Showing results by author "Rick Hanson PhD - foreword" in All Categories

In John J. Prendergast's decades of experience as a psychotherapist and spiritual teacher, the area of the body that's most difficult for people to connect with, given our survival fear and trauma, is our physical and energetic ground. This area in the lower belly and at the base of the spine corresponds with the root chakra in the Indian subtle body tradition, the lower dan tien in Taoism, and the hara in Japanese martial arts.

Great teachers like the Buddha, Jesus, Moses, Mohammed, and Gandhi were all born with brains built essentially like anyone else’s—and then they changed their brains in ways that changed the world. Neuroscience now reveals how the flow of thoughts actually sculpt the brain, and more and more, we are learning that it’s possible to strengthen positive brain states. By combining breakthroughs in science with insights from thousands of years of mindfulness practice, you too can shape your own “Buddha’s Brain” for greater happiness, love, and wisdom.

Many of us misdirect our energy. We do too much, but we feel like it’s not enough. We feel burned out and uninspired, but simply telling us to rest doesn’t help. Clinical psychologist Dr. Diana Hill offers hope through Wise Effort—a method that helps bring your greatest gifts in alignment with your deepest values to reclaim your energy and recharge your relationships, health, work, and community. Dr. Hill invites us to get curious, especially about our “genius energy”—our unique and inherent strengths that show up in our talents and gifts.