Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom » (New Edition)

Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a neuropsychologist and meditation teacher. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, he cofounded the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom and edits the Wise Brain Bulletin. He and his wife have two children.

Richard Mendius, MD, is a neurologist and cofounder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom. He has taught medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, and Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. He also teaches weekly meditation classes at San Quentin State Prison. He and his wife have three children.

Foreword writer Daniel J. Siegel, MD, is executive director of the Mindsight Institute and an associate clinical professor of psychiatry in the School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is author of The Developing Mind, The Mindful Brain, and other books, and is founding editor of the Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology.

Preface writer Jack Kornfield, Ph.D., is cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre, CA. He is author of many books, including A Path with Heart and The Wise Heart.

In Buddha's Brain, a clinical psychologist and a senior neurologist explain how the brain benefits from contemplative practice and show readers how to develop greater happiness, love, and wisdom by drawing from breakthroughs in modern neuroscience.

Publishers Weekly

The brain physiology associated with spiritual states has been fertile ground for researchers and writers alike. Neuropsychologist andmeditation teacher Hanson suggests that an understanding of the brain in conjunction with 2,500-year-old Buddhist teachings can help readers achieve more happiness. He explains how the brain evolved to keep humans safe from external threats; the resulting “built-in negativity bias” creates suffering in modern individuals. Citing psychologist Donald Hebb's conclusion that “when neurons fire together, they wire together,” Hanson argues that the brain's functioning can be affected by simple practices and meditation to foster well-being. Classic Buddhist concepts such as the “three trainings”—mindfulness, virtuous action and wisdom—frame Hanson's approach. Written with neurologist Mendius, the book includes descriptions and diagrams of brain functioning. Clear instructions guide the reader toward more positive thoughts and feelings. While the author doesn't always succeed at clarifying complex physiology, this gently encouraging “practical guide to your brain” offers helpful information supported by research as well as steps to change instinctive patterns through the Buddhist path. (Nov.)

Foreword v

Preface vii

Acknowledgements ix

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 The Self-Transforming Brain 5

Part 1 The Causes of Suffering

Chapter 2 The Evolution of Suffering 23

Chapter 3 The First and Second Dart 49

Part 2 Happiness

Chapter 4 Taking in the Good 67

Chapter 5 Cooling the Fires 79

Chapter 6 Strong Intentions 97

Chapter 7 Equanimity 109

Part 3 Love

Chapter 8 Two Wolves in the Heart 121

Chapter 9 Compassion and Assertion 137

Chapter 10 Boundless Kindness 157

Part 4 Wisdom

Chapter 11 Foundations of Mindfulness 177

Chapter 12 Blissful Concentration 191

Chapter 13 Relaxing the Self 205

Appendix Nutritional Neurochemistry Jan Hanson, L.Ac. 227

References 235