The Enlightened Brain: The Neuroscience of Awakening

About this book

Meditation Meets NeurosciencePractical Tools to Reshape Your Brain for Awakening We are inspired by the living example of great teachers who have both penetrating insight and a loving heart. "With modern neuroscience were now beginning to understand the brain processes that support these wonderful qualities of mind " explains Dr. Rick Hanson. With The Enlightened Brain this pioneering neuropsychologist explores how you can activate these same processes inside your own brain to accelerate your own transformation. Self-Directed NeuroplasticityHow Our Mind Shapes Our Brain Your thoughts and feelings continually sculpt your brainfor better or worse. As Dr. Hanson teaches you can use the power of self-directed neuroplasticity to take control of the evolutionary tendency of your brain to react to life with fear frustration and heartacheand return your brain to its natural state of calm contentment and caring. With simple and potent practices he reveals how you can weave positive thoughts and emotions into the fabric of your brain allowing you to cultivate the qualities of mindfulness virtue and wisdom for your own path of awakening. "This new science gives us unprecedented tools to individualize psychological growth and spiritual practice " says Dr. Hanson. Youll learn about your unique "profile of attention" and which methods best strengthen your focus and concentration. Youll also learn how to approach life with equanimity and relax the focus on "me myself and I." With The Enlightened Brain Dr. Rick Hanson gives you practical tools for strengthening the neural circuitry of spacious awareness calm in the midst of stress contemplative absorption resilience and lasting happiness. HIGHLIGHTS Knowing your brainhow to tailor psychological growth and spiritual practice to your unique neurophysiology Defeating the negativity bias of your brain by internalizing key resources Pairing positive experiences with negative material to soothe and heal old pain Activating the neural foundations of mindfulness Strengthening the five factors of concentration and deep meditative absorption Building neural shock absorbers for stable inner peace in a turbulent world Using neuroscience to relax the apparent self and take life less personally Course objectives: Explain how to tailor psychological growth and spiritual practice to your unique neurophysiology. Summarize how to defeat the negativity bias of your brain by internalizing key resources. Practice pairing positive experiences with negative material to soothe and heal old pain. Apply techniques to activate the neural foundations of mindfulness. Practice strengthening the five factors of concentration and deep meditative absorption. Utilize exercises to build neural shock absorbers for stable inner peace in a turbulent world.