Becoming Supernatural: How Common People are Doing the Uncommon

Joe Dispenza is a New Jersey-born chiropractor, researcher, and lecturer. He is a prolific figure in the field of self-help, having published several best-selling nonfiction books that aim to bridge the gap between science and spirituality to explore the mind/body connection and the effect it has on physical health. His medical background as a chiropractor lends credibility to his work, and as a researcher, he incorporates the latest findings in neuroscience, epigenetics, and quantum physics into his teachings. He regularly partners with other scientists and universities to carry out research at his seven-day advanced meditation retreats on the effects of meditation, gathering data from brain scans to empirically measure and analyze the impact of mindfulness practices on participants’ brains. Since 2013, Dispenza and his team of researchers have been partnered with the HeartMath Institute, a nonprofit research organization that studies the heart’s function and its interactions with the brain and other bodily functions. Together, they measure heart rate variability (HRV) at Dispenza’s workshops to study heart coherence and its effects.

Dispenza graduated with his doctor of chiropractic degree from Life University, and his postgraduate studies included neuroscience, neuroplasticity, epigenetics, cellular biology, and aging and longevity. His interest in studying the mind-body connection stems from his personal experiences; at the age of 25, Dispenza was injured in a cycling accident that severely damaged his vertebrae. Doctors suggested he undergo spinal surgery, believing he was unlikely to ever walk again. However, rather than undergo the surgery, Dispenza dedicated himself to healing his spine through meditation, and after 10 weeks, he was able to walk again and was released from the hospital. He then dedicated his life to studying the mind-body connection and teaching others how they can heal their bodies from injury and disease using their thoughts and intentions, distilling complex scientific concepts in a way that is easy to understand and apply.

Becoming Supernatural is Dispenza’s fourth book and is a Wall Street Journal bestseller. His other works include Evolve Your Brain: The Science of Changing Your Mind, Break the Habit of Being Yourself: How to Lose Your Mind and Create a New One, and You Are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter. He was also featured in the 2004 film What the Bleep Do We Know!?, which explores concepts surrounding quantum physics and consciousness through a fictional plot as well as documentary-style interviews.

Overall, his teachings are centered around the idea that thinking in new ways and overcoming negative thought patterns and beliefs fundamentally changes the brain and can lead to massive changes in one’s life. His work aims to guide people toward their highest potential by teaching them how to harness the power of their minds through meditation, and he regularly hosts meditation retreats and workshops around the world. He claims that, using his teachings, people have healed themselves of a myriad of health conditions, such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and autoimmune diseases. Dispenza gives lectures and hosts retreats across the globe and has amassed a substantial social media following.