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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Rick Hanson's Dharma Talks
Rick Hanson
I first encountered Buddhism in 1974, and it blew the doors wide open for me with its profound and practical insights into the mind, suffering, and true happiness. Over time I gravitated to the original teachings of the Buddha, embodied in the Theravadan tradition, for their down-to-earth clarity, and important sources for me have included the teachers of Spirit Rock Meditation Center and the Pali Canon itself. More recently, I've explored grounding the dharma in modern evolutionary neuropsychology - "neurodharma" - recognizing how mind arises dependently upon the body, especially the nervous system as it tries to meet ancient needs for raw survival. I am especially interested in using these approaches to heighten the learning - the cultivation (bhavana) - from beneficial experiences (otherwise often wasted on the brain) to reduce the underlying sense of deficit and disturbance that causes the craving that causes suffering and harm. Overall, I feel amazingly blessed to have the opportunity in this life to ride the dharma stream and share its gifts with others!
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2022-08-21 Dukkha Without Tanha: Integrating Buddhist Insights and Neuropsychology 1:32:03
with Rick Hanson, William Edelglass
As the First Noble Truth, the Buddha pointed to dukkha: some experiences are painful; enjoyable experiences are impermanent; and all phenomena lack an enduring essence. Dukkha is routinely (mis)translated as “suffering” or “unsatisfactoriness” - but these are not inherent in it! The Buddha’s liberating teaching in his Second Noble Truth is that it is tanha - “craving” - which turns dukkha into suffering. Biologically, we crave when we feel something is missing or wrong. So, in this conversation with Rick Hanson, we'll explore how to build up a sense of fullness and balance that’s hardwired into the nervous system, and grow the inner strengths that can meet our needs without craving . . . and face the challenges of life with an unshakable core of contentment, love, and inner peace.
Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
2020-06-14 Neurodharma: Science, Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness 4:13:06
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2019-12-14 Opening into Allness 4:47:56
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2019-08-17 The Neurodharma of Love 6:51:06
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2019-06-24 Seven Awakenings 62:44
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2019-05-05 Resilient: Cultivating an Unshakable Core 5:58:58
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2019-02-17 The Neurology of Awakening - Part 2 of 4 1:34:17
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2019-02-17 The Neurology of Awakening - Part 3 of 4 1:10:06
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2019-02-17 The Neurology of Awakening - Part 1 of 4 62:30
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2019-02-17 The Neurology of Awakening - Part 4 of 4 1:13:37
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2018-11-18 Opening to Allness 6:29:50
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2018-10-06 Dana Talk (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 14:21
with Rachel Lewis, Rick Hanson
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Evolving Together: Mindfulness Meditation and Modern Science
2018-10-04 Day Three, Sitting Meditation with Guided Practices (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 47:07
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Evolving Together: Mindfulness Meditation and Modern Science
2018-10-03 Day Two, Sitting with Instructions (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 62:21
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Evolving Together: Mindfulness Meditation and Modern Science
2018-10-02 Exploring Bodily Informed Practices (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 48:38
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Evolving Together: Mindfulness Meditation and Modern Science
2018-05-26 Resilient: Cultivating an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength and Happiness - Part 2 2:30:09
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2018-05-26 Resilient: Cultivating an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength and Happiness - Part 1 2:51:54
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2018-02-11 Rick Hanson with Rick Mendius -The Neurology of Awakening - Part 2 2:48:22
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2018-02-11 Rick Hanson with Rick Mendius -The Neurology of Awakening - Part 1 2:40:20
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2017-11-11 Opening to Allness - Part 4 63:54
This experiential workshop will focus on practical methods, grounded in neuroscience, for opening into the mind process as a whole, and from there opening into an intimation of nature as a whole and then material as a whole.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2017-11-11 Opening to Allness - Part 3 1:36:54
This experiential workshop will focus on practical methods, grounded in neuroscience, for opening into the mind process as a whole, and from there opening into an intimation of nature as a whole and then material as a whole.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2017-11-11 Opening to Allness - Part 2 1:18:53
This experiential workshop will focus on practical methods, grounded in neuroscience, for opening into the mind process as a whole, and from there opening into an intimation of nature as a whole and then material as a whole.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2017-11-11 Opening to Allness - Part 1 64:45
This experiential workshop will focus on practical methods, grounded in neuroscience, for opening into the mind process as a whole, and from there opening into an intimation of nature as a whole and then material as a whole.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2017-07-15 No-Self in the Brain: Insights from Neuroscience ( Daylong at Spirit Rock) 34:26
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2017-07-15 No- Self in the Brain: Insights from Neuroscience ( Daylong at Spirit Rock) 49:00
Day Long class. We all experience having a particular identity that helps us navigate the world, but the sense of self is also a source of great suffering as we cling to its wants and react to how others treat it. Examine 'self' and its release in light of Buddhism and modern brain science.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2017-07-15 No-Self in the Brain:Insights from Neurosccience (Daylong at Spirit Rock) 1:27:57
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2017-04-01 The Neurology of Awakening Part Four 1:20:00
This workshop will cover the relationship between the mind and brain; strengthening neural factors of mindfulness; the role of concentration in Buddhist practice and practical help from brain research for steadying and quieting the mind and bringing it to singleness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2017-04-01 The Neurology of Awakening Part Three 1:14:50
This workshop will cover the relationship between the mind and brain; strengthening neural factors of mindfulness; the role of concentration in Buddhist practice and practical help from brain research for steadying and quieting the mind and bringing it to singleness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2017-04-01 The Neurology of Awakening Part Two 1:28:45
This workshop will cover the relationship between the mind and brain; strengthening neural factors of mindfulness; the role of concentration in Buddhist practice and practical help from brain research for steadying and quieting the mind and bringing it to singleness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2017-04-01 The Neurology of Awakening Part One 1:11:24
This workshop will cover the relationship between the mind and brain; strengthening neural factors of mindfulness; the role of concentration in Buddhist practice and practical help from brain research for steadying and quieting the mind and bringing it to singleness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2016-04-15 Nowness Wholeness Allness Oneness 62:38
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Evolving Together: Mindfulness, Meditation and Modern Science Retreat
2016-04-13 Causes of Craving and Not Craving 48:18
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Evolving Together: Mindfulness, Meditation and Modern Science Retreat
2016-04-12 Encouraging Compassion 50:27
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Evolving Together: Mindfulness, Meditation and Modern Science Retreat
2015-12-20 No Self in the Brain: Insights from Neuroscience about Not Taking Life Personally 5:36:57
In this workshop, we examine 'self' and its release in the light of Buddhism and modern brain science.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2015-04-12 The Neuroscience of Love 1:36:24
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-12-13 Rick and Wes: Brama Vihara Exercises 58:25
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Evolving Together: Mindfulness Meditation and Modern Science
2014-12-13 Saturday Morning Guided Sit 60:05
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Evolving Together: Mindfulness Meditation and Modern Science
2014-12-09 Cultivation and the End of Craving 54:35
Craving causes suffering-but what causes craving? This talk explores how craving is caused by an underlying sense of deficit or disturbance-and how repeatedly internalizing experiences of core needs being met helps "de-fuel" the fires of craving.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Evolving Together: Mindfulness Meditation and Modern Science
2014-09-27 Pet The Lizard, Feed The Mouse, Hug The Monkey 45:22
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-09-27 Growing Inner Resources 56:40
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-09-13 Unilateral Virtue, Kindness and Assertiveness 1:21:43
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-09-13 Empathy 59:23
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-09-13 Two Wolves in the Heart 16:30
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-09-13 Your Loving Nature 27:18
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-09-13 The Natural Mind 26:35
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-09-13 Cultivating Inner Strength- A talk and meditation 63:17
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Afternoon Session - pt 5 of 5 58:29
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Afternoon Session - pt 4 of 5 11:34
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Afternoon Session - pt 3 of 5 27:49
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Afternoon Session - pt 2 of 5 31:54
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Afternoon Session - pt 1 of 5 28:50
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Morning Session pt 9 of 9 4:01
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Morning Session pt 8 of 9 38:29
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Morning Session pt 7 of 9 40:25
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Morning Session pt 6 of 9 19:57
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Morning Session pt 5 of 9 34:06
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Morning Session pt 4 of 9 6:39
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Morning Session pt 3 of 9 4:48
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Morning Session pt 2 of 9 13:33
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-30 Equanimity Daylong - Morning Session pt 1 of 9 14:21
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Equanimity - In the Dharma & In Your Brain (Daylong)
2014-03-10 Love Freely 53:48
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-01-14 Hardwiring Happiness 1:16:46
In his newest book, Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence, Dr. Rick Hanson explains how the mind shapes the brain: neurons that fire together, wire together. Positive experiences are the main source of the neural structures underlying motivation, self-worth, the executive functions, good mood, kindness, resilience, and other inner strengths. Unfortunately, most positive experiences are wasted on the brain because it evolved a negativity bias to help our ancestors survive. It’s like Velcro for bad experiences but Teflon for good ones. To solve this problem, this talk will present the four simple HEAL steps of taking in the good, which turn passing experiences into lasting neural resources. We’ll explore how to use these methods to build confidence, focus attention, lower anxiety, and fundamentally, hardwire happiness into the brain.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley Tuesday Talks
2014-01-11 Introduction to the Neurology of Awakening, with Rick Mendius 32:00
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-01-11 The Power of Concentration 12:03
The Neurology of Awakening, with Rick Mendius: The latest brain research has begun to confirm the central insights of the Buddha and other great teachers. And it's suggesting ways you can help your brain to enter deeper states of mindfulness and concentration, love, and happiness. Suffering, joy, and freedom all depend on what happens within your nervous system. Skillful practice thus means being skillful with your own brain. This experiential workshop offers user-friendly information with lots of practical methods. No background in neuroscience or mindfulness is needed. We'll cover: --- The relationship between the mind and the brain; --- Strengthening neural factors of mindfulness; --- The role of concentration in Buddhist practice; --- Practical help from brain research for steadying the mind...quieting it... and bringing it to singleness. Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals- This workshop is designed to help you: a) Name two mechanisms of experience-dependent neuroplasticity; b) Give clients two examples of how repeated mental activity changes brain structure; c) Describe temperamental variations in the control of attention; d) Teach clients two ways to practice mindfulness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-01-11 Use Your Mind to Change Your Brain 30:10
The Neurology of Awakening, with Rick Mendius: The latest brain research has begun to confirm the central insights of the Buddha and other great teachers. And it's suggesting ways you can help your brain to enter deeper states of mindfulness and concentration, love, and happiness. Suffering, joy, and freedom all depend on what happens within your nervous system. Skillful practice thus means being skillful with your own brain. This experiential workshop offers user-friendly information with lots of practical methods. No background in neuroscience or mindfulness is needed. We'll cover: --- The relationship between the mind and the brain; --- Strengthening neural factors of mindfulness; --- The role of concentration in Buddhist practice; --- Practical help from brain research for steadying the mind...quieting it... and bringing it to singleness. Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals- This workshop is designed to help you: a) Name two mechanisms of experience-dependent neuroplasticity; b) Give clients two examples of how repeated mental activity changes brain structure; c) Describe temperamental variations in the control of attention; d) Teach clients two ways to practice mindfulness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-01-11 Self Compassion 20:52
The Neurology of Awakening, with Rick Mendius: The latest brain research has begun to confirm the central insights of the Buddha and other great teachers. And it's suggesting ways you can help your brain to enter deeper states of mindfulness and concentration, love, and happiness. Suffering, joy, and freedom all depend on what happens within your nervous system. Skillful practice thus means being skillful with your own brain. This experiential workshop offers user-friendly information with lots of practical methods. No background in neuroscience or mindfulness is needed. We'll cover: --- The relationship between the mind and the brain; --- Strengthening neural factors of mindfulness; --- The role of concentration in Buddhist practice; --- Practical help from brain research for steadying the mind...quieting it... and bringing it to singleness. Learning Objectives for participating health care professionals- This workshop is designed to help you: a) Name two mechanisms of experience-dependent neuroplasticity; b) Give clients two examples of how repeated mental activity changes brain structure; c) Describe temperamental variations in the control of attention; d) Teach clients two ways to practice mindfulness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-12-15 No-Self in the Brain: Insights from Neuroscience about Not Taking Life Personally #2 The two truths: Futility and fullness 28:50
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-12-15 No-Self in the Brain: Insights from Neuroscience about Not Taking Life Personally- #1 Present moment awareness of endings and beginings 17:51
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-12-15 No-Self in the Brain: Insights from Neuroscience about Not Taking Life Personally- #5 - Feeding the hungry heart relaxes self-ing 68:42
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-12-15 No-Self in the Brain: Insights from Neuroscience about Not Taking Life Personally- #4 - Self in the brain, allocentric networks, opening into allness 1:26:00
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-12-15 No-Self in the Brain: Insights from Neuroscience about Not Taking Life Personally- # 3 - Cultivation, craving, self-ing 1:47:55
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-09-08 Buddhist Assertiveness is No an Oxymoron, Pt 2 of 2 10:52
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-09-08 Buddhist Assertiveness is Not an Oxymoron, Pt 1 of 2 5:30
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-09-08 Unilateral Virtue 22:39
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-09-08 Lovingkindness Practice 51:19
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-09-08 Empathy 12:02
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-09-08 Practices of Self Compassion and Inner Strength 38:36
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-09-08 Your Loving Nature 20:44
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-09-08 A Dharma of Love and the Natural Mind 18:28
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-07-21 Inner Allies 52:53
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-07-21 Filling the Hole in Your Heart 1:29:59
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-07-21 Self-Directed Neuroplasticity 35:29
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-05-27 Feeding The Wolf of Love, Restraining The Wolf of Hate 59:00
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks
2013-03-16 A Road Map from the Buddha, Guided Practice 1:21:27
The latest brain research has begun to confirm the central insights of the Buddha and other great teachers. And it’s suggesting ways you can help your brain to enter deeper states of mindfulness, quiet, and concentration. Suffering, joy, and freedom all depend on what happens within your nervous system. Skillful practice thus means being skillful with your own brain. This experiential workshop will offer user-friendly information with lots of practical methods. No background in neuroscience or mindfulness is needed, though teaching are also appropriate for health care professionals. We’ll cover: --- Implications from brain research for steadying the mind... quieting it... and bringing it to singleness --- The brain during the jhanas or other states of deep concentration --- How to help lay the neurological foundation for liberating insight
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2013-03-16 Neural Factors of Mindfulness, Guided Practice 1:49:29
The latest brain research has begun to confirm the central insights of the Buddha and other great teachers. And it’s suggesting ways you can help your brain to enter deeper states of mindfulness, quiet, and concentration. Suffering, joy, and freedom all depend on what happens within your nervous system. Skillful practice thus means being skillful with your own brain. This experiential workshop will offer user-friendly information with lots of practical methods. No background in neuroscience or mindfulness is needed, though teaching are also appropriate for health care professionals. We’ll cover: --- Implications from brain research for steadying the mind... quieting it... and bringing it to singleness --- The brain during the jhanas or other states of deep concentration --- How to help lay the neurological foundation for liberating insight
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2012-10-27 NeuroDharma of Love: Unilateral Virtue 1:16:27
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2012-10-27 NeuroDharma of Love: Compassion and Lovingkindness Practice 18:07
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2012-10-27 NeuroDharma of Love: Inner Strength, including Self Compassion Practice 16:38
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2012-10-27 NeuroDharma of Love: Love and the Brain 22:45
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2012-08-12 Cultivating Feeling Cared About 18:19
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2012-08-12 The Three Ways to Engage the Mind - and Brain 22:27
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2012-03-25 Brought to Singleness 22:15
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2012-03-25 Steady Mind, Quiet, and Happy 57:18
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2012-03-25 Mindfulness of the Body as a Whole 16:53
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2012-03-25 Neural Factors of Mindfulness 29:15
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2011-12-18 Healthy Narcissistic Supplies 1:42:57
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2011-12-18 Is the self empty? Does the self even exist? 1:16:53
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2011-09-18 Forgiveness & Assertiveness, part 2 1:19:48
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2011-09-18 Forgiveness & Assertiveness: Love in Action in the Real World 1:19:16
To be able to enter deeply into relationship, it is necessary to be able both to forgive and to assert yourself skillfully. Forgiveness and assertiveness support each other. Forgiveness clears out ill will so you can assert yourself with compassion and Wise Speech. Self-assertion takes care of your own needs so forgiveness can emerge without the sense that you are a doormat. This experiential workshop will get into the nitty-gritty of how to bring the Buddha’s profound teachings on interrelatedness, lovingkindness, and virtue (sila) into the messy real world of relationships with family members, lovers, friends, bosses, and co-workers. This workshop - led by a world renowned expert on forgiveness, and by an experienced couples and family therapist and meditation teacher - will offer user-friendly information with lots of practical methods. We'll cover: -- The Buddha’s teachings on non-harming, wise speech, compassion and kindness, and releasing ill will -- as well as his teachings on self-care, respecting your own needs, and looking out for your own happiness -- The primacy of relationships in evolution, and the deep capacities for both loving altruism and fearful aggression -- The neural machinery of emotional reactivity and developing grievances with others -- Why forgiveness and assertiveness are both important -- The foundation of basic mindfulness, precepts, Wise Speech, compassion for oneself and others, and emotional self-care -- Forgiveness practices -- Assertiveness practices There will be some voluntary paired activities as well as time for questions and discussion. While the teachings are appropriate for use in health care professions, no background with psychology or meditation is needed. Also please know that this workshop is not psychotherapy or any substitute for professional care.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2011-07-17 The Brain of Not Craving: Natural Happiness 28:59
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

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