In this fascinating and seminal book, Newsweek science writer Sharon Begley explains how cutting-edge science and the ancient wisdom of Buddhism have come together to reveal that, contrary to popular belief, we have the power to literally change our brains to change our minds. Recent pioneering experiments in the field of neuroplasticity – the brain's ability to change in response to experience – reveal that the brain is capable of altering its structure and function, and even generating new neurons, an ability we retain well into old age. The brain can adapt, heal, renew itself after trauma, compensate for disabilities, rewire itself to overcome dyslexia, and break cycles of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. As scientists discover from studies carried out with Buddhist monks, not only can the outside world change the brain, but it can also change the mind. With her knack for making science accessible, understandable, and compelling, Sharon Begley illuminates a profound shift in our understanding of how the brain and mind interact, and leads us to the forefront of a revolution in what it means to be human.