10% Happier with Dan Harris cover image

10% Happier with Dan Harris

The Brain Science of Enlightenment | Rick Hanson

Jul 13, 2020
Rick Hanson, a psychologist and author of Neurodharma, joins the conversation to explore how enlightenment can transform the brain. He explains that anyone can "reverse engineer" enlightenment without a life in isolation. The discussion includes practical tips on fostering interconnectedness and mindfulness through daily habits. Hanson emphasizes the importance of simplifying life and celebrating joyful moments to promote emotional growth and enhance well-being. Dive into the neuroscience of happiness and discover how to operationalize Nirvana in your everyday life!
42:21

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Focusing on positive experiences and savoring them can strengthen neural pathways, promoting long-term happiness and emotional transformation.
  • Integrating personal feelings with neuroscience insights through 'neurodharma' can enhance stability, connection, and overall emotional health.

Deep dives

The Impact of Positive Experiences on the Brain

Positive experiences often fail to leave lasting impacts due to the brain's negativity bias, which tends to prioritize negative experiences. To counteract this, one can focus on 'taking in the good' by remaining present during positive moments, whether that's feeling relief, connection, or joy. By staying with such experiences for at least a breath or longer, individuals can strengthen the associated neural pathways, as the adage 'neurons that fire together wire together' suggests. This approach involves allowing the richness of the moment to permeate the body, reinforcing beneficial changes in the nervous system and contributing to long-term happiness.

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