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The Awakened Brain

The Psychology of Spirituality and Our Search for Meaning

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The Awakened Brain

By: Lisa Miller
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A ground-breaking exploration of the neuroscience of spirituality and a bold new paradigm for health, healing and resilience

Whether it's an uplifting walk in nature, meditation or prayer, there are many ways to experience heightened awareness and escape the relentless demands of modern life. The range of opportunities of this kind suggest that it isn't dependent on faith or religion, but that it's about a different mode of living; an innate spirituality.

Lisa Miller has spent decades researching the effects of spirituality on the brain. In this book she draws on her clinical experience and award-winning research to show how an active spiritual life can transform our physical and psychological wellbeing. Bringing scientific rigour to the most intangible aspect of our lives, Miller offers insights into the neurological basis for the increased resilience that comes with nurturing spirituality and highlights its measurable positive effects: decreasing the likelihood of depression and substance abuse, and shifting the course of recovery in many other clinical settings.

Woven throughout is Miller's personal story of how, while confronting her own challenges, her professional pragmatism gave way to a greater appreciation of insights that are important to so many people and yet so often dismissed as unscientific. Brimming with inspiration and compassion, this landmark book will revolutionize your understanding of spirituality, mental health and how we find meaning and purpose in life.

© Lisa Miller 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Biological Sciences Neuroscience & Neuropsychology Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Spirituality Health Mental Health Human Brain

Critic Reviews

Erudite, compelling . . . Miller's iconoclasm challenges orthodoxies and common practice . . . what makes this a credible and original investigation is Miller's solid and verifiable clinical and epidemiological data (Yasmin Alibhai-Brown)
Lisa Miller is the leading psychologist of her generation on the benefits of religion and spirituality. She asks, 'What makes life worth living?' and finds evidence-based answers (Martin Seligman)
A new revolution of health and well being. She shows through scientific research, clinical insight, and personal experience that we can always choose between two modes of conscious awareness, each with profoundly different outcomes for our health and daily experience (Deepak Chopra)
A captivating look at what happens to our brains when we're connected to something greater than ourselves - and what it does for our lives (Adam Grant)
Ushers in a new science of healing. This work is urgent; a vision for human potential that is sorely needed in our time . . . I simply could not put it down (Liz Murray)
Truly transformative . . . Lisa Miller's life's work and story weave a tapestry of science, psychology and spirituality which unfolds a world of mystery and meaning . . . reveals a unity to the universe that can be accessed by both heart and mind for our mental and physical well-being (The Rt Revd James Jones KBE)
Potent, profound, and accessible . . . a compelling examination of the correlations between spirituality and mental health
Unequivocally shows that spirituality heals. Her pioneering research has vast implications not only for medical science, but also for the growing field of consciousness research (Larry Dossey)
A revisionist account of mind and matter . . . Miller argues that spiritual awareness is to be found across religious differences and should be considered a birthright (Mark Vernon)
All stars
Most relevant
Resonated with all of it. What made me go hmm?? was the mention and reference of the spiritual advisor of the pentagon.

Reaffirming

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This book is beautifully written and illuminates the importance of nurturing our natural spirituality. I absolutely loved it and will no doubt listen again.

Simply beautiful

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I found the reader’s style irritating as it seems more appropriate for fictional storytelling rather than this work.

Fascinating research and insight

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I loved this book, as I learnt so much, and it was so amazing how Dr Lisa Miller, Ph.D combined her own personal stories, along with decades of mental health experience and her cutting edge research and sharing of the science of Spirituality and the benefits to our mental health is a game changer and that’s why I think everyone needs to listen or read this book.

I was so excited to find out about ways that we can prevent depression, addiction and also help with relapses, to discover the science and what is going on in the brain when it comes to practicing spirituality blew me away.

Review by: Yvette Le Blowitz

I loved this book, it was so heartwarming

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A great read and I found it comforting to be provided with many case studies proving we are supported when we are open. Enjoy!

Wonder Restored

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.