Am I Dreaming: The Science of Altered States, from Psychedelics to Virtual Reality, and Beyond

(Paperback, Main)

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Description

When a computer goes wrong, we are told to turn it off and on again. In Am I Dreaming, science journalist James Kingsland reveals how the human brain is remarkably similar. By rebooting our hard-wired patterns of thinking - through so-called 'altered states of consciousness' - we can gain new perspectives into ourselves and the world around us.

From shamans in Peru to tech workers in Silicon Valley, Kingsland provides a fascinating tour through lucid dreams, mindfulness, hypnotic trances, virtual reality and drug-induced hallucinations. An eye-opening insight into perception and consciousness, this is also a provocative argument for how altered states can significantly boost our mental health.

Reviews

Kingsland does a wonderful job of succinctly conveying complex theories. * Philosophy Now *
James Kingsland leads us through the wonderful world of modern consciousness science. This book is many splendored - read it so you can take part in one of the greatest intellectual adventures of all time. * Professor J. Allan Hobson, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Emeritus, Harvard Medical School *
A fascinating, eye-opening insight into how an alteration of consciousness can reboot our brains and improve our mental health and wellbeing. I highly recommend it. * Amanda Feilding, director of the Beckley Foundation *
Compelling and authoritative... Read this book. * Dr Ben Sessa, Senior Research Fellow at Imperial College and Consultant Psychiatrist *
Rigorously researched, elegantly crafted, and personally inspired, this is a wonderful contribution to the burgeoning field of neurophenomenology, where science meets spirit. Every page delivers an insight. * Andrew Holecek, Author of The Power and the Pain *
Kingsland's book is a cursory but fascinating exploration of the neuroscience behind meditation, and he offers a wonderful starting point for further research and practice. * Publishers Weekly on Siddhartha's Brain *
A pleasure to read... This is a smart, accessible balance of philosophical teachings and brain science and how meditation can relate to everything from addiction to Alzheimer's disease. * Washington Times on Siddharta's Brain *
Fascinating... Whether you're a sceptic or a true believer, exploring Siddhartha's brain offers compelling insights and invites further questions about the potential of the human mind. * Chicago Tribune on Siddharta's Brain *
Brain science and Buddhist lore combine in this compelling treatise on the benefits of meditation and mindfulness * Kirkus Reviews on Siddharta's Brain *
Reveals not only how mindfulness meditation can rewire the human brain and help us achieve a sense of spiritual fulfilment but also how we can easily integrate the practice into our daily lives. * Scientific American on Siddharta's Brain *

Author Bio

James Kingsland is a science journalist with more than 25 years' experience working for publications including New Scientist and Nature. Most recently he was a commissioning editor and Science Production Editor for the Guardian. He is the author of Siddhartha's Brain: Unlocking the Ancient Science of Enlightenment.