Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets ofthe Heart

James Doty MD recounts his journey from a difficult childhood in California's high desert—marked by poverty, an alcoholic father, and a mother disabled by stroke—to becoming director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University, where the Dalai Lama serves as a founding benefactor. At age twelve, Doty entered a magic shop seeking a plastic thumb and instead met Ruth, who taught him exercises to reduce suffering and achieve his goals. She emphasized keeping his heart open and sharing these techniques with others, introducing him to the connection between brain and heart. Doty applied Ruth's practices with significant success, achieving wealth and power. However, he abandoned her core lesson about maintaining an open heart, leading to negative consequences. He later gains the chance to make a substantial charitable contribution that would nearly financially ruin him. Combining memoir, science, practical instruction, and inspiration, the book explores how changing both brain and heart can fundamentally transform one's life.