Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain by Sharon Begley Summary
Overview of Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain
Discover how meditation physically rewires your brain. Endorsed by the Dalai Lama and praised by neuroscientists, Begley's groundbreaking work reveals: happiness isn't fixed, your brain can change at any age, and ancient Buddhist practices scientifically transform mental health. Ready to reprogram your mind?
Similar books to Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Key takeaways
Rewiring the Mind: When Science Meets Buddhism
Imagine a world where your thoughts could physically reshape your brain-where mental training could enhance your memory, emotional resilience, and even capacity for compassion. For decades, neuroscience insisted our brains were essentially fixed after childhood, with neural pathways set like dried concrete. But a revolutionary scientific concept-neuroplasticity-has shattered this dogma, proving our brains remain malleable throughout our lives. This discovery emerged partly through extraordinary dialogues between the Dalai Lama and Western scientists, bridging ancient Buddhist wisdom with cutting-edge neuroscience. The Dalai Lama's provocative question-"Can the mind change the brain?"-challenged the conventional view that the brain solely shapes the mind. His interest wasn't merely philosophical; since childhood, he had displayed remarkable curiosity about mechanical objects, famously dismantling and reassembling timepieces. This evolved into a profound engagement with scientific inquiry, recognizing science as "a coherent way of questioning and understanding the world" that paralleled Buddhism's spirit of open investigation. What makes these East-West dialogues particularly groundbreaking is their focus on neuroplasticity. Buddhist meditation practitioners have essentially been exploring brain plasticity for millennia, offering scientists natural demonstrations of the mind's capacity to transform itself. New data increasingly suggests a two-way relationship where systematic mental activity can structurally change the brain-a watershed moment where ancient wisdom and modern science become mutually enriching, with tremendous potential for enhancing human well-being.
The Brain's Remarkable Adaptability: Breaking the Hardwired Myth
Growing New Brain Cells: Overturning Another Neuroscience Dogma
The Sensory Brain's Hidden Potential
Mind Over Matter: Thoughts Changing the Brain
The Compassionate Brain: Meditation's Transformative Power
Rewriting Your Neural Story: The Promise of Neuroplasticity
Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain Summary in 9 Minutes
Break down key ideas from Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain in a Nutshell
Distill Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.
Fun Mode - Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain Lessons Told Through 24-Min Stories
Experience Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain Summary in 0 Minutes
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Get the Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.