The Canon  /  Living  /  Psychology & Science

Living · 2009

Buddha's Brain

by Rick Hanson

Neuroscience-of-Practice

Buddha's Brain translates neuroscience and contemplative practice into methods for cultivating well-being. Its central claim is self-directed neuroplasticity: because neurons that fire together wire together, sustained attention can strengthen positive mental states into lasting neural traits.

The argument turns on the brain's evolved negativity bias, its tendency to register and retain difficult experiences more readily than good ones. Against this, the practice of "taking in the good" calls for consciously prolonging and savoring positive experiences so they consolidate into durable change. The methods rest on established plasticity science and join mindfulness with positive psychology.

The book serves as a bridge between credible brain research and self-development practice. Its scope is deliberately modest, concerning one's own mental habits and resilience rather than external causation, which places it firmly in the evidence-informed wing of the neuroscience-of-practice tradition.

Lineage

What it drew on
The Law of One / Ra (L/L Research)Buddhist psychologypositive psychology
What it shaped
applied contemplative practiceresilience trainingpopular brain-and-mindfulness

The author

Rick Hanson Rick HansonSelf-directed neuroplasticity; taking in the good Full voice →

Kindred books