Publication
Imprint: Oakland, California : New Harbinger Publications, c2009. Responsibility: Rick Hanson with Richard Mendius ; with a foreword by Daniel J. Siegel ; and preface by Jack Kornfield. OCLC Number: 301883022. Physical: Text : 1 volume : x, 251 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm. Features: Includes bibliography.
Call number
Inter / Hanso
ISBN
9781572246959
Original publication date
2009-11-01
Collections
CSS Library Notes
Description: "The Buddha and other great teachers were born with brains built essentially like anyone else's--and then they changed their brains in ways that changed the world. Science is now revealing how the flow of thoughts actually sculpts the brain. By combining breakthroughs in neuroscience with insights from thousands of years of contemplative practice, you, too, can use your mind to shape your brain for greater happiness, love, and wisdom."--Back cover.
Contents:
The self-transforming brain --
Part one: The causes of suffering. The evolution of suffering ; The first and second dart --
Part two: Happiness. Taking in the good ; Cooling the fires ; Strong intentions ; Equanimity --
Part three: Love. Two wolves in the heart ; Compassion and assertion ; Boundless kindness --
Part four: Wisdom. Foundations of mindfulness ; Blissful concentration ; Relaxing the self --
Appendix: Nutritional neurochemistry / by Jan Hanson, L. Ac.
FY2015
Contents:
The self-transforming brain --
Part one: The causes of suffering. The evolution of suffering ; The first and second dart --
Part two: Happiness. Taking in the good ; Cooling the fires ; Strong intentions ; Equanimity --
Part three: Love. Two wolves in the heart ; Compassion and assertion ; Boundless kindness --
Part four: Wisdom. Foundations of mindfulness ; Blissful concentration ; Relaxing the self --
Appendix: Nutritional neurochemistry / by Jan Hanson, L. Ac.
FY2015
Physical description
x, 251 p.; 23 cm
Description
If you change your brain, you can change your life. Great teachers like the Buddha, Jesus, Moses, Mohammed, and Gandhi were all born with brains built essentially like anyone else's-and then they changed their brains in ways that changed the world. Science is now revealing how the flow of thoughts actually sculpts the brain, and more and more, we are learning that it's possible to strengthen positive brain states. By combining breakthroughs in neuroscience with insights from thousands of years of mindfulness practice, you too can use your mind to shape your brain for greater happiness, love, and wisdom. Buddha's Brain draws on the latest research to show how to stimulate your brain for more fulfilling relationships, a deeper spiritual life, and a greater sense of inner confidence and worth. Using guided meditations and mindfulness exercises, you'll learn how to activate the brain states of calm, joy, and compassion instead of worry, sorrow, and anger. Most importantly, you will foster positive psychological growth that will literally change the way you live in your day-to-day life. This book presents an unprecedented intersection of psychology, neurology, and contemplative practice, and is filled with practical tools and skills that you can use every day to tap the unused potential of your brain and rewire it over time for greater well-being and peace of mind.… (more)
Language
Original language
English
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User reviews
LibraryThing member jessicaundomiel
Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom is exactly what its title suggests--a practical guide to meditative practices and the neurochemistry to explain why striving to act like Buddha leads to a sense of enlightenment and peace. Written by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., with
The book is well organized, with sections focusing on the transformative nature of the brain, the causes of suffering, and how to achieve happiness, love, and wisdom. The intricate dichotomy of mind vs. brain is explored through a scientific and evolutionary lens. There are several mental exercises and guided meditations to encourage a peaceful, open mind.
The most interesting part, in my opinion, is the concept of the self. Buddha's Brain examines the evolutionary and neurological realities that make the self necessary, yet the irony is that clinging to the self is often a major cause of suffering. Letting go of the self is the most liberating and challenging practices in which to engage.
Because Buddha's Brain is so full of information that I had to read it in small sections; the most I ever read in one sitting was one chapter. Upon reaching the end of a section or chapter, I felt the need to ruminate over all that I had read to really absorb and understand the content. I feel like I learned many useful things from this book, and not just information, but information and practices that I can apply in my daily life as a person and as a teacher. I would definitely recommend Buddha's Brain to anyone looking for ways to improve relationships with yourself and with others.
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contributions from Richard Mendius, MD, both of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, this book is a nice balance of hard science and spiritual guidance.The book is well organized, with sections focusing on the transformative nature of the brain, the causes of suffering, and how to achieve happiness, love, and wisdom. The intricate dichotomy of mind vs. brain is explored through a scientific and evolutionary lens. There are several mental exercises and guided meditations to encourage a peaceful, open mind.
The most interesting part, in my opinion, is the concept of the self. Buddha's Brain examines the evolutionary and neurological realities that make the self necessary, yet the irony is that clinging to the self is often a major cause of suffering. Letting go of the self is the most liberating and challenging practices in which to engage.
Because Buddha's Brain is so full of information that I had to read it in small sections; the most I ever read in one sitting was one chapter. Upon reaching the end of a section or chapter, I felt the need to ruminate over all that I had read to really absorb and understand the content. I feel like I learned many useful things from this book, and not just information, but information and practices that I can apply in my daily life as a person and as a teacher. I would definitely recommend Buddha's Brain to anyone looking for ways to improve relationships with yourself and with others.
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LibraryThing member BooksForDinner
A brilliant piece of research. Some readers may find it a bit dry, as it reads a bit like a research paper (which it essentially is), but it is just wonderful. Just the idea that science is proving the common sense of Buddhist principles makes me happy. Hopefully it makes other people happy too.
LibraryThing member jefware
Finally a book about meditation/mindfulness that cuts through the buddhist chatter and focuses on what is important.
LibraryThing member krazy4katz
"Buddha's Brain" contained a great mix of neuroscience and meditation practice. It is written for people without a scientific background but, as a biological scientist, I knew where he was going with some of the explanations and I really enjoyed them. How you can actually change your brain's
From my perspective the book is divided into 2 parts. The first part acquaints you with different parts of the brain - which part is involved in higher order thinking, where emotions are processed and how they function as a unit sometimes - or not. The second part of the book is more a series of suggested meditation exercises designed to have positive effects on your mood by way of regulating different parts of your brain. Although I read the entire book through, I think it would be better to read the second half one chapter at a time. Each day, a chapter could be read and the suggested exercises performed. That way one would have time to absorb the lessons more deeply. I hope to go back and do that some day.
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behavior is something no one would have talked about 20 years ago, because it was thought that mature nerve cells could not change. Science is now catching up with Buddhist philosophy and it is very exciting. Also, the idea of pondering the "self" as a collection of different parts rather than a unit is a fascinating concept. The less one thinks of "self" as a unit, the less stress there is to make it "happy". This is better explained in the book, so I encourage people to read it rather than listen to me.From my perspective the book is divided into 2 parts. The first part acquaints you with different parts of the brain - which part is involved in higher order thinking, where emotions are processed and how they function as a unit sometimes - or not. The second part of the book is more a series of suggested meditation exercises designed to have positive effects on your mood by way of regulating different parts of your brain. Although I read the entire book through, I think it would be better to read the second half one chapter at a time. Each day, a chapter could be read and the suggested exercises performed. That way one would have time to absorb the lessons more deeply. I hope to go back and do that some day.
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LibraryThing member clifforddham
Arthor discussion on KQED April 22, 2015. Listen to your positive experiences.
LibraryThing member bardbooks
Interesting mix of science and philosophy, with numerous strategies and mantras for retraining the brain and subsequently, the pursuit of a calm, purposeful state of being. The exploration of "us" vs. "them" responses is useful for managing reactions to triggers and situations beyond our control;
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this deeply rooted reaction also illuminates contemporary politics and warfare. Show Less