🕯️ Occult Philosophy

The Science of Self-Empowerment: Awakening the New Human Story

✍️ Braden, Gregg
Reader Score
4.7
(5 reviews)
$18.99
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Gregg Braden challenges the conventional evolutionary narrative, proposing that human potential extends far beyond biological survival. By synthesizing insights from neuro-cardiology, genetics, and evolutionary theory, he argues that the heightened states of consciousness once reserved for spiritual elites are actually our birthright. This paperback edition of Human by Design invites readers to explore how the heart and brain interact to unlock extraordinary abilities like self-healing and deep intuition. Braden presents a compelling case that we are designed for an extraordinary life, urging us to embrace a new understanding of our origins and capabilities that transcends traditional scientific boundaries.

🕯️
Occult Philosophy
🏛 Hay House LLC 📖 320 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781401949327
Fun Fact
Braden succeeds in weaving complex biological data into a narrative of profound spiritual optimism. His prose is accessible and his arguments, while speculative, are presented with conviction. Skeptics may find the leap from correlation to causation in his examples insufficiently rigorous. However, for the esoteric bookstore, it sits perfectly as a bridge text, validating intuitive practices through the language of modern science, appealing to the growing demographic of 'spiritual but not religious' seekers.

📝 Description: The Science of Self-Empowerment: Awakening the New Human Story

New in paperback (originally published as Human by Design): At the cutting edge of science and spirituality, New York Times best-selling author Gregg Braden explains that evolution is not the whole story of humanity--and offers a new understanding of our origins that can help us tap the extraordinary abilities we already have. What would it mean to discover we're designed to live extraordinary lives of self-healing, longevity, and deep intuition? Is it possible that the advanced awareness achieved by monks, nuns, and mystics--considered rare in the past--is actually meant to be a normal part of our daily lives? In this revelatory book, now available for the first time in paperback, five-time New York Times best-selling author and 2018 Templeton Award nominee Gregg Braden explains that we no longer need to ask these questions as "What if?" Recent discoveries ranging from human evolution and genetics to the new science of neuro-cardiology (the bridge between the brain and the heart) have overturned 150 years of thinking when it comes to the way we think of ourselves, our origin, and our capabilities. In this reader-friendly journey of discovery, Braden begins with the fact that we exist as we do, even more empowered, and more connected with ourselves and the world than scientists have believed in the past. It's this undisputable fact that leads to even deeper mysteries. "How do we awaken the extraordinary abilities that come from such an awesome connection?" "What role does our ancient and mysterious heritage play in our lives today?" Join Gregg as he crosses the traditional boundaries of science and spirituality to answer precisely these questions. In doing so he reveals a) specific tools, techniques, and practices to awaken our deep intuition on-demand, for self healing and longevity; and 2) concrete solutions to the social issues that are destroying our families and dividing us as people, including the bullying of young people, hate crimes, the growing epidemic of suicide, religious extremism, and more. When new discoveries prove that the existing human story is no longer based in fact, it's time to change the story. This simple truth is at the heart of the book you're about to read.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
Braden presents a compelling, albeit unconventional, argument that challenges standard evolutionary theory by prioritizing consciousness over biological survival. The text effectively merges neuro-cardiology with mysticism, offering an inspiring perspective on human design. However, readers expecting rigorous academic peer-reviewed science or skeptical critique may find the synthesis too speculative. It is not suited for those who strictly adhere to materialist scientific paradigms without openness to esoteric interpretations. Nevertheless, for the spiritually curious audience, it serves as a vital manual for understanding the heart-brain connection and reclaiming perceived lost human potential.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern biology will find profound value in Braden’s exploration of human potential. This book is ideal for those feeling constrained by traditional evolutionary narratives who desire to understand their innate capacity for healing and intuition. By demystifying the interaction between heart and brain, it empowers individuals to embrace a birthright of extraordinary abilities often reserved for spiritual elites. It offers comfort and hope to those wishing to transcend biological survival limits, providing a framework for self-empowerment that honors both scientific inquiry and mystical tradition. Those ready to redefine their origins and capabilities will gain practical insights into unlocking deep intuition and self-healing through this accessible guide.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
Seekers of alternative spirituality interested in the intersection of biology and metaphysics. Ideal for those disillusioned with rigid materialism and curious about the scientific basis for intuitive experiences and holistic healing practices.

Reader rating

4.7
Based on 5 reviews
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I
Iris D.
November 4, 2025
Worth every penny

Long-time student of the esoteric here. The print is clean and easy on the eyes for long sessions. Well worth it.

S
Sarah G.
March 23, 2025

I collect works on this subject and this is a worthy addition. The typesetting is comfortable for study, with good margins for notes. Definitely recommend.

G
Grace D.
January 17, 2025
Excellent find

I've read excerpts online before, but having the full text is different. Challenging in places, but never needlessly obscure. Shipping was quick too.

I
Ivy H.
January 30, 2025
Solid edition

First purchase from this shop. Challenging in places, but never needlessly obscure. Some archaic spellings slow things down.

E
Esoterica Books editorial team

Braden presents a compelling, albeit unconventional, argument that challenges standard evolutionary theory by prioritizing consciousness over biological survival. The text effectively merges neuro-cardiology with mysticism, offering an inspiring perspective on human design. However, readers expecting rigorous academic peer-reviewed science or skeptical critique may find the synthesis too speculative. It is not suited for those who strictly adhere to materialist scientific paradigms without openness to esoteric interpretations. Nevertheless, for the spiritually curious audience, it serves as a vital manual for understanding the heart-brain connection and reclaiming perceived lost human potential.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Braden blends peer-reviewed concepts with speculative interpretation. It is best approached as philosophical science rather than strict academic biology.
No. The text is written to be accessible to newcomers, explaining esoteric concepts through the framework of modern scientific discovery.

📖 Who should read this

Seekers of alternative spirituality interested in the intersection of biology and metaphysics. Ideal for those disillusioned with rigid materialism and curious about the scientific basis for intuitive experiences and holistic healing practices.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Neuro-cardiology

Expanded Consciousness

Human Evolution

📜 Historical context

Braden’s work emerges from the New Thought movement’s enduring fascination with mind-over-matter, updated through the lens of late-twentieth-century discoveries in epigenetics and quantum physics. It continues the lineage of William James and modern mystics who argued that spiritual states are accessible to all, reframing them not as miracles but as natural, albeit misunderstood, biological potentials awaiting scientific validation.

📚 Glossary

Neuro-cardiology
Epigenetics
New Thought

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. When have you experienced a moment where intuition clearly guided you better than logic?
  2. How might your physical health change if you viewed your body as a co-creator rather than a passive vessel?
  3. What 'impossible' traits do you observe in others that you suspect are actually latent human potentials?

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