Throughout history people have sought the heights of human potential - to become as wise, strong, happy, and loving as any person can ever be. Call these peak experiences, sense of oneness, or enlightenment itself. And now, science is revealing how these remarkable ways of being seem to be based on equally remarkable changes in our own nervous system.

What do those individuals have in common, how did they reach that summit, and what can we learn from them? That's the subject of Rick's new book: Neurodharma: New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness. 

Neurodharma comes out May 5th, and is now available for pre-order. Click here if you'd like to learn more.

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Key Topics:

2:15: What is the upper bound of human potential, and why should we care?

5:30: Different ways of knowing ourselves

10:00: How can modern science contribute to personal growth?

15:00: How is the brain of an “enlightened” person different from our own?

20:00: The janas, and how they change the brain. 

24:00: The seven practices of the highest happiness. 

28:00: Experiencing the body as a whole. 

35:00: Balancing me and we. 

40:00: Egocentric and allocentric. 

Sponsor Message: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link.

From Dr. Hanson: The Foundations of Well-Being brings together the lessons of a lifetime of practice into one year-long online program. Podcast listeners can use the code BEINGWELL25 at checkout for an additional 25% off! Please don't hesitate to apply for a scholarship if you're in need. 

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