It's hard to conceive of a topic of more broad and personal interest than the study of the mind. In addition to its traditional investigation by the disciplines of psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience, the mind has also been a focus of study in the fields of philosophy, economics, anthropology, linguistics, computer science, molecular biology, education, and literature. In all these approaches, there is an almost universal fascination with how the mind works and how it affects our lives and our behavior. Studies of the mind and brain have crossed many exciting thresholds in recent years, and the study of mind now represents a thoroughly cross-disciplinary effort. Researchers from a wide range of disciplines seek answers to such questions as: What is mind? How does it operate? What is consciousness? This encyclopedia brings together scholars from the entire range of mind-related academic disciplines from across the arts and humanities, social sciences, life sciences, and computer science and engineering to explore the multidimensional nature of the human mind.

A first-of-it's-kind encyclopedia that explores the questions today's kids are asking! "Can the stars really tell my future?," "Are aliens for real?," "Can my mom read my mind?" Today's kids are hip to astrology, curious about tarot cards & ESP, big on UFO's (Think: Men in Black, The X-Files), but where are they going to really find out about these subjects? Finally, here is a reference book that explores kids' questions about the often mysterious world within & around them - in a safe, comprehensive format written especially for children & their families. The Element Illustrated Encyclopedia of Mind, Body, Spirit & Earth takes readers on a fascinating journey through the marvels, mysteries & unexplained phenomenon of the visible & invisible world. Divided into four primary sections: Mind, Body, Spirit & Earth, each section contains various related subsections, for example: Mind - Astrology, Meditations, ESP, Science, Legends: Body - Birth, Dance, Health, Bodyworks, Healing: Spirit - Afterlife, Divination, Superstitions, Miracles, Prayer: Earth - Animals, Creation, Crystals, Sacred Sites. These subsections are further broken down, for example: "Healing" includes conventional & alternative medicine, acupuncture, bioenergetics, crystal healing, herbalism, iridology, Reiki, faith healing, counseling & more. In this evolutionary time where once deemed "alternative" topics are being more widely recognized & accepted, & spiritual values & powers are being considered as significant as scientific & mechanical advances, this landmark volume provides an outlet for questions not previously addressed in traditional reference books. The aim of this book is to allow kids to learn about the wide range of beliefs & practices that make up our world - without endorsing or promoting any particular views. Each individual topic, where possible, includes a safe & practical example to demonstrate how the skill or knowledge can be applied!