The subtitle to this book: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body

Part of my seemingly neverending quest to find the "source" that will convince my teeming brain to commit to a meditation practice--this was not the source and my brain continues its path of resistance. 

This is not to say that this book did not increase my understanding and value of medition as it certainly did, however, this is not a book about how to meditate, it is instead a book that compiles the evidence and body of research that exists to support the benefit of starting and maintaining a meditation practice. Easily readable and certainly does an excellent job at neutrally examining the facts and research study results.

It does a good job of explaining the Default Mode Network, the somewhat recently discovered neural network that is responsible for "telling our story", a narrative from the "I" perspective, a pathway that seems to be running on a nonstop loop. For myself, I am hoping to find the "source" that will help me to meditate in a sustainable manner that shuts down my DFM for any amount of time.

2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.

I mean who can resist a book with this title. It was chock full of the weird stuff a human brain gets up to when you don't pay attention to its doings. I need to go back and read the capsulations in the last chapter and refresh my mind. Helped increase my knowledge about the Default Mode Network and using a mindfulness practice,

2023 has turned out to be a lot. In times of stress I read a lot BUT I don't retain a lot...it has been that kind of a year to put it mildly.

I alway enjoy a Michael Pollan book and this one is no exception. I was curious to read about the science behind using psychedelics as a means to treat despression, anxiety, and addiction. I was also pleased that it discussed the Default Mode Network (a more recent discovery) in more detail. Fascinating--finally a bit more science about why meditation helps. A subject that I will be devoting alot more of my reading time. 

I would really like to find a pathway that keeps my DMN from shutting down all my previous attempts at a meditation practice.