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The Source: The Secrets of the Universe, the Science of the Brain
Life-changing opportunities pass us by every day � now we can train our minds to seize them
Self-help books like The Secret promise that we can control our destiny by reshaping our minds. Despite scepticism, these systems have been used by millions of people for generations. Why?
Because if we strip away the mumbo-jumbo, The Secret and its forbears are fundamentally powerful � and they are backed up by the latest breakthroughs in neuroscience and behavioural psychology. Because most of the things we want from life � health, happiness, wealth, love � are governed by our ability to think, feel and act; in other words, by our brain.
What if a neuroscientist could take the best of The Secret � together with its original source book The Master Key System - and make it accessible for a new generation?
What if a book offered a rigorous, proven toolkit for unlocking our minds and reaching our fullest potential?
That neuroscientist is Dr Tara Swart. And that book is The Source.
‘Tara Swart is an extremely calming presence, all the more so for being palpably intelligent. Her brain appears to require no boosting. I’d sign up in an eye blink� I like her � a lot�
Hannah Betts, The Times
‘Dr Tara Swart is friendly, charming, and knows what she’s talking about. Having qualified as a doctor, then trained as a neuroscientist, she worked as a psychiatrist before going into private practice as a highly sought-after expert to the rich and famous�
Janet Street-Porter, Daily Mail
‘Neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart works with some of the City’s highest-earning and most respected leaders in finance, law and media�
Evening Standard
‘Dr Swart has become one of the most prominent voices in the field of neuroscience, and counts among her clients some of the biggest names in business�
The Telegraph
Self-help books like The Secret promise that we can control our destiny by reshaping our minds. Despite scepticism, these systems have been used by millions of people for generations. Why?
Because if we strip away the mumbo-jumbo, The Secret and its forbears are fundamentally powerful � and they are backed up by the latest breakthroughs in neuroscience and behavioural psychology. Because most of the things we want from life � health, happiness, wealth, love � are governed by our ability to think, feel and act; in other words, by our brain.
What if a neuroscientist could take the best of The Secret � together with its original source book The Master Key System - and make it accessible for a new generation?
What if a book offered a rigorous, proven toolkit for unlocking our minds and reaching our fullest potential?
That neuroscientist is Dr Tara Swart. And that book is The Source.
‘Tara Swart is an extremely calming presence, all the more so for being palpably intelligent. Her brain appears to require no boosting. I’d sign up in an eye blink� I like her � a lot�
Hannah Betts, The Times
‘Dr Tara Swart is friendly, charming, and knows what she’s talking about. Having qualified as a doctor, then trained as a neuroscientist, she worked as a psychiatrist before going into private practice as a highly sought-after expert to the rich and famous�
Janet Street-Porter, Daily Mail
‘Neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart works with some of the City’s highest-earning and most respected leaders in finance, law and media�
Evening Standard
‘Dr Swart has become one of the most prominent voices in the field of neuroscience, and counts among her clients some of the biggest names in business�
The Telegraph
288 pages, Hardcover
First published February 14, 2019
3,124 people are currently reading
11.8k people want to read
About the author
Tara Swart
10books193followersDr Tara Swart is a neuroscientist and former psychiatric doctor. She is a senior lecturer at MIT Sloan and visiting senior lecturer at Kings College London, and an executive advisor to some of the world's most respected leaders in media and business. 'The Source' is Tara's third book - she is also lead author of the award-winning 'Neuroscience for Leadership', and co-author of 'An Attitude for Acting'. In 2016 she was named the world's first Neuroscientist-in-Residence at Corinthia Hotel, London, and she is currently in residence at Annabel's private members club, running a series of wellbeing events. She is passionate about teaching others how to apply lessons from cognitive science to enhance everyday lives. Find out more at
"The Source by Tara Swart, MD, PhD marries universal truths with scientific rigor for a persuasive, important exploration of The Law of Attraction." - Deepak Chopra MD
"Tara Swart is an extremely calming presence, all the more so for being palpably intelligent. Her brain appears to require no boosting. I'd sign up in an eye blink... I like her - a lot" - Hannah Betts, The Times
"Dr Tara Swart is friendly, charming, and knows what she's talking about. Having qualified as a doctor, then trained as a neuroscientist, she worked as a psychiatrist before going into private practice as a highly sought-after expert to the rich and famous" - Janet Street-Porter, Daily Mail
"Neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart works with some of the City's highest-earning and most respected leaders in finance, law and media." - Evening Standard
"Dr Swart has become one of the most prominent voices in the field of neuroscience and currently runs her own leadership programme at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as well as being a visiting professor at the University of Oxford's Said Business School. She counts among her clients some of the biggest names in business: banks, hedge funds, FTSE 100 companies, Magic Circle law firms and one major media company, coaching those in leadership positions to better manage any psychopathic tendencies and foster a more benevolent workplace culture. In person she is a diminutive yet formidable figure, immaculately dressed and with a keen eye on the behaviour of all those around her." - Joe Shute, The Telegraph
"The Source by Tara Swart, MD, PhD marries universal truths with scientific rigor for a persuasive, important exploration of The Law of Attraction." - Deepak Chopra MD
"Tara Swart is an extremely calming presence, all the more so for being palpably intelligent. Her brain appears to require no boosting. I'd sign up in an eye blink... I like her - a lot" - Hannah Betts, The Times
"Dr Tara Swart is friendly, charming, and knows what she's talking about. Having qualified as a doctor, then trained as a neuroscientist, she worked as a psychiatrist before going into private practice as a highly sought-after expert to the rich and famous" - Janet Street-Porter, Daily Mail
"Neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart works with some of the City's highest-earning and most respected leaders in finance, law and media." - Evening Standard
"Dr Swart has become one of the most prominent voices in the field of neuroscience and currently runs her own leadership programme at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as well as being a visiting professor at the University of Oxford's Said Business School. She counts among her clients some of the biggest names in business: banks, hedge funds, FTSE 100 companies, Magic Circle law firms and one major media company, coaching those in leadership positions to better manage any psychopathic tendencies and foster a more benevolent workplace culture. In person she is a diminutive yet formidable figure, immaculately dressed and with a keen eye on the behaviour of all those around her." - Joe Shute, The Telegraph
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
July 15, 2022
Power to the Brain 🧠
I don’t need a book to tell me about the law of attraction, cos I have enough evidence in my own life to state its existence. For instance, whenever I’m feeling tense, I tend to attract stressy situations. On the other hand, if I happen to be in a smiling, relaxing mood, a chain of happy events fills my day 👍
That’s enough for me to confirm the power of brain as a life shaper!
So why the heck did I pick this book ?
Because I want to learn how to take advantage of the law of attraction, instead of... sometimes (most of the times)... unconsciously... use it against myself!
If my brain has the power to shape my life, I want to use it in my own benefit, don’t you?! ... 😁😉
That’s what “The Source� is all about!
I don’t need a book to tell me about the law of attraction, cos I have enough evidence in my own life to state its existence. For instance, whenever I’m feeling tense, I tend to attract stressy situations. On the other hand, if I happen to be in a smiling, relaxing mood, a chain of happy events fills my day 👍
That’s enough for me to confirm the power of brain as a life shaper!
So why the heck did I pick this book ?
Because I want to learn how to take advantage of the law of attraction, instead of... sometimes (most of the times)... unconsciously... use it against myself!
If my brain has the power to shape my life, I want to use it in my own benefit, don’t you?! ... 😁😉
That’s what “The Source� is all about!
April 5, 2021
O Cérebro, esse Desconhecido
“Quer pense que pode fazer ou que não pode fazer � você está certo.�
Encontro provas suficientes na minha vida que me impedem de virar a cara à Lei da Atração ignorando-a com um simples revirar de olhos.
Se estou tensa, atraio situações que exponenciam a minha tensão. Se estou descontraída e sorridente, tendo a atrair eventos que expandem a minha energia positiva.
Não foi, pois, para me familiarizar com a Lei da Atração que escolhi este livro. Foi, sim, para passar ao estatuto de manipuladora, ao invés de manipulada.
Se o cérebro humano detém poderes ocultos capazes de moldar a nossa vida, gostaria de poder usá-los em benefício próprio, e é por isso que faço questão em sorvê-los da Fonte!... 😉👍
“Tanto a ciência como a psicologia baseada em metodologias científicas comprovam atualmente que todos temos em nós o poder de manifestarmos a vida que ambicionamos.�
“Quer pense que pode fazer ou que não pode fazer � você está certo.�
Encontro provas suficientes na minha vida que me impedem de virar a cara à Lei da Atração ignorando-a com um simples revirar de olhos.
Se estou tensa, atraio situações que exponenciam a minha tensão. Se estou descontraída e sorridente, tendo a atrair eventos que expandem a minha energia positiva.
Não foi, pois, para me familiarizar com a Lei da Atração que escolhi este livro. Foi, sim, para passar ao estatuto de manipuladora, ao invés de manipulada.
Se o cérebro humano detém poderes ocultos capazes de moldar a nossa vida, gostaria de poder usá-los em benefício próprio, e é por isso que faço questão em sorvê-los da Fonte!... 😉👍
“Tanto a ciência como a psicologia baseada em metodologias científicas comprovam atualmente que todos temos em nós o poder de manifestarmos a vida que ambicionamos.�
October 11, 2020
Știm mai multe despre spațiul cosmic decât știm despre propriul creier. Și e incredibil, după ce te apuci să citești despre cum funcționează creierul, cum te uiți la tine cel ce erai, ignorantul care nu și-a bătut capul mai devreme ca să înțeleagă, ca să poată să controleze și apoi să trăiască punându-și în armonie mintea, corpul și sufletul. Am început să fiu interesat de subiectul ăsta, cum funcționează creierul, acum vreo șase-șapte ani, în perioada în care am început și drumul către o viață sănătoasă. Iar de atunci, cu fiecare carte, cu fiecare conferință pe care o ascult pe tema asta, nu mă satur să aflu, să înțeleg, să descopăr. Cărți precum Soft-Wired, a lui Michael Merzenich, Creierul - povestea noastră și Incognito, ale lui David Eagleman, The Consciousness Instinct, a lui Michael Gazzaniga sau De ce zebrele nu fac ulcer și Bevahe - Biologia ființelor umane în ipostazele lor cele mai bune și cele mai rele, ale lui Robert Sapolski sunt doar câteva dintre cele care mi-au schimbat cu totul viziunea despre cum ne funcționează creierul și de ce e important să știm cum funcționează. În același timp, mi-am dat seama că toate opiniile mele despre acest subiect se bazau pe� nimic. Da, pur și simplu, eram un tip cu multe certitudini, fără să știu cu adevărat ceva despre acest subiect.
Ei bine, la început aproape că am râs de cartea Tarei Swart, tradusă la noi de Publica. Asta pentru că resping automat lucrurile care țin de zona mistică. Dar i-am dat o șansă și mă bucur că am făcut-o, pentru că ”Sursa� nu este o treabă scornită de vreo nebună, ci chiar ceea ce se întâmplă când reușim să ne aliniem mintea, trupul și spiritul. Și m-am regăsit în capitolul în care autoarea vorbește despre vizualizare, că trebuie să vizualizezi ceea ce urmează să faci, să fii. Și așa am fost eu cu acest proiect care a devenit viața mea. Am vizualizat această emisiune, Starea nației, așa cum este ea acum, și-am lucrat-o în fiecare moment al vieții mele, de când am bătut prima dată la ușa lui Florin Călinescu, de la Chestiunea zilei. Și am continuat să lucrez în mintea mea la această idee chiar mai tare după ce acea ușă a rămas închisă. Sunt multe lecții bune pe care Tara Swart (cred că 90% dintre oamenii care scriu pe subiect sunt bărbați, așa că abordarea unei femei e o gură de aer proaspăt) le predă în această carte căreia îi poți acorda o șansă. Fie și pentru că te va face să te gândești la drumul tău: ești încă pe pilot automat sau ai reușit să-ți refaci căile neuronale, să ai un plan pe care-l urmezi și să-ți activezi ”sursa�? S-ar putea ca răspunsul să îți schimbe viața.
Recomand și conferințele Tarei, înainte de culcare.
Ei bine, la început aproape că am râs de cartea Tarei Swart, tradusă la noi de Publica. Asta pentru că resping automat lucrurile care țin de zona mistică. Dar i-am dat o șansă și mă bucur că am făcut-o, pentru că ”Sursa� nu este o treabă scornită de vreo nebună, ci chiar ceea ce se întâmplă când reușim să ne aliniem mintea, trupul și spiritul. Și m-am regăsit în capitolul în care autoarea vorbește despre vizualizare, că trebuie să vizualizezi ceea ce urmează să faci, să fii. Și așa am fost eu cu acest proiect care a devenit viața mea. Am vizualizat această emisiune, Starea nației, așa cum este ea acum, și-am lucrat-o în fiecare moment al vieții mele, de când am bătut prima dată la ușa lui Florin Călinescu, de la Chestiunea zilei. Și am continuat să lucrez în mintea mea la această idee chiar mai tare după ce acea ușă a rămas închisă. Sunt multe lecții bune pe care Tara Swart (cred că 90% dintre oamenii care scriu pe subiect sunt bărbați, așa că abordarea unei femei e o gură de aer proaspăt) le predă în această carte căreia îi poți acorda o șansă. Fie și pentru că te va face să te gândești la drumul tău: ești încă pe pilot automat sau ai reușit să-ți refaci căile neuronale, să ai un plan pe care-l urmezi și să-ți activezi ”sursa�? S-ar putea ca răspunsul să îți schimbe viața.
Recomand și conferințele Tarei, înainte de culcare.
October 12, 2020
I thought this book was no different than any other known self help book out there on this subject. I didn’t find that the author was really an authority on this subject and was rather a novice. I didn’t find it to be a passionate view about the brain and the universe and didn’t find the title to be at all indicative of the book. What are the secrets of the universe and science of the brain? I didn’t see any secrets revealed or any groundbreaking science that I did not already know! I was disappointed! Nothing new here or different than everything that is already written. I found it to be a bland and boring read lacking originality or any groundbreaking ideas or work. Ugh, I hate writing negative reviews, but I would pass on this one.
July 7, 2019
This book is great. But it's really for those who haven't read The Secret or alike. It's a great intro into the mind business for those who haven't yet been introduced to the power of our minds, and the fact that most religions speak ultimately about the same things which just lead back to the man himself/herself etc.
So I think this makes for a great gift for someone you wish started reading about how to change your life with your own thinking.
But if you're familiar with this science then I must say I didn't find anything new here. Just the voice of a new writer. But I'm always glad to see more people fighting for this to be heard and seen in a new light. We all prefer personal stories to scientific theories!
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.
So I think this makes for a great gift for someone you wish started reading about how to change your life with your own thinking.
But if you're familiar with this science then I must say I didn't find anything new here. Just the voice of a new writer. But I'm always glad to see more people fighting for this to be heard and seen in a new light. We all prefer personal stories to scientific theories!
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.
January 21, 2020
I was expecting a lot more science but this is just your standard new age pop-psych self-help book.
September 24, 2021
I picked this up after listening to a podcast interview of the author. It was definitely a worthwhile read. The author is a neuroscientist and psychiatrist who takes a scientific lens to the manifestation, visualization, and the law of attraction. Personally, I've always been a little suspicious that these ideas were too good to be true, but scientific research is proving that there is a real benefit to these practices. Tara Swart digs into this research and explains why our brains are wired to respond to focused attention on future outcomes. As both a neuroscientist and a psychiatrist, she doesn't dismiss emotions, thoughts, or beliefs. She explains how each play a role in either reaching your goals or holding you back. She also dismisses the logic over emotion bias that so much of the western world has and clearly states that we need to understand our emotions if we want to change our lives. We also learn quite a bit about interoception, the ability to "read" your own body's signals. Another common theme is neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to grow and change throughout life. She breaks apart all notions that you are unable to form new connections or create new patterns in your life. Best of all, she has a whole section on the left-brain, right-brain myth. Hooray! I'm so sick of this popular idea and appreciate an actual scientist coming out against it. The best part of the book is the explanation as to why visualization and tools like vision boards actually work. It has to do with hacking the brain's systems for value tagging and selective attention.
If I have one complaint about the book is that she assumes a lot of skills and introspection that not all her readers will have. For example, one of her exercises asks you to make three columns on a piece of paper. The first column is for goals, the second is for behaviors keeping you from your goals, and the third column is for beliefs underlying those behaviors. The next step of the exercise is to figure out how to disrupt the beliefs and behaviors that are keeping you from abundance. It seems so easy, except that if you have no skills to do any of that internal metacognitive work, then this could be months of coaching or therapy just to do this activity. This isn't necessarily bad, she just makes it seem like its a short exercise when, in reality, even if you do have the skills for that kind of work, it will probably take many many hours to get through it. Then you'll probably have to do it all again in the future because this kind of stuff never stops coming up. So she isn't wrong, and I don't disagree with the need to do the work. I just felt like she glossed over some really deep processing with the assumption that her readers 1) know how to do it and 2) have reasonable expectations for how hard it is.
Other than clarifying that, I really appreciate this book and will definitely read it again. I thought the scientific twist on an old topic was very well done and encouraging. It gives me a little more faith that the practices of visualization and manifestation are more than just wishful thinking!
If I have one complaint about the book is that she assumes a lot of skills and introspection that not all her readers will have. For example, one of her exercises asks you to make three columns on a piece of paper. The first column is for goals, the second is for behaviors keeping you from your goals, and the third column is for beliefs underlying those behaviors. The next step of the exercise is to figure out how to disrupt the beliefs and behaviors that are keeping you from abundance. It seems so easy, except that if you have no skills to do any of that internal metacognitive work, then this could be months of coaching or therapy just to do this activity. This isn't necessarily bad, she just makes it seem like its a short exercise when, in reality, even if you do have the skills for that kind of work, it will probably take many many hours to get through it. Then you'll probably have to do it all again in the future because this kind of stuff never stops coming up. So she isn't wrong, and I don't disagree with the need to do the work. I just felt like she glossed over some really deep processing with the assumption that her readers 1) know how to do it and 2) have reasonable expectations for how hard it is.
Other than clarifying that, I really appreciate this book and will definitely read it again. I thought the scientific twist on an old topic was very well done and encouraging. It gives me a little more faith that the practices of visualization and manifestation are more than just wishful thinking!
October 29, 2019
The Source is an insightful book about the intricacies of how the brain works and how we have the power to control it’s functions! I am a science nerd so I loved all of the details about the lobes of the brain, neurotransmitters, synapses, and so much more. I thought Tara Swart did a great job at stating facts while giving techniques/exercises like visualization and writing journal entries to help individuals learn to control their thoughts/actions and how to interpret them to ultimately see where change was necessary and how to go about that change.
When I started the book, I felt like I was back in college sitting through an Anatomy and Physiology I lecture. It brought me back to my college days and made me appreciate the beauty of science. Tara Swart gave an intro to the brain and mind in a way that was educational and simple enough for everyone to understand. Her introduction highlighted the importance of understanding how something works before being able to learn how to master its functions.
As I got deeper into the book, I was taking notes on her stated techniques. She gave many techniques to show us how we have the power to control and reshape our minds. It’s so fascinating and I connected more with journaling and visualization techniques.
It is truly amazing to know how complex the mind is and how we can do certain things to change it. If you are interested in making changes in your life and being able to understand how to accomplish those changes, this book is for you.
I give The Source 4.5 stars. Tara Swart uses her knowledge to write this insightful and motivational book that gives readers the power to control our minds and lives.
When I started the book, I felt like I was back in college sitting through an Anatomy and Physiology I lecture. It brought me back to my college days and made me appreciate the beauty of science. Tara Swart gave an intro to the brain and mind in a way that was educational and simple enough for everyone to understand. Her introduction highlighted the importance of understanding how something works before being able to learn how to master its functions.
As I got deeper into the book, I was taking notes on her stated techniques. She gave many techniques to show us how we have the power to control and reshape our minds. It’s so fascinating and I connected more with journaling and visualization techniques.
It is truly amazing to know how complex the mind is and how we can do certain things to change it. If you are interested in making changes in your life and being able to understand how to accomplish those changes, this book is for you.
I give The Source 4.5 stars. Tara Swart uses her knowledge to write this insightful and motivational book that gives readers the power to control our minds and lives.
March 24, 2019
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest, independent review.
I loved the fact this self-help book was backed up with scientific facts and studies throughout, showing that if you do follow the exercises and do what the author says, you can change the way you think.
However, I did think I would get to the exercises sooner. I was over 65% of the way through the book before the first exercise (Step One) started, and by that time the scientific explanations (long in places) meant I had started to lose pace and interest.
The exercises were also ones that have been done many times before and nothing really new - vision board, visualisation. It was nice to learn how the brain works when your visualising your dream life etc in order to receive it, but it would have been nice to have the exercises scattered throughout the book to break up the rest of the text a bit.
I loved the fact this self-help book was backed up with scientific facts and studies throughout, showing that if you do follow the exercises and do what the author says, you can change the way you think.
However, I did think I would get to the exercises sooner. I was over 65% of the way through the book before the first exercise (Step One) started, and by that time the scientific explanations (long in places) meant I had started to lose pace and interest.
The exercises were also ones that have been done many times before and nothing really new - vision board, visualisation. It was nice to learn how the brain works when your visualising your dream life etc in order to receive it, but it would have been nice to have the exercises scattered throughout the book to break up the rest of the text a bit.
July 30, 2019
Dr Tara Swart's THE SOURCE focuses on the power of positive thinking and how the elements of mindfulness and visualization can be used to help improve our lives. Chapter by chapter, Dr Swart details how she came to this way of thinking in her own personal life and career, before outlining how she decided to turn her experience into a method that can be followed by others in order to work towards their own goals and achievements.
I was disappointed to find that this book didn't seem to hold much new information for me, in that there didn't seem to be much I hadn't read before elsewhere about the power of positive thinking, how to approach mindfulness, etc. The author herself references books like THE SECRET, and I felt that THE SOURCE did not provide a great deal of new information that was really any different from the sort of "positive thinking" mindset that has been discussed in books such as THE SECRET, except perhaps that Dr Swart provides several lists of steps to take, whereas THE SECRET is slightly more ephemeral.
Sadly, for me, there wasn't a lot else that I found very stimulating or fresh as a reader. The book felt quite heavily autobiographical at times, and there were also a couple of parts that rubbed me up the wrong way (a casual mention of the author's fondness for a tidy wardrobe being "a bit OCD", a reference I found rather inappropriate from someone working in the psychiatry field; and a sentence that literally said items outside of one's control, such as "...getting married, pregnant, or getting a promotion" will simply "fall into place" once the reader starts doing the things on their To Do list. As someone who has personally experienced infertility, this was a massive clanger for me and a surprisingly conclusive statement to make in a book like this).
That being said, THE SOURCE was still a fairly interesting read at times, with the best parts for me being the various sections about how the brain works and the various studies Dr Swart looked at during her research - that, and the clear, concise steps she gives the reader when it comes to things like the making of vision boards were, for me, the most illuminating aspect.
I'm sorry I couldn't give a higher rating.
I was disappointed to find that this book didn't seem to hold much new information for me, in that there didn't seem to be much I hadn't read before elsewhere about the power of positive thinking, how to approach mindfulness, etc. The author herself references books like THE SECRET, and I felt that THE SOURCE did not provide a great deal of new information that was really any different from the sort of "positive thinking" mindset that has been discussed in books such as THE SECRET, except perhaps that Dr Swart provides several lists of steps to take, whereas THE SECRET is slightly more ephemeral.
Sadly, for me, there wasn't a lot else that I found very stimulating or fresh as a reader. The book felt quite heavily autobiographical at times, and there were also a couple of parts that rubbed me up the wrong way (a casual mention of the author's fondness for a tidy wardrobe being "a bit OCD", a reference I found rather inappropriate from someone working in the psychiatry field; and a sentence that literally said items outside of one's control, such as "...getting married, pregnant, or getting a promotion" will simply "fall into place" once the reader starts doing the things on their To Do list. As someone who has personally experienced infertility, this was a massive clanger for me and a surprisingly conclusive statement to make in a book like this).
That being said, THE SOURCE was still a fairly interesting read at times, with the best parts for me being the various sections about how the brain works and the various studies Dr Swart looked at during her research - that, and the clear, concise steps she gives the reader when it comes to things like the making of vision boards were, for me, the most illuminating aspect.
I'm sorry I couldn't give a higher rating.
January 15, 2020
I’m not sure I entirely agree with this being a book on the science of the brain. It is best described as how a positive attitude with visualization helps in creating a healthy balance. Broadly speaking I suppose you could point to the many scientific studies that have proved this out and refer to those as science but very little basis of this phenomenon is presented in this book.
February 18, 2019
This is a good and plausible self-help book. Dr Tara Swart is a neuroscientist, medical doctor and a leadership coach. She uses a lot of real life examples and also scientific evidence about the science of the brain to back up her ideas.
I found her use of the phrase ‘The Source� a little wearing after a while as it felt like she was trying to sell us a new age technique when actually she wasn’t. The book could be more succinct. There is a lot of ‘I will show..� and ‘You will see..� sentences where the reader is told that all will be revealed later. I find that irritating in a presentation and more so in a book.
I believe what Tara has to say is excellent advice � basically that our brain have a tremendous amount of plasticity and we do not have to be constrained by past memories but can train our brains to do things we always thought were impossible and lessen our recall of negative thoughts.
There are many exercises which I think are worth doing and plan to myself. I have tried to bookmark the relevant pages as I read on my Kindle. It would be a nice touch if these exercises could be linked in easily via an index or table of contents.
With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I found her use of the phrase ‘The Source� a little wearing after a while as it felt like she was trying to sell us a new age technique when actually she wasn’t. The book could be more succinct. There is a lot of ‘I will show..� and ‘You will see..� sentences where the reader is told that all will be revealed later. I find that irritating in a presentation and more so in a book.
I believe what Tara has to say is excellent advice � basically that our brain have a tremendous amount of plasticity and we do not have to be constrained by past memories but can train our brains to do things we always thought were impossible and lessen our recall of negative thoughts.
There are many exercises which I think are worth doing and plan to myself. I have tried to bookmark the relevant pages as I read on my Kindle. It would be a nice touch if these exercises could be linked in easily via an index or table of contents.
With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2019
First off, this is an exceptionally well written, enjoyable read. The mix of biography, anecdotes, science, and experience is probably as perfect as it can be.
I have always been a stern believer in the power of the mind and its ability to ‘attract� the results we envisage. Whether positive or negative for that manner. To read the science behind this and how we can change/affect engrained neural passageways is exceptionally interesting.
I have to be honest, I did not give myself completely to the knowledge that has been imparted, as I haven’t planned to do all the activities for now, but that does not deter from how brilliant the gist of this book is. I certainly can’t fault its intention, nor its content and guidance. Even if I take on board one or two of the pillars of this book for now, I know that I will I see positive outcomes in my life.
Thank you Dr Tara Swart for a great read!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy
I have always been a stern believer in the power of the mind and its ability to ‘attract� the results we envisage. Whether positive or negative for that manner. To read the science behind this and how we can change/affect engrained neural passageways is exceptionally interesting.
I have to be honest, I did not give myself completely to the knowledge that has been imparted, as I haven’t planned to do all the activities for now, but that does not deter from how brilliant the gist of this book is. I certainly can’t fault its intention, nor its content and guidance. Even if I take on board one or two of the pillars of this book for now, I know that I will I see positive outcomes in my life.
Thank you Dr Tara Swart for a great read!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy
July 16, 2022
This struck me as a smarter and brainer version of the The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, a book I read years ago and found entirely fake.
This one is more grounded in science but still brings up the same type of visualisation techniques and vision boards for the future. Apart from this, the audiobook version suffers from the soporific voice of the author who made the subject exquisitely boring.
I partly listened, partly slept, partly day-dreamt through the whole thing even though I accompanied it with some meditative activity like knitting and crochet.
The book can be distilled in a few short sentences: Think happy and positive thoughts, meditate, believe that good things will happen to you and they will. If this entices you to get into the details of the "exercises" by all means go ahead. I shall have better use of my time, reading more interesting books.
This one is more grounded in science but still brings up the same type of visualisation techniques and vision boards for the future. Apart from this, the audiobook version suffers from the soporific voice of the author who made the subject exquisitely boring.
I partly listened, partly slept, partly day-dreamt through the whole thing even though I accompanied it with some meditative activity like knitting and crochet.
The book can be distilled in a few short sentences: Think happy and positive thoughts, meditate, believe that good things will happen to you and they will. If this entices you to get into the details of the "exercises" by all means go ahead. I shall have better use of my time, reading more interesting books.
April 9, 2020
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this book, and I’m sure many readers will understand some concepts for the first time; however, many of the suggestions I’ve uncovered in other readings. Lesser’s Broken Open, any of Ann Lamott’s works, The Dance of Anger by Lerner—all excellent reads.
I recommend this book for those looking to make positive life changes by channeling their own desires. My rating is based purely on the fact that I’ve already organically and serendipitously made my way toward many of the suggestions in my past.
I enjoyed this book, and I’m sure many readers will understand some concepts for the first time; however, many of the suggestions I’ve uncovered in other readings. Lesser’s Broken Open, any of Ann Lamott’s works, The Dance of Anger by Lerner—all excellent reads.
I recommend this book for those looking to make positive life changes by channeling their own desires. My rating is based purely on the fact that I’ve already organically and serendipitously made my way toward many of the suggestions in my past.
July 4, 2023
It really is poorly researched and I swear if I see the word "scientifically" or "science" again without any citation, my head will explode.
September 29, 2022
„Faptul că noi creștem copii cu un simț al integrității și al scopului și că îi sprijinim pe cei din jurul nostru va face în egală măsură ca lumea să fie un loc mai bun�.
February 17, 2019
I admit that when I read a book blurb that says you are four steps away......... - then I expect to open the book and hit the ground running. Unfortunately that was not what happened in this book. I was good and read the intro blurb which I would usually skip, thinking I would be rewarded with "the goods" straightaway afterwards.
What happened instead was I read a lot of background and a lot more and then some. It was ok, in fact a lot of it I was already aware of through other books I have read. For other readers this may not be so laborious as it felt to me. What was good was the science that was shown to back up what I already knew. I haven't read The Secret so can't comment on how the books compares with that as other reviewers have.
My favourite quote used in this book was this:-
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who can't read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn AlvinToffler
Then I got to the action part and I discovered it involved writing a journal and that this was the only way to proceed. So, if you are not one for writing down your thoughts this may not be the book for you. I personally don't like journalling but carried on and took what I could from the book, in the main preparing an action board.
My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.
What happened instead was I read a lot of background and a lot more and then some. It was ok, in fact a lot of it I was already aware of through other books I have read. For other readers this may not be so laborious as it felt to me. What was good was the science that was shown to back up what I already knew. I haven't read The Secret so can't comment on how the books compares with that as other reviewers have.
My favourite quote used in this book was this:-
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who can't read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn AlvinToffler
Then I got to the action part and I discovered it involved writing a journal and that this was the only way to proceed. So, if you are not one for writing down your thoughts this may not be the book for you. I personally don't like journalling but carried on and took what I could from the book, in the main preparing an action board.
My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review.
January 28, 2022
Someone left it behind so I picked it up. Got interested as author states she wont use the 'woohaa' but backs her book with scientific research. The level of argumentation is however limited to 'I'm a scientist, so I have authority on this matter' to 'I did it, it worked, so it must be true'. And she promotes the same so called 'woohaa techniques' like visitualion, mindfulness and imagining your future self.
There are better books on this subject.
Mind you the book is not that bad (it's just another self help book with the same techniques) and some of the brain explanations are informative. I just cringe reading the examples she mentions and arguments that are supposed to be scientific. She even fails to define what she means with 'the brain' which is the main topic of the book.
There are better books on this subject.
Mind you the book is not that bad (it's just another self help book with the same techniques) and some of the brain explanations are informative. I just cringe reading the examples she mentions and arguments that are supposed to be scientific. She even fails to define what she means with 'the brain' which is the main topic of the book.
June 27, 2020
I borrowed this ebook on the Hoopla app from my local library.
I listened to an interview with this author on the "Feel Better, Live More" podcast. The episode is titled, "How to Create Your Dream Future: Life After Lockdown."
I do not give more than 3 stars because, as with so many self-help books, there is a ton of filler which could be titled "How I Did It" and also "Good Results A Few of My Clients Got."
There is lots of homework suggested for every reader so I am sure that there may be something to help because we humans have the capability to be resilient.
I listened to an interview with this author on the "Feel Better, Live More" podcast. The episode is titled, "How to Create Your Dream Future: Life After Lockdown."
I do not give more than 3 stars because, as with so many self-help books, there is a ton of filler which could be titled "How I Did It" and also "Good Results A Few of My Clients Got."
There is lots of homework suggested for every reader so I am sure that there may be something to help because we humans have the capability to be resilient.
May 16, 2020
This book is a scientist's take on "The Secret," giving us good neuroscientific reasons why, if you pick some lofty goals, think about them hard, put them on a vision board, and then get rid of all the mental blocks you might have in the way -- you will become the next Stephen King. Or Oprah. Or --- you pick your future.
So get to work, start manifesting, and be brave knowing that there is good science behind your efforts.
So get to work, start manifesting, and be brave knowing that there is good science behind your efforts.
July 14, 2022
This book can potentially change your life to the better.
March 2, 2025
3,5 ⭐️
This book offers great content, but it would benefit from an editor and some restructuring. There are tangents, the exercises are difficult to find and often hidden within the text, and the visualization instructions are too long—spanning entire pages—which makes them impractical to follow. I can’t remember a whole page of instructions, and constantly interrupting the process to check the book isn’t ideal either.
This book offers great content, but it would benefit from an editor and some restructuring. There are tangents, the exercises are difficult to find and often hidden within the text, and the visualization instructions are too long—spanning entire pages—which makes them impractical to follow. I can’t remember a whole page of instructions, and constantly interrupting the process to check the book isn’t ideal either.
December 30, 2024
Loved this book! Such a great explanation of the science behind manifestation, visualization, and neuroplasticity. I loved the actionable steps that the author used as well. Great read if you’re looking for motivation in any aspect of personal or professional life!
July 14, 2019
Thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC at BEA 2019!
This book left me very conflicted. Dr. Tara Swart, by all accounts, seems like an incredibly intelligent and accomplished person. She takes time to discuss in the early sections of this book about how people misuse neuroscientific language in "self-help" guides to seem intelligent. And as a budding neuroscientist and science communicator, I understand the importance of making scientific insights approachable to a general audience. But I feel this book falls into the same traps of a lot of the self help guides that the author tried to differentiate herself from. The scientific points are very simple and lack much depth, and many of the groundbreaking facts she notes are increasingly common knowledge (we don't use 10% of our brain! Exercise is good for your mental and physical health! Visualizing accomplishing a task helps you to actually accomplish a task! Our brains are not set in stone, but are actually pLaSTic). Overall, I felt this book didn't really bring much to the table, but it wasn't necessarily BAD. I guess if you truly are a novice, this book is useful. But I feel it is marketed as having more depth than it actually has.
This book left me very conflicted. Dr. Tara Swart, by all accounts, seems like an incredibly intelligent and accomplished person. She takes time to discuss in the early sections of this book about how people misuse neuroscientific language in "self-help" guides to seem intelligent. And as a budding neuroscientist and science communicator, I understand the importance of making scientific insights approachable to a general audience. But I feel this book falls into the same traps of a lot of the self help guides that the author tried to differentiate herself from. The scientific points are very simple and lack much depth, and many of the groundbreaking facts she notes are increasingly common knowledge (we don't use 10% of our brain! Exercise is good for your mental and physical health! Visualizing accomplishing a task helps you to actually accomplish a task! Our brains are not set in stone, but are actually pLaSTic). Overall, I felt this book didn't really bring much to the table, but it wasn't necessarily BAD. I guess if you truly are a novice, this book is useful. But I feel it is marketed as having more depth than it actually has.
April 19, 2019
I adored this book. As someone who's always been into the idea of 'The Law of Attraction', but who also struggles to see past the 'logical blocks' that stop me from embracing it wholly, this book is a perfect fit for me, as it combines both the whimsical ideas put forward by the law, but also backs it up with more solid, neuroscientific explanations. After I had finished reading it, I was left feeling more optimistic, knowledgeable, and in control of my decisions and my future. Definitely one to read if you really want to believe in The Secret, but need a bit more of a push in the right direction!
December 11, 2023
Sadly, nothing groundbreaking in this book. I felt I had heard and or read every quote, every study, and every example of law of attraction she references. Felt like the whole book was about how to create a vison board or “action� board as she calls them. I also don’t see how the title fits what’s written 🤷♀�.
June 16, 2019
I will read it again and again
December 19, 2023
Sách có tựa tiếng Việt là “Nội lực�
Với mình, sách đ� cập đến những ch� đ� mà mình từng không tin nhưng dưới cách tiếp cận đáng tin hơn nên mình cũng thu lượm được khá nhiều điều hay ho. Ví d� như là não ko phân biệt đc cảm giác do trải nghiệm thật và s� tưởng tượng sống động.
Tác gi� từng là bác sĩ y khoa, nhà khoa học thần kinh chuyển sang làm coach nên cũng dẫn chứng nhiều thông tin có s� tương đồng với tâm lý học.
Điểm tr� là tác gi� dẫn chứng nhiều nghiên cứu nhưng ch� viết chung chung, đại loại là “có nghiên cứu cho rằng…�. Nếu các phần mà đưa thêm những lý thuyết, khái niệm liên h� các mảng khác sang thì s� thuyết phục hơn nữa.
Phần cuối � mục hành động, đặc biệt là ch� k� hoạch thì làm mình hơi thất vọng vì cảm thấy đứt gãy mạch logic trước đó, ko biết cô ý viết th� đ� nhiều người tìm đến coach hơn chăng??
Với mình, sách đ� cập đến những ch� đ� mà mình từng không tin nhưng dưới cách tiếp cận đáng tin hơn nên mình cũng thu lượm được khá nhiều điều hay ho. Ví d� như là não ko phân biệt đc cảm giác do trải nghiệm thật và s� tưởng tượng sống động.
Tác gi� từng là bác sĩ y khoa, nhà khoa học thần kinh chuyển sang làm coach nên cũng dẫn chứng nhiều thông tin có s� tương đồng với tâm lý học.
Điểm tr� là tác gi� dẫn chứng nhiều nghiên cứu nhưng ch� viết chung chung, đại loại là “có nghiên cứu cho rằng…�. Nếu các phần mà đưa thêm những lý thuyết, khái niệm liên h� các mảng khác sang thì s� thuyết phục hơn nữa.
Phần cuối � mục hành động, đặc biệt là ch� k� hoạch thì làm mình hơi thất vọng vì cảm thấy đứt gãy mạch logic trước đó, ko biết cô ý viết th� đ� nhiều người tìm đến coach hơn chăng??
May 18, 2020
“Mūsų ketinimas ir pasirinkta kryptis teisingiausi būna tada, kai tikslai neprieštarauja vidinėms nuostatoms ir vertybėms.�
Ši knyga yra ne visiems. Aš pati labai skeptiškai į ją žiūrėjau iš pradžių ir gan atsainiai skaičiau: akimis perbėgau tik labiausiai mane dominusias temas.
Ši knyga turėtų tikrai būti įdomi ir naudinga tiems žmonėms, kurie nori susipažinti ar pagilinti savo žinias šiose temose:
1. Manifestacija
2. Vizualizacija
3. Kaip mūsų kasdieniai veiksmai keičia mūsų smegenis?
4. Kaip sudarytos mūsų smegenys?
+ labai patiko tai, kad yra daug patarimų, kaip pakeisti, pagerinti savo smegenų veiklą, savo neigiamus įpročius pakeisti geresniais.
+ knygos pabaigoje yra 4 savaičių (arba mėnesių) planas “� geresnį gyvenimą� - jo neišbandžiau, tačiau gal kai kam padės
Ši knyga yra ne visiems. Aš pati labai skeptiškai į ją žiūrėjau iš pradžių ir gan atsainiai skaičiau: akimis perbėgau tik labiausiai mane dominusias temas.
Ši knyga turėtų tikrai būti įdomi ir naudinga tiems žmonėms, kurie nori susipažinti ar pagilinti savo žinias šiose temose:
1. Manifestacija
2. Vizualizacija
3. Kaip mūsų kasdieniai veiksmai keičia mūsų smegenis?
4. Kaip sudarytos mūsų smegenys?
+ labai patiko tai, kad yra daug patarimų, kaip pakeisti, pagerinti savo smegenų veiklą, savo neigiamus įpročius pakeisti geresniais.
+ knygos pabaigoje yra 4 savaičių (arba mėnesių) planas “� geresnį gyvenimą� - jo neišbandžiau, tačiau gal kai kam padės
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