Neurodharma audiobook cover - New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness

Neurodharma

New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness

Rick Hanson

4.4 / 5(291 ratings)
Start ListeningDownloadQR code that opens AudiobookHub on the App StoreTry free on iPhoneScan to start in 5 seconds

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

Listen to Neurodharma — Free Audiobook

Loading player...

Key Takeaways from Neurodharma

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Neurodharma

Mind Map

Neurodharma
Core Principles+
The Seven Ways of Being+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What are the three foundational practices involved in developing the seven ways of being?
  • A. Observe, accept, and transform
  • B. Let be, let go, and let in
  • C. Breathe, focus, and release
  • D. Mind, body, and spirit
Question 2 of 8
According to the text, how does long-term meditation affect the amygdala?
  • A. It bypasses the amygdala entirely to avoid feeling fear.
  • B. It causes the amygdala to shrink, eliminating all negative emotions.
  • C. It allows meditators to develop greater control over it, reducing hormonal stress responses.
  • D. It stimulates the amygdala to increase adrenaline and physical focus.
Question 3 of 8
What is the primary goal of the first step of awakening, known as 'steadying the mind'?
  • A. To eliminate all thoughts from the mind permanently
  • B. To physically sit still for hours without feeling pain
  • C. To logically analyze past traumas with intense focus
  • D. To cultivate razor-sharp concentration and calm the 'monkey mind'
Question 4 of 8
In the compassion-focused meditation from the Theravada tradition, who are the 'warm wishes' directed toward?
  • A. A benefactor, a friend, a neutral person, a challenging person, and oneself
  • B. Only to oneself and one's closest family members
  • C. To all living creatures in the universe simultaneously
  • D. To spiritual teachers and enlightened beings exclusively
Question 5 of 8
In the HEAL acronym used for the practice of resting in fullness, what does the 'L' stand for?
  • A. Learn from the negative experience
  • B. Link the positive material to the negative material
  • C. Let go of past trauma
  • D. Love yourself despite your flaws
Question 6 of 8
Which part of the brain is primarily responsible for rumination, daydreaming, and self-referential thinking that can tilt toward negativity?
  • A. The lateral networks
  • B. The amygdala
  • C. The midline cortical networks
  • D. The frontal lobe
Question 7 of 8
According to the Buddha's teachings on opening into 'allness,' what are the three specific characteristics of the 'self' that must be released?
  • A. Identification, possessiveness, and conceit
  • B. Anger, fear, and sadness
  • C. Ambition, desire, and attachment
  • D. Ego, memory, and future planning
Question 8 of 8
How does the author illustrate the concept of impermanence when discussing the final step of timelessness?
  • A. By describing the mind as a vast, unchanging sky
  • B. By comparing thoughts to leaves falling from a tree
  • C. By describing emotions as sand slipping through an hourglass
  • D. By comparing human experiences to an eddy in water

Neurodharma — Full Chapter Overview

Neurodharma Summary & Overview

Neurodharma (2020) offers a road map for achieving true happiness and fulfillment. Drawing on the ancient practices of Buddhism and modern neuroscience, author Rick Hanson outlines seven ways of being that can help you be more calm, compassionate, and present in the moment. He also gives practical tips and strategies for how to use meditation to improve overall well-being and effectiveness. 

Who Should Listen to Neurodharma?

  • Anyone wanting to cultivate inner peace and tranquility
  • Meditators seeking to expand their practice
  • People curious about the neurology behind our thoughts and emotions

About the Author: Rick Hanson

Dr. Rick Hanson is a psychologist and meditation teacher. He’s also the Senior Fellow at the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley and the founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom. A New York Times best-selling author, his other books include Buddha’s Brain (2009), Hardwiring Happiness (2014), and Resilient (2018). 

🎧
Listen in the AppOffline playback & background play
Get App