IntraConnected: MWe (Me + We) as the Integration of Self, Identity, and Belonging (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology)

Weaving the internal and external, the subjective and objective, IntraConnected reveals how the wiring in our brain, as well as the messages of modern culture, may reinforce a way of living and a belief system based on the view that our fundamental nature is one of independence, of separation—a life to be lived as a solo, isolated self. Yet a wider perspective, revealed in new views of contemporary science and echoed by the wisdom of generations of Indigenous and contemplative traditions, unveils that who we are, our deeper reality, may actually be something more than isolated individuals interacting with one another—one’s mind and the experience of self it creates are broader than the brain, bigger than the body: Each are fundamental to the social systems and the natural world in which we live. Investigating the nature of how our experience of what we often call “self” and of how the related experiences of identity and belonging emerge across the lifespan, from twinkle to twilight, this exploration combines personal reflections, lessons from contemplation and Indigenous knowledge, and findings from immersive meditative practices with scientific discussions of how the mind, brain, and relationships shape who we are and who we can become. Our body-based self—the origin of a Me—is not only connected to others but also connected within these relational worlds themselves: a We, forming the essence of belonging and a broader sense of self that forms our identity. Who we are is both within and between: Me plus We equals MWe, the reality of an integrative wholeness of our intraconnected lives. Exploring the nature of how our experience of what we call “self” emerges across the lifespan. Both a personal and general meditation on identity and belonging, Daniel J. Siegel’s book combines personal reflections with scientific discussions of how the mind, brain, and our relationships shape who we are. Weaving the internal and external, the subjective and objective, IntraConnected reveals how our culture may give us a message of separation as a solo, isolated self, but a wider perspective unveils that who we are may be something more―broader than the brain, bigger even than the body―and fundamental to social systems and the natural world. Our body-based self―the origin of a Me―is not only connected to others but connected within our relational worlds themselves―a WE―forming the essence of how we belong and our identity. If the pandemic has taught us nothing else, it has taught us that we are all connected. IntraConnected discusses that bond, as well as other realities of our intraconnected lives. 21 black-and-white figures "Both a personal and general meditation on identity and belonging, Daniel J. Siegel's book combines personal reflections with scientific discussions of how the mind, brain, and our relationships shape who we are. Weaving the internal and external, the subjective and objective, IntraConnected reveals how our culture may give us a message of separation as a solo, isolated self, but a wider perspective unveils that who we are may be something more--broader than the brain, bigger even than the body--and fundamental to social systems and the natural world. Our body-based self--the origin of a Me--is not only connected to others but connected within our relational worlds themselves--a WE--forming the essence of how we belong and our identity. If the pandemic has taught us nothing else, it has taught us that we are all connected. IntraConnected discusses that bond, as well as other realities of our intraconnected lives."-- Amazon.com