Living from the Soul

“Living from the Soul offers an opportunity to deepen your connection to your soul. Dr. Lavretsky shares a vast range of healing and spiritual practices from her award- winning research of wisdom traditions.” * Elissa Epel, PhD, professor of psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, and author of Th *
“A luminous weaving of neuroscience and spirit, this book offers not just a theory, but a living pathway home. By grounding profound spiritual insights in rigorous scientific observation—from MRI studies to epigenetic changes—it masterfully rebuilds the bridge between the soul and modern psychiatry. Lavretsky’s unique perspective, born from both clinical expertise and deep personal awakening, reframes trauma, resilience, and healing as sacred journeys of consciousness. This is more than a guide; it is an invitation to remember who you are, to reclaim your voice as a creator, and to live from that place of sovereign inner light.” * Anna Yusim, MD, author of Fulfilled, clinical assistant professor at Yale University, and cofounder *
“Lavretsky understands deeply what makes life ultimately worth living: spirituality born of purpose and meaning, of love for others and for oneself. Living from the Soul provides a remarkable journey into the convergence of contemporary brain science and well-being. The book is rich with easy-to-understand observational and experimental data, portrayed with illustrations from the Lavretsky laboratory. This is a book of great importance, addressing the need to harmonize and to re-integrate humanism within medical science. As such, it is a gift to anyone seeking to awaken fully to the beauty and joy of being alive in the midst of manifold uncertainties.” * Charles F. Reynolds III, MD, emeritus professor of psychiatry and UPMC endowed professor in geriatri *
“This book masterfully weaves neuroscience, psychiatry, and spirituality into a hopeful vision of advanced human development. Grounded in research yet rich with wisdom, it shows how awakening—or living from the soul—affects the brain, mental health, and spiritual purpose. It is both intellectually illuminating and deeply nourishing for anyone longing to integrate science, spirit, and lived experience.” * Connie Zweig, PhD, author of The Inner Work of Age and Meeting the Shadow on the Spiritual Path *
“Drawing on years of clinical and scientific scholarship, Helen Lavretsky demonstrates that spiritual awakening—often viewed as ineffable—can be understood as a measurable, transformative brain-based process. With clarity, compassion, and rigor, she offers an integrative framework linking inner experience to healing, meaning, and resilience. This book will resonate with clinicians, researchers, and all seekers interested in an evidence-informed understanding of human flourishing.” * Dilip V. Jeste, MD, director of the Global Research Network on Social Determinants of Mental Health *
“We live in a world dominated by materialistic life goals, which are well known to be ultimately unsatisfying with respect to achieving a gratifying life purpose and meaning as well as quality of life. This book—written by a leading neuroscientist, mind-body medicine researcher, UCLA professor, and psychiatrist—shares suggested practices, discusses practical issues and challenges, and also provides a wealth of comprehensive and detailed information on the psychophysiology, neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy of spirituality and transcendental states. Lavretsky explains the importance of all these for achieving true happiness and a fulfilling and rewarding life.” * Sat Bir S. Khalsa, PhD, corresponding member of the faculty of medicine at Harvard Medical School an *