Mind Magic

about 99.9995 percent of the stimuli reaching our brain are processed below the level of consciousness. Among the overwhelming barrage of internal and external stimuli we are encountering at any given moment, the SN identifies what is

most relevant, or subjectively salient, and guides behavior accordingly. The

events in the here and now. As we practice, we will learn to intentionally detach our awareness from whatever is happening in our five senses and direct it toward an imagined experience of the future we envision. Second,

The DMN has two powerful lessons for us in manifesting: first, experiences such as mind-wandering illustrate that cognition is not always tethered to

The practices in this book are designed in part to diminish the overpowering sense of self-consciousness that the DMN contributes to our “inner critic.”

Essentially, the DMN is responsible for brain activity when a person is focused inward, including during wakeful rest, daydreaming, mind-wandering, and reminiscing. It allows us to carry out self-referential processing, or the ability to reflect on ourselves.

THE DEFAULT MODE NETWORK (DMN) The default mode network is the most thoroughly researched network in the brain. Anatomically, the DMN is also called the medial frontoparietal network (M-FPN) and is composed of the medial prefrontal cortex, the adjacent anterior cingulate cortex, the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus, and the angular gyrus.

she calmed her nervous system by using breath meditation: four-count breaths in, eight-count breaths out. She learned how to tense her entire body intentionally and then release the tension part by part.

Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers and are released in response to pain or stress, creating a general feeling of well-being.