Rick Hanson: Hack Your Happiness | E156

Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to hack your brain to be more happy?

This week on YAP, we’re chatting with Dr. Rick Hanson. Rick is a psychologist, Senior Fellow of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times bestselling author of several books, most recently Neurodharma. He has lectured at NASA, Google, Oxford, and Harvard, and taught in meditation centers worldwide. As An expert on positive neuroplasticity, Dr. Hanson's work has been featured on the BBC, CBS, NPR, and other major media outlets. He also founded the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom.

As a practicing Buddhist, Dr. Rick integrates the ancient teachings of the Buddha with modern science to explain not only what's happening in your mind, but how to rewire your brain to experience more happiness and positivity.

In today’s episode, Rick will walk us through the scientific and spiritual concepts behind his newest book NeuroDharma: New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness. He’ll break down a concept called ‘Monkey Mind’, provide quick hacks to ourselves in stressful situations, and explain the high-science theory of neuroplasticity.  

If you’ve ever wondered what makes our brains happy at a scientific level, stay tuned in!

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Check out our website to meet the team, view show notes and transcripts: www.youngandprofiting.com

Timestamps:

(0:00) - Intro

(00:52) - Rick’s Childhood/Turning Point in His life at Age 15

(3:06) - Starting College at Age 16

(4:44) - When He Discovered People Can Be Unhappy

(7:17) - How Rick Became A Buddhist

(10:15) - What is Neuro Dharma?

(14:05) - Why is it important to be in a calm, steady state?

(16:11) - Keeping A level Head Amidst Success or Failure

(18:46) - What is the Essence Of Awakening?

(22:44) - Emotional Intelligence

(24:22) - What is Monkey Mind?

(27:00) - How does our Brain Influence the Way We React to Our Reality?

(31:53) - Quick Hacks to To Calm Ourselves

(33:15) - What is Neuroplasticity? 

(36:53) - How Meditation Changes the Brain

(40:00) - Rick Explains what ‘Add-On Suffering’ Is

(43:10) - How to Counteract Neuroplasticity. 

(47:30) - The Seven Ways of Being

(55:34) - Where to Find Nheurodharma

(56:46) - Rick’s Five Minute Challenge for Growth and Healing

(1:00:00) - Rick’s Secret to Profiting in Life

(1:02:05) - Where to Learn More About Rick

Mentioned In The Episode:

Rick's Website - https://www.rickhanson.net/

Being Well Podcast - https://www.rickhanson.net/being-well-podcast/

Rick's Books - https://www.rickhanson.net/books/