by the parallels between religion and science. Even more surprising was how I could relate more towards the religious message. The science was a little above my head :)
August 27, 2014
My takeaway: the brain is amazing, we can control a lot of what goes on. The Scripture-Science links are amazing. But what a lot of verbiage I waded through. Phew - I made it to the DIY section; but Oh No! More amagdyla and hippocampus speak. Drowning in neuroscience I made it to the final page with absolutely no desire to brain detox for 21 bloomin' days. My frontal lobes will have to wither.
January 20, 2017
AMAZING!! GET THIS BOOK!! While I have been on a similar path as this book outlines, it encouraged and accelerated where I was headed. Before I got it, a friend said that he has gone through the 21 day thought detox three times!! Each time he's gotten better at his thinking.
DO IT!
DO IT!
May 8, 2021
Listened to this on audio. It was the book chosen for May to read for planner perfect fans. I am glad I read it but felt it had a lot of scripture references. I had to listen to the book twice to grasp most of the information. It does give you positive message but felt it was a bit repetitive with all the scripture that you have to look up.
November 5, 2018
I have read a number of Dr. Leaf's books so I jumped at the idea of reading her insights on a daily basis for an entire year. She reminds readers that we need to take the power of the mind very seriously. The Bible says we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:16) We must care for our minds and realize the impact of our choices. Dr. Leaf has written this devotional as sort of a guide and platform for incorporating these important truths.
I like the format for each day. There is a Scripture given. Sometimes the same Scripture appears for several days, allowing for a deeper understanding of the meaning of the passage and its impact on our lives. Next is a “Brainy Tip.� I like them as they help us understand the science behind the concept. Then there is a reading to stimulate our thinking. Dr. Leaf encourages us to journal our thoughts each day.
Dr. Leaf comes back to some of the essential concepts, like the power of choice, time after time. I really appreciated the repetition as it helped cement the idea in my understanding. I really liked the idea of journaling. The concepts Dr. Leaf presents are deep and journaling helped me to think about them and contemplate how to incorporate them into my life.
I highly recommend this collection of thought provoking readings for a year. It is not your typical devotional. It contains concepts that are important for using our minds to the glory of God. It really helped me understand correct thinking patterns and how to make them a part of my life. I found it very positive and useful, so much so that I plan to reread it several times.
Food for thought: “Our ability to think, feel, and choose has the power of life and death and will determine the way we live our lives today and in the new creation.� (7)
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
I like the format for each day. There is a Scripture given. Sometimes the same Scripture appears for several days, allowing for a deeper understanding of the meaning of the passage and its impact on our lives. Next is a “Brainy Tip.� I like them as they help us understand the science behind the concept. Then there is a reading to stimulate our thinking. Dr. Leaf encourages us to journal our thoughts each day.
Dr. Leaf comes back to some of the essential concepts, like the power of choice, time after time. I really appreciated the repetition as it helped cement the idea in my understanding. I really liked the idea of journaling. The concepts Dr. Leaf presents are deep and journaling helped me to think about them and contemplate how to incorporate them into my life.
I highly recommend this collection of thought provoking readings for a year. It is not your typical devotional. It contains concepts that are important for using our minds to the glory of God. It really helped me understand correct thinking patterns and how to make them a part of my life. I found it very positive and useful, so much so that I plan to reread it several times.
Food for thought: “Our ability to think, feel, and choose has the power of life and death and will determine the way we live our lives today and in the new creation.� (7)
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
August 9, 2018
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this one. My counselor recommended that I read it, and i had never heard of it or the author before. At first, it felt too woo-woo for me, but I came to appreciate the blending of Scripture and science more as I kept reading. Parts of this one felt dismissive and cliche to me, but other parts got under my skin and made me really think deeply about how my brain works and how the Lord can renew and transform our minds. I found it interesting but I read it skeptically, and I’m overall not a huge fan of her writing style and presentation. I did hear many people say her talks were great, so I’m thinking I’ll give that a shot and see if i resonate more with her verbal presentation. Lots to think about and process with this one, and I did restart my daily meditation and gratitude journaling practices as a result of reading... so maybe it helped me after all!
September 25, 2023
Admittedly, this book is above my head; however, I was determined to read this book because I am a fan of Dr. Leaf’s ministry. I enjoyed her Eat Yourself Smart book and this book had a lot of repeat information. The inclusion of scripture is great to see in a book about neuroplasticity. God is the designer of our brain, so who better to seek in renewing it?! I have heard of her brain detox before and was excited to see that journaling was a key part of it. I can testify to the healing of writing something out. I will probably not do the detox at this time. Overall, it was a hard read for me, but it was full of valid information and I am glad I kept reading to the end.
May 16, 2014
I absolutely loved this book! Neuroscience and Scripture combined to show us how we can renew our minds and become who God created us to be. She made the science easy to understand, and shows how scientific concepts are linked to Scriptures. We have the power to physically change our brains (through our thinking) and to align our lives with God's Truth (His Word) because that is how He created us - in His image. Driven by us, but led by the Holy Spirit, we can tap into our lost potential and live the life God intended for us.
September 7, 2014
This book is interesting and intriguing, entertaining in it's high information load. The theory did spill over into the practical...
I was not inspired to do the practical and I did not finish the book.
I think her method could usefully inform a prayerful worshipful engagement with God about your thought life. But the emphasis would be on God not the book's methods.
I was not inspired to do the practical and I did not finish the book.
I think her method could usefully inform a prayerful worshipful engagement with God about your thought life. But the emphasis would be on God not the book's methods.
May 4, 2018
Wow. Revelational. In-depth science plus Scripture equals amazing new information about how we think and how we can change the way we think. And what impact that will have on our lives. Starting my 21 Day Brain Detox (yesterday) and preparing to teach this information to my Mom’s Group. Highly recommend to all believers.
September 15, 2020
Man vispār patika. 4 zvaignes dodu tikai par to, ka sarakstīta “amerikāņu stilā� ar daudz domu atkārtojumiem un katras nodaļas beigās uzskaitīti galvenie punkti un domas. Būtībā izlasot kopsavilkumus, vari saprast grāmatas būtību, nemaz to neizlasot pilnībā, kā saka, jālasa pa diognāli.
Bet galvenā atziņa, kas man patīk- autore saka, ja zinātnisku pierādījumu vai pētījumu nevar atrast Bībelē, kā Dievs to skaidro, tad viņa reāli apšaubītu šo pētījumu kā tādu. Viss, ko viņa pēta un raksta, savelk kopā ar Dieva Vārdu. Tā nav kārtējā pašpalīdzības grāmata, kur galvenais centrs esmu ES un kā ES visu sasniedzu. Gandrīz visu neirozinātni viņa paskaidro caur Rakstiem. Man kā vienkāršam lasītājam bija interesanti uzzināt daudzas detaļas par neirozinātni un mūsu smadzenēm, kā tās darbojas
Bet galvenā atziņa, kas man patīk- autore saka, ja zinātnisku pierādījumu vai pētījumu nevar atrast Bībelē, kā Dievs to skaidro, tad viņa reāli apšaubītu šo pētījumu kā tādu. Viss, ko viņa pēta un raksta, savelk kopā ar Dieva Vārdu. Tā nav kārtējā pašpalīdzības grāmata, kur galvenais centrs esmu ES un kā ES visu sasniedzu. Gandrīz visu neirozinātni viņa paskaidro caur Rakstiem. Man kā vienkāršam lasītājam bija interesanti uzzināt daudzas detaļas par neirozinātni un mūsu smadzenēm, kā tās darbojas
January 9, 2018
I walked away with some new truths for my life, but I did feel like I had to wade through much repetition, vague generalizations and irrelevant diagrams. The concept regarding quantum physics and biblical backing is of interest to me, and that is why I gave it a higher rating.
Although I have spent the past couple of years learning and relearning about the systems of the human body, I found myself spending more time digging deeper into anatomy/biology/physics (which was a good thing for me) than in reading the book.
If Dr. Leaf were to do an updated edition, I would want to encourage her to tighten up her writing and be more specific in relating the scientific material (I feel like I'm being just a vague, but I would need to take more time to go through each chapter to offer more detail)
Although I have spent the past couple of years learning and relearning about the systems of the human body, I found myself spending more time digging deeper into anatomy/biology/physics (which was a good thing for me) than in reading the book.
If Dr. Leaf were to do an updated edition, I would want to encourage her to tighten up her writing and be more specific in relating the scientific material (I feel like I'm being just a vague, but I would need to take more time to go through each chapter to offer more detail)
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