In less than an hour, I am leaving for Melbourne to run a session on ‘Dealing with Change’. Before I leave, I thought I would share excerpts from a book by Dr. Candace Pert that I am reading at the moment. She is one of my favourite authors on the topics of emotions. 

Dr. Pert is an internationally recognised psycho-pharmacologist having published more than 250 scientific articles, and lectures worldwide on pharmacology, neuroanatomy and her own leading-edge research on emotions and the body mind connection.

When I was a child, I remember being told: “Pay attention”. As I read one of her chapters, my mind went straight to that phrase. Paying attention in fact is quite magical - it helps us store in our memory what we are learning - but not only that.

According to Dr. Pert, attention is important for creating reality especially when combined with intention. In fact, manifestation, the skill of imagining what you want and making your dreams come true can be learned, says Candace.

One of the best strategies is to focus on our breathing (let’s say proper breathing). When we are able to create a state of quiet and calm alertness, the frontal cortex receives input from neuronal fibres sprouting from a tiny cluster of cells at the base of the brain that makes norepinephrine, the brain’s own amphetamine.

Studies performed by Dr. Richard Davidson, director of the Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin, have proven that with frequent meditation, the frontal cortex strengthens and even enlarges, resulting in a thickened layer of cells in this part of the brain. To know more, I recommend her book “Everything You Need to Know to Feel Good”.

I am off to the airport, have an awesome week.

Originally posted on: 25 August 2010
Last updated on: 24 March 2024
Silvia Damiano

Silvia Damiano

Founder & CEO
About my Brain Institute

Scientist, educator, author, speaker, coach, award-winning leadership specialist, filmmaker and creator of the i4 Neuroleader Model & Methodology.

Silvia's scientific background and curiosity about the human brain led her to a decade long journey of research into optimal brain functioning and the application of neuroscience in leadership and daily life. Her past and current roles have uniquely prepared her for the current undertaking, that of leadership activist & change agent.

Silvia Damiano founded The About my Brain Institute in 2009, with the purpose of democratising leadership & neuroscience. She has a passionately held belief, that leaders in our 21st century global economy and their organisations must radically change long-held ideas of what constitutes effective leadership

In her ground-breaking books ‘Leadership is Upside Down’, ‘Brain-Friendly Leadership’ and the 2018 documentary ‘Make Me A Leader’, Silvia provides both compelling evidence and explores the importance of leadership in our personal and professional lives and what it takes to develop the human behind the leader.

Silvia has worked in different countries, across many industries, helping teams and organisations improve business performance. Silvia’s clients have described her as a passionate, dynamic, a highly experienced speaker and master facilitator on the topics of Emotional Intelligence, Cultural Change, Neuroleadership & Engagement.

Silvia is passionate about leaving a legacy of well-rounded leaders who can act and decide in a way that better serves humanity. Her clients include Microsoft, Australian Stock Exchange, NSW Government, VISA, Fuji Xerox and Manpower amongst many other global companies.

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