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Into the Magic Shop
Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart | James R. Doty, MD
The award-winning New York Times bestseller about the extraordinary things that can happen when we harness the power of both the brain and the heart Growing up in the high desert of California, Jim Doty was poor, with an alcoholic father and a mother chronically depressed and paralyzed by a stroke. Today he is the director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University, of which the Dalai Lama is a founding benefactor. But back then his life was at a dead end until at twelve he wandered into a magic shop looking for a plastic thumb. Instead he met Ruth, a woman who taught him a series of exercises to ease his own suffering and manifest his greatest desires. Her final mandate was that he keep his heart open and teach these techniques to others. She gave him his first glimpse of the unique relationship between the brain and the heart. Doty would go on to put Ruths practices to work with extraordinary resultspower and wealth that he could only imagine as a twelve-year-old, riding his orange Sting-Ray bike. But he neglects Ruths most important lesson, to keep his heart open, with disastrous resultsuntil he has the opportunity to make a spectacular charitable contribution that will virtually ruin him. Part memoir, part science, part inspiration, and part practical instruction, Into the Magic Shop shows us how we can fundamentally change our lives by first changing our brains and our hearts.
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Cathy_J
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Pickpick

I am currently discovering the music of BTS and have found some beautiful songs that try to support anyone dealing with mental health issues. This book inspired a song called Magic Shop with the lyrics below ??? ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"On days you hate to be you, on days you wish you could forever disappear,
Let‘s make a door, in your heart.
Open the door, go inside, and this will be what‘s awaiting you.
You can trust this. To console you, a magic shop."

Suet624 What is BTS? 2y
roronoazoro Have fun, BTS are the best! 💜 2y
bthegood @Suet624 a South Korean boy band - the name of the band 🙂 2y
Suet624 Thanks! 2y
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wanderinglynn
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Pickpick

I randomly picked up this book at a local bookshop last week. Or maybe I was cosmically driven to it. The title seemed to catch my eye. But whatever the reason, I‘m happy I found it. I am fascinated by neuroscience and this neurosurgeon‘s journey is a fascinating one. Part autobiography, part neuroscience, part lessons of the heart, this is a must-read.

Gaylagal2 @wanderinglynn Have you read Do No Harm by Dr. Henry Marsh? It's fantastic and it's one of those few books that I'd read twice 🤙 4y
wanderinglynn @Gaylagal2 I have not, but I will add it to my list! Thanks for the recommendation! 😀 4y
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kaysworld1
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A neurosurgeons true story of the life changing magic of compassion and mindfulness.

Just started this today and I am loving it.
#librarybooks #readingthelibrary #themagicshop #truestory

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Insightsintobooks
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Crazeedi I have this book, my hubby said he really liked, I haven't read yet. Need to... 5y
JennyM This is a great read. 5y
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Maria514626
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Pickpick

Simple but not simplistic. Enjoyed this very much.

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Maria514626
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The work day is finally done. I‘m so tired but I can‘t let more #readathon time go to waste. Diving back into this one. #24b42019

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Maria514626
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Thank you, sweet @BridgetteM for the Christmas treats! I opened the book and exclaimed, “How fun!“ Sugar cookies are my favorite! And just yesterday I was wondering where all my magnetic bookmarks disappeared to. One can ever have too many funny or beautiful bookmarks.

I‘m visiting my Dad for Xmas lunch later today. The first he‘s in memory care. Your pressies are such a lovely start to a weird day. ❤️❤️❤️ #christmasbookswap

BridgetteM So glad you like it! I got yours as well, thank you so much! I will post a picture as soon as get home from my holiday travels. 5y
Maria514626 You‘re welcome! Glad it arrived. Sometimes our post office is less than reliable. 🙄 5y
39 likes2 comments
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Maria514626
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This book is full of gems like this.

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Maria514626
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👆👆👆TBR by the end if the month! 🤞🤞🤞
So ... these are on tap for my #25inFive. Looking forward to starting my “mandatory” 😂 reading tomorrow!

Andrew65 Good luck 👍 5y
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Kbourg
Pickpick

Loved this book! Even bought two copies to give to my a few of my high school students. Inspiring and encouraging.

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GoneFishing

Another mystery of the brain is that it will always choose what is familiar over what is unfamiliar. By visualizing my own future success, I was making this success familiar to my brain. Intention is a funny thing, and whatever the brain puts its intention on is what it sees.

Suet624 Great strategy. 6y
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Victoriahoperose
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Panpan

I really just did not like this book. It was boring and just not what I thought it would be. I didn‘t care for the author and the way he told his story. Just not a fan.

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Mehso-so

I enjoyed this relatively short audiobook. It's by turns scientific, heart wrenching, and inspirational. This kid with tremendous difficulties meets a grandmotherly woman who shares time, attention, and care with him. The experience and her instructions help him transform his life not once but twice.

A longer review is posted here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1700498409. Feel free to add me too!

LiteraryinLawrence Sounds really interesting. I'd never heard of this one before! 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @LiteraryinLititz It was a Daily Deal on Audible awhile ago, so that's how I found it. 8y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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I haven't had much time to read or to Litsy this week. I miss you and my books as I drive around to appointments and also work. This is what's been keeping me company in my ears. So far, it's an interesting take on meditation, intention, lovingkindness, and the brain's neuro plasticity.

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Redwritinghood
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Pickpick

Powerful story of how a boy from a poor family with an alcoholic father and severely depressed mother had his life course altered one day after walking into a magic shop and meeting a woman named Ruth. From her, he learned to live a life of compassion and intention and was able to find success in his life.

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Redwritinghood
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"Unfortunately, so many people let others decide what they can and cannot do." Dr. Doty's story is certainly inspiring. This quote sums up a lot of why he was so successful in spite of his terrible childhood and lackluster performance in school.

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Redwritinghood
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I've got a few hours left in the car today, so starting another audiobook- this one is a memoir by a Stanford neurosurgeon. Had really good reviews on Amazon.

BarbaraTheBibliophage I picked that one up recently too. Looking forward to your review! 8y
ImaginativeMom I love books by neurosurgeons, neurologists, and psychiatrists. Can't wait to hear what you think!! 8y
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Sue
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Audible's daily deal today looks like a tonne of fun!

BarbaraTheBibliophage I picked this one up. Looking forward to it! 8y
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MariaRichardson
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"Everyone has worth, has value, and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Everyone deserves love. And everyone deserves a chance, and then a second chance." ❤️