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.

Fascinating information!

Super fascinating depiction of how the mind and brain work, especially how they work together. The medical terminology is a tad daunting. but is explained well so that it is understandable. The exercises are practical and easy to incorporate. The narrator did a stellar job with all the tough medical terms.

Interesting - Learned a lot

What made the experience of listening to Buddha's Brain the most enjoyable?

As it promises, Buddha's Brain is full of insight into happiness - with the premise that we can work consciously at being happier and more fulfilled. Sometimes the scientific jargon was heavy handed, and the narrator did the book a disservice: he frequently paused in the wrong places or gave sentences weird intonation. That said, it is definitely worth a listen and offers clear take-aways that you can immediately apply to your daily life.

Get the printed book instead

Would you try another book from Rick Hanson and Richard Mendius and/or Alan Bomar Jones?

I'd consider additional books authored by Rick Hanson and Richard Mendius. I would be very careful though before considering another narration by Alan Bomar Jones.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator's performance for this this book destroyed the message. I found it to be monotone, difficult to keep track of where we were in the progression of the content. Most telling, was that I read the printed book after listening to the audiobook, and it was a fresh experience, with most content appearing to be completely unfamiliar. That never happened before with better narration.

Great book!

This is a very interesting read and I recommend it to everyone seeking personal development.

Excellent Content - Dry Preformance

Would you consider the audio edition of Buddha's Brain to be better than the print version?

Trying to get through this, and I usually LOVE content like thins, not sure I'll make it without returning it. The speaker is presenting complex info in the driest most boring way ever. Some books just don't translate to audio well and maybe this is one of them.

difficult to follow

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The information that the book provides is very helpful. However, the audio was very difficult to follow because of all the acronyms and repetition of spoken words. It does not flow like I thought it would.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

N/A

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

a more well versed narrator

Could you see Buddha's Brain being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

no, it's not a story

Excellent combination of two wisdoms

Great book. It felt however that Buddhist concepts were taken for face value and science (maybe selectively?) used to prove its points however possible. Still, finding the connections very useable in my Buddhist meditation practice. There are things that are better explained using Western notions for Westerners than the Eastern mythical language, at times.

love the content but not the narration.

if you have no background in aerobiology this may be a difficult text to understand from a pure audio file. it seems as if the narrator is either unfamiliar with the terminology or not sure how to work it into a sentence properly? it may be difficult for people completely new to the subject to follow it from this audio recording.

Collision of Science and Philosophy

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Good book if you are trying to understand how your brain works. The approach of nueroscientist/buddhist is very effective in jumping back and forth between the physical nature of the brain and its interconnections with the spiritual nature of the mind.

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

The physical effects of kindness, awareness and love on the brain surprised me.

Did Alan Bomar Jones do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

The narrator did an admirable job with a pretty dry tome.

What did you learn from Buddha's Brain that you would use in your daily life?

That my behaviors have as profound impact on my brain chemistry as they do on those around me.

Any additional comments?

Worth a listen.

Very good book

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

Yes, I would listen again. I also have the printed version and I have other similar reference books and other materials. I'm a Zen master and a Neurologist. I integrate alternative medicine in my practice. I give several lectures and lead several retreats every year. I use reference material all the time. I have added this title to my reference material. It is well written and has substantial and reliable peer reviewed references. This is a resource that I would highly recommend to people interested in undestanding the neurobiology of meditation, prayer and the effects of neuroimmunology in supporting health and aiding in the treatment of disease.

What did you like best about this story?

The structure of the book is well layed out and has a logical sequence with easy to understand language and straightforward linking of concepts to the scientific concepts and references.

Which character – as performed by Alan Bomar Jones – was your favorite?

N/A

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

N/A

Any additional comments?

Other recommended reading: "Who is in charge" by Michael Gazzaniga