The Biology of Belief: Unleasing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles

by Bruce H. Lipton

With more than 100,000 copies sold of his self-published book, The Biology of Belief, Bruce Lipton teams up with Hay House to bring his message to an even wider audience. This book is a groundbreaking work in the field of new biology, and it will forever change how you think about thinking.

Through the research of Dr. Lipton and other leading-edge scientists, stunning new discoveries have been made about the interaction between your mind and body and the processes by which cells receive information. It shows that genes and DNA do not control our biology, that instead DNA is controlled by signals from outside the cell, including the energetic messages emanating from our thoughts.

Using simple language, illustrations, humor, and everyday examples, he demonstrates how the new science of Epigenetics is revolutionizing our understanding of the link between mind and matter and the profound effects it has on our personal lives and the collective life of our species.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Psychology, Spirituality, Health, Self Help, Biology

237 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Bruce H. Lipton, PhD is an internationally recognized leader in bridging science and spirit. He has been a guest speaker on hundreds of TV and radio shows, as well as keynote presenter for national and international conferences.

Dr. Lipton began his scientific career as a cell biologist. He received his Ph.D. Degree from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville before joining the Department of Anatomy at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Medicine in 1973. Dr. Lipton’s research on muscular dystrophy, studies employing cloned human stem cells, focused upon the molecular mechanisms controlling cell behavior.

Dr. Lipton’s novel scientific approach transformed his personal life as well. His deepened understanding of cell biology highlighted the mechanisms by which the mind controls bodily functions, and implied the existence of an immortal spirit. He applied this science to his personal biology, and discovered that his physical well-being improved, and the quality and character of his daily life was greatly enhanced.

Dr. Lipton has taken his award-winning medical school lectures to the public and is currently a sought after keynote speaker and workshop presenter. He lectures to conventional and complementary medical professionals and lay audiences about leading-edge science and how it dovetails with mind-body medicine and spiritual principles. He has been heartened by anecdotal reports from hundreds of former audience members who have improved their spiritual, physical and mental well being by applying the principles he discusses in his lectures. He is regarded as one of the leading voices of the new biology. Dr Lipton’s work summarizing his findings, entitled The Biology of Belief, (Hay House Publishing, 202 pages, $25, hardcover, ISBN 978-1-4019-2311-2). His new book, Spontaneous Evolution, Our Positive Future and a Way to Get There From Here, (Hay House Publishing, ISBN 978-1-4019-2580-2) is available now.


from http://www.brucelipton.com/about-bruce/

Reviews

[Jason , etc. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This probably would've been a much more impressive book if I didn't have a background in molecular and cell biology. I'm not saying that science can't be tied to the power of positive thinking, but his conclusions require enormous leaps in order to tie one to the other. Some of the experimental results he points to are incredibly weak and superficial (DNA-methylation rates), and his attempt to involve quantum theory by including it in a later chapter like an afterthought in order (I guess) to make everything seem deeper and more metaphysical was a ridiculously poor choice. Quantum theory isn't something that anyone should attempt to wrap their hypothesis in just because it sounds convincing. Done wrong, it's actually a shortcut to losing credibility.

And as for epigenetics, there's nothing 'new' about the science. The processes involved in controlling gene expression are ridiculously complicated. Implying that positive thought can alter cell-membrane structure, and through that alteration affect DNA transcription/translation in a way favorable to cell survival or death (depending on the circumstances) has the potential to lead to truly ignorant and insensitive statements, such as, "Well, that person died because they didn't think positively enough".

Again, I'm not saying that there isn't a connection between science and belief. I'm saying that this book fails to make it.

[David Rubenstein · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this short audiobook, which contrary to the "unabridged" description, is much much shorter than the book by the same title and author. It starts up with an in-depth look at how perception alters the response of cells. It discusses epigenetics, and how proteins really contain the "secret of life", and not DNA itself. So far, so good.

The author then tries to make a parallel between cellular perception and an organism's sense of perception. He describes ways in which perception and beliefs can alter one's biological functions. For example, stress can impair the immune system. And, the placebo effect has a strong impact on the defense against many diseases. This is true enough, but the book does not explain, at least to my satisfaction, how beliefs can have these effects. We learn the "what" but not the "how". Then, when the book brings in teachings of Jesus, I lost all hope for this book.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is awesome! I've been learning and working the Law of Attraction for the last few years and have seen marked results. But there have been times that I've wondered, "where's my stuff" some of the other things I've been trying to manifest. After reading this book, I not only understand how LOA works, but am now able to break through the barriers of the few things I've had a difficult time attracting. Seems too good to be true, from inside the box we've all been trained to think in, but I do believe it's all good and very true! If you're ready for real positive changes, read this book! Also, check out Bruce Lipton's "Biology of Perception" lecture on YouTube, it's a great visual companion to the book!

[Jrobertus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lipton was once on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin, and then went off to be in a rock band. It appears that loud music and drugs burned out his brain cells. He got a job at a forth rate med school in the Caribbean, but discovered there is more money in writing junk science. This guy is a charlatan, but as H.L. Mencken said, " nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public". In this book, Lipton misrepresents the view of contemporary science and demonstrates that he knows nothing at all about quantum mechanics. He preaches that QM is the key to understanding life and it is being hidden by from the public, largely by the interests of the drug industry. There is certainly lots to criticize about the pharmaceutical industry, and also the medical profession, but arguing from ignorance and superstition is not the way to do it.

[Jonathan Jobe · Rating 1 out of 5]

As I read this book I established a love-hate relationship with the author. I agree with the author wholeheartedly that the fields of epigenetics and quantum physics can and will significantly change the way we treat illness. His discussion of the placebo effect with respect to antidepressants was fascinating. However, I became annoyed by his many jabs at "the establishment" and his insistence that his "New Science" and "New Biology" would lead to his condemnation like a modern day Galileo. His sudden leap from "the environment has an effect on gene expression" to "mystical energy and the subconscious mind control everything" is alarming and not well explained or reasoned.

Everything falls apart completely with his Addendum. In the Addendum we learn that a lifetime of subconscious programming can be reversed in just MINUTES through the revolutionary practice of PSYCH-K (TM) starting at $350! The author reduces his entire book to an infomercial for an unscientific and unexplained product.

If you choose to read this book, do so with a grain of salt. The author's valid criticism of our drug-focused treatment of illness does not legitimize his mystical beliefs

[Ayse_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. It was going very logical and as expected from a scientist with a spiritual awakening until I hit the last chapter. The last chapter is like: `and now for something completely different`, thunder and smoke, vavavwoom, and `its a slippery thing that slips down the slope as it slips` kind of explanations. And the so called magical PSYCH-K that he directs you to, is just the plain old tool that is being used in hypnosis/hypnotherapy for a hundred years, so no point in presenting it as if they found the gold at the end of the rainbow. Read without high expectations.

[DailyKaffee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I still own this book as it was given to me as a present and I am too embarrassed to hand it over to anyone else and thus admitting it is in my possession in the first place. I thought about reading it again and marking all the falsehoods I found within the pages, so in case I die, nobody will think I endorse the contents in any form or way.

Okay, jokes aside - reading this book left me so frustrated, I do not exactly feel like writing a tame, sweet, scientific-minded review. This frustration was further fueled by reading some reviews and realizing how easily people are drawn in by hollow pseudoscience and some fancy terms that are used in the hopes that the reader doesn't actually know what they mean and believes the authors' version instead. If you look beyond the fog that this book pulls up, there isn't anything truly valuable to find.

Bruce Lipton tries, with a remarkable ability to stretch his imagination to the breaking point, using popular scientific terms like "quantum physics" to make his book sound especially fancy and sciency. Behind the smoke screen is not much more than a vivid, unscientific bit of imagination, bloomy speech that manages to intentionally and unintentionally distort the science behind it, spiritual voodoo and a dire need for self-gratification that, luckily, he finds in the few students he managed to pull into the world of his pseudoscience. Bruce Lipton attacks his own false depictions of modern science, also known as "attacking a straw-man", and purposefully overestimates single aspects of complex science, while misunderstanding or misrepresenting other aspects, such as the placebo effect. Peppered with claims of mysticism and spiritualism, the book is sure to lull anyone in who would like to have their magical beliefs ratified by science without actually knowing much about it.

Surprisingly, this is not the worst book I have ever read, but it comes really close.

[Lee Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lipton is a cell biologist whose “study of cells turned [him] into a spiritual person.” This is a highly readable science book, defining how beliefs control behavior and gene activity, and consequently the unfolding of our lives. It’s a fun learning tool that doesn’t dig too deeply, with an uplifting message.

Belief truly is biological. One interesting topic that Lipton addresses is the placebo effect. It “is quickly glossed over in medical schools so that students can get to the real tools of modern medicine like drugs and surgery. This is a giant mistake. The placebo affect should be a major topic of study in medical school.” Of course, Lipton is a realist; he realizes placebo pills are a threat to the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the scalpel holders, and Lipton is not one to mince words.

It should be pointed out that this is no dry textbook; it borders in places on metaphysical and holistic speculation. But the book is so darn fun. In this light, do not ignore the epilogue; it’s the best part of the book, where Lipton deals with speculative conclusions regarding our “me-ness” and the power of the mind that transformed him into a bubbly, optimistic believer. His “aha” moment was the realization that every protein in our bodies is a physical/electromagnetic complement to something in the environment … that environment being the universe, or to many, God. As we are inextricably intertwined with the divine, survival of the fittest turns out to mean survival of the most loving.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a lot of dense and tedious information here, so let me save you some time. Basically... saturating yourself in love rather than fear is the best way to stay healthy, to avoid cancer, etc. Apparently, it’s an even bigger factor than food and physical proximity to environmental toxins.

Is this a surprise to any of us?
Probably not.

But Lipton is a science guy, so his stamp of approval on the very, very obvious is supposed to count for something.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. The parts about new biology were interesting, but i just do not feel that the author had a strong enough understanding of the other topics to adequately tie them together. He talked some about quantum mechanics and how it has changed our understanding of reality, but did not make a clear connection between that and what he was saying.
Also, he wrote the book as if to say that his message, that people are largely influenced by their environment and are able to make of it what they wish, is some sort of heresy and paradigm shift.
And yet he is an american! I feel this is the subject of 80% of every american film, book, play etc. this is the driving theme of all of America: You are a product of your environment, and you can become whatever you want if you put your mind to it.
He tried to present the biological basis for this, by showing that cells are not as entirely controlled by dna as had once been thought, which was interesting, and perhaps in the community of cellular biologists is groundbreaking, but when extended by analogy to the terms of every day life, this is a pretty common and well accepted idea, that I don't believe can reasonable be concluded from the cellular biology he presents.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Наистина, какво е новото в тази книга? Според мен нищо, а аз дори нямам обща култура в сферата на биологията. Може би д-р Липтън да е основоположник на някаква нова биология, но за това не стига само личното му твърдение. А определено тази книга не поставя началото на нищо ново. Дори не мога да я причисля към книгите, които популяризират науката и са насочени към широк кръг читатели, просто защото научното в нея беше няколко зрънца, разпръснати тук-там измежду личните драми на добрия доктор, „невероятните“ му прозрения, „шокиращите“ истини, които са му се разкрили и прочие високопарни изявление.
А аз дори съм привърженик на идеята, че съзнанието може да промени битието. Започнах да чета книгата с идеята, че ще разбера биологичния механизъм, чрез който това се случва. Нищо подобно! Искаше ми се да прочета какви точно експерименти е направил Липтън, какви са резултатите и до какви изводи е стигнал. Отново нищо такова нямаше. Ако все пак се цитира някакво научно постижение, то е от публикация на други учени в списания или книги. Нито ред за някоя от публикациите на самия Липтън, което ме навежда на мисълта, че такива или липсват изобщо, или не са по темата. Не вярвам да е някаква конспирация на конвенционалната наука – в крайна сметка може и да има консервативни учени, но някак си „наука“ не ми се връзва с „догма“, както се опитват да ни убедят в книгата. Науката върви напред именно като отхвърля догмите, поставя нови хипотези, прави изследвания, съпоставя емпиричните резултати и ако те не отговарят на теорията – търси друго обяснение.
Понеже не издържах да дочета книгата до самия край, въпреки скромния й обем, ще посоча само някои от крайно невероятните и дразнещи (за мен) твърдения:
1. Крайно невероятно ми се струва съществуването на клетъчни биолози, които изследват клетки без да отдават значение на средата, в която клетките живеят. Това не е ли съвсем близко до ума? Явно за първи път е хрумнало единсвено на учителя на Липтън и докторът е попил познанието, за да го използва по-късно.
2. Книгата е писана през 2005 година – сериозно ли се опитват да ме убедят, че някой все още вярва в генетичния детерминизъм? Кои са тези хора, които оправдават житейските си провали с дефектни гени? Аз поне не съм срещала такива. Освен да е някаква особеност на американците, която не се среща по нашите ширини. Което също е съмнително – Холивуд трупа милиарди именно чрез опровергаване на генетичния детерминизъм („Гатака“ излиза през 1997 година).
3. От кога физичните закони на Нютон станаха демоде? Както казва сър Тери Пратчет „Гравитацията е навик, от който е трудно да се откажеш“, но това не е проблем за Липтън. Според него Нютоновата физика е остаряла, сега на мода е квантовата. Толкова се изумих, че се стегнах да чета по-внимателно и за щастие открих едно изречение, в което се прави уточнението, че законите, открити от Нютон действат за големите тела, докато квантовата физика обяснява процесите на атомно ниво. За съжаление не става ясно, че едното не отрича другото и в момента физиците се опитват да намерят обща теория, която да обедини Нютоновата и квантовата теории. Но добре че това го знам от преди, та не останах с грешно впечатление.
4. Критиката на Дарвинизма също е смешна – няма посочени сериозни аргументи, освен позоваването на труда на Ламарк, предхождаш Дарвин с около 30 години, но за човек като мен, който има само много обща култура по проблема не става ясно къде е драмата.
5. Особено ме подразни частта за осъзнатото родителство. В опита си да отхвърли влиянието на гените, Липтън изпада в друга крайност – според него за създаване и отглеждане на здраво и щастливо дете от значение е единствено психологическата настройка на родителите. Всеки, който има деца, ще му каже, че това изобщо не е така. Човешките същества са толкова сложни, че е крайно невероятно върху тях да влияе само един фактор. С радост бих прегърнала теорията за осъзнатото родителство, само дето не мога да го направя без убедителни доказателства. А как може някой да твърди, че психологията на родителите е единственият важен фактор, по-важен от гените, от социалната среда, от ранното обучение, от приятелите, роднините, храната, климата и прочие? Кой е изследвал още от зачеването им две съвършенно еднакви човешки същества, при които всичко е било абсолютно еднакво, само ангажираността на родителите е била различна? Със сигурност знам кой не е – Брус Липтън!
6. Споменава се и нестинарството като духовен феномен, т.е. явление, при което духовната сила побеждава физическата реалност. Да, ама не! Бърза справка в Уикипедия (елементарно!) показва, че за нестинарството има научно обяснение - "Противно на идеята, че краката на нестинарите не изгарят, защото те изпадат в транс или ги закриля висша сила, ходенето по жарава има научно обяснение. Два основни фактора правят ходенето по жарава възможно и предотвратяват изгаряния:
-Въглените имат много ниска топлопроводимост.
-Контактът между въглените и босите крака е много краткотраен. Нестинарите стъпват бързо по повърхността, без да задълбават към по-горещите въглени отдолу.
За краткия момент на допир и при лошата си топлопроводимост, въглените предават малка част от топлинната енергия към кожата."
Добре де, имаше 2-3 неща, с които няма как да споря. Но и тук според мен няма такава драма, каквато се опитва да представи авторът. Например антибиотиците – трябва да се избягват винаги, когато е възможно, всеки го знае. И „прозрението“, че всички живи същества в света са свързани и образуват една екосистема – това за кого е новост? ГМО продуктите са бомба със закъснител – да, така е, въпреки, че все още няма голяма гласност за вредите. А зависимостта на лекарите от фармацевтичните компание отдавна за никого не е тайна, за каквато се опитва да мине в книгата.
Единственото ново нещо, което разбрах беше, че няма начин да си купя антихистаминов препарат без страничните ефекти сънливост и замаяност. Тъй като антихистамин, влязал в тялото, не се ограничава само до един орган, той се разпространяв в мозъка, а там действа върху нервите. Може би добавят някакъв антидот на това действие, но това не ме успокоява, а ме стряска още повече. Е, и обяснението на действието на клетъчната мембрана беше разбираемо, но не схванах защо механизмът й на действие я превръща в „мозъка“ на клетката.

[Joye · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I just listened to it on a long car ride. First of all, the writing was terrible. He must have used the word "interesting " every 3 sentences. I learned very little from this book except some biology about DNA that I hadn't read before.
The beginning was interesting(tee hee, there is that word again!) about the history of science and biology, but I had read other books about it in more depth. He was following a thought about the role of DNA in our body's workings and how perception and proteins play a more vital role than we previously thought. I figured he would then logically go to how we can influence our bodies through thoughts and attitudes, but he started rambling about fetuses, upbringing, consciousness, and cognitive therapy. It wasn't presented in a logical way like the beginning was written. It seemed like att the middle of the book a lot of his conclusions were his own without scientific studies to back anything up. When he started to talk about cognitive therapy incorrectly and going to therapy is a waste of time, he lost me.
I have read many books about physics, neuro science and psychology and this is the most poorly presented and written I have encountered. Oh well,but I do think we have power over our bodies, this book wasn't one to convince.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding presentation of the science behind positive subconscious programming! Written by a cellular biologist, Dr. Lipton presents a very strong case for why the cell's membrane runs the show and how we directly influence those membranes with our minds.

Easy to read. Helps the reader move smoothly beyond outdated Newtonian physics, Descartes' separation of science/spirit, and Darwin's survival of the fittest into Einstein's quantum physics and the truth about cooperative living for survival among single cells that form multicellular organisms.

Too involved to write much more about it here...just go get yourself a copy! Definitely worth it.

Must Read - 3

[Sara]

من اینو نصفه رها کردم و رفتم سراغ خلاصه‌ش ولی هایلایت‌هایی که ازش برداشتم رو همینجا میارم تا ببینم بعدا خلاصه‌ش چی اضافه میکنه:

▪ If you could be anybody, who would you be?

▪ The environment serves as a “contractor” who reads and engages those genetic blueprints and is ultimately responsible for the character of a cell’s life. It is a single cell’s “awareness” of the environment, not its genes, that sets into motion the mechanisms of life.

▪ Just like a single cell, the character of our lives is determined not by our genes but by our responses to the environmental signals that propel life.

▪ For close to two decades I had been programming biology’s central dogma—the belief that life is controlled by genes—into the minds of medical students.

▪ There is no doubt that human beings have a great capacity for sticking to false beliefs with great passion and tenacity, and hyper-rational scientists are not immune.

▪ I came to the conclusion that we are not victims of our genes, but masters of our fates, able to create lives overflowing with peace, happiness, and love

▪ A number of you critical readers may rightly be skeptical of my claim that Earth is Heaven

▪ Every time a drug is introduced into the body to correct function A, it inevitably throws off function B, C, or D. It is not gene-directed hormones and neurotransmitters that control our bodies and our minds; our beliefs control our bodies, our minds, and thus our lives … Oh ye of little belief!

▪ Quantum physicists discovered that physical atoms are made up of vortices of energy that are constantly spinning and vibrating; each atom is like a wobbly spinning top that radiates energy. Because each atom has its own specific energy signature (wobble), assemblies of atoms (molecules) collectively radiate their own identifying energy patterns. So every material structure in the universe, including you and me, radiates a unique energy signature.
If it were theoretically possible to observe the composition of an actual atom with a microscope, what would we see? Imagine a swirling dust devil cutting across the desert’s floor. Now remove the sand and dirt from the funnel cloud. What you have left is an invisible, tornado-like vortex. A number of infinitesimally small, dust devil–like energy vortices called quarks and photons collectively make up the structure of the atom. From far away, the atom would likely appear as a blurry sphere. As its structure came nearer to focus, the atom would become less clear and less distinct. As the surface of the atom drew near, it would disappear. You would see nothing. In fact, as you focused through the entire structure of the atom, all you would observe is a physical void. The atom has no physical structure—the emperor has no clothes!

▪ Doctors should not dismiss the power of the mind as something inferior to the power of chemicals and the scalpel. They should let go of their conviction that the body and its parts are essentially stupid and that we need outside intervention to maintain our health

▪ If medical researchers could figure out how to leverage the placebo effect, they would hand doctors an efficient, energy-based, side effect–free tool to treat disease

[Jakub Micko · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is disappointing and ironic that Lipton is just another "scientist" who refuses to actually debate the gray, and instead does the same thing that he vilifies the scientific community of doing: turning complex multifactorial issues into black and white topics. For the most part, I found this book hard to read, a jumpy amalgamation of his life's woes mixed in with fairly creative scientific models which he then leapfrogs off of to present cherry picked studies and a plethora of anecdotal evidence in order to defend his blaming of the "science boys club" and "pharmaceutical" companies as the causative agents that prevent real progress towards health and happiness.

To be fair, by treating health as a black and white issue, for the readers who do not have degrees or strong foundations in medical science, I'm sure most of these ideas sound exciting, compelling, and even plausible. Unfortunately the type of conspiratorial baiting is effective because now even my critique of Liptons book can be discredited with "oh I must be paid off by a pharmaceutical company to be disagreeing with him."

The reality is that yes of course people would rather take a pill- it's easy and this does not make it inherently bad. Yes it is bad if there is abuse of profits (and there often is), but this is more of a capitalism/economic issue instead of a scientific one, which seems to be a convenient straw man argument that Lipton employs. There are people who work years in order to understand diseases and test out treatments and cures that require the intersection of chemistry/physiology/statistics/bioinformatics, and to discredit them with one alternate study and claims of profiteering seems downright insane. Lipton also ignores the thousands of real Mendelian inherited diseases where a malfunctioning or missing protein is literally the cause of and that a pill with said protein can legitimately cure you. As we research cancers this is sometimes the case, even mutated ones such as the BCR-ABL1 9:22 translocation mutation often found in acute lymphocytic leukemia that a tyrosine kinase inhibitor can allow someone to have much less chemo. The simple truth is that science and the cause and treatment of human disease is infinitely complex and hard. It will be slow progress riddled with mistakes, but progress nonetheless. Ignoring these realities and scientific principles is not an ethically allowable strategy if one wants to help people. Lipton presents some fascinating studies that could have merit- but why give so much weight to a study one team does once and no weight to studies thousands of scientists have done ? That is not how science works- it must be a consensus over time and it is misleading to present arguments in the manner he does.

Some examples that stick out I have particular issues with:

Trying to make the argument that some research and topics are hidden from students. Honestly, I didn't understand this one at all. Maybe this he's simply old and cynical or because he doesn't teach anymore so he doesn't realize the topics like epigenetics/quantum mechanics/environmental-gene effects are regularly focused on in schooling nowadays. I specifically recall learning tons of ways that environmental signals and their corresponding regulatory proteins control DNA expression, and that "junk DNA" is a huge misnomer because it's all basically a sensor for when to activate specific genes. No one is trying to hide these things- there are just so many specialties and research that it can be difficult to learn and understand it all.

Using the example of a sentence in an article about a disbeliever to Koch's germ theory swallowing cholera and surviving as a metaphor for science being too dogmatic (pg 119-120). This one Litpon really had to stretch- In the exact same article it says cholera has been a scourge for hundreds of years. Lipton says they should have figured out how he avoided the disease. If he had done more research he would have learnt Pettenkofer did get violent diarrhea and likely didn't die because he had it as a child thereby having protection- simple critical thinking that real scientists do day to day. And by picking on the quick sentence in the article that one reviewer wrote to ascribe a characteristic to all scientists is ridiculous, another strawman.

Using articles that encourage pharmaceutical medical interventions in children and then showing more recent articles that prove they should't be used in children (page 194). Yes, this is how science works... no one is going to change medical practices based off of a random study.

Having a life changing experience from a chiropractor that used manual muscle testing (page 168). Apparently Lipton also doesn't realize that this is a basic technique taught to and used by most if not all medical professionals to quickly assess musculoskeletal imbalances. This actually weakens his point if anything, because muscle testing is inherently flawed because humans are dominant in one side, and so most professionals just use it as a basic test with much follow up testing. That a chiropractor used just that to lead to some miraculous improvement shows that his training was lacking as well.

Giving readers absolutely false misinformation that babies "automatically swim when placed in water" (page 170). This one is dangerous. Yes, babies exhibit a bradycardic response of holding their breath when submerged, and make repetitive circling motions with hands and feet that may resemble swimming as a reflex, but this is NOT SWIMMING because they are also not physically strong enough to hold up their heads independently, and thus will drown.

I gave 2 stars for the very imaginative ways of describing certain scientific models (the pictures of the butter sandwich are great), and the general attitude of hope. I may disagree with most of it but certain statements such as "Perhaps the most widespread and insidious form of human violence is ideological control. Throughout history, religious movements and governments have repeatedly prodded their constituents into aggression and violence to deal with dissenters and nonbelievers." are well written and overall I think he means well, though I think his argument would be strengthened with less anecdotal evidence, and more of a basic understanding of human nature and how research works.

[Yasser Mohammad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once in a while you have to read something that you think is not worth it to open your mind for new ideas that may turn out to be worth it after all. That is why I started reading this book. I expected some more of the law of attraction stuff.

I am still 33% through the book and it was much better than what I expected. The idea of the cell not being completely controlled by DNA is for me interesting. Nevertheless, it seems that the author jumps too fast sometimes to unwarranted conclusions.

For example, for some reason he seems to imply that energy is not as 'material' as say electrons. This is of course ridiculous because whatever e=mc2 is saying is that both mass and energy are the same thing and even a passing knowledge of relativity shows that the main feature of matter in Descartes's sense (extension) is present in both energy and mass.
The author also mentions quantum mechanics many times but I can see no relation between its concepts and whatever he is talking about.

Nevertheless, I will complete the book and may have something more to say in a couple of days.

[Shilpa Harry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good blend of biology, psychology, and spirituality... the author also a biologist talks about cell interaction and its correlation with DNA alteration via his research and experiments. The book highlights that 'the outside world is a true reflection of our inner world'( our body, mind, and spirit).

[Julian Worker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviours and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work. You are what you believe and the cells in your own body are affected by energetic messages emanating from your thoughts.

For example, research suggests that a positive mindset can even overcome some of the effects of aging. Studies have shown that people who hold more positive stereotypes about aging behave differently as they age from those who hold more negative stereotypes.

The book also suggests that because humans evolved as complements of their surrounding environment, if we then change the environment then we will no longer be complementary to it...we won't fit.

This book really made me realise how I think about myself and how it might limit my actions. This is a book to use as a reference in the coming years.

[RbbieFrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lipton makes the point that our conscious thinking affects the environment in our body in which our cells live. He says the cells of our body have a brain which is the membrane of the cell (not the nucleus ) . The membrane of the cell has thousands of protein strands that act as receptors --much like the nerve endings in our skin --these receptors transmit to the cell knowledge of the cells environment --wither be toxic or nutritious and what sort of hormones are out there (stress hormones(fight flight) , or growth hormones (love , nurturing) .

He makes a very solid scientific case that it is the environment that the cells membrane is exposed to which is affected primarily by our thoughts (NOT the genetics ) that is the main factor in the cells health and evolutionary development . In his lab experiments . He even got identical cells to mutate in to muscle , bone or fat cells depending on the environment in the container that they where being stored.

I definitely agree with the above. It is well documented that loving thoughts and emotions do heal cancer, help plants grow etc etc

He makes the point that we have to rise above negative addictions (like sex, food or drug over indulgence which are merely reflexive activities(knee jerk reactions to stimuli regardless of where it is taking us or the price we are paying for these stimuli and involve no conscious intelligence at all ) If These negative addictions dominate our habit patterns we will develop out rear brain( the reflective brain) at the expense of the development of our fore brain ( conscious intelligence) . The blood flow goes to the part of the brain we use the most and away from that which we use least and that is that part that will develop.
To over come the negative programming of our subconscious mind which is sabotaging our conscious desires to have happy , loving successful lives we need to use and develop our consciousness (mindfulness) so it dominates and over rides the merely reflexive subconscious mind .

The subconscious mind however is much larger that the conscious mind and reprogramming it of all its unhealthy negative sabotaging recordings is not possible unless our conscious reunites with its source which is pure consciousness( aka spirit , energy , the universal higher creative consciousness , God etc ) with the help of this positiveness power which can be contacted only in the part of the brain that is intelligent and conscious can w succeeded in cleansing our subconscious mind of its negative recordings and have fully healthy , happy , loving and successful lives . It is only by trading addiction to teh spirit for sensual addictions that this cleansing can be achieved . By contacting spirit within us and remaining in contact with it all 24 hours we not only gain a healthy body but realize that we are not the body at all but that our home is in spirit -vastly better that this world--to which we no longer have to return ....
Spirit has to become our constant companion in life . It heard within our brain as a sweet undulating euphoric music that sustains us and guides us and is very blissful. The natural sate of man is dependence on and companionship with this spirit by it our consciousness is enhanced and our creative consciousness is helped to achieve a high pure noble things in life and we become assets to our generation and our society .

Therefore invoking and ,in fact romancing this spirit, should be the primary focus of our lives because by it all things are attained . With the ringing radiance of spirit in very atom of our being our success in all things is assured . It is friend , lover , helper , guide and energizer and is well worth leaving the negative addictions for


2 points I differ with Him on are
1) Hypnosis is great tool to help you reprogram your subconscious mind thoughts so that your subconscious mind stops poisoning your cells ( we should never allow any one to hypnotize us as it permanently weakens our will ) rather we should develop the power of our conscious mind by daily meditation as taught by the spiritual teacher of our choice --mine is Baba Gurinder Singh Ji . There eis really no short cut to developing our will power and mental control by meditation and abstinence from animal food, intoxicants(including pot and alcohol ) and sex out of marriage

2) Each cell is a complete miniature reproduction of a human being . While I agree that each cell has its own mind there is only one soul in the body activating and harmonizing all these minds. If we limit our study to teh physical then yes every aspect of a cells behavior does correspond biologically with the entire human organism . ( each cell has organs of reproduction , digestion, filtration, circulation, respiration, regulation , sensation and action --just like a the human being it is part of
except THAT it can not reason consciously or question what it is doing here nor consciously contact
the source of its consciousness via mediation and merge back into its source attaining God consciousness and REALIZING that it is not the body at all but an eternal being of infinite love , light and bliss .

3)There is one more point about which I do not disagree but that I would like to improve upon and clarify.
Bruce gives the impression (perhaps unintentionally) that if the cells of a child (or adult) which are in a stressful environment(mindful of stressful thoughts and blood full of stress hormones) the preferential blood flow will be to the hind (reflexive) brain ( fight flight) and to the limbs (legs to run and arms to fight ) and if the cells of a person are in a loving nurturing environment the preferential blood flow will go the fore( intelligent) brain and the visceral organs ( liver, spleen, pancreas , kidneys etc ) that maintain our health .

This intentionally or unintentionally gives the impression that a person whose mind is full of flight or fight thoughts and whose blood is full of adrenaline time will be stronger of limb and faster of reflex than a person whose mind is full of loving thoughts and whose blood is full of growth and healing hormones. Yet Dr James Loehr showed that it is alternating waves of stress and loving nurturing that make us tougher ( faster , stronger ) So the strongest fastest person will be one who is maintaining a loving attitude in stressful conditions . In other words a person with a stressful external environment who is maintaining a loving inner environment will be the strongest and fastest(see The Toughness Training manual by Dr James E Loehr)

4) So I also to like to add a point that Bruce left out: When we divert the blood flow (nutrients thoughts and hormones ) from the quest for sexual pleasure (which is reflexive) to intelligent pure loving pursuits (like providing food , clothes, shelter to disaster stricken populations) there is a tremendous redirection of the preferential blood flow from the sex organs to the brain , arms and legs . From lust (the reflexive desire to seek pleasure ) we direct out thoughts to love and compassion for our fellow disaster stricken humans .

This redirection of sexual energy to acts of pure love has far greater evolutionary and developmental effect on the cells of our bodies than merely redirecting from the hind brain to the fore brain. Pure love untainted by sex makes a human being stronger and faster than anything else .

As Bruce wrote ( and all psychiatrists will agree ): “the character of our life is based upon how we perceive it.” and how we perceive life is based on the predominating desires in out conscious and subconscious mind .

Therefore I would like to emphasis the supreme importance of stopping dumping pornography into our subconscious mind which will come up to sabotage our attempt to lead a pure , heroic , successful life and go on purifying our subconscious to seek only love in it purest form .

Pure Love untainted by sex makes us stronger faster healthier smarter and happier than anything else . When our conscious mind and subconscious mind want nothing but pure love then we shall attain The Christ like perfection and ability to do any miracle that Bruce speaks of in closing this book.

[Marshall · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty typical pseudoscience BS. You know pseudoscience by its label "New Science." Is that like New Coke? There is no New Science. There's just Science. Imagine a book labeled New Science Fiction or New Fiction. Of course it's new. Everything is new when it comes out, until it's not new. I'd expect a new book on science to contain the latest research. Otherwise, it would probably be called History of Science. So the fact that this book isn't called Science but New Science is a dead giveaway that it's not actually Science but Pseudoscience. And if that isn't a dead giveaway, then surely the subtitle is: "Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles." Um, Miracles? Those phenomena attributed to supernatural powers? Science is the study of nature. Supernatural means above nature. Ergo: Miracles are not science.

Pseudoscience is very compelling for people with no background in science. People have always wanted answers, and are easily entertained by outrageous answers. That's the purpose religion has served, but now that science is considered a more legitimate form of inquiry, people expect modern answers to have the scientific stamp of approval. So pseudoscience includes enough legitimate science to seem authentic, but comes to outrageous conclusions, which the evidence doesn't actually support. End result: People who don't know better are wowed, which sells books while diluting real science and confusing public understanding of it.

This particular book is by a nut who was suicidal and had a spiritual awakening through his research. He claims that he submitted his research to journals, but they were rejected because Science is an old boys club. Translation: His research was rejected because of insufficient evidence and/or repeatability. Real scientists are used to failure, and they learn from it. Pseudoscientists write books about it and call it New Science.

Just a taste of some of the silliness in this book: Cells membranes help them function, therefore we're not limited by our genetics; matter and energy become interchangeable as the speed of light is approached (Relativity), therefore all matter is therefore just energy, and we can pick up on one another's "vibes"; at the subatomic level, traditional Newtonian physics no longer applies, therefore traditional physics is done for and quantum physics can be applied at the cellular level; beliefs can affect a medication's potency (Placebo effect), therefore we can radically change our bodies just by thinking differently; and my favorite: HLAs are effectively unique to each individual, therefore our "selves" are spirits which are reincarnated to whomever acquires our HLAs.

Trust me, if scientists found evidence for any of this, you'll know about it. It will be published in journals, the scientific community would be embroiled in controversy (controversy doesn't imply falsehood in science; it's part of the process, with healthy debate among scientists who try to prove and disprove each other's works, eventually leading to a consensus), and the media would be having a field day with it. You won't need to read about it in some suicidal scientist's pop science book.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, it IS a science book, but it was really interesting! The author is a cell scientist, and by understanding cells and quantum physics, he sets out to show that our beliefs really do change our biology. I think he does a good job. This also makes a case for why alternative and eastern medicine works, based on energy. He writes in a way that is easy to read in spite of the scientific content. There is a chapter on parenting, and the effect that parents' beliefs and messages have on children (born and unborn), so I hope I was thinking good thoughts when I was responsible for another life!

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a game changer. Genes are not as controlling as we are led to believe. The cell membrane is the brain of the cell and it receives information from the environment. Our environment shapes our genes. This book will change the way you see life. This is a must READ.

[Aberdeen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Overall, an engagingly told and accessible tale of bucking mainstream scientific ideas (some actually held by scientists, some just the public's perception of what scientists think) with some important points and many flimsy arguments.

Pros: I am all for rejecting scientific materialism, the unhelpful and deceptive "science versus spirituality/faith" segregation, and the unquestioned insistence on drugs and big pharma as the solution to all our problems. On the latter point, Irving Kirsch's The Emperor's New Drugs has even more research and practical application, and I'd recommend it. I found the dismantling of the simple "DNA to RNA to protein" sequence fascinating and helpful and the strongest part of the book, which makes sense since Lipton is a cellular biologist. In the year since this book came out, I've heard of even more research into the importance of epigenetics—how genes are turned on and off—and I appreciated Lipton's easy-to-understand explanation of how that works and how parents can influence their children's genetic expression. I also take his point that energy underlies even chemical reactions and so research into how energy is moved throughout the body should be an area of prioritized research, instead of pushing more money-making antidepressants that rest on questionable efficacy. The discussions on the subconscious vs conscious brain were also illuminating.

And I'm a Christian, so of course I value his affirmation of the importance of spirituality to our quality of life (spiritual people tend to have lower markers of stress and better immune function? nice!). Of course, a main tenet of Christianity is a God who gave his body to be broken for us and calls us to follow him in a path that often involves discomfort and suffering for the sake of others ... but that's a different topic (and also why I have to roll my eyes at Lipton lumping all faiths and spiritual practices together—the differences are significant and it's disrespectful and intellectually dishonest to pretend otherwise).

Which brings me to the cons: Because Lipton eschews any organized religion, he propagates the reductive "the church vs science" interpretation of Galileo and other similar historical events. A small point; my bigger issues include his chapter on quantum mechanics, which in his words reveals the "the purely mental nature of the Universe." "Mental"? There is far too much scientific and philosophical complexity in questions of consciousness, the mind, etc. to toss that word around, and while I am no quantum mechanics expert by a long shot, I got the sense that he was seriously over-simplifying and perhaps over-applying the discovers in this field. I am sure, very sure, that the movement of energy and how that impacts our bodies, minds, and even societies is a new frontier that needs to be explored more. But Lipton's flippant correlation of this complex physics with "good vibes" lost me. I need a lot more research—and maybe an actual physicist who's an expert in this field—to build a much stronger argument about the correlation of energy as the building block of life (if that is indeed what quantum mechanics even says) and subconscious beliefs, stress, etc.

Perhaps my biggest complaint is that he argues in the epilogue that our identities or selves are not bound by our bodies, so reincarnation is probably possible—but then the way he envisions this is because some future embryo could have similar receptors on his or her cells (our cellular fingerprint), so our supposedly immaterial and immortal selves are still dependent on a physical reality? This is emblematic of the whole book: bold claims with bits of science thrown in but tied together sloppily with a very stretch rubber band of "but wouldn't this be cool if it were true??"

And then the addendum: his rapturous promises of living out all our dreams and desires culminate in retraining our subconscious—great! I buy the importance of the subconscious. So how do we do that? Well, through his friend's reprogramming training that costs upwards of $1K per session; the url to the site is the last line of the book. I do actually think that many of the success testimonials are true, and if these sessions are as life-changing as advertised, that's not that much money if you compare it with the medical bills and prescription refills you'd be paying to traditional medicine. But it feels like a cheap, gimmicky way to end a book that's supposed to make these transformative ideas accessible to everyone and be built on rigorous, peer-reviewed science. Lipton doesn't even describe in broad strokes what this reprogramming entails! He just described a woman overcoming her lifelong fear of public speaking the way you'd describe a televangelist revival meeting. It's a disappointing end.

I am suspicious of both those on the fringe and those who mock those on the fringe unthinkingly. I think that, with most things, there is truth here that mainstream science (and certainly well-padded pharmaceutical and insurance companies) are uninterested in actually verifying—and there is also unmoored speculation that flies too close to the sun of faulty correlations, cherry-picked stories, and the allure of being able to control our lives.

TL;DR: Take this with a hefty grain of salt but do be willing to consider some of his ideas.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having recently listened to Bruce Lipton speak at the annual IONS (Institute of Noetic Sciences) conference I was excited to read this book. Bruce has a knack for taking the information obtained from his scientific background in Biology and making in understandable to someone who has no education in the field of biology. The format Bruce uses, as well as his style, are very “user friendly” and this made for an enjoyable read. As for the material itself, I found that I learned a great deal about the field of Epigenetics and it is refreshing to hear another voice disagreeing with, in my biased opinion, the deterministic views coming from the choir of the majority.

Certainly I am no expert in the field of genetics; however, anytime I hear that scientists have found “the answer" I shudder. The fact that DNA sequencing was supposed to be the holy grail of all things living is no different than when the world was flat and at the center of the universe. I do not dispute the fact that DNA research and the field of genetics is important, but when part of that conclusion says that Mother Nature decided to make 96% of that DNA useless (junk DNA) I tend to believe that there is more to the situation than what we are perceiving or what we have the ability to measure. Perhaps the beleifs of genetic determinism are incomplete, perhaps we need better tools, and perhaps the final word on DNA has yet to be written; however, one thing is certain, the fact is that we don't know everything there is to know and we will only expand our awareness by being open to new ideas.

Science is about discovery and a desire to get to truth, yet it seems that many "so-called" scientists are no different than the religious zealots that burned people at the stake 500 years ago. Anyone remember Giordano Bruno? So, what does this have to do with the “Biology of Belief”?

Well, in this book Bruce goes against the deterministic view and says that it is not only genetics that shape our inner world, it is the environment as well. This book is one of self-empowerment because it says that you aren’t just a machine following orders that came from pond scum 700 million years ago. You have the ability to transform your outer world and INNER world.

Empowered people are healthier and harder to control then their unaware counterparts and they use less pharmaceutical interventions. Hmmm, so by being aware of our power we take money out of the pharma’s pockets, who are the ones providing so much of the funding to the scientific quacks. No wonder the mainstream scientists resist work such as this, it’s their pocket book stupid (you need to read the book to get the gist of that last statement).

In the end, ironically perhaps, the quasi-scientists of today will go the way of their ancestors and go extinct because they refuse to look at the facts, to adapt to the environment and view new ideas with curiosity rather than dogma. Perhaps the title of Bruce’s next book could be something like, “Did dinosaurs wear lab coats?”

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to shove this book in Ritchie Shoemaker's face, but then again I think he helped a lot of us with dreaded genes realize we have to work a lot harder to regain our health. And no that's not a bad thing.

This is one of those books that I would shamelessly recommend to any of my med school friends to nudge a healthy dose of skepticism into lifetimes that will be largely involved with genetic engineering, aka the future of the medical-pharmaceutical complex (When is someone gonna make Fog of Medicine?--granted doesn't have the same ring as Fog of War.) As Dr. Lipton called it, we're in the midst of a "cosmic joke" or in plainer terms, a universal paradox. Even the brightest of scientists and doctors are buying into the idea that we are our genes, and that our lot is written at conception.

Dr. Lipton used to be a med school professor and researcher at U of Wisconsin and Stanford for 20 years. When he found out that the destiny of cells wasn't shaped so much by genes as it was by the environment within the petri dish cultures he was incubating, he resigned his job and went on a mission to flesh out the "new biology," or a biology which is shaped by perception, all the way from the microcosm of the nucleus and cell to the macro conscious & subconscious mind. This meshes well with terrain-based infectious theories of Bechamp, Rife, Enderlein etc. By the time I was 2/3 through, I had one more solid piece of evidence to back up my belief that my "dreaded" HLA-DR genome was in any shape or form a terminal sentence on my well-being. Change the signals, change your genetic expression. Every genetic code has 30,000 different possible expressions, and we're busy trying to splice into the blueprint rather than trying to effect positive expression? One of my favorite Lipton analogies: the nucleus that contains the gene is just the gonad. The skin of the cell, or the cellular membrane, is the real brain.

Haha Mr. Nucleus. You're only balls deep.

Despite its woo-woo title, this book isn't for those seeking self-help insight. It is really a hard-data biological explanation of why new-age concepts such as the law of attraction and energetic psychology (EFT, MFT, Psych K) deserve to be way more popular than they already are.

[Iona Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exciting book that reveals a scientific basis for the demolition of the theory of genetic determinism.
In his work as a cell biologist Lipton discovered that the cell membrane and not the gene-containing nucleus is responsible for what happens in the cell. He thereby concludes that we are not controlled by our genes but that it is our interactions with the environment that are significant. His book thus provides a weighty contribution to the nature-nurture debate.

He also refutes the old Darwinian beliefs that evolution occurs through combat and struggle, and confirms the validity of the work of the much maligned biologist Lamarck.

I freely admit that many of the scientific details contained in this book are beyond my understanding. Nevertheless, Lipton's description of his enthusiasm when experiencing his big insight, and of the effect his revelation had on his beliefs, development and life as a whole make this book far from dry, and in fact fascinating.

We learn from the book that regardless of our genes and our circumstances we can change our lives through our thoughts and feelings, though the author emphasizes that our subconscious programmes are a force to be reckoned with, re-programming thus being essential.

I highly recommend this book!

[Janna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel this is another that I will put on my shelf labeled "highly influential". It's a really easy read and a big eye-opener once you consider the implications of what Dr. Lipton has to say. Very nice to have some actual research data to finally back up the real possiblily that the human spirit does have eternal existence. Also makes a great case for why all areas of science should be moving beyond "outdated Newtonian physics, Descartes' separation of science/spirit, and Darwin's survival of the fittest into Einstein's quantum physics."

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insightful presentation on the latest modern science on humans consciousness. Something that could be read multiple times to grasp even further. I highly recommend this to anyone, as he does lose me in all the biology, he breaks it down completely and makes it relatable to anyone without a biology background. Uplifting and interesting.

[Lexy Sauve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting science on how beliefs can change our genes. I believe it because a cheerful heart is good medicine, but the evolutionary explanations behind the whole thing found in this book are silly. It’s almost like the author has a divided personality. So he gets the result of God’s universe right without ascribing them to the proper place.

[Thambidurai S · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my friends recommended this to me. After reading, I'm screaming at myself, why haven't you read this earlier. Amazing book that changes our previous insights on belief, genes, existence, death, medicine and stress.