Neurodharma: New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness

I re-read "Buddha's Brain" - BB - in anticipation of this book (that may help derive greater utility with this book, though not a pre-condition) . In BB, Hanson discussed the various aspects of the nervous system and provide a scientific frame to understand meditation. (Another favorite book thats worth reading alongside is "Why Buddhism is True?"). BB did provide some practical lessons on how to activate the portions of the nervous system critical to maintaiing a degree of calmness and be less reactive - but fell short of providing a cohesive, structured program or pathway (similar to the methods Jon Kabat-Zinn employs). This new book addresses that "gap" well. If you are familiar with his previous works, this book reads like an attempt to provide a practical structure to the concepts described in BB while providing a much deeper context for "Just One Thing".In this book, he expands that notion in a more structured manner. His definition of neurodharma is "..truth of the mind grounded in the truth of the body, particularly in the nervous system.." sounds more complicated than necessary - he is continuing to make a simple premise mind-body are heavily intertwined. Such flowery language sometimes distracts the flow - there are many mixed metaphors that reads silly (.."The routes they have charted travel from the dusty plains into the foothills and mountains and then the highest peaks of enlightment"; "neural hardware, mental software")The book (in 4 parts) is a collection of seven practices positioned as "essence of awakening". At the time of this review, the table of contents is not accessible - so here is a quick snapshot.Part I (Embodied Practice) - two chapters that recaps aspects of neuroplasticityPart II (Unshakeable Core) - three chapters (on steadiness, lovingness, fullness)Part III (Living into Everything) - four chapters (on wholeness, nowness, allness, and timelessness)Part IV (Always Already Home) - a single concluding chapter emphasizing effort itself as success.Blending science and religion/philosophy in a secular-lite way is not an easy task and bound to be sometimes ackward. Hanson approaches that ackwardness with humility - he qualifies his interpretations as "limited perspectives of a middle aged, middle class, white American man" and acknoweldges clearly that each of his seven practices have been studied in depth in various traditions.Each chapter is devoted to one practice - describes the core mental and neural foundations, reflections, guided meditation/ideas on how to integrate the concept in daily life, and a suggested list of additional readings. That structure lends itself well to a reader who may want to skip around to any particular theme or quickly access additional citations. Since the impact of any of the techniques mentioned can obviously vary and can be realized (if at all) over time, it is silly to even comment on the meditation exercises itself. But one gets a blend of loving-kindness, insight, etc in a more accessible manner without blindly subscribing to just one school of thought/tradition. Just for that, the author deserves a ton of credit.

I highly anticipated receiving this book, hoping it would be filled with new and interesting insights. Unfortunately, it was 250 pages of absolutely NOTHING. It was nothing more than random ramblings about meditation (which has been covered in literally hundreds of other self-help books, so nothing new here) and other simple, basic common sense.I always read self-help books with pencil in hand so that I can underline new and insightful concepts in the books, and go back to them for reference. I literally did not underline even ONE sentence in this book!Again, if you are a human being of even average intelligence and have read even one or two basic self-help books, this book will add absolutely NOTHING to what you already know.You would think that a guy who has written four or five previous books would wait until he had some actual new information and insights to cover before writing a new book. Unfortunately, he didn't. He just repeated what hundreds of other writers have covered in hundreds of other books over the past several decades.

I love this book because it is easy to read and is based on scientific research. It is not a religious book but a guidebook for happier and fulfilling life. The book is filled with tips for everyday mindfulness practices that anyone can follow. I have read many books of Rick Hanson and attended few workshops. His easy style of communication skill is also present in his writing skill.Variety of mindfulness techniques are simplified, easy to understand and it’s effectiveness on brain is presented with extensive research. Neurodharma is Buddhist principle for living an awakened life. Rick Hanson verified this ancient knowledge with neuroscience for its effectiveness.I would recommend this book for anyone who is on the journey of awakening and living a happier life.

I loved this book. Neurodharma is precise meditations and crazy, amazing fireworks of neuroscience, buddhism, physics, poetry, biology, philosophy, and theology. Every chapter has the reader experience a different bit of the neural states associated with enlightenment. You don’t have to be a buddhist practitioner to appreciate this book. Regular interest in the brain’s potential will be enough to make this book a favorite. And if you, like me, were mesmerized by Jill Bolte Taylor’s TED talk, you will love Neurodharma even more. Personally I see it as a moving, exciting, wonderful counterpart and somehow explanation, of that talk. In short, a book to read and revisit at different times in one’s practice, and life.

Phenomenal book. Love Rick Hanson’s work, and this latest book in particular. I’m impressed at his capacity to synthesize powerful insights from across many different practices. This is a book that will not only teach you a ton but will also change your life.

This guy is an excellent researcher and he’s written many books but I find this particular one is fairly repetitive and I think you can get a lot of this information from his website or previous publications. I just think he’s kind of rehashing the same stuff and throwing in a little more recent research. I am a researcher and a scholar and just didn’t find this one grabbed my attention or made me intrigued enough to go further into the volume. It’s very repetitive and I’ve bought his other books and kind of feel this just wasn’t worth it.

A profound book that provides a very positive influence on your wellbeing and happiness. As with all his fantastic books, Rick Hanson writes with a clarity and simplicity to make the complex subject of neuroscience understandable. In my opinion, he is the best in his field, his wisdom and guidance helps so many on their journey through life.Neurodharma contains practical advice based on the latest current thinking, supported by ancient learnings and understanding. An easy read, with many simple ‘take outs’ to apply on a daily basis.Yet again, Rick Hanson has written another must have book.

Very good book to help you self heal

Amazing, love Rick's work, listen to podcast too please, so authentic

I'm a huge fan of Rick Hanson, Ph.D. For a guy like me with a science background and a more analytical orientation, I find his approach to neuroscience and evolutionary biology very helpful. He has done this well throughout all of his books, going back to Buddha's Brain, and always seem to meld the ancient wisdom with the neuroscience in a way that allows both to make more sense.Neurodharma is his latest, clearest and deepest dive by far. If you have read his earlier books you will see the progression of the author's understanding and his own practice. And in the clarity of his writing. The only way someone could write a book like this is to have a deep personal practice and have personal experiences in these realms. Neurodharma is clear and insightful on so many levels. It has given me increased clarity on the workings of my own mind and new tools to help me grow and deepen my own practice. For that I am grateful! Thank you Dr. Hanson - I look forward to digesting this further over multiple re-reads and will watch for your future work!

I really liked the fact that the author combines wisdom and insights from different techniques of meditation with neural correlates and neuroscientific basis for the states. I have read quite a few books on the subject, but this one stands out in its practicality and accessibility. The author somehow manages to make it feel like a meditation guide and a neuroscience guide to brain states at the same time.It will be of use to neuroscientists, those interested in the brain, seasoned meditators and people who are just curious about meditation. Highly recommend to read it.