Rick Hanson's Blog, page 79
April 5, 2017
Have Compassion
Do You Care?
The Practice:
Have compassion.
Why?
Compassion is essentially the wish that beings not suffer – from subtle physical and emotional discomfort to agony and anguish – combined with feelings of sympathetic concern.
You could have compassion for an individual (a friend in the hospital, a co-worker passed over for a promotion), groups of people (victims of crime, those displaced by a hurricane, refugee children), animals (your pet, livestock heading for the slaughterhouse), and yourse...
April 2, 2017
Right Mindfulness
The Noble Eightfold Path: Right Mindfulness
© Rick Hanson, 2006
“I teach one thing: Suffering and its end.” — The Buddha
The Eightfold Path is the fourth of the Buddha’s Noble Truths: the way that leads to the uprooting of the causes of suffering, and thus to increasingly stable and profound peacefulness, wisdom, virtue, and happiness. The heart of each element of the Path is non-clinging, the fundamental cause of the end of suffering.
Right Mindfulness
Introduction
Right Mindfulness is one...
March 31, 2017
The Guide Dog Foundation
Rick’s Picks is a series of posts highlighting the very best content online.
For 70 years, The Guide Dog Foundation has trained and placed service dogs to provide increased independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to people who are blind, have low vision or have other disabilities. The Guide Dog Foundation pairs each student with the dog that’s right for them – and the power of their bond makes ordinary moments extraordinary.
They are an incredible foundation with a mission to impr...
March 29, 2017
See the Person Behind the Eyes
Who is behind the mask?
The Practice:
See the person behind the eyes.
Why?
Most of us wear a kind of mask, a persona that hides our deepest thoughts and feelings, and presents a polished, controlled face to the world.
To be sure, a persona is a good thing to have. For example, meetings at work, holidays with the in-laws, or a first date are usually not the best time to spill your guts. Just because you’re selective about what you reveal to the world does not mean you’re insincere; phoniness i...
March 28, 2017
Yoga and Mindfulness Practices for Children: Kind Wishes
Yoga and Mindfulness Practices for Children: Kind Wishes
Many of the practices that support our well-being and happiness as adults are wonderful for children as well, but the way that they are taught must be developmentally appropriate and meet their sometimes very different needs.
We recently were introduced to an activity book for children that does just that, called Yoga and Mindfulness Practices for Children Activity and Coloring Book, by Jennifer Cohen Harper of Little Flower Yoga. Conta...
March 26, 2017
Mindfulness of “Selfing”
Here is a talk from the San Rafael Meditation group with Rick Hanson. It is titled, “Mindfulness of “Selfing””
More information on the San Rafael Meditation group can be found here.
The post Mindfulness of “Selfing” appeared first on Dr. Rick Hanson.
March 24, 2017
Sean Kyler’s Valedictorian Speech
Rick’s Picks is a series of posts highlighting the very best content online.
Sean Kyler gives such a powerful speech touching on things like celebrating your successes, preservation and looking at the future with hope and positivity despite anything negative that may have happened in your life. It is the way you program your brain to think, that really creates such a positive outlook on life. Way to go, Sean!
“I fully accept the philosophy, that in order to change a persons behavior, you mus...
March 22, 2017
Be Friendly
Friend or Foe?
The Practice:
Be friendly.
Why?
Friendliness is a down-to-earth approach to others that is welcoming and positive.
Think about a time when someone was friendly to you – maybe drawing you into a gathering, saying hello on the sidewalk, or smiling from across the room. How did that make you feel? Probably more included, comfortable, and at ease; safer; more open and warm-hearted.
When you are friendly to others, you offer them these same benefits. Plus you get rewarded yourself....
March 21, 2017
The Power of Mindfulness: Shauna Shapiro
How do we change? In this pioneering talk, Dr. Shauna Shapiro draws on modern neuroscience and ancient wisdom to demonstrate how mindfulness can help us make positive changes in our brains and our lives.
The post The Power of Mindfulness: Shauna Shapiro appeared first on Dr. Rick Hanson.
March 19, 2017
Right Livelihood
The Noble Eightfold Path:
“I teach one thing: Suffering and its end.” — The Buddha
Introduction The Eightfold Path is the fourth of the Buddha’s Noble Truths, and it is the way leading to the uprooting of the causes of suffering, and thus to increasingly stable and profound peacefulness, wisdom, virtue, and happiness.
Each of the eight elements of this Path is described by a word that is typically translated as “right” or “wise.” Both meanings are useful to reflect upon regarding your own suf...
