The Neuroscience of Manifestation: How Your Mind Is Creating Your Reality | Dr. James Doty

What is the number one thought that blocks us from the ability to manifest greater? Fear. It's insecurity. It's shame. And when you're fearful, this stimulate your sympathetic nervous system with all the negative aspects of it. When you love, you're open. You're generous. You're thoughtful. You're kind because you've engaged the parasympathetic nervous system. And you have a choice. Bestselling author, international speaker, Professor Jim Doty. >> Dr. James Dodie, what a pleasure to have you. The one and only great teacher, Dr. James Doy. >> We know that what wires together fires >> fires together. Yes. >> And my point about that is number one, you have to work. This isn't like, oh, I thought of it, therefore it should happen. It's like anything. Everybody's manifesting every day. They just do it very inefficiently, right? How did you learn to break the limiting beliefs and create more empowering beliefs to support you to feel emotionally free and start to attract more of what you wanted in your life? >> Well, first of all, >> welcome back everyone to the School of Greatness. Very excited about our guest. We have the inspiring James Dodie in the house. Dr. Good to see you. Thanks for being here. >> Sure. I am fascinated by this topic of manifestation and I'm even more fascinated when you bring neuroscience research and studies that back the power of manifestation. Your new book, Mind Magic, the neuroscience of manifestation and how it changes everything I'm very excited about because you kind of walk us through these different steps on the process of manifestation. So, first I wanted to ask you a question about the difference between the law of attraction and manifestation. Are they the same thing or are they different? >> Well, if you look historically at the law of attraction, it goes back to hermetics, which is this group in the first or second century AD. And there was this belief in the mind. And they used the terminology the law of attraction. And of course, then there's a guy, I think his name Phineas Quimby, who uh uh then promoted this further. And this was in the 18th century or so. And then of course or 19th century and then we had uh who was it? Think and grow rich. >> Napoleon Hill. >> Yes. And uh and sort of continued on that path. Uh so um it is this narrative that there is this universal power that uh when you want something if you whatever use the right methods you will get it. and uh and it's of course been embraced by the uh group who sort of promotes woowoo and pseudocience. And that's not to say there's not a kernel of truths, but it's been surrounded by all sorts of uh other aspects that I think diminish the actual power of it. >> So there is power in the law of attraction. >> Well, you could say it's synonymous. The manner in which it is used is synonymous with manifestation. Uh the question is I think more importantly all of us are manifesting every day. >> Right? >> Most of us do it very inefficiently. >> Right? >> You know because everybody sits and says I want X Y or Z or I wish for this to happen. >> I think there are techniques you can use that can maximize the potential for you manifesting your intentions. M >> so learning how the brain works and how those techniques work maximize that. Uh so you go it's like an athlete as you well know you know if you've never been taught something you try it for the first time you sort of stumble through it. Yeah, frankly most people stumble through life, right? And then as you practice it or you learn from people who, you know, have the knowledge, then you uh perfect it and uh and then you understand the if you want to say the neuroscience underpinnings of it and how you make these what we call cognitive brain networks interact. Uh and then uh you've taken it from sort of well it might happen. And I thought about it too. There's a high likelihood it will happen. How I mean how people talk about the conscious mind and the subconscious mind. What is at play when we start to think about things we want to manifest and actually actualizing them in the physical material world? Is it the conscious mind or the subconscious mind that is driving this manifestation process? >> Well, that's an excellent question. So the key is how do you get information which sticks into your subconscious. So just saying I want this it may or may not work because again we're also distracted by all sorts of stuff. You know as an example we have about 10 million bits of information coming in through our sensory organs every second. >> 10 million >> million. Yes. And we're only able to pro process on a conscious level 50 to 100. >> Okay. So now most of that goes to maintaining homeostasis or functioning of our body systems on an unconscious level but uh we have actually access to our subconscious level and you can learn that through different techniques and then utilize those to maximize the input. And so when I say you have 50 to 100 bits you can use part of that to consciously embed your intention if you know how to do that. >> Interesting. Wow. Okay. And as a you know as a brain surgeon and a neuroscientist yourself, what did you learn through working on physical brains the matter as well as neuroscience in terms of I guess creating this for your life a more harmonious abundant life studying both the brain and the mind? Well, uh, in some ways I I mean being a neurosurgeon is a physical task and it's not as if they're little signs on the brain that tell you where everything is. >> Now certainly we know from anatomy generally where things are but you have to remember I mean there's a subset of people who you know we talk about our speech center being on the left side but there's a subset of people that's on the right side. Really? >> Yes. How do you know that? >> You don't. Unless there's something that interferes with it >> or you specifically test for it. So, in general, the anatomy is pretty consistent. But, you know, it's like looking at somebody. You know, you're tall, there's a short person, and that's the way the brain works. Not everyone is wired the same way or uh has everything in the exact spot. And in fact, as an example, let's say you play the violin, the homunculus, which is uh both the sensory and motor area that uh has uh different representations of body parts. If you're violinist, the area associated with your hands or hands get dramatically increased in size compared to other >> uh uh parts of your brain. Interesting. >> And in fact, the same is true with uh certain types of meditation practices, right? So you can have a profound effect on your brain uh physical brain uh and certainly uh you have power over your mind and in some ways that's what we're talking about is and this goes back you mentioned the law of attraction you know uh all is in the mind and uh I think in fact some of the things you talk about you understand that when you are disciplined and can get access you can make things happen. >> Yes. >> And whether it's a physical challenge or a mental challenge. Uh but you have to uh understand how to get access. >> So how do we get access? >> I'm not going to tell you until you buy the book. >> Exactly. Well, one of the things you talk about in the book is this phenomenon of vibration. And you know, it's interesting because there's brain waves, but there's also heart energy or vibration as well. And I think you mentioned about how the heart vibration is actually I don't know 10 or 50 times more powerful than the brain waves I think. Correct. >> Yeah. Actually you can measure the uh vibrational energy from the heart at five or six feet away. And you know this is where it gets confusing between the woowoo and the reality >> because a lot of people will wrap all sorts of other baggage onto that. Uh but it's true. And the interesting thing about that though is, and I'm sure you appreciated it, you can meet people who have an energy about them and a presence about them and it makes you feel good. >> Yeah. >> And typically these are people who are non-judgmental, accepting, open uh and uh respect who you are as a person. They don't look down and at you. And you want to be around those people and those people emit this very positive energy. >> That's interesting. And uh and so it's interesting also because as an example, if you have a group of women who live together over a period of months, their menstrual cycles will match. >> Really? Yes. >> Why is that? >> Well, it's the nature of this vibrational energy and I talk about it in the book. And in fact, if you took a metronome, like had five or six metronomes lined up and watch them and they're on the same table vibrating, uh they will all get in sync over a period of time. And so this idea of vibration has actually an influence on things >> on other things. >> Yeah. >> So if I'm acting chaotic and I'm constantly in the state of chaos, if I'm around someone else, I may influence them to create that type of vibration as well. Or vice versa, they might influence me if they're calmer for me to get calm. >> Yes. Yes. Absolutely. And in fact, >> which one wins? >> Uh that's a good question. I mean it uh it depends on how powerful that energy is and that energy can be very powerful negative or or positive and and of course >> I think you would agree most people try to avoid being around negative people of course >> you know there's a saying that what do they call them energy eaters I think you know you're around them it's like >> uh in fact I got called by u a woman the other day and I just dread getting a call from her ever because it always turns into a drama about her and you sit there and it's just over and over again and it's sad because um and we can talk about this more. All of us carry baggage from our childhoods, right? >> Yes. >> And until you are aware that the baggage you carry has an influence on every decision you make, every relationship you have, uh you can't change. As an example, I'm sure you've seen situations uh where individuals repeatedly pick an abusive partner. >> Yes. >> Over and over again and think I don't understand why this happens to me because you have created that energy that allows that to happen. And I'm not blaming. I'm just saying that uh this is truth. So if you never understood as an example that while when I was a kid I had an abusive father and uh you know he would be mean to me or hurt me. The problem is you know that becomes familiar to you and even though it's painful and hurts you it is something that's associated with a love figure. >> Interesting >> and and it's it's really very uh sad actually. I mean how I mean a lot of our programming and conditioning sounds like it is wired in us at a very young age and we have been conditioned by 7 8 9 10 to have a set of beliefs way of thinking and a way of feeling around our environment and relationships and then we live with it for 10 20 30 years until we start to become aware of it hopefully sooner but we kind of repeat these patterns until there's a breakdown or there's a sadness or a breakup or something that gets us to wake up. How hard is it to change our belief systems that have been wired in us for decades? >> Well, it's very hard. I mean, you see it every day. You see uh people who uh become uh addicted to alcohol and drugs. >> And you know, it's not because they want to live that life. It's because they're in such pain from the baggage they carry and they have no way out. >> That's the coping mechanism. Yes. Yes. Uh and so it it's very sad. Uh and as you pointed out, until there is a profound painful event that gets their attention, >> many of them won't change. >> Is it possible for people to change if they don't go through some type of painful dramatic event? >> Well, you know, there's a saying, the teacher comes when the students ready. If the student's not ready, >> uh it's hard to change. Now, don't get me wrong, uh, you know, there's certainly instances where somebody like wakes up one day and they go, I don't like this. You know, I feel horrible at, you know, I've just ruined this relationship. I need to have a an internal assessment of myself and talk to some people and to give me insight. Yes, you can do that. Uh, but it's hard. And even for me uh as an example as a child I learned a sort of a manifestation technique from a woman in a magic shop. And this is actually about my first book which was called into the magic shop a neurosurgeons quest to discover the mysteries of the brain >> and the secrets of the heart. And that story is about my own childhood growing up in poverty with an alcoholic father and a mother who had had a stroke when I was a child. Wow. >> Uh was partially paralyzed uh had a seizure disorder and chronically depressed and attempted suicide multiple times and we were on public assistance. Well, you know, you can imagine overcoming that baggage is very very hard and uh uh but this is also an example of how one person can intervene and change somebody's life. And so what happened was I had an interest in magic and uh and thus the actually the name of this book is my magic. Uh and it ended up when my parents would some event would happen which was traumatic. I would get on my bicycle and ride as far and as fast away as I could. And uh I ended up at a strip mall and there's a magic shop there. And I walked in and there was a woman there who was, as I described, this radiant person with this incredible smile whose very presence embraced her. And I was 12. >> Wow. >> And I was filled with despair, hopelessness, and uh it turned out she was the owner's mother. She knew nothing about magic. Really? Yes. But we began a conversation and uh uh and she was giving me chocolate chip cookies uh which was >> great exactly what you needed at that time. >> But the thing is she asked me actually some personal questions which frankly you know who wants to tell somebody you're poor, your father's not caught. But I answered her questions and after a while she said to me, she said you know I really like you. I think I can teach you something that could really help you. And what she taught me was what we would now call a mindfulness practice. >> Because as you know, uh, talking about baggage, when you grow up in a unpredictable, chaotic environment, you're essentially in a war zone every day. >> Yes. >> As a result, it chronically stimulates your sympathetic nervous system or your flight, fight, or fear response. And what happens is that affects your brain in the sense that it cuts down options because you're looking at the shortest distance you have to go to survive. As a result, you can never relax. You're always fidgety. You're always looking around because you never know what's going to happen next. So, she taught me a uh technique of what would call body survey. Now, how to relax your body. Mhm. >> And uh then she taught me how to concentrate in this case by looking at a candle and doing a breathing exercise. And these are the fundamental techniques associated with a mindfulness practice because it then it shifts you >> from engagement of your sympathetic nervous system to engagement of your parasympathetic nervous system which is really where we should live. you're open, you're thoughtful, you have access to your executive control areas in the brain in terms of memory and experience and you're much more creative. And so when you're able to make that shift, that changes how you look at the world. The other problem is from these types of backgrounds, but I would say essentially everyone, we have a negative dialogue going on in our head. >> An inner critic. >> Yes. And as much as you know people say you know I always ask this question when I give a talk and you know almost everybody raises their head and then this I'm doubt and you go look dude you're lying man. Everybody has an inner critic. It's just some are much more powerful uh than others. And uh so she also taught me to recognize that that wasn't truth. >> The inner critic. >> Yes. Because if you and being an athlete I'm sure you know uh if you tell yourself it's not possible by definition it is not possible it cannot happen and so when people listen to that they are giving their self- agency away and in some ways uh this is the nature of how we take control of our manifestation. Uh and as you know from the first sentence in the book, >> it says the universe doesn't give a about you because it has no to give. There is not some external entity deciding your fate because you're good or bad guy. But we have immense power within us to control our destiny. >> And when you give it away and listen to that critic, then you're limiting your beliefs. So the key is how do you uh unlimit your beliefs if you will and that is understanding the incredible power you have within yourself. When you sit there and say every day, I'm not worthy. I don't deserve love. It's not possible. I'm an impostor. I can't do it. It's as if you're building a prison for yourself with bricks. Wow. and the wall gets higher and it gets darker and you feel more and more powerless and you feel like there's some external force controlling your life. When you understand within you is an incredible power to change your destiny and you have that power and finally you recognize it then extraordinary things can happen. And this is how you go from you being in charge or let's say a belief that others are in charge to actually you being in charge. But how did I mean how did you learn to break free of the limiting beliefs that you had the fight orflight symptoms that you were constantly in which I felt as a kid as well uh and felt very insecure, stupid and unlovable for many different reasons and I was able to back it with beliefs and evidence throughout my childhood. How did you learn to break the limiting beliefs and h and create more empowering beliefs to support you to feel emotionally free and start to attract more of what you wanted in your life? >> Well, first of all, I don't want to imply that that journey's done. Hey, yeah, you know, sometimes people look at you and they go, "Oh, man, you have it all together now." You none of us have it all together, right? Every one of us is still a frail, fragile human being who is struggling >> and uh uh some of us are a little further on that journey. Others are continue to have difficulty. But uh interacting with this woman made me see the world through a different lens because when you have negative statements that you tell yourself repeatedly, as I said, that takes away your agency. >> Yes. your own power. >> You feel powerless. >> Yes. And and but the thing is then when you're beating up yourself and you're typically the most critical person of yourself than anyone you know, then you look through the lens of being critical to everyone else. The School of Greatness is brought to you in partnership with Airbnb. And there's something really meaningful about creating a space where people can come in, they can feel comfortable, and make memories in a new city. And I've experienced this firsthand through a space that I share on Airbnb. It's a place where people come into town for something special like a concert, a big game, or a fun weekend. And it's a moment they've been looking forward to. And I love putting thought into that experience for others. Making it feel clean, calm, and welcoming. And adding those little touches that make someone feel like they're cared for when they walk in. It's really special. That's one of the things I appreciate about sharing a space on Airbnb because it gives you a chance to create a great experience for someone else while also earning extra money. Listing your space on Airbnb is a great way to make extra money during those moments. And if you've ever thought about hosting, consider planning around major events in your city. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at airbnb.com/host. >> Interesting. So, when we are critical of ourselves, does that support us in creating great relationships with others? >> No. Often times, it's very damaging because you're always thinking of, "Oh, well, they're going to cheat on me. They're going to lie because you're telling yourself these types of narratives." >> And so, uh, it's hard to be authentic >> when you're critical of self. >> Yes. Yes. And and this goes back to a whole another discussion if you will about >> if you look at the blue zones as an example. Obviously we're jumping around all over here but >> Lind is right down the street an hour away one of the blue zones. >> Yes of course uh but if you look at uh the blue zones >> or you look at the work of uh the Harvard longevity or adult development study it's called >> but this is the work of Robert Waldinger. centuries ago when we lived in villages. Um we were born there. Uh we had a community that even with our flaws still loved us, watched out for us and taught us lessons. >> We had our parents, our siblings, our grandparents in proximity to us. >> And the very nature of that actually uh you don't have that negative dialogue going on. Okay. It is a negative dialogue that's extraordinarily unhealthy. Uh because you see when you're always stressed and anxious and negative towards yourself, well, what does this do? This stimulates your sympathetic nervous system which then does what? It results in the production of uh inflammatory proteins which of course are associated with chronic disease states. It depresses your immune system. uh it increases the levels of stress hormones like cortisol which on a chronic basis are very bad for you. Your cardiac functions impaired, your blood pressure is increased. So all these negative aspects are activated when you're constantly hyperritical. >> Wow. >> Right. And then you don't feel that good, >> right? You feel tired, you feel exhausted, drained. And the other aspect is as an example with my own parents, I used to have a sense that it wasn't that I wasn't loved, but I was ignored. Uh I couldn't understand why they would do these actions and I was angry all the time. And when I changed how I looked at the world, it made me much more sympathetic and kind because I realized everyone is suffering on some level. And the issue wasn't that they didn't care. The issue was they had not had tools to help themselves >> to heal, to process, to regulate. >> Exactly. And so, you know, I'm sure you've known people, you watch them go through their lives and they constantly struggle because no one has ever shown them a different way and that's the only way. And sometimes, as I think you're probably thinking, yes, I've showed them a thousand times, but they don't listen. >> They're not willing. Yeah. They've got to be willing to apply, right? back to the question of the teacher >> if they're if they're ready too. Yeah. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. But the reason I was saying that though is that uh in many ways sets the stage for how you're going to respond. So this interaction with this woman, I was able to self-regulate. I was >> She taught you skills. >> Yes. She taught me a mindfulness practice. >> And you were ready for it. >> Exactly. And so I realized once I was able to relax, once I was able to be present and attend because you can't learn anything or change if your mind's always somewhere, right? In my example growing up, you know, I never knew it was going to happen. So I'm always worried about something happening to me. But the action is here between you and I. It's not about possibilities. And this also limits people's power, right? because you if you can't focus and attend, you can't accomplish, right? And if you're always distracted, >> it's it's not possible. So, she taught me to relax. She taught me to be present. And uh and then strange things happen because you're feeling a different type of energy coming from others and yourself. And that energy has an influence. as an example. Um I'm sure that you've seen the situation uh and where you get a bad vibe from somebody on the street and you cross the street. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Well, and and you are picking up something on an intuitive level. But the thing is if you have anger and hostility yourself, you are imitating that to other people. And what I tell people is when I changed how I looked at myself, it changed how I looked at the world and it that changed how the world reacted to me. >> How then how the world looked at you as well. >> Exactly. So after this period of time with this woman, >> I was much more open. I was thoughtful. I was generous. I was kind. And I because I understood I had been in pain and was in pain, but so were other people. So it it changed how I looked at them. Wow. >> And I think that's a very critical uh aspect of sort of uh maturing uh and sort of uh >> sure being on a path of uh self-development. That's beautiful. What would you say then is the >> what is the the number one thought and number one emotion that blocks us from the ability to manifest greater? >> Fear. What type of fear? Well, it's insecurity. It's shame. And uh it's this results in you li limiting your beliefs. And so in some ways, what we're talking about here actually is a decision between fear and love. >> Mhm. >> Right. And when you're fearful, this stimulates your sympathetic nervous system with all the negative aspects of it. When you love, you're open. You're generous. You're thoughtful. You're kind because you've engaged the parasympathetic nervous system and you have a choice. This is like if you look at stoic philosophers like somebody like Epictetus who was a slave. He says I cannot control my external environment. What I can control is how I react to my environment. Right? So you meet people I'm sure say my life's miserable. my life's horrible while the you're meet other people go well it's tough right now but I'm you know optimistic it's going to get better or I know if I do this it's going to get better these are completely >> oppositional attitudes that have a profound profound >> effect depending on what your belief >> yes but how does someone shift their attitude into positive when they're in a suffering state and they feel like they're a victim to so many different things happening to them >> sure well I can't sit sit here and say you do this and your life's going to be perfect. There's some situations either because of you know as an example structural racism that's built into the system uh or chronic poverty because uh throughout the world and even in America the ability to overcome poverty uh for most it's highly unlikely that's going to happen. Mhm. >> So, yes, you do have power, but it's not necessarily I'm going to change it and everything's going to be perfect for me. And I'm sure things are not perfect for you, right? >> Yeah. >> And no matter how much you try or want, well, externally things may look fantastic. >> It's not perfect and it's not the way you necessarily want. And and I I have to say the same thing. But there are people who Yeah. uh no matter how hard they're going to work, it's going to be very challenging. That being said, what we do know is there's certain practices and rules and if you are going to get out of something or if you are going to change things, >> then the best way to do that, which has the highest likelihood of success, is to go through some of the things that we're talking about here. And one of those is that as an example, there is a tendency for us to want to achieve, right? And if you're an athlete, you have a goal you set there. Well, goals and are fine, but if you focus only on the goal and have no concern about any of the other things that are going on, >> the process. Yeah. >> Yeah. Then at you reach the goal and there's nothing there. >> Yeah. >> Yet what we do know the greatest cause of suffering is what? It's attachment and craving. >> Desires. >> Yeah. Yeah. And and the thing is when that is your absolute focus and we can't all get these things, you're going to be highly disappointed and you've ignored all the people in your life as you focus solely on that. And uh uh and unfortunately many people learn that lesson far along after they've destroyed their families. They've been through multiple marriages. Their kids don't like them. >> Right. >> Because they've been chasing a result or a goal or a dream but neglecting everything else. >> Yeah. Because again, uh as I was saying even about myself, I thought, well, if I just do this, you know, I'll my shame and insecurity will go away. Uh I'll be loved by everybody and my life will be perfect. Yet at the every one of those peaks, all I had was disappointment. And while everyone told me life was great, I did not feel that inside because I had not understood >> that I was the only one who had the key to the self-created prison. And until you realize that, you're on a very difficult path. >> So, if we're coming from a place of insecurity, fear, or lack, and we're saying, you know what, I want to manifest. I want to create more for myself. I want to have more money. I want to have more opportunities, accomplishments, success, and that's what I want. I desire these things and I start to apply some of the the practices of manifesting and creating more abundance in my life. But if I create those external results and I haven't shifted the insecurities or the shame, what happens next? >> Well, you end up the way I did, which is you have everything and you're incredibly unhappy. >> Yeah. So you can still manifest and attract what you want and create what you want and accomplish goals, but it's not going to make you feel different about yourself. It might makes you actually make you feel worse. >> Exactly. And and and this is why I was telling you about the story about the woman because I was 12 and she she taught me a visualization technique or manifestation technique which is actually the origin of where this book came from. >> So at 12, she said, "I want you to write down 10 things that you want." Well, again, unfortunately, in Western capitalist society and a 12-year-old, you sit there and think of what people want in >> I want money. I want cars. I want girls. I want >> Well, yeah. I wanted a Rolex watch. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Because a friend of mine's father had one and it looked so amazing to me, right? I wanted a silver Porsche tar. I wanted a uh a mansion overlooking the ocean. Uh etc., etc. >> A 12. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. and I wanted a million dollars, which nowadays would probably be about a hundred million. But anyway, uh uh and I got absolutely every one of those things. And I was more miserable than I had ever been really. >> And the interesting thing about that is that, and this is in some ways the point of this book, because >> again, the average person thinks they know what they want. They don't understand what they need. And that's the critical aspect here. What's the difference between knowing what we want and having what we need? >> So, as you know, there's what we call hyonic happiness. So, the list I just gave you, >> it relates to pleasure and hyonic happiness. I want >> it will make me feel good about myself. I I I that is the worst thing you can do if you want to manifest the best. >> Really? >> Yes. >> When you make it about self. >> Yes. Because in some ways you're talking about insecurity. The driver of that is insecurity, fear, right? >> And not enough >> and not enough and and especially poor people look through the lens of not enough. >> And so when you're acting by a belief in based on fear, >> that has a negative effect on these cognitive brain networks. Now, it doesn't mean it's not possible. >> It just means that uh you're limiting yourself. And so we talk about this idea of hedonic or selfish happiness and this is transitory. It's shallow. It doesn't last long. Right? Udammonic happiness is a sense of uh purpose >> and uh that actually is in terms of benefiting others. It's not about yourself. And the key to that though is that when you look through the lens, and we're talking about looking through the lens of compassion, what happens is that you then change how you see the world and what you need, not what you want. >> Interesting, >> right? You see, and that changes everything because you you realize when you're of service, when you're caring for others, you don't necessarily need the having that big house or the Porsche isn't going to make you whole, >> right? And so you probably don't chase that anymore because it's it's it's a chimera that you're focused on because you think it's going to help get rid of the shame and the emptiness, >> right? >> You see, so it's a different mindset. So when you shift to the parasympathetic nervous system that activates all of your brain networks and allows them to sync together, if you will, and then uh has the highest likelihood of manifesting. >> Interesting. So what I'm hearing you say, and correct me if I'm wrong, when we come from a place of lack and wanting more for personal gain by itself, it's not going to bring us the ultimate level of happiness. Versus when we come from a place of wanting to create more to serve or impact others in some way that is connected to a purpose, a greater purpose, we will have more fulfillment and hopefully manifest exactly what we need. >> Exactly. That's exactly right. And that summarizes that that is the fundamental key here. And I can tell you, you know, for myself, >> as I said, I did get everything I wanted and I was miserable. And then I went through this period where I'd been uh very successful in business and uh uh during the dotcom period and I had $80 million or so and then the crash came. I was $3 million in debt but I had been miserably unhappy anyway >> with 80 million or negative3 million. Yeah. >> Well uh there was not much difference actually. Uh uh >> when you had 80 million of I guess net worth uh in in the bank or on paper, how did that make you feel? Did you feel any better about your selfworth? >> No, really? >> No, not a bit. >> Not even for like a moment like, oh, I've got money now. I did this thing and look, I proved all you wrong and >> Yeah, but I Yes, I proved them all wrong, but it did nothing for me. And that's my point is, you know, I Well, let me back up a little bit. Did I enjoy driving Ferraris? >> Yes. Did I enjoy Porsches? Yes. Did I enjoy having a villa uh uh in in Florence? Yes. But that being said, I was missing so much >> that it limited how good I felt about any of it because uh you know, having friends who tell you how great you are, unless you believe it, it doesn't mean anything. >> Wow. >> And you know, I I didn't believe it. uh and uh so when the.com period came, I lost all this money and I had to sell everything. So I went through this period of deep reflection. And the part of it was what had I missed in what this woman was trying to teach me? And obviously I was 12 and I had no self-awareness. Uh uh but the other thing that happened is even though I was a doctor helping people, my actions though were based on I want people to see I'm a doctor, right? >> Status acknowledgement. Look at me. >> Like yeah, I'm the doctor. I live in this mansion overlooking the ocean. I have all of these cars. I come into the hospital and everyone praises me, right? And that was out of my own insecurity and anxiety and fear. When I went through this period of self-reflection, I really understood that. And then it changed, right? Because it was no longer about me. It was about other people. And as an example, there's I mentioned Jim Carrey. >> I love that part about Memphis. Yeah. I love the story of the $10 million check and the whole thing, >> right? But what he said with his audience was, you know, when he started it was all about his own ego being involved. Yes. >> And then he realized though he was there for a purpose to be of service to the people. >> Yeah. >> And in fact, uh, Jimmy Paige with Led Zeppelin, I don't know if you ever heard this story, >> you know, he used to get really angry because he'd always be asked to play Stairway to Heaven. And he said it used to make me boil over because I had new music. I did all of this, but everyone wanted to listen to Stairway to Heaven. And he said, "Then I realized it's not about me, right? >> It's about serving others." >> Yes. >> What they want. >> Yes. And they had grown up with this. They had a emotional attachment to it because it represented events in their lives that were positive and they just wanted to experience that. And so he was being very selfish by looking through that same lens. And again, this is what we get into. So when you change how you look at the world, it changes everything. And again, this is a choice that each of us can make. >> Wow. >> You know those moments when you're ordering everything to your house, from groceries, gear, random things you didn't even realize you needed until the last minute? It just makes life a little easier. And now you can add internet to that list. Get sameday delivery for T-Mobile 5G home internet powered by Door Dash. No store visits, no waiting around for a technician. It shows up, you plug it in, and you're online in about 15 minutes with one cord. T-Mobile has the fastest 5G home internet. Work or stream a favorite show with fewer interruptions. For me, working from home on the podcast, that simplicity matters. a lot. I'm on video calls, uploading episodes, researching guests, and sending emails. And when everything just works, and I don't have to think about it, I stay focused on what actually matters. It fits right into my workflow and it keeps things moving throughout the day. 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Find out how much at airbnb.com/host. >> As a, you know, as someone who's been a doctor and a neuroscientist, neurosurgeon for many years, researching this work for a long time, what is the biggest challenge you face at this season of your life when it comes to manifesting that you still have yet to overcome or are overcoming? >> Well, one of the things I learned is not to have attachment. >> Yeah. to what >> to anything and I I and and look it's not perfect but my point is and yes if we say well what about your child or your wife and something yes but that being said the nature of life is disappointments oftent times and um we cause our own suffering by having these attachments right and uh uh so do I like nice cars person. Yeah, I drive a Porsche >> luxuries and I've worked very hard. I've given immense amounts to other people. I have no bad feeling about those things. But what I can tell you is if all of it goes away tomorrow, it will have no impact on my mental state. >> Wow. >> And that is the key because you see >> freedom. >> Yes. And that's exactly right. Because if you grow up in poverty, >> what is the thing that binds you or holds you or imprisons you? Money. >> Okay. So when I lost everything and then I had this choice of this stock that I could give away to charity or not, I chose to give it away, which was $30 million. >> But giving it away liberated me. >> I just didn't care anymore. It no longer imprisoned me. You see, >> and that is a level, you know, it takes time and work to get to. >> Yeah. >> Uh and you know, many people, my wife said when I gave all that money away, she said, "I don't There was an article in the Wall Street Journal." She goes, "I don't mind him giving money away. I just wish he hadn't given it all." Now, I'm curious when, you know, is it a bad thing for people to want to have material possessions? a nice car, a nice home, uh you know, a million dollars in their bank account or nice clothes. Is that a bad thing when they're thinking of manifesting because it's about them? >> Well, uh if that if everything is about you and your narrative is always about you, I think you're going to live an unhappy uh life, >> right? >> Because you have no purpose or meaning. >> Right. >> Right. I mean uh yes. Is it cool to walk around in designer clothes and go to parties and hang out with the whatever? Yeah, sure. There's nothing wrong with that. But when every action in your life is a selfish action towards your needs, >> then it's a hollow existence. As an example, I I know people of course they can't attach to a woman. They have to have the next beautiful woman, right? And they, you know, and their whole thing is be seen with the beautiful woman. It's not about I care about this person. I really like her. She's really special. It's, you know, does she have the attributes that make me look good, >> okay? >> Or it's, you know, God, I can't go to this event in that car of mine. I need to be in a Ferrari so people look at me. Right? And that is a hollow, very selfish existence. Now, I'm sure there are people who are listening go, I'm not that way. Well, you are that way. >> Right. Sure. And >> so you're saying you can have it though, but as long as you're also in have meaning or purpose around in your life as well. Otherwise, it'll be hollow. If you just want the material home or the bigger bigger bigger thing. >> Yeah. >> But you can still have it. >> Of course. Absolutely. I have it. I have no complaints and I work hard and I have no guilt about that whatsoever. But I still do tons of actions that are benefit to a larger uh goal or mission or to a larger purpose outside of myself. >> Yeah. You you talk about these networks and vibrations. You you mentioned this the the physiology of manifesting. I'm curious, is it more important to be thinking a certain intention or certain ideas or beliefs, feeling a certain emotions or physically in a vibration, total body to help you manifest? Well, certainly if you can bring it all together, I mean that's the ideal. But uh uh I think one is again we've talked about limited beliefs. Yes, >> you have to uh understand what causes you to limit your belief. And it in some ways it comes down to self-compassion. When you're kind to yourself, then that changes your own physiology. It shifts you from the fear network >> and critical network into the passion. Right. >> Yes. Exactly. And so I think that's an important aspect. And uh again as an example I talk about these different networks. There's the default mode network. There's the salience network, the attention network and the executive control network. Now the reason I mention these is the executive control network actually gets things done if you want to put it that way. But if you're driven by fear and anxiety and insecurity, then that limits its ability to do so because you don't have full access because that's where you have productivity and creativity. >> Full access to what? >> Your entire your memories and past experiences. This is what the executive control network contains. And it's shut down when you're fear fearful or anxious. And so that's one aspect. And then uh you know the other aspect we talk about embedding your intentions. You know you have to >> make that thing you want salient. >> What does that mean? >> It means uh it has to be something that touches you that you really feel like it's there with you and you want it. And the reason I bring that up is because salience uh is it activates, if you want to call it, a blood hound within your head where it looks around for opportunities for you to manifest. I'll give you an example. >> Talk about blood hound or you talking about something else? >> Uh not they it search for things, right? Get sent, right? >> Uhuh. >> Uh you know that's what they do for rescue missions, right? Exactly. Uh so what I mean by that is that if you're able to embed your intention that activates the salience network which is the blood hound and the analogy is as follows. I'm sure you have been to parties and they're loud >> and your name will be mentioned and you'll immediately turn even though it's all loud. >> Yeah. You're like where where is this? >> Yeah. But that's because your identity is deeply embedded within you. Right. >> Interesting. Yes. So when you do this in terms of an intention and I'll give a recent example. Uh I'm working on a new project and I was at a coffee shop and again loud everybody talking but I heard somebody specifically talk about the project type of the thing I'm doing. >> Uhhuh. >> So I got up and introduced myself. We connected and that's how it works because it creates these synchronicities because it's always turned on listening for opportunities. how it can make your intention happen. >> And another example is as a neurosurgeon, you know, I would see patients uh as an example, let's say somebody with hydrophilis, right? And most people don't know about that. And they'd go, "Oh my god, I've never heard of that before. Is that rare?" Well, it's not that rare. And obviously, if you're seen a neurosurgeon, it's not rare to us, but but what will happen is I'll see them in a few months and they'll come in. The most amazing thing happened. I've run into five people with the exact same thing. Right. >> Right. Right. >> Because they have embedded that. >> Interesting. >> Uh and so they're attuned to it and suddenly it's like it's everywhere set up. >> Yeah. You you talk about synchronicities in the book. How important is finding and looking for synchronicities when it comes to manifesting? >> Well, I think if you do it correctly, they naturally occur over and over again. >> And you may think they're shocking and uh how did that happen? But that's because you have made your intention salient. It has grasped your attention network and it is solely focused on having that happen. And once that process occurs, then you engage your executive control network to actually then respond to it. >> Interesting. So you set your intention for what you want to create or desire and then your attention starts to focus on that in the world in your environment and you start to see where the synchronicities line up and that you mentioned this thing called the filing clerk, right? >> Yes. Yes. Exactly. And that relates in some ways first of all one of the process which we talked about you know having the ability on a conscious level to embed your intention that is to um we call it value tag right >> which makes it important >> rather than intention. >> Yes. Yes. And so once you value tag that that becomes important in your subconscious and then the network start working together >> to look for it. >> Yes. Now what I will emphasize and I don't want to you know completely poo poo every article that's been written about manifesting you know I mentioned the issues I have with the secret or other these self-s serving narratives >> but the reality is we know that uh what fire uh what wires together fires together. Yes. >> And my point about that is number one you have to work. This isn't like oh I thought of it therefore it should happen. It's like anything and we talked about it earlier. Uh you know there's everybody's manifesting every day they just do it very inefficiently right so when you do it efficiently uh all of these things you know come together to have it happen. This is why uh as an example what this woman in the magic shop did and this was before you know uh these ideas sort of were out there. She made me write my list of things I wanted to manifest down >> because again when you use every sensory organ >> then again you're engaging all of these different things that go into your subconscious. So you write it down, you read it silently, you read it aloud, you look at it, you visualize, and this is what athletes do. They visualize how it's going to play out. They see themselves in that role. And the more and more you do that, the stronger that wiring >> gets in your brain and therefore that increases the chance uh of it happening. >> Interesting. So she taught you this. You wrote it down and you started doing these processes. >> Oh, I would really do this like tens of maybe hundreds of times a day. >> Wow. >> Over and over and over again. >> But it took you a while until you were able from 12 until you were able to get, you know, a million dollars in the bank, in the mansion, the Ferrari. It didn't happen in four years. I'm assuming it probably took 15 or 20 years. >> Well, sure. But there was a whole process, right? Because first of all, I had decided to be a doctor in fourth grade, right? >> And this was based on a a a profess day where a doctor came to our class and I was so impressed by this person that that second I decided to be a doctor because he was kind, he was thoughtful, he answered my question. He appeared interested in what I had to say. And uh uh so saying if you're poor and you don't have resources, saying I'm going to be a doctor is easier said than done. >> Sure. >> And in fact, I did have challenges. But I'll tell you a couple stories though that tells you how the system works even though you haven't done all the typical things to make it work. >> Okay? And so, uh, I'll tell you how I got into medical school and how I got into college. I was so clueless about college, even though I said I was going to go to college. I was in a science class and there was a girl sitting next to me and she was filling out her college application. I had no clue about that. >> You had to apply or >> Yeah. I was sort of waiting like it was supposed to. >> Sure. Sure. >> So, uh, uh, I looked at this girl. I asked her what she was doing. And she says, "Well, I'm applying to college and this is the application." I said, "Really?" And she looks at me, she said, "Yeah." And uh I said, "Well, where are you applying to?" And she said, "UC Irvine." And she looked at me and she said, "Where are you applied?" I said, "UC Irvine." >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> I haven't got my application yet. She said, "I have an extra one." >> Wow. >> There you go. And then >> Yeah. And I filled that out and you know, I I got in. Uh uh but uh >> isn't that interesting before you go on there because you know you were given the opportunity that you you saw that was in front of you. You didn't think beyond other schools. You saw something you didn't know another process said yeah I'm going to go there as well. And she said here's the application. You filled it out. You got in and you went there. >> Right. >> Yeah. No. And and that's my point is it was in there. I didn't know how it was going to play out. Yes. But it played out and it certainly wasn't the typical >> way. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. >> So then what happened is, >> you know, I had a lot of struggles. I had to leave college multiple times, as an example, get my father out of jailow >> or to deal with my mother who attempted suicide, which are not pleasant things, not enjoyable. And so when I applied to medical school, the average GPA to get into medical school was 3.79 at that time, which is, you know, out of four. That's like an A minus, right? >> Yeah. Sure. >> My GPA then was 2.53. And I was not >> You need both. Let's go. >> Yeah. And I was not going to graduate from college, >> right? >> And so I went to the premed and and of course, as you know, when you have all these quote unquote friends and you say, "I want to be a doctor." And you know, many of my friends were premed and they were the type of premeds who had 3.7. >> Sure. Sure. >> And you know, I it was very hurtful because he said, "You're never going to be a doctor. That GPA, what a joke, right?" Which, you know, this is your dream, right? It's painful. So anyway, I went to we used to have to or you used to have to have an interview with the premed committee. So you had to go get an appointment and then they would write a letter of recommendation for you. So I went to the office. I asked the secretary, I said, 'I want to make an appointment for my premed letter. >> Yes. >> She looked at me. She said, "Uh, I'm not going to give you an appointment." I said, 'Well, why? You know, she had pulled out my phone. She said, "Because it's a waste of everyone's time." >> Oh, man. >> Now, can you imagine a human bead telling you that you're a waste of their time? I mean, how hurtful. >> Very. But I looked at the woman and I said, you know, I appreciate what you're saying, but I said, I am not leaving here until you give me the appointment. >> Wow. >> I said, if you want to call security, that's fine, but I am not leaving. So, she did, but imagine um so it comes time for my appointment. Now, uh do you remember these photos we've seen of Putin sitting at one end of a table? He's by himself. Yes. So, I go into this room and I'm at one end of this long table and I'm what, 20 years old maybe and then there are these three people at the other end of the table and uh uh the guy in the middle, he has my file and he looks at me says he takes file, lifts it, throws it on the table and he says, "Say what you have to say so we can get this over with." >> Really? >> Oh yeah. >> Oh my goodness. >> And you you sit there and you know how intimidating and what a jerk, right? So what happened is I looked at the guy and I said, "I am not going to let you uh turn me into a grade point average. I'm a human being." >> Wow. >> So I proceeded to lecture them for about 20 minutes. >> Oh my goodness. >> They were all crying at the end. >> Because once you show your humanity, they can't turn away from you. They can't objectify you if you're right there in front of them and force them to look at you. Wow. >> And so what happened is they ended up actually giving me the highest letter of recommendation. >> Wow. >> And uh as I was leaving, that secretary actually was in the room. She said, "Listen, I want you to take this." And it was a trifold uh brochure for a summer enrichment program at Twolane University in New Orleans for socioeconomically disadvantaged students and minority students. And she looked at me and she said, "You know, I have to tell you something though. the deadline has passed, but I don't think that will impact you. Wow. Right. Right. Right. So, I called the lady and she let me into the program. Uh, and I applied to one medical school and got into one medical school. >> Wow. >> And I didn't have a degree. >> Wow. Now to show you though the importance of this is that um after hurricane Katrina the dean of the medical school uh went into depression and resigned. Okay. And so they were looking for a new dean >> at two lane >> at two lane and they had a guy from Harvard but he wanted an endowed chair and I don't know if you're familiar with an endowed chair. So an endowed chair is a private donor donates a lot of money and it is a chair named after that person. It's one of the highest honors in academic medicine. >> Okay. >> Or in in the university and the the that money is is made into an endowment. So then the professor then gets to use it for whatever they want. So it's a very prestigious thing. >> So I actually ended up endowing the dean's chair. >> You know, fast forward many years. >> Sure. Wow. >> Yeah. Which was several million dollars. >> Interesting. >> So still at Tlane, the dean of the medical school is the Dodie professor. >> Wow. >> I rebuilt the library after Hurricane Katrina. And so the point of the story is no one has the ability to tell you what you can and cannot do. And in theory, by every quote criteria, I should never have gotten into medical school, right? Yet I'm one of the largest donors to the medical school and in fact they're actually uh building a Dodie Center for Compassion and Medicine uh at TULA. >> That's cool. >> Yeah. So when we think that things are impossible, when we think that it can't happen or I don't have the criteria that are is usually don't ever believe anything anyone tells you. If I believed what so many people told me was not possible for me to do, I would never have accomplished anything. >> And again, it gets back to this limiting your beliefs. >> Once you unleash this understanding of the power you have, then you can do almost anything. >> Yes. >> You just have to believe. >> Absolutely. I love this story because, you know, you mentioned don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't do. I guess the the the challenge is so many people do believe what others say about them. You know, they do receive the crit criticism or the limits that others talk about and a lot of people hold on to those conversations and and believe them as truth. And I The thing is I feel like there's only one person like you said that can agree with the limits or disagree with those limits and that is ourselves. And at the same time, you know, everyone can tell you you have all the skills, all the tools, all the potential, all the ability to do something great, but if you don't believe it, it's not going to matter as much. Even if everyone in the world has said, "We believe in you. You're incredible." If we are limiting ourselves from receiving those words and receiving that understanding and identity, we won't accomplish what we want or we won't create the lives we want. So, how do we overcome ourselves uh from the conversations and the critics in our own mind and also the conversations from others whether they're positive or negative? How do we overcome it and believe we are capable? Well, first off, I I would say that a lot of people, you'll hear, let's say, a statement I made and they'll sit there and go, "Okay, I'm going to do this tomorrow. I'm going to do everything. Okay, I'm going to get into shape and I'm going to run 10 miles and then I'm going to study for this." And the problem is that's the worst thing you can do. >> And in fact, uh I'm sure you probably know BJ Fog. He wrote this book, Tiny Habits, but he and I were having a conversation recently. >> You have to start slow. Okay? Pick one simple thing to show that you have the power, >> right? >> And it could be something as simple as I'm gonna get up at six in the morning and walk around the block. >> And you just do that because what happens is now you're changing your belief system. You're saying I set this goal and I was able to do it and I do it every day now. >> Right? then it can be a little longer and etc etc etc until suddenly you're running a marathon when before you could barely get up and walk around the block. And I think that's really the key is start small, congratulate yourself for small wins and accept that and then let that sink in and then just do another thing. And it's a slow process. Nothing happens overnight. And again, if you think, well, it's going to happen and it's all going to be perfect tomorrow, that's not how it works. And you know, obviously in my own life, you know, this has taken decades. And you know, I think hopefully what this book does though, it allows you to see the world in a different way, to use the techniques that are outlined there to not have to go through the pain and suffering that I and others uh have gone through. And it gives you some insights, some tools. And again, and I'm sure you've experienced, you'll get like a book sometimes go that is what I was missing. Yes, >> this is what uh you know, I need. And what I've tried to do is both by showing you the science behind it, but also intertwining stories like I mentioned the one about Jim Carrey and I've also included actually individuals who I have interacted with in my own life who've had these profound changes based on having a different perception of who they are and the power they have. >> Yes. There's a part in the book where you talked about tapping into flow states. I think you even said like the placebo >> and something else and hypnosis. So how do we tap into flow states placebo effect and hypnosis to start to manifest better? So one of the points of those examples is to show that actually very simply you can get there without anything right I mean hypnosis you can uh and you can do self hypnosis of course but you I'm sure most of the listeners are thinking of the guy who comes and he goes like this >> right but that is how fast if you train yourself to get access and I talk about uh monks and I talk about >> Wimhof >> you know These people access the power they have within and it takes practice and diligence. Yes. But the same processes are similar to hypnosis. And uh the placebo effect and the interesting thing about the placebo effect is that you can even know it's a placebo and it will still have the same effect >> and it still gets results. >> Yes. Yes. And so and also if you think about exercising a particular muscle group you your muscles will increase without you doing anything. >> Wow it's crazy. >> You see but this is the power because the brain doesn't know the difference between what you're thinking and reality right so if you embed it in there. Now that's not to say your muscles are going to get as big as a you know an Olympic weightlifter but they do increase in in mass. And so getting access to this uh access to these things within you that you don't appreciate is very very powerful. And you talk about the flow state. You know this is a state of being where everything aligns. Right. >> Yes. >> And that's where we want to be. We're we're not paying attention to time. We're not paying attention to extern externalities. We're just doing it. Now again, you don't want it to turn into I've ignored everything in my life to get to that goal. But you want to live in a in a way in which things naturally come and you're living it and it's a process that's all working together for you to manifest your goals. >> Wow, that's beautiful. Um, what is the most recent research about the placebo and how can we use that science or data to impact our lives positively? >> Well, again, it and the weird thing about it is you don't even have to believe in it and it it will happen. Wow. Uh uh uh now if you if you believe it's the real thing, it'll probably be more powerful, even better. Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh but uh but again, it's embedding this belief into your head and and that and you know, there's a six-eek program in the book, but it gives you a step-by-step way to do that. And again, uh it's not one and done. You have to do the work. You know, although I say the universe doesn't give a about you, I also would say God only helps those who help themselves, right? And uh uh and you know, when I make that statement at the end of the book, basically my statement is you are the universe, right? You are the power that decides. And again, it's understanding how much power you have within yourself. You know, there's a um we're talking about people getting stuck in things. Uh you know, sometimes you cannot predict what's going to happen to you, but there's this attitude. It's called uh dispositional optimism. I don't know if you recall reading that, but it's understanding that things don't work on our timeline >> and having a constant state of an optimistic view of the world. Again, that aligns you because it keeps you in this constant state of engagement of your parasympathetic nervous system. >> And again, >> if you can live in that state and look through the world through that lens, your physiology is going to be at its best, your longevity is going to be increased. You're going to be much happier in terms of of uh purpose and meaning in your life. You know, nothing I or at least I can't imagine nothing worse than, you know, being a crotchety old man still chasing uh 20 year old women, right? Having three or four Ferraris and uh actually it reminds me I'll tell you a funny story. >> I was uh um in Aspen giving a talk and one of the benefactors was an 80year-old fellow, a widowerower who survived the Holocaust. >> Wow. And uh so he invites everyone up to his house. So you know you pull up to this huge mansion that's you know 20 30 million >> right in Aspen. >> In as yeah >> you know one of his multiple. >> Sure. So I go in there and you know I had been one of the main speakers. So he comes up to me and starts talking and uh you know he looks at my watch and he says see this? He points to his watch. Million dollars. Jeez. And I'm like, >> "Who cares?" Yeah. Yeah. Who cares? >> And he says, "Come here." And I said, "Okay." So he takes me out to his garage and again, >> tons of cars and Yeah. Yeah. >> And uh uh I'm looking at him and then he starts saying, you know, I've I've never been happy. And uh I said, "Okay." And he goes, you know, he tells me about actually his tragic Holocaust experience and how he, you know, married this woman, but he was never in love or passionate, etc., etc. He said, "You know, I'm miserable. I'd do anything to be happy." >> Wow. >> Okay. And I said, "Okay." And he says, "Can you do anything for me?" And I said, "Yeah, I can." I said, "If you spend 10 hours with me, I will give you that gift." >> So, he says, "Really?" And I said, "Yeah." He says, "Well, how much will it cost?" And I said, "It'll cost $100,000 an hour." Okay. He looks at me, he says," 500,000 >> an hour or total? >> No, total. Well, it was Yeah. And I said, "No, it doesn't work that way." Yeah. >> It's a million dollars and I'm guaranteeing you. >> Guaranteeing you. >> Wow. >> And and uh so his his uh daughter is there and she overhears her talk and she comes over and she says, "Papa, you know, this is like a neuroscientist. He studies this you should do this. And uh he looks at her, he says, "Foolish girl, you don't know anything about money." And he says, "I I have to save this money for you." And she looks at him, she goes, "I have everything I need. I don't need anything." And she goes, "Do it." And he goes, "No, no, no. You're you're foolish." And my point is, here was an opportunity for him to learn something, to get what he said he absolutely wanted. Yet his own selfish self-interest and drive >> Wow. >> overpowered anything to actually give him what he wanted. >> Wow. >> Interesting. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, he had a belief. He had an identity around what he thought he needed to hold on to, which was more money. >> Yeah. Yeah. And and and but that was what always was making him happy or unhappy his whole life. >> Exactly. But it gave him a sense of false security or status or influence or power or something. >> Well, unfortunately though uh you know there are people like that but the reality is all the people around them are laughing at them. >> Yeah. And they they're they're making he they are making the people around them more miserable probably. >> Oh yeah. Well because they have to win, right? Million dollars, you know. >> That's to oneups everyone else. >> Yeah. Be Yeah. And that's a very classic thing. In fact, I'm not being critical of Warren Buffett, but you know, I mean, you there's a story that his wife wrote that said, you know, he was never interested in the money. He was interested in winning. >> The game. Yeah. The game of winning. Yeah. >> Right. Right. And you know, uh it's not always about winning. Sometimes it's about caring for others, understanding people, being of service. You know, imagine somebody who has that degree of wealth. what he could have done to let's say uh fund an orphanage or uh help the people who can't uh afford food in Aspen. >> Right. >> Right. And and and it would have been a minuscule >> small compared to what he actually had. Yeah. Wow. >> This idea of identity um you know we start to build our identity as children and our teens and our 20s. How how do we start to identify what our identity actually is and how it is empowering us or disempowering us in this pursuit of manifesting? >> Well, the problem is for many people is that they have bonding and attachment issues uh that uh have been imprinted on them. >> Yeah. Ancient anxious or avoidant attached or Yeah. >> Yeah. And so they don't appreciate uh you know look when you're growing up and you know seven or eight years old you're not understanding this. >> Yes. >> But these types of connections uh you know they get deeply embedded and and you carry it with you. And so one is you have to make the effort to understand. As an example I'm sure some of the listeners go oh well now I have a little idea because I keep choosing this jerk to be a partner with. Well why do I do that? And you have to sort of go backwards and self-reflect and >> yeah. Yeah. Uh you know I was giving a talk one time and there was a woman she raised her hand. We were talking about this exact issue and she started crying and she said my father when I was a kid told me I would be nothing. >> Wow. All right. So sad. >> Yeah. It's horrible. And and this is what people need to understand. words matter to children. And so the woman said, you know, I my whole life I've spent trying to be something. >> Wow. >> You know, she said, I became a nurse. I got a PhD. You know, she's a senior executive at a hospital chain, right? She's doing extraordinarily well. And her whole life has been trying to overcome that baggage. And imagine the difference though if her father said, "You know, you are amazing. You can do anything you want. I am so proud of you. I envision you doing incredible things." >> And how the 30 years of her life or whatever it's been, 40 years would have been one of love and connection and feeling worthy versus every day waking up being repeating, I was told I would be nothing. Wow. >> Yeah. >> I guess there's a there's a question within that is if you're given all the love and empowering affirmations and words from your parents that you can do and be what you want to be versus you don't have what it takes. You're never going to amount to anything. You disappoint me. You need to do better. Which one drives the person to create bigger or better results or impact? You know, because she has lived a life of impact, but it's from a place of lack, right? >> Sure. >> Would she be as driven to grow and expand and reach beyond what she felt she was capable of if she had all the love in the world? I guess that's the the question. Well, uh, of course, in that case, we can't specifically answer that. But, uh, yeah, there's no question that, you know, I used to have a coach when I was a rower crew, okay? And I used to have a coach who would just scream at me all day. >> That's the worst. Yeah, it's the worst. >> Well, and it's exactly what we're That's exactly what we're talking. Did that make you strive and work harder? It just made you feel like the guy's a jerk. I hate the guy. Yes. Yes. And and versus then I had a different coach. The new coach >> was an extraordinary human being, one you would model yourself after. He won the gold medal in the double skulls in Melbourne in 52 I think it was. And uh you know he was like listen you know you need to work on this but I know when you do this it's you're going to excel here. You know you're doing an amazing job. I can just tell you're really into this. I'm so proud of you. Right. >> It's more fun too. >> Yeah. Of course. So can you get a similar result? Yeah. But it's like uh uh you know somebody putting a a backpack to keep stabbing you in the back your whole life saying get going get going versus somebody who's hugging you and embracing you and tell you how much they love you. Yes. Uh you can do incredible results from horribly mean people >> but that's not a long-term strategy. >> Yeah. And it's not a a healthy life. >> No. You know, there's probably a lot of stress and anxiety and chronic pain that you're carrying with that energy, with that vibration, which you talk about in the book, the vibration. And when we can get into flow state, we're able to to really create more abundance and and in a harmonious way. Exactly. >> Not in a hard way of grinding constantly to accomplish and then feel exhausted when we get to the top. >> Yeah. And so then, you know, instead of having accomplished that and going, "That son of a I showed you, you're saying there, God, I I'm happy to have God, I felt so good and I I'm just so happy I was able to do this." It's a completely different way. And I I would hope that people want the other way where it's one of positivity and encouragement, not uh somebody driving you. And this is one of the problems in corporate America, right? you have uh bosses who think that creating fear motivates and it does on some level to a point. You know, there's a great story about a fellow, what was his name? KS, I can't remember his uh I think it was Jeffrey K. He was in Australia, but he uh gives an example which is quite interesting. He said, "We did a 360 review in our company." I'm sure you're familiar with that, right? They checked out everybody. >> He said, you know, they came to me to share the results with me. He's telling us why this he they came to share the results with me. They told me in their entire history of doing this, I was the worst CEO. Wow. They had ever met. Wow. And he said, "My, you know, they told me my employees fear me and uh that I I was creating an environment that was unhealthy, blah blah blah blah blah." And he says this to his so he say his wife and she go he says to her, "So, so what do you think of that? Can you believe that? I'm thinking of firing them." And she goes, "Why would you do that? They're absolutely correct. And he goes, "What?" And she said, "I have been telling you this for 20 years, and you have not listened to me." >> Wow. >> She said, "You need to sit back and reflect on this." >> So, he went through a 2-year analysis with therapy and actually ended up uh meeting a Buddhist monk >> and got into a meditation practice. So they did a reevaluation a few years later and now you know they had like one of the highest retention rates, one of the highest productivity rates, one of the highest shareholder value from uh uh leading through compassion, thoughtfulness, kindness >> as a motivator versus fear as a motivator. >> Wow, that's beautiful. One of the things you you know you give this six-step process and one of the things uh in in step six it's about releasing these expectations and being open to magic being open to the wonders the mysteries of the world of when things will come to you maybe it's different than what you originally wanted all these different things. Why is it important to manifest by not being attached to the results that you desire and being open to magic at the same time? >> You know, one of the challenges is that and it gets back to attachment uh because once you are attached to something, you have a vision of how it has to be, >> right? >> And then that creates uh potential disappointment. Mhm. >> And the nature of manifesting is it doesn't turn out exactly the way you want because what you may not appreciate is that there are other factors which are competing here. >> And sometimes you may not appreciate it but on an unconscious level the right decision is being made. On a conscious level it's not what you thought it was and therefore you resist it. >> Uhhuh. And uh that creates unhappiness. >> Yes. >> The other thing is the same as having a timeline like it has to happen by this date. It doesn't work that way. As an example, I have been planning a world compassion festival which is a huge event, right? For 13 years. Do I am I disappointed? No. >> It hasn't happened yet. >> It hasn't happened yet, but it will happen. Yes. And this is also uh dispositional optimism. I have an absolute belief that that will happen. And in fact uh I mentioned a little earlier I was with uh uh Kash uh uh Santi Yarthy who's a Nobel Peace Laure uh yesterday and uh um we were talking about this world compassion fellow just came up. He said well why don't we join forces and make this happen. Right. So, you know, it's a process and it it has not worked in any way the timeline I had imagined. But I do not I'm not disappointed or don't believe it's going to happen. Otherwise, I would sit think I'm a failure. You know, this should have happened 10 years ago. Why didn't it happen? You know, it's just like everything else I do. I'm a loser, right? Versus saying it will happen. It's sitting there. The things have not all come together to allow it to happen. And even if it doesn't happen the exact way I envision it, if it happens, it's an extraordinary thing. And so I think you have to look at it that way. Otherwise, you're creating uh unhappiness for yourself. And and why do that? And and again, life doesn't work that way. It's like, as an example, sitting there saying, I'm I want to manifest this beautiful woman. She has these attributes. Da da da. Then this exact and your visualizers are as a blonde. And then this dark-haired woman comes into every one of those things go, "Oh, get out of here. You're not a block." >> Yeah. Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. >> So, it doesn't always uh work the way you want. >> What would you say is uh you know, something that we should think about or do first thing in the morning to set us up for a daily rhythm of manifesting? Is there a mantra? Is there a process? Is there a a way of thinking? A way of feeling? A way of acting? Is there a something we should believe right when we wake up or in the morning? >> Well, uh, what I do may not work for everybody. >> Sure. >> And everybody has a different biology. They have a different way of seeing the world. Now, I'll tell you what I do >> to center me in the morning. >> Uhhuh. >> And uh uh uh but it sets the stage to manifest. And what I mean by that is I was talking about having a mental state of being of service to others. Right? So my practice every morning is I wake up and I say every morning that's a lie. It is not every morning it's most mornings. >> Sure. >> You know it's funny. I I don't know if you ever saw you know Deepo Chopra's son did a movie about him. >> Uhhuh. >> And >> Gotham Gotham Chopra. I know. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> And it showed him like you know that should be meditated. goes and he's like, >> "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. >> And I know Deepo actually." Uh, but anyway, uh, what I do is I sit up in bed and I do a breathing exercise because, as you know, that will shift you over to engagement of your parasympathetic nervous system, which is the rest and digest mode. It makes you open, it makes you thoughtful, it makes you more creative. And then I uh, think of the awe and joy in this world. And there's a great book about all by Dher Kelner. I don't know if you know Der. >> Uh but uh uh yeah, so you know that sets the stage of this seeing the world through this lens of this incredible awe of being in this world and the joy of being able to interact in this world. And then I go through a 10-letter uh mantra. And this actually uh developed when I was asked to uh which was an incredible honor to me by my medical school to give the white coat ceremony lecture to the incoming medical student. So imagine >> the guy who should never giving this very prestigious lecture. Uh but what I wanted to do was I wanted to inspire these students through something that was simple and easy to remember but would center them in their lives going forward not only as a doctor but as the human being. So it was 10 letters of the alphabet. It was C compassion for self and others. D recognizing the dignity of every person. E practicing equinimity. And this is this idea of evenness of temperament. You know, we were talking about chasing goals and having attachment. You know, it's great to achieve a goal. It's great to have that high that you get when you achieve it. It's it's wonderful. It's amazing. But it's transitory. >> Sure. >> And you can't live at that state all the time. Conversely, having disappointments, having things fail, uh losing at things, uh as horrible and as painful as they are, uh they're also transitory. >> So having this evenness of temperament and not getting lost on the extremes >> is very very important. Plus the other thing is if you reflect on it, what teaches you the most? It's not the highs, >> it's the disappointments, the challenges, the things you've had to overcome. And that makes you who you are. >> Yes. >> And creates resilience. >> And so somehow thinking you're going to avoid those, number one, it's not healthy. But that's where so much teaching comes from. >> The other of course is forgiveness. And uh we know that when you carry emotions attached to an event or to a person, every time you think of that event or that person, >> it negatively affects you. >> Interesting. >> So when you're able to not carry that baggage and release it, and that's not to forget what somebody did to you or that, it's just to understand that carrying those memories is not healthy for you. Then you're released again. And of course, one of the most powerful things, and I think it's really important, is having gratitude. And there's an immense amount of research that demonstrates having a gratitude journal or in the evenings writing three things that you are thankful for. Because what people forget is, in fact, probably everyone listening to this podcast, you don't appreciate that half of the world's population lives on less than $2.50 a day. >> Crazy, isn't it? >> It's horrible. And when you look at your life, uh, you are actually blessed. It's funny as a neurosurgeon, you know, I've had situations where, let's say, somebody will, uh, have an accident, become paraplegic, and of course they send, "This is horrible. My life is ruined." I say, "Look, I'm going to take you in the room next door with a guy who's a ventilator dependent quadriplegic, >> can't move anything." >> Yes. And is on a breathing tube and nothing. And then they say, "Oh, right." So >> it's about perspective. >> It's about perspective. And this is the thing is you have the choice of the how the perspective you look at the world through. >> Yes. >> Um let's see. We were at gratitude. Humility. Now I will assure you for a neurosurgeon humility is one of the challen >> you got to stay humble when you think you got you know. >> Exactly. Well, you know, being a neurosurgeon is still one of the uh uh professions in medicine that's still nominally highly respected. But anyway, uh humility, understanding you're no more important than anyone else. And uh uh I is integrity and values that bound your behavior and if you want to call them rules to live by. J is a recognition of justice meaning that we have a responsibility for caring for those who are vulnerable. Uh K is uh simply being kind to others. It has nothing to do with suffering. Compassion has by definition a recognition of suffering with a motivational desire to alleviate that. So kindness is simply just being a good person. And of course, what contains all of this and that's uh love. >> That's great. >> Uh so uh that was my part of my uh lecture for my uh the white coat ceremony and that's the >> what I use every day in my own life. Now I'll tell you an interesting story about that. I gave that lecture and a month or two later uh and I think it was put on YouTube or something but a month or two later woman reached out to me and she said uh uh I heard that lecture I read your book which I talk about it in my first book into the magic shop and she said I'm the spiritual director of the largest homeless shelter in the United States. I'm a person of faith. My friends had sent me all of the scripture, but I was burned out at my job and I couldn't do it anymore. And I had resolved. >> She said, "I read your book. I heard that talk. It gave me the strength to return to work." Which I'm like, "Oh my god, that's beautiful." Right? So then a month later, she sends me another email and she says, "You know, I have to tell you the story. I was telling my best friend about this and she has a daughter named Jenny. And Jenny is 12 and she makes beads. And Jenny made a set of 10 wooden beads that uh each one represents one of those letters of the alphabet. And she added a golden bead to represent the golden rule. Would you mind if we sold these to support the homeless shelter and we have a peace center there? I said, >> "Absolutely." A few months later, she sends me another. She's like this stalker. Yeah. >> She sends me another and she says, "You know, uh uh this has been so powerful. I went ahead and I I created a YouTube video. Can I post it?" And it shows this little girl making these beads with beautiful music and she's talking about this practice and she then posted that. And long story short, her and I became friends. I ended up going down to the homeless shelter and touring it and giving a talk in the church or sermon as you will even though I'm not particularly religious. And uh and then um she has two heroes in this world. One is the Dollaly Lama and uh the other is Desmond Tutu and when he was alive and uh so uh as I think you know I used to be chairman of the Dalai Lama Foundation. He's the founding benefactor of the center I run at Stanford. I said, "Listen, I'm hosting the Daly Lama. I want to invite you to come and I want to introduce you to it." Wow. And she was, "Oh my god, it's incredible." She says, "But you know, unfortunately, I make very little money and I can't really afford it." I said, "Well, listen, I'm going to hire you as a consultant and bring a bunch of beads with you." >> And I did do that. And we had these beads blessed by his holiness. >> Wow. and uh uh and she got to meet her hero. So, fast forward a few years later, I I'm friends with or was friends with Tutu. So, I was down in Cape Town at his 80th birthday party. So, during his 85th, they invited me to come down again to his birthday and I was in Oslo and I called I said, "Listen, you need to do me a favor." I said, "I want you to go to Cape Town in my place." >> Wow. Wow. and uh meet Tutu. And while on the one hand uh uh obviously it cost something to do that in the big scope of my world that was irrelevant. >> My right. >> But for her it was the world. >> Exactly. >> Wow. >> And you see that epitomizes what every one of us can do to to simply do a simple act. >> Yeah. >> And it can be saying hello. It can be holding a door open. It can be sitting with somebody. It can buy be buying a homeless person a meal. And and the thing is the benefit you get from this is so so powerful. You know his holiness says if you uh >> uh want to make others happy, be compassionate. >> If you want to be happy, be compassionate. >> Well, if you want to make others happy, be compassionate. If you want to be happy, be compassionate. >> Yeah. Because we know when you are care, when you're compassionate, it has a very positive effect on your physiology because you get shifted over >> to engagement of your parasympathetic nervous system. Your cardiac functions improved, your peripheral vascular functions improved. The expression of inflammatory uh proteins is diminished. Your immune systems boosted. Your cortisol levels are decreased. And so there's a whole cascade of events. And plus, when you're kind and compassionate, your uh uh reward and pleasure centers are stimulated. >> Wow. >> You know, who wouldn't want to be that way? And that's what uh you know, people forget sometimes. >> Wow. And most people forget to be compassionate towards themselves the most. >> Oh, well. And that's the key of what we're talking about. >> Absolutely. Mind magic, the neuroscience of manifestation and how it changes everything. This is extremely powerful. I want everyone to get a copy of this book. get one for a friend as well. Um, I've got a couple final questions for you, James, before we wrap up, but before I ask them, where can we send people to? Do you have a website we should send people to or just go on Amazon and get the book? >> I think there are many places besides Amazon. You can get books. Certainly, I'm a proponent of supporting independent bookstores, but it is on Amazon. Uh uh you can also publish or or purchase it from Penguin Random House if you use my name and the book title, >> but it's pretty much anywhere this can be uh uh sold. >> And do you have a website as well where we can stay in touch with you or connect? >> Yeah. Uh it's James R. Dodie MD.com and uh all of my work is there. Uh the other book I uh mentioned briefly was Into the Magic Shop, which was a New York Times bestseller. It's in 36 languages. Uh M >> also uh the center I run at Stanford uh is there and certainly people can go there and we offer courses on self-compassion and compassion. That's >> as well as uh even corporate programs and programs for first responders, police officers and things like that. That's very cool. >> And that's at ccare.stanford.edu. >> Okay. And actually another project that I'm actually very excited about is for the last couple years I've been working uh on creating a mental health app. >> Uh and uh because so many people are suffering from stress, anxiety and lack of compass, self-compassion >> and the interesting thing about it is because uh especially adolescence there so many are suffering that uh there are not even enough therapists to take care of these people. But the reality is most people are suffering from just living in the modern world. It's not, you know, drugresistant depression. It's just the stress and anxiety of living in the modern world because as we're talking about with the blue zones, we're far different uh in the modern world. So what it does is it utilizes an emotion assessment engine to analyze facial expression, voice analysis and context of speech >> connected to a conversational AI knowledge base of compassion focus therapy and psychology which is then hooked up to a human avatar who talks to you. >> Wow, that's cool. And what we know is that having a brief conversation like 10 minutes when somebody is feeling stressed and anxious, the very nature of a conversation can significantly decrease those feelings. >> Wow. >> And uh uh and what's interesting is so many people are afraid of being judged. >> They call shamed. Yes. So being able to talk actually to an avatar who is compassionate, >> empathetic, non-judgmental, accepting is very powerful. Now this isn't to separate you from people. What it is is to support you so that you can go forward and actually have better connections. Um and it's available 247 unlike your therapist which as you know I should say I don't know maybe you don't have a therapist but most people have therapist. >> Sure. But, you know, you call after 5:00 and they go, "If this is a life-threatening emergency, please call 911." Well, if you're stressed and anxious, that's really not the thing you want to hear. But anyway, uh, that company is called Happy, h PI. And, uh, I'm very excited about that. >> That's cool. When's that coming up? >> Uh, actually, people can sign up now for free. Okay. We're letting people use it just to get some input from them. Yeah. And, uh, and certainly if people try it, please drop me a note. And uh that's cool >> cuz we're trying to of course improve it, but it's pretty amazing uh the type of conversations you can have even I mean I've been like wow that's amazing. >> That's cool. Well, happy hapbi.ai. Check that out as well. >> Um a couple final questions for you, James. Um one of them is called the three truths question. It's a hypothetical scenario. Imagine you get to live as long as you want and you get to keep creating and manifesting and serving humanity the way you want to do it. Uh and everything that you desire you manifest until the day you die. But for whatever reason on the last day in this world you have to take all of your work with you. So this book we don't have access to. This conversation is no longer around. Everything you've created it's for whatever reason gone somewhere else. We don't have access. It's a hypothetical scenario and question, but if it was the last day many years away and you could only leave behind three lessons to the world and this is all we have of your information, your content, what would those three truths be for you that you would share? Believe in yourself, care for others, be kind to yourself. Mhm. Before I ask the final question, James, I want to acknowledge you for the the consistent contribution you make on the world. I think this topic is extremely interesting for so many people because a lot of people are suffering and they want to have a better life, but they don't know how to create the life. So bringing neuroscience research and your own practical lessons into this work, sharing it here for people for free, creating it in a in a book people can follow with a program uh and everything else you're sharing with the world. I just really acknowledge you for the contribution you are making currently on humanity and I'm grateful for the wisdom and the lessons that you share. So I wanted to share that with you. >> Well, thank you. I appreciate that. That's >> kind Yeah, you're welcome. Um, and my final question for you, James, is what is your definition of greatness? >> Being authentic, understanding yourself, and u caring for others. >> The line magic. Thank you, Jeff. Appreciate it. >> Desire plus non-resistance equals desired result. So whatever your desire is, if if you want to make more money, if you want to heal your chronic health condition, if you want to find your soulmate, it doesn't matter what it is, you can become psychologically and emotionally non-resistant to the desire 100% of the time consistently.