The Undefeated Mind: On the Science of Constructing an Indestructible Self

This struck me as being more of a marketing campaign for Nichiren Buddhism (NB) than anything else, given the page- saturation of NB's name and principles. NB is super. NB is the search for wisdom in adversity. NB is the one arm of Buddhism that eschews quiet meditation for chanting. NB works. NB.<br /><br />The chapters approach the subject of perseverance (abstractly) by revisiting former patients' problems and using them as the canvas on which to paint a picture of resolution in the form of their overcoming and learning from adversity. These patients are presented in ways that don't elicit much in the way of pity or empathy and some of the problems initially come across as extremely superficial. Also, they seem to exist primarily as straight men/women to the author's long expositions on the hidden possibilities their problems offer to grow and learn. An example:<br /><br />Author: [Long exposition on X with sidetracks to NB]<br />Patient: "Wow. I never thought of it like that."<br />Author: [Deep, DEEP soliloquy on the power of adversity to teach (with some NB for taste)]<br /><br />or <br /><br />Author: [Deep, DEEP soliloquy on the power of adversity to teach (with some NB for taste)]<br />Patient: "Huh."<br />Author: [Long exposition on X with sidetracks to NB]<br /><br />The patients appear to be the speed bumps that keep the doctor from careening off the page and onto the floor. This pretty much sums up every chapter. <br /><br />I'll leave use of the word 'Science' in the title alone, but provide this disclaimer: If you're cracking this sucker open to dig into the science behind reinforcing your 'self' with adamantium-like knowledge, gird your loins for disappointment. I agree with the thesis underlying the book, that adversity offers life's most profound opportunities to learn and gain insight, but the book's methods to illustrate this potential left a lot to be desired.

I bought this title when going through the toughest time of my life (so far). I thought it might provide some good advice. As it turns out I didn't get to read it until after I was "back on my feet" so to speak. Nonetheless I found this book very helpful, not because it gave me many new strategies to try (it did a few) but because in many, many instance it provided the background, medical and philosophic, to strategies I had stumbled upon on my own. As I often find when this happens it brings into clear view the strategies and code puts I'd stumbled upon, where I went wrong, and how to reuse the in the future. <br /><br />This book will also be useful for me to help my wife get through her current and ongoing issues (broken leg, drop foot, and the long rehab it entails). I won't suggest she actually read it, but will be able to offer much better advice than I would have on my own. It also showed me that some of the strategies to help her are going to come from me not her. <br /><br />One more thing struck me as I was reading this book; I nominally call myself a secular humanist, but it turns out that I share many life strategies and philosophies with Buddhism. It just seems to fit my way of thinking and life experience better than say Christianity.

An extremely interesting read. Dr. Lickerman reminds us that resilence is not an intrinsic quality, at least not entirely. We can supplement our capacity to respond to difficulty by developing more effective habits. Through his practice of Nichiren Buddhist chanting, Dr. Lickerman arrived at insights about his outlook that helped shape him into a stronger and more insightful physician and person. And while he tells us that we needn't necessarily chant a million mantras to find our center, he points out that inner strength doesn't just happen. It is brought about by taken definitive courageous steps. <br /><br />By far the best aspect of the book are the fascinating studies cited as evidence of techniques for improving resilence. The mind is complex but assayable and behavioral scientists are doing some really cool things to get to the bottom of how we tick. Lickerman cites them as he walks us through case studies taken from his own practice. And while the case studies serve to simplify the concepts and make the lessons more approachable, there is also something rather self-serving about them. Each person brings his or her issue to Dr. Lickerman and inevitably he solves each problem with the wisdom of a guru. Indeed, to this reader, the interactions seem almost too good to be true. Maybe Dr. Lickerman is just this good. If so, I am left wondering where did this wisdom come from?<br /><br />We are taken through a brief chronology of Lickerman's development. He starts his journey as a medical student devastated by a girlfriend's rejection. Through Nichiren chanting, he realizes that he does not need the love of any one person, or people in general, to validate his choices and his existance. He uses his newfound insight to bouce back from a med school exam that he flunked while floundering in heartbreak, to redefine himself as a stronger person, and a better doctor for having to relearn the same course material. But what comes next? Clearly, he prioritized gaining expertise in the science of human behavior, far more so than one would expect for a general internist. All of the knowledge he imparts on his patients comes from painstaking study of the topic. As a physician myself, I find myself very interested in this later aspect of his transformation. In addition to being a gifted doctor, he has become a fabulous writer, and expert in cognitive science. How does he manage it? The book is pulled along as his patients follow his advise and are transformed by their efforts. I want to know more about how he becomes the wise man in the exam room.<br /><br />Overall, it's a very compelling read. I strongly encourage anyone with an interest in psychology or developing inner resolve to pick it up.

The undefeated mind was a very solid nonfictional account of Dr. Lickerman’s exploration into use of his belief in Nichiren Buddhism while dealing with a select few patients. I selected this book based on the it’s title and learning about the personal strength needed to overcome some of my own character issues such as procrastination, integrity and strong work ethics. Likerman was able to present some very helpful points on developing a mission statement and accepting situations that we are not happy with. However, I was partially disappointed because the focus of most of this text was related to overcoming personal medial trials and dealing with loss. I would use this book as a support system for dealing with these issues but not for dealing with everyday events like staying focused at work during a boring work week or continuing my workout routine despite a lack in progress. Over all I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Not too sure what to make of this book... I like the idea that the teachings are coming from a qualified Physician fully trained in rational thought but then I draw back a bit when it comes to chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo! I am not sure if that says more about me or about the book but there you go! I certainly like the idea of developing resilience so for that I recommend it and I will look further into this Nichiren Buddhism. I have ordered a few books on it from Amazon so will let you know how that works out!

This book is full of solid psychological hacks for anxiety and depression. I need to keep this one on hand for future reference.

I didn’t like the book. It was difficult for me to understand, I found myself reading the same sentence over and over a few times. It was also pretty common sense.

Though somewhat interesting, was rather a slow read. Regardless, provided insight into some of all of our basic behaviors and how we handle them.<br /><br />Found many aspects of situations in my life were cooed with as expected, for one who desires to survive the unexpected challenged of life.<br /><br />Worth the time.

I really liked this one. It took me a while to get through it but I also feel like that's how it should be done. Lickerman has some interesting perspectives about getting through obstacles in our life and provides various anecdotes of research that support them. Some of them sounding very similar to stoic teachings.

Nice teachings on resilience.