Into the Magic Shop: by Doty James.

Into the Magic Shop by Dr. James Doty is a captivating memoir about how a chance encounter at a magic shop changed his life. At 12 years old, Jim came from a troubled family—his father was an alcoholic, and his mother suffered from depression. A woman named Ruth, who saw potential in him, taught him meditation, visualization, and mindfulness techniques. These lessons helped him build self-esteem, focus, and ultimately, imagine a brighter future.

Despite struggling in school, Jim went on to achieve his dream of becoming a neurosurgeon at Stanford University. He also became wealthy, but because he hadn’t learned to fully open his heart, he lost his fortune and had to rebuild. Ruth's teachings guided him through this difficult time, and he later learned the true power of compassion.

Today, Jim leads Stanford's Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE), with support from the Dalai Lama. Into the Magic Shop offers inspiring lessons about mindfulness, success, and the capacity we all have to change our lives.