I LOVE it when a scientist "gets it!" And Sondra Barrett, PhD GETS IT! She sees the mind, body, spirit connection that many others dismiss. This book looks at cell-life from a medical perspective, while encompassing healing modalities. At times it theorizes healing methodolgies and suggestions to help expand your thinking in certain directions. It also provides meditations to expand your awareness. Overall, the book provides: Information, Reflection (questions to ask self and ponder), Exploration (exercise/practice/meditation), Definition, and Detailed explanation of cells.The preface begins with a quote from Albert Einstein, "Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe - a spirit vastly superior to that of man."In this forward thinking and thought-provoking 2013 book, Sondra views the body's inner intelligence with both the eyes of a scientist and the heart of a shaman. Her 360 degree approach to acknowledge there is more to life than science and "proof" of everything is a refreshing walkabout from the skeptic's view of double-blind studies only. Based on her training, experience, research, studies, Sondra takes you from her once scientific only beliefs to her expanded knowledge base to include the effects of the mind and heart on healing. Her own scientific mind was amazed when she first noticed the potential of the mind in wellness, including delays, remissions, and cures. The more she experienced, the more she widened her perspective on healing.Sondra provides 209 pages of information, + a 9 page appendix (personal energy mapping graph and 8 pages of helpful Qigong movements), + 6 pages of reference notes + 26 pages of reference material/books, + 4 pages of suggested reading, + a 17 page index, + the author page. She also provides 14 color plates, including a stunningly beautiful computer graphic of DNA. She also includes 26 illustrations, including the basic architecture of a cell on page 19. Throughout the book, she references various studies for those of you who are looking for the scientific explanations.Her left-brained credentials: She has a degree in biochemistry from the University of Illinois Medical School, post-doctorial training in immunology and hematology at the University of California Medical School. She continued on the faculty at the latter school for over 10 years. She also worked with children with life-threatening illnesses while developing basic cancer research and supportive care.Her right-brained credentials: She studied expressive arts, alternative energy practices, and shamanism. She also won awards for some of her special photography (photo micrograms). She does publications, presentations, workshops, and lectures.As a Reiki Master, I found this book inspirational, to say the least, that a well educated and experienced scientist sees the connection. Once I saw the cell's architecture (p. 19), I was better able to see it in the mind's eye. I felt compelled to meditate on my billions of cells and just thank them for all they have provided throughout my life, keeping me healthy, fending off illness, etc. I was truly amazed at the intense feeling that I was floating in peace and love, that I experienced almost immediately. That was all the proof I needed to know that my cells "heard" me and appreciated the acknowledgement.BTW - I also bought a copy of this book for an engineer-minded, "double-blind study" thinking, doubting-Thomas friend whom I call Mr. Spock. I hope this book helps him to see the Light :)