Into the Magic Shop

A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets ofthe Heart

By: James R. Doty MD

Narrated by: James R. Doty MD

The award-winning New York Times bestseller about the extraordinary things that can happen when we harness the power of both the brain and the heart

“It’s Doty’s ability to describe his journey so lyrically, and then his willingness to share his methods, that make this book a gem.”—Abraham Verghese, MD, author of Cutting for Stone

Growing up in the high desert of California, Jim Doty was poor, with an alcoholic father and a mother chronically depressed and paralyzed by a stroke. Today he is the director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University, of which the Dalai Lama is a founding benefactor. But back then his life was at a dead end until at twelve he wandered into a magic shop looking for a plastic thumb. Instead he met Ruth, a woman who taught him a series of exercises to ease his own suffering and manifest his greatest desires. Her final mandate was that he keep his heart open and teach these techniques to others. She gave him his first glimpse of the unique relationship between the brain and the heart.

Doty would go on to put Ruth’s practices to work with extraordinary results—power and wealth that he could only imagine as a twelve-year-old, riding his orange Sting-Ray bike. But he neglects Ruth’s most important lesson, to keep his heart open, with disastrous results—until he has the opportunity to make a spectacular charitable contribution that will virtually ruin him. Part memoir, part science, part inspiration, and part practical instruction, Into the Magic Shop shows us how we can fundamentally change our lives by first changing our brains and our hearts.

Compassion and open hearts can change lives

I wasn’t crazy about the reading at first because it was choppy, but as I pushed forward, I appreciated the vulnerability. It’s a great book that teaches one mindfulness, compassion, and my favorite chapter was Chapter 11

Everything you need to know

Loved every word of this book
; his life, his losses and gains -what a life well shared!

Very Good

Emotional, positive, compassionate, and well delivered in audio format. Highly recommend. Buy it. Listen to it.

The most touching book I ever read!

I loved the story and the message it carried! It was so touching that I cried many times when I was listening to this book. It teaches you many lessons that can affect your life and the life of others around you!
Thank you Dr James Doty for sharing your wonderful story!!

Soulful and heartfelt experience

Incredible storytelling, beautiful emotions, wonderful insights on the power of owning the heart. I was gripped right away and remained so engaged throughout. The emotions of the authors voice come through powerfully in the audiobook. What a diverse life.