Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and WisdomJesus, 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. |
Contents
Strong | 115 |
chapter | 130 |
Equanimity | 137 |
Two Wolves in | 145 |
Compassion | 164 |
Boundless | 189 |
Foundations of Mindfulness | 213 |
Blissful Concentration | 230 |
Relaxing | 248 |
Nutritional Neurochemistry | 277 |
Back Cover | 320 |
Other editions - View all
Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom Rick Hanson Limited preview - 2009 |
Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom Rick Hanson Limited preview - 2009 |
Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom ... Rick Hanson No preview available - 2011 |
Common terms and phrases
activity Ajahn Chah amygdala anterior cingulate cortex arises aspects attention awareness basal ganglia body brain stem breath bring Buddha’s Brain Buddhist change your brain chapter compassion contemplative practice craving develop dopamine emotions empathy equanimity evolution evolved example experience explore factors feeling tones focus focused happiness heart hippocampus implicit memory increase increasingly inner intentions keep kind limbic system live loving-kindness meditation mental mind mind-objects nature negative nervous system ness neural networks neural substrate neuroaxis neurological neurons neuroscience neurotransmitter norepinephrine oxytocin pain parasympathetic parasympathetic nervous system path of awakening peace person physical pleasant positive prefrontal cortex rapture and joy reactions refuge relationships relax rewards Science second darts self-compassion sensations sense serotonin signals SNS/HPAA someone stay stimulation strength strengthen stress suffering synapses things thoughts threat tion unpleasant upset virtue vitamin what's whole wisdom wolf of hate wolf of love