The Mind Training Hall of Fame: Six Success Stories By Patt Lind-Kyle, author of Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain: Applying the Exciting New Science of Brain Synchrony for Creativity, Peace and Presence (Energy Psychology Press, 2009, ISBN: 1604150564)
Mind training can impact people’s realities in a variety of ways-some dramatic, some more subtle, but no less rewarding. Therapist and consultant Patt Lind-Kyle presents a handful of real-life stories excerpted from her book that show how consciously changing our minds (literally) can shape and transform our lives. Everyone knows the subject of story #1; the rest of the stories center on Lind-Kyle’s mind training clients:
1. Tiger Woods learns to tune out distractions and zoom-focus. He’s currently the world’s number one golf player, he’s a philanthropist, and his name is practically a brand. What most people might not know is that Tiger Woods is also a prime example of how practice can restructure the brain and generate a high degree of skill through neuroplasticity. At age fourteen, Tiger began working with a psychologist who gave him techniques for relaxation, visualization, and focus to enhance his golf skills. His father would even create distractions to teach his son focused attention, such as rattling the change in his pocket when Tiger was in the middle of a backswing. And it worked: Tiger was able to train his mind to stay focused, flexible, and calm under pressure. This has been perhaps the greatest key to his success. For all of his physical abilities, it has been said that Tiger’s greatest advantage is his “golf” brain.
2. Sara soothes her (serious) stress. Sara is the president of a consulting firm. One particularly stressful afternoon, she barely made it to the airport in time for her flight, only to find that she was seated near a former employee who had left the firm under negative circumstances, and with whom the firm was currently in the middle of a bitter lawsuit. Sara’s stress level was now through the roof, so for the duration of the two-hour flight she practiced beta wave mind training exercises to calm herself. At the end of the flight, she was centered enough to be gracious to the other woman as they disembarked from the plane. But more than that, Sara was gracious to herself by dealing with her stress in a positive manner!
3. Brent breaks out of his comfort zone. After being made president of a new company, one of Brent’s new responsibilities was representing the company by speaking regularly in front of the board of directors as well as business groups. In previous jobs, Brent had felt very comfortable speaking to groups about business matters; however, the new board indicated that he should take a personal approach in his dealings with them and the company. This was a problem: Brent had always been reluctant to talk about himself, and on some occasions, had been left literally speechless when faced with similar situations! Through mind training, though, Brent was able to face his fear of getting personal, acknowledge it, and replace it with a feeling of comfort and trust.
4. Lauren quiets her mind and unlocks its creative potential. Lauren, a social worker, loved her job, had great social skills, and a high level of concern for others. However, she became anxious easily, used caffeine and chocolate to keep her going during the day, and had trouble proceeding with tasks until she had exhaustively thought through all possible ramifications or answers. After establishing a strong mind training routine, though, she was able to quiet her mind, become less anxious and attached to her thoughts, and face each task with a more colorful and creative mindset. Eventually, she opened her own counseling practice.
5. Ben frees himself from past pain and rebuilds his life. Ben, age 50, is a division president in a Silicon Valley company. Outwardly, he seemed to have it all: financial success, a very comfortable lifestyle, and colleagues who deeply appreciated him. However, Ben had also gained weight, drank too much alcohol, and was facing the breakup of his marriage. He felt disconnected from his community and dreaded being alone. As it turned out, these things were symptoms of repressed emotional pain and post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from Ben’s experiences in the first Iraq war. Using mind training exercises, Ben was able to release these emotions and repattern his brain. Now, for the first time in years, he feels connected to his heart, is content living alone, and is dating.
6. Sandra calms her anger and strengthens family relationships. Mike and Sandra are an executive couple whose marriage was at a critical juncture. Mike, the more frequent business traveler of the two, often left Sandra at home with their three children. As Mike’s travel increased, Sandra began to feel deserted, which manifested itself in anger because she felt that she was raising the boys alone. Using relaxing mind training techniques was a turning point for her. Her anger lessened, and she began to feel stronger bonds with her boys and with Mike. Their issues were resolved in such a way that was satisfying to them and to their family as a whole.
About the Author: Patt Lind-Kyle is an author, therapist, speaker, trainer, and consultant. She is a former professor at Foothill College, and founder of a learning assessment company that applies neuro-monitoring tools for stress management, health, and peak performance. Her research, writing, and teaching in the mind/brain field center on using an EEG brainwave monitoring system to help individuals maximize their brain-mind potentials. Patt has written a chapter in Audacious Aging: “Building Community from the Inside Out” (Elite Books, 2009). She is also the author of When Sleeping Beauty Wakes Up (SwanRaven, 1994).
For more information, please visit www.healrewireyourbrain.com.
About the Book: Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain: Applying the Exciting New Science of Brain Synchrony for Creativity, Peace and Presence (Energy Psychology Press, 2009, ISBN: 1604150564) is available at bookstores nationwide and through major online booksellers.
About the CDs: Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain: Companion CDs for the Book (2-CD set, $14.95) contains six sessions that guide listeners through the exercises and practices relating to each of the four brainwave frequencies as described in the book. The CDs can be used in conjunction with the book, or as a stand-alone tool. To download a free mp3 of one of the exercises or to purchase the CDs, please visit http://www.healrewireyourbrain.com/cds.
