Developing a buddha brain one simple practice at a time
You’ve heard the expression, “It’s the little things that count.” Research has shown that little daily practices can change the way your brain works, too. This book offers simple brain-training practices you can do every day to protect against stress, lift your mood, and find greater emotional resilience. Just One Thing is a treasure chest of over fifty practices created specifically to deepen your sense of well-being and unconditional happiness.
Just one practice each day can help you:
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Posted by April Ricchuito, Brooklyn, NY on 15th Mar 2012
Dr. Rick Hanson first established himself as a pioneer in contemplative sciences with his previous book, Buddha's Brain. As he states on his website, "Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and other great teachers were all born with a brain built essentially like anyone else's. Then they used their minds to change their brains in ways that changed history." Seeking to explore, educate, & inspire ordinary humans that they too, can achieve greatness, Buddha's Brain was born. Buddha's Brain became wildly successful in the Western world, employing endorsements amongst psychologists, meditation teachers, scientists & scholars alike; it is now enjoying success worldwide, as it is now published in 20 different languages. As a follow up, Dr. Hanson has now published Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time.
Just One Thing is a crowning jewel amongst contemplative science works. Building off of the great teachers- Jesus, Moses, the Buddha- the book offers tiny tidbits of knowledge that can lead to big changes in the brain; changes Dr. Hanson calls a "buddha's brain". Despite what many associate with the label (religion), a "buddha's brain" is for anyone who wants be truly happy and effective, including those who appreciate the more secular applications of science. In fact, the book steers clear of discussing religion, and instead discusses methods for seeing reality. Dr. Hanson begins by educating the reader on our brain's "negativity bias"; that in fact our brains are wired to place more importance on negative news than positive news. For folks who automatically took this to be bad news, fear not. We can change the brain's bad news bias, by simply choosing to see the good on a regular basis. Dr. H explains how whether we realize it or not, our minds are always changing, for better or for worse. Once we have an awareness of this, we can dedicate time to ensuring that any changes that occur are for the better, by making conscious decisions. The book offers over 50 simple, easy to understand (and employ!) brain training practices that allow you to become a more fully conscious individual. Each practice stems from ancestral wisdom and is supported by a plethora of research into positive psychology and modern neuroscience. By taking a few moments a day to implement these simple tools into your daily life, you can reduce stress, increase your emotional resilience, have healthier relationships, and find your center in wellness & unconditional happiness.
Posted by Judith Matz on 15th Mar 2012
Just One Thing is a fantastic resource! I am a psychotherapist and author specializing in eating problems - I help people break the diet/binge cycle and become attuned eaters. The 52 easy-to-read strategies offered in Rick's book - such as take in the good, have compassion for yourself and relax anxiety about imperfection - are the "perfect" practices for my clients who are looking for ways to calm their anxiety without using food.
I will also be keeping this book on my own nightstand! While I already practice meditation daily, the wisdom in these pages are gentle reminders about how to live life more fully and joyfully. I'm a big fan of Buddha's Brain, and Just One Thing is a wonderful complement - thank you, Rick!
Posted by Ellen Holmes, San Francisco CA on 15th Mar 2012
I've been reading Rick's newsletters for years now, in which he first presented many of the ideas and practices that have been further developed and beautifully set forth in this book. I've read hundreds of self-help and "spiritual" books over decades without ever having felt obliged to write a review of even the really good ones, but this book is truly special. First of all, the author deeply knows whereof he speaks. That is the actual neuroscience of how to rewire one's brain--and therefore one's life experience--to attain much greater happiness, true well-being, peace with one's past, compassion for oneself and empathy for others--and therefore automatically making the world a better place. There's no filler here, only the real stuff that matters. This book is like having a true friend who has walked the walk, and who really cares about you, right by your side. A great gift to give yourself and anyone else!
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