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Designing the Mind: The Principles of Psychitecture Paperback – January 10, 2021
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A bold and fascinating dive into the nuts and bolts of psychological evolution, Designing the Mind: The Principles of Psychitecture is part philosophical manifesto, part practical self-development guide, all based on the teachings of legendary thinkers like Marcus Aurelius, Lao Tzu, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Abraham Maslow. The ideas and techniques it offers are all integrated into a vital theory for helping individuals scale the heights of self-mastery and lead great lives.
"A fascinating framework" - Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, author of Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization
This visionary guide argues that the mind can be compared to software, made up of many interwoven algorithms which were originally programmed by natural selection. Though most never learn to alter their default programming, it is possible to rewire cognitive biases, change ingrained habits, and transform emotional reactions. The process of psychitecture enables you to unplug from your own mind, identify its underlying patterns, and become the architect of your own enlightenment.
"It has already changed my life, and I know it will change others as well" - Aaron T. Perkins, Executive Leadership Coach
Simultaneously ancient and futuristic, Designing the Mind defies categorization, masterfully linking mindfulness to transhumanism, evolutionary psychology to Stoicism, and neuroscience to Buddhism. It frames the ideas of ancient sages as open-source code for the mind, putting forth a new, rational vision of spiritual enlightenment centered around gradual self-optimization.
"Super intriguing" - Jason Silva, global keynote speaker and Emmy-nominated host of Brain Games
This book will teach you to cultivate deep introspective insight. It will show you how to effortlessly change your automatic behaviors and manipulate your own desires so you always get what you want. It will provide a toolkit for building perpetual peace into your operating system. If you have ever longed for an operating manual for your own mind, this book will serve as a crucial guide for turning your own mind into a palace.
- Print length268 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJanuary 10, 2021
- Dimensions6 x 0.61 x 9 inches
- ISBN-13979-8574576656
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- Psychitecture is self-directed psychological evolution - the act of deliberately reprogramming your own psychological operating system.Highlighted by 931 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher




Editorial Reviews
Review
"This was an absolute powerhouse of a book... I found the concepts covered here to be extremely interesting and thought-provoking. I was so impressed by this one that I think I'll add it to my 'favorites' shelf, too - an easy 5-star rating here." - Goodreads Reviewer
"It has already changed my life, and I know it will change others as well" - Aaron T. Perkins, Executive Leadership Coach
"How do I begin reviewing this masterpiece? It was a roller-coaster journey into my own mind. I must say, to write so wonderfully, practically and devise subtle such steps to rewire our minds, the author must be no less than enlightened." - Goodreads Reviewer
"Super intriguing" - Jason Silva, global keynote speaker and Emmy-nominated host of Brain Games
"Designing the Mind clearly elaborates the different steps to achieving self-mastery using timelesss wisdom from the author's philosophical mentors and his own... This book would be a great read if you want a no-nonsense approach in improving your mind." - Goodreads Reviewer
"Fascinating book with a fresh new take on self development/self actualization from a programmer's perspective. The book reads like it reverse engineers the mind of an actualized person and is packed with ideas." - Goodreads Reviewer
"This is amazing. Sign me up, man. I want to be a part of this." - Goodreads Reviewer
"A great synthesis; I would already rate the work 5 stars as a combination of ideas that work well together!" - Goodreads Reviewer
"This book is one of those texts that will be referenced for decades and decades to come." - Goodreads Reviewer
Product details
- ASIN : B08SGWNLV9
- Publisher : Independently published
- Publication date : January 10, 2021
- Language : English
- Print length : 268 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8574576656
- Item Weight : 14.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.61 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #36,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in Evolutionary Psychology (Books)
- #63 in Medical Cognitive Psychology
- #88 in Anxieties & Phobias
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Ryan A Bush is a thinker and designer focused on building better systems, better people, and a better future. As founder of Designing the Mind, his central purpose is to provide wisdom education and integrate the insights of ancient and modern thinkers to form a new vision for psychological growth and self-mastery.
Ryan has written multiple bestselling books like Designing the Mind: The Principles of Psychitecture, built life-changing programs like The Anxiety Algorithm, and launched Mindform, the world’s first psychitecture collective and training platform. His ideas have been featured on Psyche, Lifehack, and Modern Stoicism, and he has been a guest on podcasts like Modern Wisdom, The Unmistakable Creative, and The Art of Manliness.
Ryan is also a startup cofounder and Chief Design Officer at Nomad. He lives in a small mountain town where he spends his time creating, reflecting, and adventuring with his partner and their corgi, Hootie, who is on track to be an honors student this year.
Designing the Mind is a self-development organization focused on providing wisdom education and expanding human potential beyond the norm. It draws heavily from thinkers like Lao Tzu, the Buddha, Marcus Aurelius, and Nietzsche, but it’s something new. From cognitive therapy and humanistic psychology, yet it isn’t meant for the broken. Its central theme of psychitecture represents a new, modern way of viewing and iteratively improving your mind. Learn more at designingthemind.org.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book insightful and appreciate its carefully designed content, with one review highlighting its bonus chapter on designing a death room. Moreover, the organization receives positive feedback for being easy to follow, and customers consider it a must-have for personal libraries. However, the content receives mixed reactions, with some finding it exciting while others say it lacks substance.
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Customers find the book insightful and interesting, with one customer noting its objective approach and another mentioning how it can improve thinking patterns.
"I have been reading self help books over the summer but this book was the most logical...." Read more
"...Designing the Mind" is precisely that kind of book. Its content is rich and multifaceted, making it a valuable resource that you'll want to revisit..." Read more
"...down Aristotle and Nietzsche to a few understandable and realistic principles that are realistic and understandably workable to anyone who reads them..." Read more
"...It's technical, there is a scaffolding of a belief system in the book...." Read more
Customers appreciate the thoughtful design of the book, with one customer highlighting the bonus chapter on designing a "death room" and another noting how the content comes together nicely in the end.
"Beautiful work. I would like to say first that I did not read this book, this book read me very well...." Read more
"...Bonus Points: For the bonus chapter on designing your "death room," a morbidly fascinating exploration of mortality and acceptance...." Read more
"...The content is VERY carefully designed and organized (one can tell that the author is a designer)...." Read more
"...In the most humble (authors name nowhere on the book) and humorous of ways, Mr. Bush pulls together a grounded guide to understanding what it is to..." Read more
Customers find the book well-organized and easy to follow, with one customer noting it provides actionable steps.
"...The content is VERY carefully designed and organized (one can tell that the author is a designer)...." Read more
"...He presses beyond mere abstract instruction and delivers concrete and useful methods that are organized and understandable...." Read more
"...are concrete examples of the principles discussed as well as actionable steps and methods for improving the way your brain handles information so..." Read more
"...The diagrams are simple and easy to follow. The help make the book come alive in a sense...." Read more
Customers find the book valuable for their libraries, with one mentioning the downloadable PDF containing additional insights and another noting the openly provided website with more resources.
"...It's a must-have for anyone's library, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Don't miss out on this gem; I highly recommend it." Read more
"...life and wanted to fix it, needed tools to get past it, this book provided those tools...." Read more
"...introduction clearly states what this book is about and the website is openly provided...." Read more
"...also get access to a website with more resources, a downloadable PDF containing more insights, and a downloadable 2nd book called The Book of Self-..." Read more
Customers have mixed reactions to the book's content, with some finding it exciting and captivating, while others report nothing of substance.
"...I appreciate the idea; however, the book is poorly executed and did not meet my expectations...." Read more
"...Engaging Content: "Designing the Mind" offers a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of its subject matter...." Read more
"...This is a poorly written self-help book disguised as neurophilosophical wisdom...." Read more
"...Just that one shouldn't be controlled by ones own emotions. Surprisingly vacuous." Read more
Reviews with images

Great book. Must read if you're interested in the psychology of your own mind
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseWas the reason i’m who i am today, purchased multiple times to give out to close friends. Thank you.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2024Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI have been reading self help books over the summer but this book was the most logical. As a kid, I always wanted to be a Vulcan (like spock and tuvok). I thought they were the ideal characters to represent personal control, logic, and wisdom. I feel a little bit closer to achieving that childhood dream of being a Vulcan. I feel as though this book is what everyone needs. If people could digest and change their lives from this book, we would be one step closer to world peace. If we all put a little more effort into improving ourselves, we would see an improvement in the world around us. "Be the change you want to see in the world"type of deal. I can't wait to re-read this book. 10/10 read it and buy it for everyone you know.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseI recently purchased the book "Designing the Mind," and I am thrilled with its content. This book has proven to be a valuable addition to my personal library for several reasons:
Engaging Content: "Designing the Mind" offers a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of its subject matter. It delves into the intricacies of the mind and its design, making it a fascinating read that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Revisit-Worthy: The mark of a truly exceptional book is its ability to draw you back for repeated readings. "Designing the Mind" is precisely that kind of book. Its content is rich and multifaceted, making it a valuable resource that you'll want to revisit time and time again.
Strong Recommendation: I wholeheartedly recommend "Designing the Mind" to anyone interested in the subject matter or seeking a thought-provoking read. It has certainly left a positive impression on me, and I believe others will find it equally enlightening and enjoyable.
In summary, "Designing the Mind" is a book that not only enriches your understanding but also invites you to explore its content repeatedly. It's a must-have for anyone's library, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Don't miss out on this gem; I highly recommend it.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseGreat book, read half of it, used what I needed from this book to self analyze the why I do or feel certain things. There are some people that have read a ton of books that gave this a low score, I believe this book is more of taking pieces of other books and putting them together in a sensible way so you don't have to read 100 books to get a few gold nuggets of useful info.
Had a road block in life and wanted to fix it, needed tools to get past it, this book provided those tools. It's technical, there is a scaffolding of a belief system in the book. Don't take it super seriously like it was written in stone, just use what you need. People's personality type plays a huge role in this as well, not mentioned in the book so far, it's more for thinkers than doers. Helps thinkers get out of their head faster so you can be here and now.
One nugget of info in the book I'll mention here that I found extremely useful. You aren't your brain. You aren't the personality that you are now. View yourself as a spirit, your personality and beliefs as software and your brain as hardware. You aren't your brain so you can change in real time to the person that you WANT to become
- Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseBeautiful work. I would like to say first that I did not read this book, this book read me very well. Not only did it read me it sharpened my understanding of my philosophical basis right down to breaking down Aristotle and Nietzsche to a few understandable and realistic principles that are realistic and understandably workable to anyone who reads them, and if understand as well as practice the principles, that makes it a whole other level of reality.
So, I can only give this humbly ideal advice about the book: If you are a beginner, read the book and practice the ideas for a few months and see if your life does not improve (I have been doing this in some genuine form since I was about three or four years old in a disciplined way reading, honing and understanding my reality and doing what I need to do growth-wise).
If you are intermediate or advanced, see if this work does not harmonize fully with your understanding (it does for me).
Indeed, the mind is the most malleable, and growth worthy things if used and understood properly. Yet, when you use your mind properly, the only limit on reality is the structure of reality and its function as there are not any pedagogical or teaching infinities and mastery is always possible to those that genuinely want it and want to put in the effort to get it ultimately.
So, deeply, I recommend this work to anyone beginning, intermediate or advanced in the art of designing the mind or creating their own genuine mastery. Sure, I compare this to the works of G.I Gurdjieff, especially the second book: "Meetings With Remarkable Men" in scope. But it just gives good material like "Meetings With Remarkable Men", not digests it for you like "Beelzebub's Tales To His Grandson" (Gurdjieff's first books) which uses obscure, "strange" and unusual terms to break up the continuum of boredom consciousness or "sleep" and fully awaken the mind before giving material that excites the mind.
Anyhow, this is a great work and I genuinely recommend it to all.
Top reviews from other countries
- Daniel_GrogReviewed in Spain on October 29, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Great complete algorithmical insight on mind basics
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseReally interesting book which drives the reader through the basics of cognitive, emotional and behavioural dimensions of our minds, from theory to establish the starting point for understanding those principles to practical approaches that guide us towards improving our internal mechanisms and thus our stay in life. All from an objective and honest perspective, many references to ancient and contemporary thinkers as well as an algorithmic approach (quite exciting for those who like computing and logic). Summarising: Psychitecture seems to be worth.
- RooneyReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 16, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars insightful read
Format: KindleVerified Purchase"Designing the Mind: The Principles of Psychitecture" offers a captivating journey into the realm of psychitecture, a concept that melds psychology and architecture to explore how our physical environments profoundly impact our mental well-being. Authored by a practitioner in the field, this book introduces readers to a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the intersection of design and psychology.
The standout feature of this book is its innovative approach to understanding the relationship between the spaces we inhabit and our cognitive and emotional experiences. It takes the reader beyond the aesthetics of architecture and delves into the profound ways in which our surroundings influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
The author skillfully weaves together psychological principles and architectural concepts, offering a cohesive framework for understanding how design choices can enhance or hinder our mental states. Whether you're an architect, designer, psychologist, or simply someone interested in the impact of your environment on your mind, this book provides valuable insights.
The writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex ideas and theories approachable to a broad audience. The author's passion for the subject shines through, and real-world examples and case studies illustrate the principles effectively.
The book encourages readers to become more mindful of their physical surroundings and consider how design choices in homes, offices, and public spaces can promote well-being and productivity. It prompts reflection on our own environments and how they might be optimized to support our mental health.
One minor consideration is that some readers may find the depth of content in certain sections to be quite detailed, especially if they are approaching the subject from a non-technical background. However, this depth also ensures that the book provides a comprehensive exploration of the topic.
- JustinReviewed in Australia on January 16, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars A Book that chooses you.
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI was given an opportunity over lockdown in Australia with an advanced copy of "Designing the Mind" by Ryan Bush. I found an intriguing link with Ryan when we talked briefly about the marriage of ideas in a way to better optimise your life.
We see that people prefer to choose one pathway to help enlighten and arm themselves with tools to improve the individual.
Ryan shows that ideas, although starting from other ends of the spectrum, can marry up and create a unique, quick, easy to follow practice that sends you from Black and White to Grey to Full High Def clarity.
The goal here is not to just follow an idea and see it through, it asks something more; change the mindset, and you change your software/brain.
It's the reverse engineering method that goes beyond choosing a team, a philosophy, a belief - it chooses you in the mirror.
Beautiful quotes, great chapter summaries to help you take away key thoughts, and gives you an easy actionable premise to work on.
Thanks for the opportunity.
- JR GolfReviewed in Canada on December 29, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI am a mindset coach and this book is just excellent - very informative and the breakdown of arguments into algorithms is insightful and effective. Strongly recommend
-
Jose RReviewed in Mexico on June 26, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Psychitecture
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseConceptos claros y útiles para la vida diaria y cambiante de los tiempos actuales. Respuestas con evidencia y ejemplos de utilidad de algunas. filosofías