From the Blog
Writings on Well-Being Dr. Rick Hanson
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Modern Science Meets Ancient Wisdom
In the 21st century, modern brain science and ancient contemplative wisdom are illuminating each other. Besides being fascinating in its own right, this cross-fertilization and growing integration spotlights increasingly effective ways for using your mind to change...
Handling Blocks to Any Inner Practice – Meditation, Yoga, Gratitude, Mindfulness
When you try to change your life for better, sometimes you bump into a block, such as distracting thoughts. Blocks are common. They’re not bad or wrong – but they do get in the way. What works is to explore them with self-acceptance, and see what you can learn about...
The Importance of Gratitude and Gladness for a Happy Life
Gratitude and Gladness Gratitude is a feeling of thankfulness about something you have been given. Gladness is a more general sense of feeling pleased, rewarded, delighted, or happy about something, without it necessarily being a gift. Much of the time these two sweet...
Hardwiring Our Children’s Happiness
I’ve used taking in the good with young people in therapy and also spoken with parents and teachers who have used it with their own children or students. As with an adult, there are four ways to offer the HEAL steps to a child, while naturally adapting them to the...
Turning a Negative Nelly Into a Positive Polly
I’ve been talking about ways to Hardwire Your Happiness on the blog lately. So I thought it would be great to give you a sense of how it feels to take in the good. If you are someone who usually focuses on the negative experiences in the world you can turn that...
How to Build a Happier Brain – Atlantic Article Tweet
Here's my latest article in The Atlantic - "How to Build a Happier Brain" - http://t.co/vHQ4IpAaPW — Rick Hanson (@drrhanson) October 24, 2013
HH NYT List Announcement Twitter
https://twitter.com/drrhanson/status/392086589091766272
Hardwiring Happiness: Being for Yourself, and the Three Ways to Practice with Your Mind
This is the second talk in the series on “Hardwiring Happiness”, based on my book of the same name. This talk was given at the San Rafael Meditation gathering on September 18, 2013.
Part II of a two-part talk on how to use the mind to change the brain to change the mind based on the theme of my book, Hardwiring Happiness. This talk was given at the San Rafael Meditation gathering on September 11, 2013.
Part I of a two-part talk on how to use the mind to change the brain to change the mind based on the theme of my book, Hardwiring Happiness. This talk was given at the San Rafael Meditation gathering on September 11, 2013.
This is the third talk in the series on “Hardwiring Happiness”, based on my book by the same name. This talk was given at the San Rafael Meditation gathering on September 25, 2013.
Session Highlights:
• Dr. Rick Hanson shifts from his role as host to summarize the key themes of the guests in the series
• Highlighting past participants’ practical methods
• Taking viewers through two powerful practices for bringing both strength and heart into important relationships
Session Highlights:
An in-depth conversation with Dr. Jean Houston, co-founder of The Foundation for Mind Research and author of The Possible Human: A Course in Enhancing Your Physical, Mental, and Creative Abilities
Opening one’s heart wide without becoming overwhelmed
Ways to find your own way to contribute
The Power of Self-Compassion
Session Highlights:
• An in-depth conversation with Dr. Kristin Neff, professor of human development and culture at the University of Texas, Austin and author of Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind
• How to cultivate self-compassion
• Compassion for those with special needs
Session Highlights:
• An in-depth conversation with Dr. Kelly McGonigal, senior teacher and consultant for the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and author of The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It
• Compassion for oneself and others in pain
• Bringing willpower to compassion
• Balancing compassion and assertiveness
Latest talk by Rick Hanson at his Wednesday night sitting group in San Rafael, CA. More information on the San Rafael Mediation group is available at https://rickhanson.net/teaching/meditation-group.
Session Highlights:
• An in-depth conversation with Dr. Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and author of Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life
• The ways we are sociable primates
• The universals of compassion across cultures
Session Highlights:
• An in-depth conversation with Dr. Tara Brach, founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington and author of Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha
• Practices for strengthening and expressing compassion and kindness
• Dealing with hard issues in relationships
Session Highlights:
• An in-depth conversation with Dr. Daniel Siegel, executive director of the Mindsight Institute and author of Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation
• The link between empathy for yourself and empathy for others
• Compassion in family life
• Compassion in clinical practice
Session Highlights:
• An in-depth conversation with Dr. Richie Davidson, professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin and co-editor of The Asymmetrical Brain
• How your thoughts and feelings change your brain’s structure
• Studies on compassion in contemplatives
Each year, Spirit Rock Meditation Center holds a moving and heartfelt event to express deep appreciation for the generous donors and volunteers that support SRMC. Rick Hanson, PhD presented for the 2010 event, giving an inspiring talk exploring the dimensions and benefits of both gratitude and generosity.