Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $26.00
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Daniel Goleman
-
Written by:
-
Daniel Goleman
-
Richard Davidson
About this listen
Two New York Times best-selling authors unveil new research showing what meditation can really do for the brain. In the last 20 years, meditation and mindfulness have gone from being kind of cool to becoming an omnipresent Band-Aid for fixing everything from your weight to your relationship to your achievement level. Unveiling here the kind of cutting-edge research that has made them giants in their fields, Daniel Goleman and Richard J Davidson show us the truth about what meditation can really do for us, as well as exactly how to get the most out of it. Sweeping away common misconceptions and neuromythology to open listeners' eyes to the ways data has been distorted to sell mind-training methods, the authors demonstrate that beyond the pleasant states mental exercises can produce, the real payoffs are the lasting personality traits that can result. But short daily doses will not get us to the highest level of lasting positive change - even if we continue for years - without specific additions. More than sheer hours, we need smart practice, including crucial ingredients such as targeted feedback from a master teacher and a more spacious, less attached view of the self, all of which are missing in widespread versions of mind training. The authors also reveal the latest data from Davidson's own lab that point to a new methodology for developing a broader array of mind-training methods with larger implications for how we can derive the greatest benefits from the practice. Exciting, compelling, and grounded in new research, this is one of those rare books that has the power to change us at the deepest level.
©2017 Penguin Group (USA) LLC (P)2017 More Than Sound, LLCYou may also enjoy...
-
Healing Your Attachment Wounds
- How to Create Deep and Lasting Intimate Relationships
- Written by: Diane Poole Heller
- Narrated by: Diane Poole Heller
- Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From our earliest years, teaches Diane Poole Heller, we develop an attachment style that follows us through life, replaying in our intimate relationships, with our children, and at work. And traumatic events can deeply affect that core relational blueprint. With Healing Your Attachment Wounds, a pioneer in attachment theory and trauma resolution brings together these two fields to help us understand and benefit from their complementary principles and methods.
-
-
A great reminder that the childhood wounds don’t need to ruin adult relationships
- By Julia on 2018-09-18
Written by: Diane Poole Heller
-
The Nature of the Beast
- Written by: David J. Anderson
- Narrated by: L.J. Ganser
- Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Does your dog get sad when you leave for the day? Does your cat purr because she loves you? Do bears attack when they’re angry? You can’t very well ask them. In fact, scientists haven’t been able to reach a consensus on whether animals even have emotions like humans do, let alone how to study them. Yet studies of animal emotion are critical for understanding human emotion and mental illness. In The Nature of the Beast, pioneering neuroscientist David J. Anderson describes a new approach to solving this problem.
Written by: David J. Anderson
-
The Polyvagal Theory
- Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation
- Written by: Stephen W. Porges
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
- Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This book compiles, for the first time, Stephen W. Porges's decades of research. A leading expert in developmental psychophysiology and developmental behavioral neuroscience, Porges is the mind behind the groundbreaking Polyvagal Theory, which has startling implications for the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and autism. Adopted by clinicians around the world, the Polyvagal Theory has provided exciting new insights into the way our autonomic nervous system unconsciously mediates social engagement, trust, and intimacy.
-
-
Reads like a University Textbook
- By Linda on 2023-09-03
Written by: Stephen W. Porges
-
Understanding the Mysteries of Human Behavior
- Written by: Mark Leary, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Mark Leary
- Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Every day of your life is spent surrounded by mysteries that involve what appear to be rather ordinary human behaviors. What makes you happy? Where did your personality come from? Why do you have trouble controlling certain behaviors? Why do you behave differently as an adult than you did as an adolescent?Since the start of recorded history, and probably even before, people have been interested in answering questions about why we behave the way we do.
-
-
Decent overview, but unsurprising and unoriginal
- By Anonymous User on 2020-02-02
Written by: Mark Leary, and others
-
The World
- A Brief Introduction
- Written by: Richard Haass
- Narrated by: Dan Woren
- Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The World is designed to provide listeners of any age and experience with the essential background and building blocks they need to make sense of this complicated and interconnected world. It will empower them to manage the flood of daily news. Listeners will become more informed, discerning citizens, better able to arrive at sound, independent judgments. While it is impossible to predict what the next crisis will be or where it will originate, those who listen to The World will have what they need to understand its basics and the principal choices for how to respond.
-
-
Excellent snapshot of where we are today.
- By Redbyrd on 2020-08-18
Written by: Richard Haass
-
Food: A Cultural Culinary History
- Written by: Ken Albala, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Ken Albala
- Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eating is an indispensable human activity. As a result, whether we realize it or not, the drive to obtain food has been a major catalyst across all of history, from prehistoric times to the present. Epicure Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said it best: "Gastronomy governs the whole life of man."
-
-
This is a Western food history course
- By Anonymous User on 2019-05-15
Written by: Ken Albala, and others
-
Healing Your Attachment Wounds
- How to Create Deep and Lasting Intimate Relationships
- Written by: Diane Poole Heller
- Narrated by: Diane Poole Heller
- Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From our earliest years, teaches Diane Poole Heller, we develop an attachment style that follows us through life, replaying in our intimate relationships, with our children, and at work. And traumatic events can deeply affect that core relational blueprint. With Healing Your Attachment Wounds, a pioneer in attachment theory and trauma resolution brings together these two fields to help us understand and benefit from their complementary principles and methods.
-
-
A great reminder that the childhood wounds don’t need to ruin adult relationships
- By Julia on 2018-09-18
Written by: Diane Poole Heller
-
The Nature of the Beast
- Written by: David J. Anderson
- Narrated by: L.J. Ganser
- Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Does your dog get sad when you leave for the day? Does your cat purr because she loves you? Do bears attack when they’re angry? You can’t very well ask them. In fact, scientists haven’t been able to reach a consensus on whether animals even have emotions like humans do, let alone how to study them. Yet studies of animal emotion are critical for understanding human emotion and mental illness. In The Nature of the Beast, pioneering neuroscientist David J. Anderson describes a new approach to solving this problem.
Written by: David J. Anderson
-
The Polyvagal Theory
- Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation
- Written by: Stephen W. Porges
- Narrated by: Joe Hempel
- Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This book compiles, for the first time, Stephen W. Porges's decades of research. A leading expert in developmental psychophysiology and developmental behavioral neuroscience, Porges is the mind behind the groundbreaking Polyvagal Theory, which has startling implications for the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and autism. Adopted by clinicians around the world, the Polyvagal Theory has provided exciting new insights into the way our autonomic nervous system unconsciously mediates social engagement, trust, and intimacy.
-
-
Reads like a University Textbook
- By Linda on 2023-09-03
Written by: Stephen W. Porges
-
Understanding the Mysteries of Human Behavior
- Written by: Mark Leary, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Mark Leary
- Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Every day of your life is spent surrounded by mysteries that involve what appear to be rather ordinary human behaviors. What makes you happy? Where did your personality come from? Why do you have trouble controlling certain behaviors? Why do you behave differently as an adult than you did as an adolescent?Since the start of recorded history, and probably even before, people have been interested in answering questions about why we behave the way we do.
-
-
Decent overview, but unsurprising and unoriginal
- By Anonymous User on 2020-02-02
Written by: Mark Leary, and others
-
The World
- A Brief Introduction
- Written by: Richard Haass
- Narrated by: Dan Woren
- Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The World is designed to provide listeners of any age and experience with the essential background and building blocks they need to make sense of this complicated and interconnected world. It will empower them to manage the flood of daily news. Listeners will become more informed, discerning citizens, better able to arrive at sound, independent judgments. While it is impossible to predict what the next crisis will be or where it will originate, those who listen to The World will have what they need to understand its basics and the principal choices for how to respond.
-
-
Excellent snapshot of where we are today.
- By Redbyrd on 2020-08-18
Written by: Richard Haass
-
Food: A Cultural Culinary History
- Written by: Ken Albala, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Ken Albala
- Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Eating is an indispensable human activity. As a result, whether we realize it or not, the drive to obtain food has been a major catalyst across all of history, from prehistoric times to the present. Epicure Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said it best: "Gastronomy governs the whole life of man."
-
-
This is a Western food history course
- By Anonymous User on 2019-05-15
Written by: Ken Albala, and others
-
The Paradox of Choice
- Why More is Less
- Written by: Barry Schwartz
- Narrated by: Ken Kliban
- Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By synthesizing current research in the social sciences, Schwartz makes the counterintuitive case that eliminating choices can greatly reduce the stress, anxiety, and busyness of our lives. He offers eleven practical steps on how to limit choices to a manageable number, have the discipline to focus on the important ones and ignore the rest, and ultimately derive greater satisfaction from the choices you have to make.
-
-
Find a summary article instead
- By Nathan Lamont on 2020-01-29
Written by: Barry Schwartz
-
Successful Aging
- A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives
- Written by: Daniel J. Levitin
- Narrated by: Daniel J. Levitin
- Length: 18 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Levitin looks at the science behind what we all can learn from those who age joyously, as well as how to adapt our culture to take full advantage of older people's wisdom and experience. Throughout his exploration of what aging really means, using research from developmental neuroscience and the psychology of individual differences, Levitin reveals resilience strategies and practical, cognitive enhancing tricks everyone should do as they age.
-
-
Less about Aging Successfully Then I Thought
- By Marcella Cooper on 2023-03-20
Written by: Daniel J. Levitin
-
Trauma
- The Invisible Epidemic: How Trauma Works and How We Can Heal from It
- Written by: Paul Conti
- Narrated by: Tim Fannon
- Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Imagine, if you will, a disease - one that has only subtle outward symptoms but can hijack your entire body without notice; one that transfers easily between parent and child; one that can last a lifetime if untreated. According to Dr. Paul Conti, this is exactly how society should conceptualize trauma: as an out-of-control epidemic with a potentially fatal prognosis. In Trauma: The Invisible Epidemic, Dr. Conti examines the most recent research, clinical best practices, and dozens of real-life stories to present a deeper, richer, and more urgent view of trauma.
-
-
Overvalued
- By Remy on 2025-01-16
Written by: Paul Conti
-
No Self, No Problem
- How Neuropsychology is Catching Up to Buddhism
- Written by: Chris Niebauer PhD
- Narrated by: Charlie Varon
- Length: 3 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this groundbreaking audiobook, neuropsychology professor Chris Niebauer explains how after decades of research on the brain, Western science may have inadvertently confirmed a fundamental tenet of Buddhism: anatta, or the doctrine of "no self". Niebauer shows how findings in neuropsychology suggest that our sense of self is actually an illusion created by the left side of the brain and that it exists in the same way a mirage in the middle of the desert exists: as a thought rather than a thing.
-
-
Transforming read
- By igor on 2020-09-22
Written by: Chris Niebauer PhD
-
Focus
- The Hidden Driver of Excellence
- Written by: Daniel Goleman
- Narrated by: Daniel Goleman
- Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Combining cutting-edge research with practical findings, Focus delves into the science of attention in all its varieties, presenting a long overdue discussion of this little-noticed and under-rated mental asset. In an era of unstoppable distractions, Goleman persuasively argues that now more than ever we must learn to sharpen focus if we are to survive in a complex world.
-
-
Definitely not Cohesive, Lacks applicability
- By seth wudel on 2022-01-09
Written by: Daniel Goleman
-
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Principles of Becoming More Flexible, Effective, and Fulfilled
- Written by: Steven C. Hayes PhD
- Narrated by: Steven C. Hayes PhD
- Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For more than 30 years, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has been used effectively to treat mental and behavioral health problems such as anxiety and depression. It has also been demonstrated to support workplace success, sports performance, weight loss, social change, and more. In this complete audio learning program, the originator of ACT teaches us its essential principles.
-
-
Amazing
- By J. Mckenna on 2021-08-27
Written by: Steven C. Hayes PhD
-
Being You
- A New Science of Consciousness
- Written by: Anil Seth
- Narrated by: Anil Seth
- Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What does it mean to “be you” - that is, to have a specific, conscious experience of the world around you and yourself within it? There may be no more elusive or fascinating question. Historically, humanity has considered the nature of consciousness to be a primarily spiritual or philosophical inquiry, but scientific research is now mapping out compelling biological theories and explanations for consciousness and selfhood.
-
-
Excellent book!
- By Rob M on 2022-01-09
Written by: Anil Seth
-
I Know What to Do, So Why Don't I Do It?
- The New Science of Self-Discipline
- Written by: Nick Hall
- Narrated by: Nick Hall
- Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You might think laziness, lack of willpower, and/or low motivation are to blame for the fact that you aren't achieving your goals. But fascinating research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology has revealed another, far more likely possibility. One with the potential to transform your life in a dramatic way.
-
-
The title is misleading
- By graham millward on 2020-02-09
Written by: Nick Hall
-
How the Mind Works
- Written by: Steven Pinker
- Narrated by: Mel Foster
- Length: 26 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this delightful, acclaimed bestseller, one of the world’s leading cognitive scientists tackles the workings of the human mind. What makes us rational—and why are we so often irrational? How do we see in three dimensions? What makes us happy, afraid, angry, disgusted, or sexually aroused? Why do we fall in love? And how do we grapple with the imponderables of morality, religion, and consciousness?
-
-
great, but slow at times
- By ben kuzmich on 2018-07-07
Written by: Steven Pinker
-
Aware
- The Science and Practice of Presence - A Complete Guide to the Groundbreaking Wheel of Awareness Meditation Practice
- Written by: Daniel Siegel M.D.
- Narrated by: Daniel Siegel M.D.
- Length: 15 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aware provides practical instruction for mastering the Wheel of Awareness, a life-changing tool for cultivating more focus, presence, and peace in one's life. An in-depth look at the science that underlies meditation's effectiveness, this audiobook teaches listeners how to harness the power of the principle "Where attention goes, neural firing flows, and neural connection grows". Siegel reveals how developing a Wheel of Awareness practice to focus attention, open awareness, and cultivate kind intention can help you grow a healthier brain and reduce fear and anxiety in your life.
-
-
wasted my time
- By margo on 2018-08-29
Written by: Daniel Siegel M.D.
-
Screenwriting 101: Mastering the Art of Story
- Written by: Angus Fletcher, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Angus Fletcher
- Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether you want to write your own scripts or simply gain a deeper appreciation for the great stories you see unfold on the screen, Professor Angus Fletcher is here to show you the way in Screenwriting 101: Mastering the Art of Story. Professor Fletcher, Professor of English and Film at The Ohio State University, brings both a personal and scholarly perspective to this craft. As a screenwriter himself, he has experienced the ins and outs of the process first-hand.
-
-
Not practical
- By Marie-Louise on 2019-01-03
Written by: Angus Fletcher, and others
-
Your Deceptive Mind: A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills
- Written by: Steven Novella, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Steven Novella
- Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No skill is more important in today's world than being able to think about, understand, and act on information in an effective and responsible way. What's more, at no point in human history have we had access to so much information, with such relative ease, as we do in the 21st century. But because misinformation out there has increased as well, critical thinking is more important than ever. These 24 rewarding lectures equip you with the knowledge and techniques you need to become a savvier, sharper critical thinker in your professional and personal life.
-
-
Great book worth a listen but maybe I'm bias.
- By Martin on 2018-01-15
Written by: Steven Novella, and others
What listeners say about Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mandi
- 2024-04-04
Meditation changes our brain
Great book!! Highly recommended!!! The author does a great job showing the science behind meditation.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Akhil
- 2018-07-16
A very humble commentary of research on mediation
A journey of two researchers who ventured to the u known , strong conviction, courage to accept flaws in design and constant perseverance for the sake of knowledge
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ian
- 2019-03-22
amazing
good book. I enjoyed it. definitely for the more scientifically inclined. sometimes hard to follow the neurology terms and I had to stop the tape a few times to look up some terms. it would definitely work better with a couple diagrams. overall excellent book and work by the authors. keep up the good work!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer
- 2020-03-12
Great summary of scientific research on meditation
"What you know about meditation might be wrong. What is true about meditation you might not know". (paraphrased from the book)
Altered Traits delivers on what the authors promise in introducing the book. It summarizes the reasonably robust research findings on a few different benefits of meditation. I particularly liked that the authors are upfront about the potential shortcomings, abuses and misreporting of growing "research" on the benefits of meditation, and separate the reliable findings from the rest.
The order of the middle chapters seems somewhat arbitrary and the quality of the results they report varies. However there are several remarkable findings and thought-provoking hypotheses particularly in the final chapters.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Arne G
- 2018-01-05
Read it
Probably a much better read than a listen with technical details and ability to skip to summary pages.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful