It seems fitting that on Buddha’s birthday, celebrated April 8 by many of the world’s Buddhists, that an important book integrating western science and Buddhist spiritualism be featured. Buddha’s Brain: the Practical Neuroscience of Happiness , Love & Wisdom, was written by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist and meditation teacher (with Richard Mendius, MD, a neurologist), the founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom in San Rafael, California.
The book is exceptional in that it combines the current findings of western science and psychology—how the brain and mind function—with Buddhist teachings to show how we can improve our lives. It is literally a step-by-step guide to using your brain to awaken your mind to experience more happiness, love and wisdom.
In a recent discussion with Rick Hanson, he stated that, “The book is not designed to convince people about Buddhism. I simply draw on Buddhism because it has a very deep account of the mind that is consistent with western studies of the brain. The Buddha developed a map of the mind, especially regarding what makes us suffer and what makes us happy—that you can apply to neuropsychological maps of the brain, and the result is a wonderful operating manual of your own brain.”
“When you’ve got the operating manual of your brain as well as a toolbox for things you can do inside your brain, you can then use your mind very skillfully, and very effectively to change your brain gradually over time, which will then change your mind over time in genuine ways, so that you’ll be happier, more stress-free, calmer, clearer-headed, more loving, more effective in your relationships, and less spun around by all the ups and downs of daily life. That’s the fantastic opportunity here that is historically unprecedented. Only in the last ten years or so have we had enough information in brain science that anybody could write a book like Buddha’s Brain.”
The book, while explaining the scientific basis of the brain functions, does so in an easily understandable manner. It discusses the problematic negativity bias we are all prone to and how to overcome it, and provides a wealth of information on how to tap the unused potential of the brain. Practical skills teach us how to actually rewire the brain over time to achieve greater peace and well-being now and in the future.
Visit Rick’s website for more information about his book and services. Buddha’s Brain: The Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom is available locally at Barnes & Noble Bookstores in Seattle, Tukwila, and Federal Way. To learn more of what Rick had to say, click Awareness, Consciousness and the Mind and The Consciousness Transcendental X-Factor.
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