Goodwill and ill will are about intention: the will is for good or ill. Ill will creates negative, vicious cycles. But that means that good will can create positive cycles. Plus good will cultivates wholesome qualities in you.

Rick Hanson
Author / Psychologist
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Biography
Rick Hanson, Ph.D. is a psychologist, Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times best-selling author. His seven books have been published in 33 languages, and include Making Great Relationships, Neurodharma, Resilient, Hardwiring Happiness, Just One Thing, Buddha’s Brain, and Mother Nurture – with over a million copies in English alone. He's the founder of the Global Compassion Coalition and the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom, as well as the co-host of the Being Well Podcast – which has been downloaded over 15 million times. His free newsletters have over 260,000 subscribers and his online programs have scholarships available for those in need. He’s lectured at NASA, Google, Oxford, and Harvard. An expert on positive neuroplasticity, his work has been featured on CBS, NPR, the BBC, and other major media. He began meditating in 1974 and has taught in meditation centers worldwide. He and his wife live in Northern California and have two adult children. He loves the wilderness and taking a break from emails.
Articles
Being Well Podcast: Children, Trauma, and Racism with Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith
How have children experienced this year’s challenges, and how can we get better at talking with them about race and racism? Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith joins Forrest to explore trauma, resilience, and effective coping, and particularly the unique challenges experienced by young people and their parents.
Meditation + Talk: Brain Tips for Deep Calm
In this Wednesday Night Meditation, Dr. Rick Hanson offers a guided meditation and talk on Brain Tips for Deep Calm, which includes a Q&A and discussion.
Being Well Podcast: Angry and Content
On today’s episode of @beingwellpodcast, Forrest and I explore how we maintain contentment, calm, or inner peace, while still aiming high, pursuing good goals, and experiencing natural frustration and anger. We also take a look at some provocative questions, like is contentment even a good goal when there’s so much injustice out in the world?
Meditation + Talk: Calming Reactions to Others
In this Wednesday Night Meditation, Dr. Rick Hanson offers a guided meditation and talk on Calming Reactions to Others, which includes a Q&A and discussion.
Change the Channel
Sometimes when inner practices fail you, it helps to change the channel. A respite or some sort of pleasure will help to refuel you for challenges.
Being Well Podcast: Authentic Happiness with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar
How can we find happiness even when times are challenging? Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar joins Forrest and me to explore authentic happiness, accepting difficult emotions, and giving yourself permission to be human.
4 Ways Mindfulness Meditation Changes Your Brain
Dr. Rick Hanson summarizes four different ways that mindfulness meditation changes your brain.
Meditation + Talk: Working with Anger in Relationships
In this Wednesday Night Meditation, Dr. Rick Hanson offers a guided meditation and talk on Working with Anger in Relationships, which includes a Q&A and discussion.
See Deep Wants
When deeper wants are recognized one feels seen and less likely to be reactive. See deep wants is understanding what someone may want and giving them an alternative offering which may reduce negative emotion and increased cooperation.
Being Well Podcast: How to Change Your Brain
What can we do to achieve the ‘holy grail’ of personal growth – lasting change in our hearts, minds, and behaviors? How can we change the brain for good? That’s the focus of this episode: a full primer on the science of ‘positive neuroplasticity,’ including a lot of practical advice on how we can take control of our brain’s growth over time.
Meditation + Talk: How to Use Anger and Not Let It Use You
In this Wednesday Night Meditation, Dr. Rick Hanson offers a guided meditation and talk on How to Use Anger and Not Let It Use You, which includes a Q&A and discussion.