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In Rewire Your Brain for Love, neuropsychologist Marsha Lucas brings together neuroscience and mindfulness meditation in an exciting program to help readers create and sustain better, healthier, juicier romantic relationships.
With a passion for neuroscience and the ability to relay it in a clear, unintimidating—and funny— manner, Lucas delves into how the human brain works in relationships, exploring the neurological connections that fuel our reactions. In an inviting and reassuring tone, she describes how we developed our current relationship wiring and how to modify it through mindfulness meditation. Focusing on nine high-voltage benefits—including everything from being able to better manage your reactions, to improved communication with yourself and others, to an enhanced ability to handle fear—Lucas shows how a short daily meditation practice can change the way you interact with everyone around you…especially those closest to you.
Each chapter focuses on one benefit, including an in-depth description of exactly what that benefit is and how it will improve the reader’s life. She looks at the science and research associated with mindfulness meditation in relation to each benefit, and then provides readers with a specific meditation to help bring that benefit into their relationships.
Imagine, instead of blowing up at an off-hand statement your partner makes, you are able to stop, breathe, and respond in a thoughtful manner. And as the author says, “You don’t have to become a monk, or a vegetarian, or spend hours contemplating your navel”; you simply need to notice your mind’s busyness and not get all tangled up in it. This simple process truly can change your life.
Introduction: Rewiring Your Brain for Love: The Best Do-It-Yourself Project You'll Ever Do xiii
Part I Understanding Your Current Wiring Diagram Please Read the Owner's Manual Before Attempting Repairs
Chapter 1 Early Relationship Experiences: Attached at the Hip Hippocampus 3
Chapter 2 What Goes Where: The Wiring Diagram of the Relationship Brain 19
Part II Becoming Your Own Master Electrician Essential Relationship Wiring Features and How to Power Them Up
Chapter 3 Rewiring the Alarm Button: Body Regulation 37
Meditation: Basic Mindfulness 53
Chapter 4 Circuit Breakers to Prevent Overheating: Fear Modulation 57
Meditation: Circuit Breaker 74
Chapter 5 Installing a Dimmer Switch: Emotional Resilience 75
Meditation: "Can You Feel Me Now?" 88
Chapter 6 Grounded Electrical Outlets: Response Flexibility 91
Meditation: "Catch a Wave" 102
Chapter 7 Putting a Work Light in the Attic: Insight/Self-Knowing 105
Meditation: Body Scan 122
Chapter 8 Acquiring a Voltmeter: Empathy 125
Meditation: Loving-Kindness 138
Chapter 9 We're All on the Same Power Grid: From Me to We 145
Meditation: Interconnectedness 158
Part III You've Got the Power
Chapter 10 Living with Your New Wiring 163
Meditation: Abiding Changes 175
Final Thoughts 179
Resources 181
Endnotes 189
Acknowledgments 197
About the Author 201
RogerAndOut
Posted May 24, 2012
I heard Dr. Lucas on a webinar for healthcare professionals around the world. (I'm not a doctor, but I'm committed to taking good care of my health.) It was one of the best talks I've ever heard from a professional. Not jargon or psych-babble, but serious science presented in a real and useful way.
Dr. Lucas writes like she talks (real words, kind, funny, lively), so it's a bit like having a convo with her as you read. Very useful info, backed by real science without dumb claims.
The only question is why this is "just" for relationships? It's really good for much more than that. Definitely recommended.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Ergomatic
Posted April 22, 2012
A lot of the self-help books I've read have either very little heart, very little practical substance, or nothing at all to back them up. I really appreciate what I got from this book, since it delivers on all of those. I felt like I was having a very cool conversation with the author, with a lot of heart and humor and compassion; there was real substance and a practical, "you can do this" approach (which has already been helpful to me, even just two weeks into putting it into practice); and the science to back it up is real.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Barbaric_Yawp
Posted April 21, 2012
This is a book I've been hoping someone would write. It takes the power of scientific research and puts it into warm, accessible language woven with real-life examples about how to make your relationships seriously better.
Dr. Lucas seems like someone I'd enjoy hanging out with, since she brings together science, love, attachment, and mindfulness, all things on the top of my list.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SalsaChick62
Posted June 13, 2012
My husband and I both read this. He never reads self-improvement books, but since this one has solid science research behind it, he was willing to give it a go after I'd read it and he could see how I was already doing our interactions differently.
We can both already see progress and changes in our relationship from this book, having both finished it a month ago. It feels like we don't get on the same ridiculous (sometimes hurtful) roller-coaster ride any more; what a relief! I wish we'd had this book twenty years ago. Giving a copy to our daughter who is about to be married.
Highly recommended!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Didn't really get anything out of this book-too complicated!
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 19, 2012
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Posted February 20, 2012
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Posted May 7, 2012
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Overview
In Rewire Your Brain for Love, neuropsychologist Marsha Lucas brings together neuroscience and mindfulness meditation in an exciting program to help readers create and sustain better, healthier, juicier romantic relationships.
With a passion for neuroscience and the ability to relay it in a clear, unintimidating—and funny— manner, Lucas delves into how the human brain works in relationships, exploring the neurological connections that fuel our reactions. In an inviting and ...