About the Book
A deep exploration of the neuroscience behind manifestation, with a six-part plan for realizing your dreams
“Powerful and profound . . . James Doty explains how intention is manifested in the brain and offers six steps each of us can use to create the life we want.”—Arianna Huffington, author of Thrive and The Sleep Revolution, CEO of Thrive Global
For decades the practice of manifestation has been widely dismissed as self-involved, materialistic pseudoscience. But as neuroscientist and recognized compassion leader Dr. James Doty reveals, manifestation introduces us to different possibilities, and it lays the groundwork for a kinder, better world.
Doty grounds us in the practices that change our brain structures: attention, meditation, visualization, and compassion. This mind magic allows us to move through the world in ways that help us see clearly—reclaiming our agency, realizing our dreams, and reaching out to help others along the path.
Where previous works about manifestation have focused narrowly on outward success and individual benefit, Mind Magic delivers an openhearted call to make manifestation part of a deeper contribution to healing the problems we face today.
About the Author :
James R. Doty, MD, is the New York Times bestselling author of Into the Magic Shop and Mind Magic. An adjunct professor at Stanford University and the director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE), he served on the board of a number of nonprofits, including as the chairman of the Dalai Lama Foundation. Dr. Doty passed away in July 2025.
Review :
“I encourage everyone to read the amazing new book by Dr. James Doty. Mind Magic reveals the power of self-agency to transform our good intentions into effective actions that will enhance your personal well-being and make our world a better place.”
—Phil Zimbardo, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of The Lucifer Effect and founder of the Heroic Imagination Project
"In Mind Magic, noted Stanford scientist and physician James Doty shows us how to master our minds to find true fulfillment. This lucid and thought-provoking book challenges the way that you think about success, and can change your life."
—Barnaby Marsh, Ph.D., Institute for Advanced Study and author of How Luck Happens: Using the Science of Luck to Transform Work, Love, and Life
"Using his own experience and solid neuroscience, Dr. Doty outlines a way for anyone, regardless of circumstance, to improve their lives and manifest their dreams.”
—Werner Erhard, founder of EST & Landmark Forum
“Stanford neurosurgeon and compassion scientist James Doty shares the underlying neuroscience of manifestation. Through six short exercises we are taught to focus our attention, gain clarity and commit to our intentions, allowing us to reach our highest aspirations…that is real magic.”
—Paul Gilbert, Ph.D., OBE, author of The Compassionate Mind and Living Like Crazy
“Dr. Doty offers us insights into manifesting our dreams using neuroscience, insights gained from a challenging childhood, and the stories of many others. Mind Magic brings all of this knowledge together to create a transformative path to achieve one’s goals."
—Scott Kriens, Chairman of Juniper Networks and founder of 1440 Multiversity
“The idea of manifestation for many seems impossible. Dr. Doty intertwines his own life experiences with an understanding of the neuroscience of manifestation and makes what seems impossible, possible. Mind Magic offers us a clear path to making our dreams a reality."
—BJ Miller, M.D., author of A Beginner’s Guide to the End
"Our happiness in many ways is related to our ability to manifest. Stanford neurosurgeon and neuroscientist James Doty is an expert in meditation and mind training. He explains how intention is manifested in the brain and offers six steps each of us can use to create the life we want. Powerful and profound.”
—Arianna Huffington, author of Thrive and The Sleep Revolution, CEO of Thrive Global
"Manifestation isn't just magic—it's real neuroscience. What James Doty shows us in this book will change everything you thought you knew about how to reach a goal, realize a dream, or make a wish come true."
—Chip Conley, New York Times bestselling author of Emotional Equations and founder of the Modern Elder Academy
"Mind Magic is a book we need now! Dr. James Doty offers powerful, neuroscience-based techniques for manifestation that can change our lives and change our world.”
—Marci Shimoff, New York Times bestselling author of Happy for No Reason
“Dr. Doty is to be congratulated for offering a practical guide based in neuroscience on the mechanics of how personal reality is created in consciousness.”
—Deepak Chopra, M.D., New York Times bestselling author, wellbeing expert and humanitarian
"I have to confess that before reading this deeply fascinating book, I had always consigned the concept of 'manifesting' to the realms of New Age nonsense, along with astrology, crystals and the like. James Doty, the renowned neuroscientist and brain surgeon, has made me think again. Indeed he has truly made me think. Mind Magic is a remarkable and superbly written adventure into the mind and its hidden secrets. It may not enable you to manifest a Ferrari, but it will set you on to the road to manifesting prizes of far greater worth."
—Stephen Fry, actor and comedian
"Mind Magic doesn’t just explain the neuroscience of manifestation, but provides readers with actionable techniques and exercises to change their lives and the lives of everyone around them. An illuminating exploration of our unlimited potential.”
—Tan Chade-Meng, New York Times bestselling author of Search Inside Yourself
"Mind Magic takes us on a journey from ancient spiritual technique to modern neuroscience. It provides an expanded understanding of our personal power, as well as practical tools for embracing it. Dr. Doty shares secrets of manifestation based on his own experience as well as his scientific knowledge. It is his heart as well as his intellect that permeate the page, leaving us with the “fierce belief in possibility” that’s promised at the beginning of the book. This book is about the mind but it’s also about magic…for in truly understanding one, we understand the other."
—Marianne Williamson, author, speaker, humanitarian and presidential candidate
"Brilliant, passionate, and effective, this could be the best guide ever written to making your dreams come true. Integrating brain science, wisdom traditions, and practical psychology, it brings readers along a proven, step-by-step path toward fulfilling their goals. Along the way, Dr. Doty is a kind and encouraging presence, sharing many inspiring examples of others who have faced challenges and still succeeded using the methods he describes. A beautiful gem of a book.”
—Rick Hanson, Ph.D., author of Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom
“Dr. Doty’s book, Mind Magic, has given us a concrete program, based on neuroscience, into how to manifest our intentions the right way, and by doing so, we are empowered to live a life of meaning and purpose.”
—Jon Hamm, actor
“Mind Magic is another master work by Dr. Jim Doty. He clears up the misunderstandings and false promises of the “law of attraction” through his deep scholarship, knowledge of neuroscience, and by doing so restores the integrity of manifestation. A must read for those who want to change their lives.”
—Lynne Twist, author, global activist, and founder of the Soul of Money Institute and the Pachamama Alliance
