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.
Reviews
“A wonderfully comprehensive book. The authors have made it easy to understand how our minds
function and how to make changes so that we can live happier, fuller lives.”
— Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness
“Solidly grounded in the latest neuroscientific research, and supported by a deep understanding
of contemplative practice, this book is accessible, compelling, and profound—a crystallization of
practical wisdom!"
— Philip David Zelazo, Ph.D., Nancy M. and John E. Lindahl Professor at the
Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota
“This is simply the best book I have read on why and how we can shape our brains to be peaceful
and happy. This is a book that will literally change your brain and your life.”
— Jennifer Louden, author of The Woman's Comfort Book and The Life
Organizer
“Buddha's Brain is a significant contribution to understanding the interface between science
and meditation in the path of transformation. Illuminating.”
— Joseph Goldstein, author of A Heart Full of Peace and One
Dharma
“Buddha's Brain is compelling, easy to read, and quite educational. The book skillfully answers
the central question of each of our lives—how to be happy—by presenting the core precepts of
Buddhism integrated with a primer on how our brains function. This book will be helpful to anyone
wanting to understand time-tested ways of skillful living backed up by up-to-date science.“
— Frederic Luskin, Ph.D., author of Forgive for Good and director of
Stanford Forgiveness Projects
“I wish I had a science teacher like Rick Hanson when I went to school. Buddha's Brain is at
once fun, fascinating, and profound. It not only shows us effective ways to develop real happiness
in our lives, but also explains physiologically how and why they work. As he instructs us to do
with positive experiences, take in all the good information this book offers and savor it.”
— James Baraz, author of Awakening Joy and cofounder of Spirit Rock
Meditation Center
“With the mind of a scientist, the perspective of a psychologist, and the wise heart of a
parent and devoted meditator, Rick Hanson has created a guide for all of us who want to learn
about and apply the scintillating new research that embraces neurology, psychology, and authentic
spiritual inquiry. Up-to-date discoveries combined with state-of-the-art practices make this book
an engaging read. Buddha's Brain is at the top of my list!”
— Richard A. Heckler, Ph.D., assistant professor at John F. Kennedy University in
Pleasant Hill, CA
“An illuminating guide to the emerging confluence of cutting-edge neuropsychology and ancient
Buddhist wisdom filled with practical suggestions on how to gradually rewire your brain for
greater happiness. Lucid, good-humored, and easily accessible.”
— John J. Prendergast, Ph.D., adjunct associate professor of psychology at
California Institute of Integral Studies and senior editor of The Sacred Mirror and
Listening from the Heart of Silence
“This book enables us to understand the whys and hows of our human operating system so we can
make more informed actions that allow us to live our lives more fully, compassionately, and with
greater well-being and kindness towards others and ourselves. What I find exciting about Buddha's Brain
is Rick Hanson’s ability to clearly delineate the root causes of suffering and explain
pertinent ways we can actually change these causes and effect lasting change on all levels of our
mind, body, and interpersonal relationships. His informative, relaxed, and easy-to-read style of
writing made me want to pick up this book again and again and dive ever more deeply into the
complexities of our human engineering. Buddha's Brain is now on my recommendation list for all my
students and teachers-in-training.”
— Richard C. Miller, Ph.D., founding president of Integrative Restoration
Institute
“Numerous writings in recent years have exacerbated the traditional rift between science and
religion; however, there has been a refreshing parallel movement in the opposite direction.
Neuroscientists have become increasingly interested in using first-person introspective inquiries
of the mind to complement their third-person, Western scientific investigations of the brain.
Buddhist contemplative practices are particularly amenable to such collaboration, inviting efforts
to find neurobiological explanations for Buddhist philosophy. Stripped of religious baggage,
Buddha's Brain clearly describes how modern concepts of evolutionary and cognitive neurobiology
support core Buddhist teachings and practice. This book should have great appeal for those seeking
a secular spiritual path, while also raising many testable hypotheses for interested
neuroscientists.”
— Jerome Engel, Jr., MD, Ph.D., Jonathan Sinay Distinguished Professor of
Neurology, Neurobiology, and Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of
California, Los Angeles
“Buddha's Brain makes a significant contribution to the current dynamic dialogue among
neuroscience, psychology, and Buddhist disciplines of mind training. Drawing on the wisdom born of
their own meditation practice and their scientific backgrounds, the authors point again and again
to the possibilities of the deep transformation of our minds and lives.”
— Christina Feldman, author of Compassion and The Buddhist Path to
Simplicity
“Recent developments in psychology and the neurosciences have led to clear and powerful
insights about how our brains work and how these neurological functions shape our experience of
the world. These insights are profoundly congruent with the wisdom that has been developed over
thousands of years in the contemplative traditions. The authors of Buddha’s Brain have given us a
concise and practical guide to how these two currents of knowledge can be used to transform our
capacity to engage both ourselves and others with wisdom, compassion, and mindfulness.”
— Robert D. Truog, MD, professor at Harvard Medical School, executive director of
the Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice, and senior associate in critical care
medicine at Children’s Hospital, Boston
“A clear introduction to some basic principles of neuroscience and dharma.”
— Roger Walsh, MD, Ph.D., professor at the University of California, Irvine, and
author of Essential Spirituality
“Buddha's Brain brilliantly reveals the teachings of the Buddha in the light of modern
neuroscience. This is a practical guide to changing your reality. This is your brain on
Dharma!”
— Wes “Scoop” Nisker, author of Essential Crazy Wisdom and editor of
Inquiring Mind
“Buddha's Brain will show you how mental practices, informed by contemplative traditions, can
increase your capacity for experiencing happiness and peace. This book provides a scientific
understanding of these methods and clear guidance through practices that cultivate a wise and free
heart.”
— Tara Brach, Ph.D., author of Radical Acceptance
" Dr. Hanson is a delightful interview...he takes the most complicated computer in the world,
"the brain," and makes the operating system understandable to the non-neuroscientist. His
information is interesting, entertaining, and very practical, and he gives the audience simple
steps to follow to start making positive changes in the way they think."
— Liz Saint John, CBS Radio San Francisco
Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love and Wisdom Rick Hanson with
Richard Mendius. New Harbinger, $17.95 paper (200p) ISBN 978-1-57224-695-9. 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.
— Publishers Weekly, September 14, 2009
Hanson, Rick & Richard Mendius. Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love &
Wisdom. New Harbinger. Oct. 2009. c.224p. ISBN 978-1-57224-695-9. pap. $16.95. PSYCH
Hanson and Mendius successfully answer the question: How can you use your mind to strengthen
positive brain states and ultimately change your life? Arguing that our ancestors’ brains, flooded
with adrenaline and cortisol, were wired for survival, the authors reveal how this neurological
propensity for high arousal contributes to our present-day chronic illness, depression, and
anxiety. Using Buddhism’s eightfold path as a model, they illustrate how meditation and relaxation
can change our brain’s natural tendencies. Pictures illustrate the brain’s functions and practical
meditation exercises are found throughout. The authors also discuss the importance of diet and
nutritional supplements.
Verdict: An excellent choice for readers wishing to take control of their lives and spiritual
well-being. Readers will find practical suggestions along with impressive research about the
brain.
— Phyllis Goodman, West Chester Lib., OH, Library Journal, Xpress Reviews,
September 18, 2009)
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