THE MINDFUL BRAIN --- REFLECTION AND ATTTUNEMENT IN THE CULTIVATION OF WELL-BEING by Daniel J. Siegel. W. W. Norton & Simpon, 2007
    ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (pix-xii)

    PREFACE (pxiii-xx)

      Almost all cultures have ritual disciplines to help people develop awareness of the moment. The discipline or method enables individuals to focus their attention in a way that transforms their lives. It appears that "mindful awareness" is a universal goal across human cultures.

      For the educational purpose of this book, "mindfulness" is defined as a form of healthy relationship with oneself.

      In addition, the concept of "attunement" is used to study the interpersonal relationships, such as those within families. The focus on the mind of another person harnesses "neural circuitry" that enables two people to "feel felt" by each other. This state is crucial if people in relationships are to feel vibrant and alive, understood, and at peace. Such "attuned relationships" promote resilience and longevity.

      Attunement can help your brain grow in ways that promote balanced "self-regulation" by the process of "neural integration," which enables flexibility and self-understanding.

      [1] The need --- there is a desperate need for a new way of being that would inspire us and save us from alienation. We need a firm grounding in the "healthy mind" itself. The human potential for compassion and empathy is huge. Realizing that potential may be as direct as attuning to ourselves, one mind, one relationship, one moment at at time. (pxv-xvi)

      [2] The approach --- mindfulness is a very important, empowering, and personal internal experience. The book is divided into four parts in order to achieve the goal of clarity in the various ways of knowing, which include subjective experience, science, and professional applications.(pxvi-xvii)

      [3] Interpersonal neurobiology --- the book is based on an interdisciplinary view of the mind and mental health (pxvii-xx)

    PART 1 --- MIND, BRAIN, AND AWARENESS (p1-50)

      1) A mindful awareness (p3-28)

      2) Brain basics (p29-50)

    PART 2 --- IMMERSION IN DIRECT EXPERIENCE (p51-86)

      3) A week of silence (p53-67)

      4) Suffering and the streams of awareness (p68-86)

    PART 3 --- FACETS OF THE MINDFUL BRAIN (p87-256)

      5) Subjectivity and science (p89-107)

      6) Harnessing the hub --- attention and the wheel of awareness (p108-133)

      7) Jettisoning judgments --- dissolving top-down constraints (p134-163)

      8) Internal attunement --- mirror neurons, resonance, and attention to intention (p164-188)

      9) Reflective coherence --- "neural integration" and middle prefrontal function (p189-208)

      10) Flexibility of feeling --- affective style and an approach mindset (p209-227)

      11) Reflective thinking --- imagery and the "cognitive style" of mindful learning (p228-207)

    PART 4 --- REFLECTIONS ON THE MINDFUL BRAIN (p257-320)

      12) Educating the mind --- the fourth "R" and the wisdom of reflection (p259-276)

      13) Reflection in clinical practice --- being present and cultivating the "Hub" (p277-287)

      14) The "mindful brain" in psychotherapy --- promoting "neural integration" (p250-260)

    AFTERWARD --- Reflections on "reflection" (p321-328)

    APENDIX 1 Reflection and mindfulness resources (p329-331)

    APENDIX 2 Glossary and Terms (p332-336)

    APENDIX 3 Neural Notes (p337-362)

    REFERENCES (p363-378)

    INDEX (p379-387)

Return to intro essay #1: Focus on the Self-Liberation Philosophy and Strategy
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