Name: Buddha's Brain
ISBN: 9781572246959

Rick Hanson

Richard Mendius

Blending modern neuroscience with ancient Buddhist teaching, explains how elements of psychological well-being and spiritual awareness are based in the core functions of the brain and offers exercises to help rewire the brain to achieve peace, happiness,and wisdom.

The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom

Buddha's Brain

Jesus, Moses, Mohammed, Gandhi, and the Buddha all had brains built essentially like anyone else's, yet they were able to harness their thoughts and shape their patterns of thinking in ways that changed history. With new breakthroughs in modern neuroscience and the wisdom of thousands of years of contemplative practice, it is possible for us to shape our own thoughts in a similar way for greater happiness, love, compassion, and wisdom. Buddha's Brain joins the forces of modern neuroscience with ancient contemplative teachings to show readers how they can work toward greater emotional well-being, healthier relationships, more effective actions, and deepened religious and spiritual understanding. This book will explain how the core elements of both psychological well-being and religious or spiritual life-virtue, mindfulness, and wisdom--are based in the core functions of the brain: regulating, learning, and valuing. Readers will also learn practical ways to apply this information, as the book offers many exercises they can do to tap the unused potential of the brain and rewire it over time for greater peace and well-being.

The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom

Suat ATAN

The best book I've ever read. So far my 'first' book was Power of Habits. I think Buddha's Brain is my new 'first'. The book explains the fundamentals of mindfulness in the light of science. My favorite part was the chapters about the illusion of 'self'.

matej yangwao

Neuroscience 101 with Buddhism's flavour. Definitely great for those who are looking for equanimity and being more neutral, not seeking for rewards, not scan for threats, just be.

>optimizing both for our complete wellbeing is the most important thing.

>Research shows that we can ensure better relationships with others and ourselves when we stop being judgmental and start being present.

>The many pieces of information carried around the nervous system make up the mind.

>Your mind comprises knowledge, dreams, hopes, and information from neurons.

>The environment plays a crucial role in shaping your beliefs and experiences and can sometimes matter more than genetics. For a more wholesome life experience, you must never restrict yourself to one culture. Explore different places, learn new things, and try to figure out your identity.

>Research shows that contemplative practitioners have mastered the art of happiness, clarity, and peace.

>Virtue involves channeling your actions, thoughts, and words toward benefits rather than evil.

>When you practice mindfulness, you pay close attention to the things happening in the internal and external parts of you. The brain learns new things and makes fresh connections based on the information it is exposed to

>Wisdom simply means good judgment. You can get wisdom by understanding the difference between good and evil and focusing on the good.

>Virtue, mindfulness, and wisdom are supported by the brain’s three fundamental functions: regulation, learning, and selection.

>they approached opportunities and avoided threats to gain things that promote offspring and escape or resist things that don’t.

>It might be difficult to shift your attention from the unpleasant but remember that your choices can affect your health and emotions.

>we evolved to care deeply about people's reactions to our actions.

>Second darts can lead to a series of negative events due to the brain's associative neural networks. They can also break relationships and trigger reactions from your loved ones.

>The food you eat builds your body, but your experiences build your mind;

>The brain preferentially reacts to unpleasant experiences. So, even when you experience more positive situations than negative ones, the negative implicit memories will increase more quickly. The solution is not to stop having negative experiences but to foster positive experiences and find ways to make them permanent.

>Savor the experience: The longer you hold something in awareness and the more emotionally stimulating it is, the stronger the memory’s trace.

>Positive experiences can heal, compensate for, and even change terrible past experiences.

>To gradually replace negative implicit memories with positive ones, focus on the positive aspects of your experience while simultaneously placing the negative material in the background.

>Relaxing quiets the sympathetic nervous system since relaxed muscles inform the brain that there is no imminent danger.

>If you have three to ten minutes, try progressive relaxation. Focus systematically on different parts of your body, working either from the feet to the head or vice versa. For example, notice the sensations in the bottom of your left foot. Or softly say “relax” in your mind as you bring awareness to a body part.

>The word “equanimity” comes from Latin roots meaning “even” and “mind.” It means that your thoughts do not throw you off balance. The brain’s ancient circuitry continually drives you to react one way or another, and equanimity is your circuit breaker. Equanimity breaks the chain of suffering by neutralizing your reactions to intense feelings.

>Equanimity does not mean you have to be indifferent or cold. It only means that you are not troubled by negative world experiences.

>Sensitizing yourself to the neutral aspects of an experience will make your mind less inclined to seek rewards or scan for threats.

>Equanimity means you don't struggle to enjoy experiences. Rather, you are content enough to see every experience to the end. You decide not to respond to any energy-draining situations as well. At first, this might be difficult because the brain will want to do the opposite. But with practice, it is possible.

> Equanimity means you don't struggle to enjoy experiences. Rather, you are content enough to see every experience to the end. You decide not to respond to any energy-draining situations as well. At first, this might be difficult because the brain will want to do the opposite. But with practice, it is possible.

>Being empathic draws you into the other person’s world and enriches you with information that helps you help them.

>It’s an inherent generosity — being willing to be moved by another person. You can exercise your rights and empathize with someone who has a different opinion from yours. As beneficial as empathy is, it might not be present during conflicts and can fade away in relationships that have lasted a long time.

>Ensure that the questions you ask are not argumentative or aimed at making the other person feel attacked. To receive empathy from others, you need to be honest and present in the moment.

>The more people say what they would like to receive, the more others become sensitive to individual differences.

>If you can, you can keep a journal to express yourself when stressed.

Buddha's Brain The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom