Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation

I have been looking for insight into my relationship experiences and challenges for almost 30 years. I've been in therapy for years with multiple therapists and had never heard the words "adult attachment theory" until I started seeing a new therapist earlier this year. I feel cheated, but that's another story. I now feel like I have entered an entirely new world where relationship issues now make sense. My new therapist recommended the book "Attached," which started to open my eyes, but I was left with a lot of questions and craving more information about adult attachment issues. "Mindsight" was the answer. This is a technical book about a complex subject but Siegel explains things well and gives very detailed real life examples. It is very analytical and explains the brain behind the emotions and behaviors that shape our relationships. It is particularly helpful in understanding anxious/avoidant attachment styles, which Siegel calls disorganized attachment, and avoidant. He also provides clear explanations of exercises and approaches in therapy that helped his patients resolve attachment issues. I can't recommend this book enough for insight and some relief that there is an explanation for human vulnerabilities in relationships. I have already recommended it to people I know. I have read tons of relationship books and now recommend this book followed by "Getting the Love You Want" to next understand who we are attracted to and what to do about it. There's no need for other books, these two explain it all as far as I can tell.

I so badly want to like Dr. Siegel's work (this is the 3rd book of his I've attempted to read). For the most part, I agree with the basic philosophical orientation and commitments that guide his writing, and the territory he keeps writing into from different angles (basically, the mind's significance and its connection to human well-being) is relevant and important. With this being said... I don't know how his books get published as they are absolutely painful to read. What I don't understand is that you can hire an editor to proof your work and help you organize and clarify your writing for a fair price. All three of his works that I've read suffer from the same basic stylistic writing deficiencies: redundancy (I could easily condense all three books that I've read into less than one book), odd/inaccessibly turn of phrase, and most of all, an absolutely dreadful lack of sustained conceptual focus, clarity, and organization. The biggest tragedy, in my opinion, is that because of his unresolved stylistic issues, the core idea(s) of his books remain inaccessible. It's like trying to walk somewhere beautiful with a map that's indirect at best and utterly incomprehensible at worst.Honestly, just read the summaries of his books or any reviews of them online and you'll have basically 90% of the book. Save yourself the $.

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This is a really worthwhile book for any person to read - full stop. While it focuses on a number of case studies to illustrate advice and insight with remarkable depth of humanity, its focus is anything but pathological. If you have even an inkling - a mental itch - that there is more to you than meets the mind’s eye as you currently perceive it- then this book is for you. It got me to thinking about many aspects of my life in ways that are both new and ancient - and for this alone, I am thankful to Daniel Siegel. I look forward to reading more in this vein.

This book helped me to get a clearer and deeper understanding of how the human mind works - it a nut shell we all need connection.

Amazing book, in my opinion. I love the "dance" between therapy, psychology and meditation. I also like that the author used scientific evidence backed up by his client's experiences.

A fascinating look at the way the physical brain works to produce thought, lay down memories and create sense out of our development.

Excellent! Well written and accessible.