Buddha's Brain

I have re-read this book three times--so far.It is one of the most valuable books that I have come upon in my entire life. Written in a clear conversational manner, it is full of the latest brain/body research, explaining the anatomy of the brain and nervous system and how it interacts with our body reactions and our emotions.In addition to this, using the information from MRIs and various new and old research, it provides practical application of this knowledge on the HOW to take control and change ourselves from the inside out. It also takes the perspective that we can learn to become more like Buddha and/or Jesus--by utilizing this very practical knowledge.Self-awareness, as taught by our greatest teachers, is the antidote to delusion and allows us to be in the driver seats of our lives. The greater the self-awareness, the less likely we are victimized by our past emotional conditioning and unexamined assumptions and prejudices. Among other things, it is a manual on how to manage ourselves, giving us knowledge on how we work as physical beings and how we can use this knowledge for our self-improvement.One of the main paths to change, as alluded to in this book, is changing one's inner dialog. Because of our nervous system predisposition to be alert to any possible danger, we often are unnecessarily alarmed and stressed and distressed, when we don't need to be. And the author provides exercises to recondition ourselves to feel more secure and loved and happy.I would like to put in a word for an organization that has really helped me change that inner-dialog, greatly reducing my anxiety, depression and anger problems that I had suffered with for sixty years. Recovery International, a non-profit organization, founded in 1937, provides the systematic practice in changing one's inner dialog. The point RI stresses, it is wonderful to have valuable knowledge--such as given in this book, but practicing it makes the difference. Yes we can change those synaptic pathways, but they don't change overnight. It's the systematic practice that makes the difference.Hopefully, those interested can find a convenient RI meeting close by. These weekly meetings are free--they do request a donation of $5.00, but it is totally up to you, whether to donate or not.To learn more about RI and to find out if there is a convenient meeting near you, go to [...]. RI also provides phone and online meetings. This information is available on the web site.

Purchase as required reading for a yoga teacher class. Informative.

I almost didn't read this one. I do check out reviews, and there were quite a few negative reviews on this...that was almost a year ago. I reached a point in therapy, and personal growth, where I needed more - and this book is where I found it. The information is presented in a very approachable way for lay people, and well cited for people with more background who may want to explore a given point more deeply. The book is well organized and moves through common understandings of how mindfulness can affect our lives in positive ways, and why/how that correlates to real changes in our brains, too.Yes, there is more to learn about the human brain, the mind, and our experience as beings. Yes, the authors have their own opinions based on their experience and their understanding of the science. Yes, the book is very readable, and not so technical that it becomes difficult to understand. If those are things that stop you from learning, then by all means, pass up the opportunity to read this book. If you're simply a person hoping to learn more about where you are, and how you can get somewhere better within the context of your own experience, maybe give it a shot. What do you have to lose? A few dollars and hours of your time in exchange for a good read, and the potential for growth and progress seems a fair deal to me, personally.I'd also like to observe that many of the less favorable reviews seem to come from the perspective of "What - there's actual effort involved? I can't be bothered." or "I shall dismiss this out of hand because it isn't too scientific to understand." and my favorite "There is a comma out of place, therefore the authors are discredited." Don't be bamboozled by smoke and mirrors - this is worth reading for your own benefit, using your own brain, to gain your own value from the material within.

This book is terrific. I do some counseling and spiritual direction and have recommended it to all of the people I work with. The writing is clear and (as far as I can tell) the science is up to date. There are several things that I have found useful about Buddha's Brain. Among them are:1: (as noted in the intro) an understanding of the brain states that underlie happiness, love, and wisdom.2: (also as noted in the intro) an understanding of how most effectively to change, given our neural reality.3: The "Key Points" at the end of each chapter which quickly summarize the main points of the chapter.Although I am a Christian, I have read extensively in Buddhist literature to my great profit and I was expecting something rather explicitly Buddhist in nature. This is not the case. While Drs Hanson and Mendius use imagery and some terminology from Buddhism they have no proselytizing agenda here other than to help us understand our neuro-chemical reality and how best to use it to change for the good.In my original review I had complained that there was no TOC. A respondent to my review noted that her copy had a linked TOC. Well, I finally got around to asking Amazon if they could "upgrade" me to the newer edition -- they did.So... Great book and truly great service. Thanks Amazon