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Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom Audiobook
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(3.03) - 1,371 listener ratings
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Publisher 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.
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"I was delighted to find a book that mixes modern science with an age old tradition. The science is extremely clear and readable, and Hanson offers so many practical suggestions, some of which are quite fresh, giving the book added value. The practice of "taking in the good" is among my favorites and it alone was worth the price of the book. His guidelines for effective communication, based as they are on compassion AND how our brains work, expanded my understanding of reflective listening and greatly refined the way I want to implement the expressive side of the equation. This chapter was probably the most powerful for me in terms of adjusting a long time understanding. As I read this book, I also listened to the 7 part series called The Compassionate Brain that Hansen offers through Sounds True. The combination of the book and video series was quite effective. I felt my Buddha brain growing inside my skull (and my heart). This book will surely become a frequently consulted reference."
— Patricia (5 out of 5 stars)
Buddha's Brain Listener Reviews
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" Fascinating explanation of current brain research leverage against some basic Zen teachings. Reinvigorated my meditation. "
— Celia, 2/19/2014 -
" Excellent book about the neuroscience of happiness. I learned alot about the brain, and how we're wired as human beings. It's helpful knowledge in understanding how to better work with our own brain to increase our level of wellbeing and joy, while reducing unnecessary stress and unhappiness. Several good recommendations for a regular meditation practice. Highly recommended. "
— Kathy, 2/18/2014 -
" A BCBC selection for August. While quite heavy on the brain science - I still think this book has some spot on great suggestions for how to use your brain to change your mind. My book is all tabbed-up, always a sign that I enjoyed a book. I have read or tried to read a lot of books on how to "think happy" and I found this one pretty helpful. "
— Sheryl, 2/5/2014 -
" I'm listening to the audible version of this book. Sometimes it is heavy heavy science - physiology of the brain. A necessary evil to explain how things function. The concepts are amazing - and if adopted by a person could change their life. But so could becoming a triathlete. Takes major dedication. Time to roll up the mental sleeves! "
— Kelly, 2/5/2014 -
" your can change your brain and be more happy -- Dr. Hanson has the science to back it up "
— Crowsfoxes, 1/20/2014 -
" Good, practical suggestions for rewiring the brain for happiness, serenity, patience, and love. I appreciated the physiological background as it gave me a better understanding how powerful the above tools can be in attaining qualities of a good life. "
— Debra, 1/16/2014 -
" Great book to learn to manage stress and stay centered and on track. It's fascinating to see the purely brain centered scientific aspect to attaining happiness and wisdom ! Makes it somehow more attainable "
— Andrea, 1/9/2014 -
" Helpful ideas and meditations for living with more intention, awareness, and peace. I was disappointed by the inclusion of incongruous nutritional 'advice' in the appendix. "
— John, 11/21/2013 -
" One of the best books I've read in ages. This will really change my coaching and take it up a few notches. Pam "
— Pam, 11/3/2013 -
" I really enjoyed the ideas in this book: that we can all change the way we think and cultivate a more positive outlook even in dark times. I did not enjoy the writing style as much; I found it at times pedantic. However, it's still worth reading. "
— Laura, 10/24/2013 -
" The relationship of neuroscience and meditative techniques was very interesting. I enjoyed reading the aspects of neuroscience that many people take for granted from a philosophical perspective such as your thoughts change the wiring of your brain. "
— Christopher, 12/5/2012 -
" Buddha's Brain spoke both to my head and my heart. Suddenly there was peace between the right brain and the left! "
— Sandy, 4/17/2012 -
" Ties Buddhist philosophy and practices to what neuroscience has learned about how our brains work. "
— Jody, 3/10/2012 -
" loved this book, I borrowed it from the library to read, but I'm buying a copy for myself. "
— Kathi, 1/31/2012 -
" It was very easy to read and did not require an indepth knowledge of neuroscience to understand. Allogether a superb book. "
— Dave, 10/14/2011 -
" if taken with an clear mind and a open and peaceful heart, this book can and will change your life in very positive ways. don't wait to read this and immediately apply it's principles. "
— Adam, 9/21/2011 -
" You can change your brain with the positive energy and techniques in this book, changes to last a life time and bring you deeper happiness. And it's amazing how well these ideas work. "
— MaryAnn, 9/10/2011 -
" Great book. Really helped me! "
— Kelly, 9/6/2011 -
" One doesn't have to be of any particular spiritual tradition -- or spiritual for that matter. This fascinating read underscores our bias for negative thinking -- originally useful for survival -- which can be balanced out by stressing the multitude of small things to be positive about. "
— C.l., 7/1/2011 -
" Great book. Really helped me! "
— Kelly, 4/5/2011 -
" Explains the science behind how our mind reacts to emotions we feel. The science of happiness, love and wisdom explained in a non threatening way. "
— Reflecto, 3/13/2011 -
" Wonderful look at the coincidence of Zen practices and neurobiology "
— Deb, 2/5/2011 -
" One of the best books I've read in ages. This will really change my coaching and take it up a few notches. Pam "
— Pam, 12/7/2010 -
" Buddha's Brain spoke both to my head and my heart. Suddenly there was peace between the right brain and the left! "
— Sandy, 7/30/2010
About Rick Hanson
Rick Hanson, PhD, is a neuropsychologist whose books include the highly acclaimed Buddha’s Brain and Just One Thing. Founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, and affiliate of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, he’s taught at Oxford, Stanford, Harvard, and other leading universities. He is a frequent keynote speaker, and his work has been widely featured in the media, including the BBC, NPR, Fox Business, and O Magazine.
About Alan Bomar Jones
Alan Bomar Jones is an actor and audiobook narrator. He is an award-winning resident artist with the Human Race Theatre Company of Dayton, Ohio, and with the American Stage Theatre Company of St. Petersburg, Florida, and has lent his deep baritone voice to audiobooks such as Marching for Freedom: Walk Together, Children, and Don’t You Grow Weary. Jones and his wife, Becky, live in Dayton, Ohio.