Buddha's Brain

The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom

By: Rick Hanson Ph.D., Richard Mendius MD, Daniel J. Siegel M.D. - foreword

Narrated by: Alan Bomar Jones

Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

The Buddha and other great teachers were born with brains built essentially like anyone else’s - and then they changed their brains in ways that changed the world.

Science is now revealing how the flow of thoughts actually sculpts the brain. By combining breakthroughs in neuroscience with insights from thousands of years of contemplative practice, you, too, can use your mind to shape your brain for greater happiness, love, and wisdom.

Buddha’s Brain draws on the latest research to show how to stimulate and strengthen your brain for more fulfilling relationships, a deeper spiritual life, and a greater sense of inner confidence and worth. You’ll learn how to activate the brain states of calm, joy, and compassion instead of worry, sorrow, and anger. This clear, down-to-earth book is filled with practical tools and skills that you can use in daily life to tap the unused potential of your brain and rewire it over time for greater well-being and peace of mind.

©2009 Rick Hanson (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Good but perhaps better on paper

I've recently become interested in Buddhism and have read numerous introductory books. This one started strong with fresh info on how the brain works. Towards the end it became more of a standard quick intro to types of meditation.

It is probably better to get as an ebook, as some of the heavier science is probably easier to read at your own pace than to listen to.

Simple ways to live life

This is a very good book which teaches simple ways of living life. Points and brings attention a lot of simple things to do that can change the way we look at things. It is using the things to bring more togetherness with nature, God, and each other.

Intriguing about mind/brain connection.

Fascinating explanation about how important our thoughts are in the actual composition of our brain.

Good book, ho-hum narration

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I have recommended the book....not the audiobook!...to many people.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Buddha's Brain?

Learning how our thoughts can change our neural pathways.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Alan Bomar Jones?

Anyone who could talk in a conversational voice rather than a monotone. The pacing and lack of inflection in his voice made it difficult to maintain attention. It was hard to know when there were subheadings or breaks since everything ran together.

Was Buddha's Brain worth the listening time?

Hard to say. The narration was soooooo boring that I wish I had gotten the Kindle version instead.

Beautiful and calming book

O have been meditating for 2 years but I got these book just when I was slowing on my meditation! These book remembered me how important is meditation for mental health and inner peace

Amazing Informative and Useful

The references can be utilized on a daily basis and can transition your life towards goodness.

Learning about yourself

This book is good to learn about how your brain works, where does it come from and it's relationship with current real life phenomena but the title doesn't honor the content because the depth of Buda's teachings is less than 5%
The other 95% is about neuroscience which is ok but I expected more about budas teachings and brain functions

Robot used for narration

No idea why the narration was done by a computerized voice, but it ruined this audible for me. I returned it after trying to get through the first hour. Such a bummer for such a great book.

Really good book

HAd a lot of good topics that can be used to be much happier. I feel like everyone can use this book no mater there background

Great Book, But I’d Like a Hard Copy

Would you listen to Buddha's Brain again? Why?

Yes, there’s so much information that it’s hard to retain just listening once. Since it’s not a story, it can be listened to over and over

Who was your favorite character and why?

There’s no characters.

What does Alan Bomar Jones bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Any additional comments?

It was hard to tell where one chapter or idea ended. This book would be best read rather than listened to.