Meditations to Change Your Brain

Rewire Your Neural Pathways to Transform Your Life

By: Rick Hanson Ph.D., Rick Mendius M.D.

Narrated by: Rick Hanson Ph.D., Rick Mendius M.D.

Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

The structure of your brain changes constantly, in a dynamic, unfolding process that you yourself can direct to create the life you want. This is the exciting premise of Meditations to Change Your Brain, a breakthrough program from psychologist Rick Hanso, Ph.D. and neurologist Rick Mendius, M.D. Listeners join Dr. Hanson and Dr. Mendius to learn specific practices for making positive changes in thier body and mind, plus four guided practices to strengthen their meditative abilities, and four guided meditations to heal and nourish their relationships.

©2009 Sounds True (P)2009 Sounds True

A SHOT OF ENDORPHINS FOR THE BRAIN

When I need any kind of a lift, I listen to these remarkable meditations and the commonsense explanations of why this brain science is so important. I put them on when I go to sleep at night and wake up with a smile. I could have saved myself years of therapy if I had had access to this wonderful knowledge. I think this is a true work of love and one of the most useful approaches to the bleak inner and outer landscapes we live.

Interesting

I found the content in this book interesting, but confess I didn't finish it. The downside to me was that the mediations are including in the general narration so it made it pretty much impossible to find them again after the fact. It would have liked them to be perhaps a separate chapter on their own.

one of the best

I've been meditating for over twenty years and this is one of the best i've heard. One of the things I loved about this narration is it doesn't break into the loud nerve jangling music. Another thing that sets this apart from the rest is he teaches you to rewire your responses in simple to follow, very effective terms. Highly educational information on the brain & how to change it.

It definitely works

What made the experience of listening to Meditations to Change Your Brain the most enjoyable?

Though the theory part is a bit longer that it might be, the meditations simply work. I usually listen to this book while walking with my kids (while they sleep in a baby carriage) and return from these walks inspired and in a good mood. One meditation "charges" me for a couple of days and when I feel overwhelmed with daily routine I tune in to the book and recharge :)

Any additional comments?

It would be cool if the book had a preset list of meditations with their descriptions. And I believe that brain related information could be collected in one chapter for those who want to get deep into the details.

Definitely a useful book!

We all go buzzing around our daily routines not giving a thought (no pun intended) about how the busy brain affects our bodies and our day to day living. This book presented complex issues clearly along with methods and simple techniques to assist with quieting overactivity between the ears and methods for improving perception performance. Good read, and well worth the time spent listening.

A Great Meditation Starter

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

For people of all faiths, this is a lovely introduction to mindfulness.

If you have been thinking about getting on the "mindful" train, this book explains why and how meditation can help reduce stress, break up old, negative thought patterns you thought you had to live with forever, and, overall, enhance your life.

I have recommended and/or purchased this book for many of my friends who are interested in learning more about the positive benefits of meditation and mindfulness.

This is an excellent companion to Dan Siegel's MINDSIGHT, Christopher Germer's excellent THE MINDFUL PATH TO SELF-COMPASSION, BUDDHISM FOR BUSY PEOPLE, and anything by Jon Kabat-Zinn.

I am a long-time meditator and often use the guided meditations in this audio if I'm having trouble with the monkey mind and want a little "re-grouping" to my practice. Whether leaning toward Buddhism, wanting to use mindfulness as a compliment to your established religious preferences, or simply wanting to become a fuller human in this oh-so-wonderfull-yet fraught world, this is a great book. Very inspiring toward being more aware, being kinder, being more forgiving. Especially to yourself!

Scientific

Would you consider the audio edition of Meditations to Change Your Brain to be better than the print version?

Thisi s a good audio to learn about how your brain works and some scientific information about the brain. It helps to teach you how to change the synapsis through meditation.

Quiet, thought proviking and calming

Where does Meditations to Change Your Brain rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

With more than 500 audio books it would be difficult to answer that question. However of the several Buddhist and self-help books, this on is in the top 1/3. I have already re-listened to this one three times. It's short yet not without power.

Try it, you'll like it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Doesn't apply

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Yes with better voices, it would have been better. The readers sounded knowledgable and sincere. A professional reader could of done more.

What???s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Breath and give yourself some credit.

Any additional comments?

Good work guys.

Total waste of money even on sale

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Getting to the point instead of going on and on about what the book was going to say.

What could Rick Hanson and Rick Mendius have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Again, get to the point. Clearly the authors didn't have enough material to write a whole book or they wouldn't have spent so much time explaining what they were going to do.

What didn’t you like about Rick Hanson and Rick Mendius ’s performance?

They sounded like they were giving a sales pitch.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger and disappointment

Any additional comments?

I never did get past the sales pitch. I had hoped this would be a relaxing book and, although it did put me to sleep, it was anything but. It reminded me of the advertisements on the internet that claim you can lose weight following one easy step and then go on and on and on...but you never get that tip. I found this book so irritating I didn't even want to fast forward to see if it had anything of substance.

very helpful

Would you listen to Meditations to Change Your Brain again? Why?

yes, well structured meditations, good for beginners, not too long and very insightful

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not applicable

What does Rick Hanson and Rick Mendius bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

guided meditations

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

I liked the last meditation very much

Any additional comments?

Great book, well written and presented!

Highly recommended

If like me, you are interested in neural plasticity, limbic training and mindfulness this is a must listen. I have only just discovered Rick Hanson's work and on the basis of this audio book have pre ordered his next book from Audible. What I found unique about this book is the very helpful explanations regarding neural plasticity and the excellent tips to help with rewiring the brain both during meditation practice and in everyday life, combined with short meditations. I have been using these methods and finding them extremely helpful. The only downside of this audio is that if you just wish to use the meditation practices you cannot access them seperately - each one comes with a commentary. However, this is a small criticism as it's an excellent, easily accessible listen.

Clever but approachable , a necessity

A necessity for modern day happiness. Fantastically simple and engaging, you are able to view your own behaviour with objectivity and therefore monitor your own behaviour and thinking because of this.

Excellent

Well written, excellent narration. I have listened to this book frequently, and benefitted from it. Sincere Thanks to the authors

Life changing!

Theses meditations are an anchor for my journey in to meditation and myself. I can’t recommend this audio book enough. it contains some of the most meaningful guided meditations I have ever come across. The very essence of understanding myself and finding truth,lasting peace & acceptance.

Brilliant

Really good and clear. I am very grateful for this work.

Wonderful

What made the experience of listening to Meditations to Change Your Brain the most enjoyable?

Listening to the Buddhist teachings of both authors including the theory of the brain.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Meditations to Change Your Brain?

The theory was the most memorable and understandable.

What about Rick Hanson and Rick Mendius ’s performance did you like?

Everything. Both authors have really well worth knowledge.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both

Any additional comments?

Well worth a credit A++++

Brilliant

I listened to this all the way through once and now I go back regularly to do the meditations from it that I’ve bookmarked. The ‘taking in the good’ meditations genuinely work for me, reducing the impact of upsetting memories. Also the sections on relaxation are really useful. It looks a bit woo-woo but it’s all backed up by science and is very well done.

An exceptional walk through of meditation

This is a wonderful book which tells you about the changes that meditation can create in the brain, and it guides you through each meditation in turn. It is up to us to use it regularly to create the change we desire

Calming and Valuable

I found this content instantly calming and valuable to me as a centr for me ahead of my day.