The mirror of the brain
The mirror of the brain is a popular book written by the research director, professor of mindfulness and cognitive sciences and Spanish author Nazareth Castellanos. The work was published by the La Huerta Grande publishing house in 2021, as part of a collection dedicated to the essay. Since its release on the market, a large audience has appreciated that the writer has taken the time to explain how the brain works in simple words.
The human mind is complex, infiltrated by a delicate and fascinating infrastructure. Neuroscience scholars generally share very little with civilians, so all non-scientists lag slightly behind in knowledge. In this sense, Nazareth Castellanos comes down from the arena and tells the audience some interesting facts about the proper use of neurological material what we have
A disruptive text in full fashion of "personal development" and "mindfulness"
The enormous role that "personal development" has had in recent years is widely known, especially in the web environment.. And it is not for less: everyone wants to become the best version of themselves. It is common to read about it in bibliographical material of coaches, influencers, writers of self-improvement books…
Although, it needs to be said: unfortunately, most of the content that is obtained is recycled and/or seeks to fill gaps with unfounded hollow knowledge.
As a direct complement to said "process of overcoming" that is intended to be sold, many of these authors have begun to adopt the term mindfulness. The reason is simple: how well Anglo-Saxon words tend to be marketed in the Hispanic market. The common thing is that the concept is touched in a very superficial way, without reaching really firm conclusions about it, which leaves the reader with an equally trivial knowledge.
However, this is not the case with the book that brings us here today. In fact, it can be said that The mirror of the brain It is a disruptive text, a scientifically based lecture on how to make this type of publication.
Synopsis for The Mirror of the Brain
An unorthodox approach
Despite that The mirror of the brain It is a scientific text that is focused on making known more about the functioning of one of the most studied organs —both by science and by interested people—, Nazareth Castellanos directs her analysis to the results of the neuroscience of meditation.
It is possible that this last sentence may sound misleading, as a direct consequence —as was said beforehand— of the much “literature” of Self Help which addresses the theme of mindfulness superfluously. However, The mirror of the brain does not rely on magical thinking to create conspiracy theories in relation to the fact that we do not use all the capacities of our primary organ in order to attract readers. Nothing of that.
In fact, the text entrenches itself in serious academic study. These reports reflect how meditation and mindfulness activity can shape brain biology for a more balanced mind, attentive and willing for all the errands that must be faced during the day to day. And what has been raised here is nothing more than the mindfulness: have the lucidity to know yourself in the here and now.
The origin of mindfulness
2.500 years ago, at the same time that the Buddha began to impart his knowledge of enlightenment, a language known as “pali” was spoken. It was a native language very similar to Sanskrit.
This dialect had to its credit the word "sati", which, in turn, is the conversion or nominalization of the verb "sarati", a beautiful term that means "remember" or "remember" —which among its meanings have “bring to the present”—.
Therefore, sati is the intrinsic capacity that the human being possesses to remember that you must stay in the present. This is precisely what it represents el mindfulness.
An eloquent exhortation to be in the here and now
Nazareth Castellanos uses her communication skills to explain brain architecture in a simple way. This is done in one hundred and ten pages, approximately. In them, the author develops a thesis on how the brain makes several trips to reach full attention.
Through a language close to the reader, the writer reveals scientific concepts that are perfectly applicable to the process that must be executed to approach personal development.
The main idea of the work is to teach readers how to —through practices already used in science and spirituality— achieve in-person status. That is to say: how to concentrate all our attention on a single activity at a time, to do it in the best possible way. In one of the sections of the book, the author mentions: “If you sweep, sweep. If you read, read. If you write, write. If you suffer, suffer. And if you enjoy, enjoy."
The importance of mindfulness
The mirror of the brain it guides the reader towards a concept called the default brain network. To make sense in the minds of those who do not understand science, Nazareth Castellanos resorts to the metaphor of “automatic pilot”. After being in it for a long time, it is easy to identify that it is that state where we are not truly aware of what we do or say.
This space is essential to give the brain some rest, but it can become dangerous if a person remains there for very long periods of time. In this sense, the author urges the reader to pay attention to everything you do most of the time.
On the other hand, this practice also helps human beings to have a broader understanding of their own internal dialogue. Many times we listen to ourselves so little that we do not have access to the information that our body provides us to protect ourselves or get out of a conflict. It is then when the phrase "listen with commitment" becomes a tool for self-awareness.
In this regard, Nazareth Castellanos affirms that it is necessary to “know how to be a spectator and an actor”.
About the author, Nazareth Castellanos
Nazareth Castellanos
Nazareth Castellanos was born in 1977, in Madrid, Spain. He studied a degree in Theoretical Physics, as well as a doctorate in Medicine from the university of the Iberian country. Later, He carried out other studies, such as postgraduate studies in Neurosurgery, Neuroscience and Mathematics. Throughout his career he has written and collaborated with several articles in renowned scientific journals.
Currently, Directs the Nirakara Laboratory and Extraordinary Chair of Mindfulness and Cognitive Sciences, unique in its class, because it studies the activity of meditating through scientific practice. Nazareth Castellanos is a born communicator, and despite holding several academic degrees related to logic, she thinks that if her mother cannot understand what she writes, then her work would not be worth it.
She likes to write for herself more than for her students, as well as having long conversations with curious and brave people who are capable of rediscovering themselves. The author has commented in several interviews that you should not be distracted from life, but rather enjoy it, and observe the constant advance of man and his discoveries.