Buddha’s Brain

Name: Buddha’s Brain
Author: Rick Hanson

Rick Hanson

Train your brain for greater calm, happiness, and resilience with practical techniques that strengthen positive patterns and reduce stress.

17 min6 Chapters

Listen to the intro

1:41

Religion & Spirituality

Science & Technology

Psychology

Mindfulness & Happiness

Outline

What's it about?

Buddha’s Brain (2009) explores how neuroscience and contemplative practices can help people develop calm, resilience, and emotional balance. It offers practical exercises for strengthening positive mental habits and responding to daily challenges with greater awareness.

Key ideas

Neuroscience and contemplative practices can be combined to help people develop calm, resilience, and emotional balance.
You can train your brain toward greater calm, happiness, and resilience through practical techniques rather than waiting for them to happen on their own.
Positive mental habits can be strengthened on purpose with simple, practical exercises.
Techniques that reduce stress help you respond to daily challenges with greater awareness.

About the author

Rick Hanson is an American psychologist, author, and senior fellow at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. His work connects psychology, neuroscience, and practical approaches to personal well-being.

Questions people ask

What is Buddha's Brain about?

Buddha's Brain (2009) by Rick Hanson explores how neuroscience and contemplative practices can help people build calm, resilience, and emotional balance. It offers practical exercises for strengthening positive mental habits.

Who is Buddha's Brain for?

It suits anyone who wants to feel calmer, handle stress better, and respond to everyday challenges with more awareness. No background in neuroscience or Buddhism is implied by the book's description.

How long is the Durar summary of Buddha's Brain?

The Durar summary takes about 15 minutes to read or listen to. It covers the book's main ideas on training the brain for calm, happiness, and resilience.