Dr. Curt Thompson works out of his private practice office as a psychiatrist in Falls Church, Virginia and develops teaching materials and training manuals to help people explore neurobiology and Christian spirituality to help transform lives. One book in particular, Anatomy of the Soul has a wealth of knowledge brimming with medical data about the brain, the physical make up of the brain and he shows us how we can “pay attention to what we are paying attention to”(Thompson, 2010).
Pay Attention
How can someone pay attention to what they are paying attention to? Dr. Thompson understands that each person has a battle going on within themselves, however if we are to know each others narrative we can begin to understand our problems and work through them. For instance, the book includes an activity within each chapter, and one particular activity calls for writing your own biography or narrative(just a page or so long). After you finish you would then look at it and reflect on how you have reacted to certain situations in the past which would explain some of your current behavior. The book gives a more precise method for this and it gets more technical towards the end, but for now knowing your own story is key to answering some of your life’s problems.
The Unity of the Brain/Mind
In the book, Curt also explores some of how the brain works and connects it to our psychological life. For instance, Curt asserts that “neuroscience confirms that mindful meditative exercises that challenge the mechanism of the brain” actually integrates our brains(172). Curt uses the acronym SNAG for "stimulate neuronal activation and growth" by aerobic activity, focused attention, and novel experiences.
An example of aerobic activity is walking or tai chi. Focused attention exercises could be prayer and mediation. Novel experiences could be trying something new like pottery, poetry, or learning music. These activities integrates the brain and can help get you back on track from disintegration.
Reflection of the Spiritual Disciplines
Dr. Curt Thompson covers so much in the book that all of it can not be dispelled here; however he cleverly weaves in the importance of the spiritual disciplines in order for a person to truly lead a full life. These spiritual disciplines include: Meditation, prayer, fasting, study, and confession. He is also quick to remind us that “ we do not earn brownie points with God for engaging in these spiritual disciplines- they are to line us up with God”(178).
This book was really clever. If someone is not a believer in God, they’d still pick this one up simply because it is a self help manual on learning how your mind ticks and how to unravel at least part of your mystery. The book certainly doesn’t tout quick fixes as everyone’s narrative is unique, however beginning to know your own story and engaging in the spiritual disciplines is not such a bad idea in the first place.
Anatomy of the Soul
Publisher: Tyndale(June, 2010)
ISBN: 978-14143-3415-8
Price: $14.99
282 pages
