「宇宙並不在乎你」

2024年的新書《心靈魔法：顯化的神經科學及其如何改變一切（暫譯）》（Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything）中，世界知名的神經外科醫生 James Doty 向讀者坦言：宇宙並不在乎你。

這句話出自史丹佛大學慈悲與利他研究教育中心的創始主任之口，似乎有些意外。但 Doty 的目的是引起讀者的注意，因為他認為，當我們有意識地關注我們想要什麼以及為什麼想要時，改變就成為可能。
 

「這不是關於宇宙，而是關於你」 — James Doty
 

顯化第一步：緩解壓力 讓潛意識抓住機會

Doty 解釋，通過正確的練習，我們可以增強大腦的灰質，這些神經組織可以幫助我們學習、成長，並最終實現我們的潛力。這就是「顯化」（manifestation）的本質。

在新書《Mind Magic》中，Doty 闡述了我們如何通過重新引導注意力來改變大腦結構。他將「顯化」定義為將我們的意圖嵌入潛意識的過程，

其中最重要的步驟之一，包括深呼吸和用積極思想替代消極念頭——可以幫助平靜我們壓力過大的神經系統。當我們能夠從交感神經系統（即「戰鬥、逃跑或凍結」模式）轉換到副交感神經系統（即「休息和消化」模式）時，我們就能開始更清晰、更富同情心地思考自己和周圍的世界。

Doty 指出，現代生活中持續的刺激使我們的神經系統處於持續的壓力之下。例如，平均美國人每年花費 1,460 小時（相當於 91 個清醒日）在智能手機上，而研究表明這些設備被設計成以令人上癮的方式吸引我們的注意力。

這些龐大瑣碎的刺激「劫持」了我們的注意力，導致我們的心智分身乏術，因此錯失了出現的關鍵機會。但如果我們將意圖嵌入了潛意識，我們的大腦就會被預設為注意到它們！

顯化對大腦的影響

Doty 解釋，顯化有助於在我們的大腦中創建新迴路，修剪掉無益的舊迴路。這個過程被一些科學家稱為神經可塑性，但 Doty 將其比作一種「超能力」。

他在書中提供了一系列練習，包括一個為期 6 週的計劃，以幫助人們有效地實現願望。這些練習通常從放鬆開始，然後花５分鐘視覺化你的意圖（visualization），之後寫下來並每天大聲重複。重複是關鍵，因為這是在大腦中創建新神經通路的方式之一。

而隨著時間的推移，我們的大腦將被重新編程，在我們朝著目標前進時給予我們獎勵。

顯化奧義：許對的願望

Doty 強調，顯化並不是追求自私的利益——那永遠不會讓你快樂。過度關注自我對大腦和身體並不好；相反，關注他人則會激活副交感神經系統，有助於我們的整體情緒和福祉，同時也使實現願望更有效率。

正如達賴喇嘛所說：「如果你想讓別人快樂，要有同情心。如果你想讓自己快樂，也要有同情心。」

Doty 提醒我們，顯化願望並不等同於魔法思維。我們仍然需要付出艱苦的努力來將我們想要的改變變為現實。但它是一個有用的，有時是必要的第一步。

「我們可能會認為是外部環境或過去經歷限制了我們的內在力量，」他說，「但實際上，一切都始於我們自己的心靈。」

完成顯化的第一步：Wave 放鬆機能氣泡飲

The Neuroscience Behind Manifestation: Exploring the Secrets of Realizing Wishes with James Doty

"The Universe Doesn't Care About You"

In his 2024 book "Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything", world-renowned neurosurgeon James Doty candidly tells readers: the universe doesn't care about you.

This statement from the founding director of Stanford University's Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education might seem surprising. But Doty's aim is to capture the reader's attention, as he believes that change becomes possible when we consciously focus on what we want and why we want it.
 

"This is not about the universe, it's about you" — James Doty
 

The First Step of Manifestation: Relieve Stress and Let the Subconscious Seize Opportunities

Doty explains that through proper practice, we can strengthen the gray matter in our brain, the neural tissue that helps us learn, grow, and ultimately realize our potential. This is the essence of "manifestation".

In "Mind Magic", Doty elaborates on how we can change our brain structure by redirecting our attention. He defines "manifestation" as the process of embedding our intentions into our subconscious.

One of the most important steps, which includes deep breathing and replacing negative thoughts with positive ones, can help calm our overstressed nervous system. When we can switch from the sympathetic nervous system (the "fight, flight, or freeze" mode) to the parasympathetic nervous system (the "rest and digest" mode), we can begin to think more clearly and compassionately about ourselves and the world around us.

Doty points out that the constant stimulation in modern life puts our nervous systems under continuous stress. For example, the average American spends 1,460 hours (equivalent to 91 waking days) on their smartphone each year, and research shows these devices are designed to capture our attention in addictive ways.

These vast and trivial stimuli "hijack" our attention, causing our minds to be overwhelmed and thus missing crucial opportunities. But if we embed our intentions into our subconscious, our brains will be primed to notice them!

The Impact of Manifestation on the Brain

Doty explains that manifestation helps create new circuits in our brains while pruning away unhelpful old ones. Some scientists call this process neuroplasticity, but Doty likens it to a "superpower".

He provides a series of exercises in the book, including a 6-week program, to help people effectively realize their wishes. These exercises typically start with relaxation, followed by 5 minutes of visualizing your intention, then writing it down and repeating it aloud daily. Repetition is key, as it's one of the ways to create new neural pathways in the brain.

Over time, our brains will be reprogrammed to reward us as we progress towards our goals.

The Secret of Manifestation: Wishing for the Right Things

Doty emphasizes that manifestation is not about pursuing selfish interests — that will never make you happy. Excessive self-focus is not good for our brain and body; conversely, focusing on others activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which contributes to our overall mood and well-being, while also making wish fulfillment more efficient.

As the Dalai Lama said: "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."

Doty reminds us that manifesting wishes is not equivalent to magical thinking. We still need to put in hard work to turn the changes we want into reality. But it is a useful, and sometimes necessary, first step.

"We may believe that external circumstances or past experiences limit our inner power," he says, "but in reality, everything begins in our own minds."

Let Wave Relaxation Drink help you take your first step towards manifestation!

Source:

https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/05/james-doty-on-the-neuroscience-of-manifestation