If we think of our brains as a map, those early roads are like grooves, tram tracks, easy to fall into.

Plasticity is an intrinsic property of the human brain and represents evolution's invention to enable the nervous system to escape the restrictions of its own genome and thus adapt to environmental pressures, physiologic changes, and experiences.

Meditation is focused attention and the more we practise focusing our brains the more connections we build up.

If we keep practicing mental skills it is likely we can strengthen neural connections and make new connections.

In order to stretch ourselves we do need to experience the vulnerability of not knowing the outcome.

Two brains are better than one. You've twice the brain capacity and you have two sets of experiences and genes to bring to any challenge.

If you start from a position of I'm a no-hoper, in a paradoxical kind of way you are not risking being vulnerable.