Dr David R Hamilton PhD’s talk in Cardiff
It was a lovely sunny August evening for three of my yoga students, my yoga teacher and I to travel to Cardiff to see Dr David Hamilton in person to hear him talk about the scientific effects of Kindness, Self-Love, Mindfulness and the Placebo Effect on the human body. When we arrived at the venue the man himself was taking in some air at the entrance. We said “hello” and were overjoyed when Dr Hamilton agreed to a group ‘selfie’ with us!
Dr David Hamilton gained his PhD in Organic Chemistry and worked in the pharmaceutical industry for four years, developing drugs for cardiovascular disease and cancer. He is the author of numerous bestselling books and is an international speaker helping people to understand the power of the mind on the body. www.davidhamilton.com.
The talk took place in a lovely converted church, was organized by Funzig and very well attended. There was even an Irish Wolfhound in the front row of the audience!
A hand-held microphone was provided for our speaker but having seen him in action before, with his tendency to be such a lively speaker with lots of hand-gestures and action stories, I wasn’t surprised when he declined. There was no doubt he’s accustomed to public speaker and we could all hear him clearly.
It was wonderful to hear tales of how Dr David Hamilton, a former scientist from the pharmaceutical industry, shifted his focus from allopathic medicine, to become one of the leading global speakers and investigators into Wellbeing, Health and Happiness based on Kindness, Lifestyle and Mindfulness.
The talk was inspirational, based on many real life stories, including his personal experiences, backed-up with an abundance of scientific research. The power of mind over matter was enlightening as Dr Hamilton told us about the power of the Placebo Effect and how it is often dismissed as ‘just the placebo effect’. Our speaker said he was “blown away” by the power of the mind and its ability to heal, transform and exercise the parts that other forms of therapy do not.
He quoted studies in which groups of individuals had been asked to physically perform certain tasks repetitively and the control group that had been asked to visualize performing the same tasks in their minds only, using the same rate of repetition, just thinking and imagining doing the tasks with clarity and conviction. Amazingly the resulting benefits reported from both groups – The Doers and The Thinkers – were identical! Indicating that it’s a possibility that we really do have the power to think ourselves well, improving our wellbeing, create our reality to a certain extent so to speak. As a yoga teacher, mindfulness and meditation practitioner this came as no surprise.
The amazing side effects of Kindness were also reported on and backed up with several quotes from scientific studies. In his book ‘The Five Side Effects of Kindness’ Dr Hamilton claims his book will “make you feel better, be happier and live longer.” The energy in the room was clearly lifted and it felt a good place to be at that time. Strangers were chatting to each other, many telling stories of their experiences and/or how they already had or intended to implement what they had discovered from this talk into their lives.
There were several books for sale on the evening by Dr David Hamilton including ‘The 5 Side Effects of Kindness’ and ‘I Love Me’. There was a long queue for signed copies and more ‘selfie’ opportunities with our guest speaker. I joined the queue with so many eager and uplifted souls in front of me that the book I wanted sold out. Forever the optimist I seized the opportunity to chat with others in the queue when a person and her son in front of me offered me their copy. “How kind” I said but declined as I could easily order a copy on-line.
This kind individual insisted I take the book as she had overheard my comments about the positive effect the evening’s talk had on me and how I intended to include many of the principles in my teaching. “If you are going to teach these subjects you must have this book now!” I was overwhelmed by this lovely lady’s generosity, thanked her profusely for her kindness and agreed to buy the book that I had wanted ‘The Five Side Effects of Kindness’, a signed copy by the author himself Dr David Hamilton PhD!
The book really is a game-changer and like the author is so inspiring! I particularly like the 7 day Kindness Challenge listed at the end and have implemented it into my life and teaching. I highly recommend this book and Dr David Hamilton’s other books (use the link to search for the books online) –
- ‘How your Mind can Heal your Body’,
- ‘Quantum Field Healing’,
- ‘I Heart Me’,
- ‘Why Kindness is Good for You’,
- ‘It’s the Thought that Counts’,
- ‘Is Your Life Mapped Out?’.
Finally, if you ever have the opportunity to see Dr David Hamilton, presenting on his field of expertise I would highly recommend you do so. In my mind he’s a real ‘Guru’ – full of knowledge, wisdom, insight and light, a real dispeller of darkness but in a fun, earthly way!
For more on the author please check out:
- Facebook: DavidRHamiltonPhD
- Twitter: DrDRHamilton
- Instagram: DavidRHamiltonPhD
- Website: www.drdavidhamilton.com
Geri – August 2018
