Just One Thing
Simple Practices from Dr. Rick Hanson
Foundations of Relationships
See the Good in Others
See the good in others—it’s a simple but very powerful way to feel happier and more confident and become more loving.
See the Person Behind the Eyes
Everyone longs to be seen, known, to have our hopes and fears acknowledged. Can you see behind the mask a person wears?
See Beings, Not Bodies
When we encounter someone, the mind summarizes and simplifies tons of details. Though fast and efficient this process has lots of problems. As our ancestors evolved, rapid sorting of friend or foe was very useful but is it still.
Be at Peace with the Pain of Others
Being at peace with others’ pain helps us be supportive of their pain.
Recognize Suffering in Others
Where does it hurt? The practice: Recognize suffering in others. We’re usually aware of our own suffering, but seeing the suffering in others: that’s not so common. All the news and pictures of disaster, murder, and grief that bombard us each day
Receive Faces
Understanding facial expression gives us a chance to feel connected to others. Try to open to and receive the faces of others.
Have Compassion
To have compassion is to have the wish that beings not suffer combined with feelings of sympathetic concern.
Give No One Cause to Fear You
Much of the time the fear we trigger in others is mild but people can feel threatened by stimuli they’re not actually aware of.
Feed the Wolf of Love
There are two wolves in ones heart, a wolf of hate and a wolf of love. The wolf of hate breeds alienation and conflict with others. The wolf of love is fed with our hearts, hope and by our sense of what’s good.
Trust In Love
Love is like air. It may be hard to see – but it’s in you and all around you.