Neuroscientists have treated mice with 30 minutes of light therapy for 20 days to mimic meditation to test the effects of their behavior.
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
New Neuroscience and the Path of Awakening
We all want to be truly happy. The question is, how? In Buddhist practice, the “how” includes gradually transforming the mind – the seat of clinging in all its forms – to increase the causes of happiness and reduce the causes of suffering – ultimately, to complete Awakening.
Expressing Your Intentions
Once your intentions are clear, the next question is: How to express them?
How Can We Change Our Brains for the Better?
The bottom line, in terms of how we feel – are we happy, are we sad, are we effective, are we lost in stress – how we ARE is fundamentally the result of what’s happening in the three pounds of tofu between your ears.
The Science of Meditation
Key points about the brain and how the mind and brain can change each other.
On May 14, 2017, Rick discussed several topics about mindfulness as related to relationships.
Glossary: The Neurology of Awakening
Here is a glossary of terms from the Wise Brain Bulletin written by Rick Hanson and Richard Mendius.
Rick talks about social and communal harmony and what your path of happiness is? What is it made of and what aids or supports it?
Right Intention – Part 2
Of course, the first question regarding intention is, for what?
All the great wisdom traditions of the world, and all the great moral philosophers, have grappled with this question. What should we want?
Intersection of Neuropsychology and Contemplative Disciplines
Rick Hanson and Richard Mendius are interviewed by Patrizia Collard from the School of Psychology, University of East London, UK.
The Neurology of Awareness and Self
It is sometimes said that the three greatest – and toughest, and most significant – remaining scientific questions are these: What caused the Big Bang? What is the “Grand Unified Theory” that integrates quantum mechanics and general relativity? What is the conscious self?
Oneness Podcast
We spoke about how Western Buddhism, transcendental learning and gratitude for opportunity all play an important role in getting in touch with your faith and finding true purpose and happiness in life.