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Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time
by
You've heard the expression, “It’s the little things that count.” It's more than a simple platitude. Research has shown that integrating little daily practices into your life can actually change the way your brain works.
This guide offers simple things you can do routinely, mainly inside your mind, that will support and increase your sense of security and worth, resilience, ...more
This guide offers simple things you can do routinely, mainly inside your mind, that will support and increase your sense of security and worth, resilience, ...more
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Paperback, 232 pages
Published
October 1st 2011
by New Harbinger Publications
(first published April 1st 2007)
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I love this book. It is so easy to use and the advice is really good. In fact, in today’s busy world, this book is a useful tool. I usually don’t review self-help books because I find the advice and the practices a bunch of useless babble. This book is just the opposite. It confirmed what I knew was already working in my life, and it gave easy, practical advice on how to enjoy the small things, to minimize the negative, and how to survive in a world that is whipping by us at warp speed.
From the ...more
From the ...more
i just got really, really bored about 40% in :(
A couple of interesting thoughts crossed my mind as I began reading this book. The old saying about the teacher appearing when the student is ready was the first one. The second was about how it sometimes seems as if everyone suddenly has the same idea all at once. Maybe it's a "tipping point" thing, or an idea reaching "critical mass" and spreading suddenly throughout a population, just because it's time. As Victor Hugo wrote, "No army can stop an idea whose time has come."
So it was interesting ...more
So it was interesting ...more
The only reason I finished this book was so I could justify rating it. Everything this book does has been done better else where. I think this book missed its calling in life as a blog.
Expected Publication Date: 10/1/2011
‘Just One Thing’ was kindly provided to me by Netgalley for Smith Publicity.
This was a well written positive little how-to guide on how to be mindful of your happiness on a daily basis. This is a novel for everyone. It’s an easily understandable guide that doesn’t go into the ‘science’ of anything or even religion. This is definitely a great read for anyone interested in trying to make their days just a bit better.
The first time I read this novel I read it ...more
‘Just One Thing’ was kindly provided to me by Netgalley for Smith Publicity.
This was a well written positive little how-to guide on how to be mindful of your happiness on a daily basis. This is a novel for everyone. It’s an easily understandable guide that doesn’t go into the ‘science’ of anything or even religion. This is definitely a great read for anyone interested in trying to make their days just a bit better.
The first time I read this novel I read it ...more
Apr 25, 2019
Denise
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
reviewed,
life-improvement
A typical aughts mindfulness self-help number marketed at the Worried Well, but at a more idiots-guide level than some, if that appeals. It seems like a Daily Devotional book for the secular, full of the typical colonialist-style of rifling through Buddhism's pockets for little inspo nuggets to help Westerners, once they've been helpfully sanitized of all that "weird religion stuff." Author indulges in some classic noble-savagery in Ch 14 to spice it up a bit though.
Has some weird pseudoscience ...more
Has some weird pseudoscience ...more
Let me add at the onset that I am biased towards Rick Hanson. I had subscribed to his newsletter and was moved by one of his blogs; so I mailed him and he responded back, which I thought was great of him.
I borrowed this book from a friend who was visiting my city and finished it in a couple of days. The book is an extension of his blog - JOT - Just One Thing. Rather collection of his JOTs - fifty-two of them in this book, so it's a treasure.
A wealth of practices to undertake, to follow, so that ...more
I borrowed this book from a friend who was visiting my city and finished it in a couple of days. The book is an extension of his blog - JOT - Just One Thing. Rather collection of his JOTs - fifty-two of them in this book, so it's a treasure.
A wealth of practices to undertake, to follow, so that ...more
Just One Thing reads more like 52 disjointed, informal blog entries than an actual grown-up book. That wouldn't bother me so much if I had actually learned something -- anything -- remotely helpful, but... I'm still waiting for the day I find a self-help book for anxiety / depression that doesn't insult my intelligence by offering nothing but the most vague advice ever.
Self help books be like, "Eat right and exercise! Wake up at the same time everyday! Make time to do enjoyable things! Make ...more
Self help books be like, "Eat right and exercise! Wake up at the same time everyday! Make time to do enjoyable things! Make ...more
This is not a book you sit and read cover-to-cover. It's a book of 52 mindful practices that require thought and reflection, and of course, practice. Rick Hanson's compassion and wisdom come through on every page.
I originally checked this book out from the library, but after reading his introduction, I went out and purchased two copies: one for me and one for a friend. It's a book I want on my shelves and one I no doubt will return to again, and again.
I originally checked this book out from the library, but after reading his introduction, I went out and purchased two copies: one for me and one for a friend. It's a book I want on my shelves and one I no doubt will return to again, and again.
This little book is designed as a Buddhist practice manual, to be read, not as a novel, but as a once-a-night or once-a-morning dose of practical advice that purports to change your life, one aspect at a time. At first, my reaction was that it was too "pat" or simplistic, and I was skeptical: "Yeah, right, how do I do that?" even though he includes a "How" section with each chapter. Easier said than done. As I always do, I read the book straight through. About half or three quarters of the way
...more
This was the April 2018 selection of South Austin Spiritual Book Group.
This book makes a good weekly devotional, although that's not how I read it.
The most meaningful chapters for me were
Dream Big Dreams
Ben Generous
Notice You're All Right Now
And I think the chapter called Smile must have sunk in because everyone is smiling at me now in the grocery store.
This book makes a good weekly devotional, although that's not how I read it.
The most meaningful chapters for me were
Dream Big Dreams
Ben Generous
Notice You're All Right Now
And I think the chapter called Smile must have sunk in because everyone is smiling at me now in the grocery store.
Encouraging, helpful and clear examples of re-framing your experiences in ways that induce a more positive state of mind. Never in the Pollyanna sense of "look on the bright side": The author has many cautions about these admonitions to look at your experiences in a fresh way as not putting blinkers on tough times, but not letting things overwhelm you. And not to let old patterns of thought dictate how you experience things anew.
The format of simple descriptions of how situations unfold and then ...more
The format of simple descriptions of how situations unfold and then ...more
Maybe if I owned this book I could really dive deep into every 52 'things' to truly develop--but honestly, this book just went too fast for me. It was a spitfire approach to making yourself better. I rather the story approach then these brief 'do this and that' approach. I did take a few things away from it, hence the 2 stars and not total suckage, but I actually prefer a book like The Happiness Project over this high-speed do a billion things to make your life better book. It was overwhelming
...more
Actually I had pretty much figured out much of the stuff in this book through the School of Hard Knocks, but it's still worth reading and contains some quotable quotes.
Just one thing, read this daily just one time a day ... changes your frame of mind.
A very basic guide to mindfulness.
Hanson isn't a bad writer but I believe he glosses over many intuitive and self help concepts in this book. It says a lot but doesn't do much, which may work for some as a nice beginning to better mental habits. But if you're looking for deeper and more involved writing and practices then you may want to look elsewhere. However there there some gems such as focusing on moments of happiness, letting go, and dealing with perfection \imperfection. All interesting ...more
Hanson isn't a bad writer but I believe he glosses over many intuitive and self help concepts in this book. It says a lot but doesn't do much, which may work for some as a nice beginning to better mental habits. But if you're looking for deeper and more involved writing and practices then you may want to look elsewhere. However there there some gems such as focusing on moments of happiness, letting go, and dealing with perfection \imperfection. All interesting ...more
Different than my expectations. Thought it would be small, plain-language meditations. I listened to each multiple times.
The chapters swing from simple advice, to emotionally-probing questions that get at lacks/wants from childhood, to a particularly tedious one about "SAY YES"--a revelation gained from the author's son's high school improv class.
Plenty of good ones, and I marked chapters to return to at the right times, but a bit of a gamble with each chapter.
The chapters swing from simple advice, to emotionally-probing questions that get at lacks/wants from childhood, to a particularly tedious one about "SAY YES"--a revelation gained from the author's son's high school improv class.
Plenty of good ones, and I marked chapters to return to at the right times, but a bit of a gamble with each chapter.
Just One Thing is an excellent merging of neuropsychology and Buddhist principles by one of my favorite authors in the field. "Mindfulness" seems to be the self-help buzzword of the decade, but Hanson dodges that overused appellation and offers instead an easily digestible buffet of 52 practical Buddhist/psychological strategies that can truly prod your mind into a more positive view of life. This is a book that I can see myself using for years to come.
I liked this book because it gives practical ways in which to change life for the better without an overlay of any particular religion. I think a lot of practical wisdom gets missed when people see that it comes from a religious perspective. I know "Buddha" is in the title, but it is merely findings from neuroscience that guide the practices.
I love this book. It may be the most beneficial book I’ve ever read. Rick Hanson has a great has a great way of explaining the what, why, and how of each point he presents. I recommend this book to everyone.
The introduction is worth the book. It's very simple in concept, but that's why it works. Check it out from your library and read the intro and then look through the sections. If it resonates, go forth and do the little things until you've altered your brain function.
Good
Will read again, really enjoyed the practical ideas
Full of small nuggets and daily practices to follow. I really liked it. Just not sure how disciplined I'll be too implement in my life. Definitely worth a read.
An easy read plenty of meaningful insights grounded on Neuroscience. A book for everyone.
Love love love this book. Gives those with anxiety a task to focus on with each read. Extremely helpful. I'll keep this on my bedstand for years--maybe forever.
Jul 18, 2019
Kate
marked it as to-buy
Hal Elrod Morning Miracle mentioned it
For a healthy mind and healthy living a compilation of loosely scattered good common sense tips on keeping important things in mind and letting go of the reactive living.
There are a lot of good tips and powerful ideas in this book, but it can be overly wordy and difficult to read at times. Hanson goes a bit overboard with examples and synonyms which can confuse the reader on his main ideas.
Dr. Rick Hanson first established himself as a pioneer in contemplative sciences with his previous book,Buddha’s Brain. As he states on his website, “Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and other great teachers were all born with a brain built essentially like anyone else’s. Then they used their minds to change their brains in ways that changed history.” Seeking to explore, educate, & inspire ordinary humans that they too, can achieve greatness, Buddha’s Brain was born. Buddha’s Brain became wildly
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Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a psychologist, Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and New York Times best-selling author. His books are available in 26 languages and include Resilient, Hardwiring Happiness, Buddha’s Brain, Just One Thing, and Mother Nurture. He edits the Wise Brain Bulletin and has numerous audio programs. A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA and founder of the
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“Neurons that fire together, wire together.”
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“Being for yourself simply means that you care about yourself. You wish to feel happy instead of worried, sad, guilty, or angry. You want people to treat you well instead of badly. You want to help your future self—the person you’ll be next week, next year, next decade—to have as good a life as possible.”
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