Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time
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, effectiveness, well-being, insight, and inner peace. For example, they include: taking in the good, protecting your brain, feeling safer, relaxing anxiety about imperfection, not knowing, enjoying your hands, taking refuge, and filling the hole in your heart. At first glance, you may be tempted to underestimate the power of these seemingly simple practices. But they will gradually change your brain through what's called experience-dependent neuroplasticity.
Moment to moment, whatever you're aware of--sounds, sensations, thoughts, or your most heartfelt longings--is based on underlying neural activities. This book offers simple brain training practices you can do every day to protect against stress, lift your mood, and find greater emotional resilience.
Just one practice each day can help you to:
- Be good to yourself
- Enjoy life as it is
- Build on your strengths
- Be more effective at home and work
- Make peace with your emotions
With over fifty daily practices you can use anytime, anywhere, Just One Thingis a groundbreaking combination of mindfulness meditation and neuroscience that can help you deepen your sense of well-being and unconditional happiness.
Rick Hanson, PhD, is a psychologist and author of Buddha's Brain, which has been published in twenty languages. He is founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom and an Affiliate of the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. He has been invited to lecture at Oxford, Stanford, and Harvard, and teaches in meditation centers worldwide. He lives with his family in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. For many resources freely offered, visit www.rickhanson.net.
"These are great practices--wise and straightforward, scientific and nourishing. They can transform your life."
--Jack Kornfield, PhD, author of The Wise Heart and A Path with Heart
"Most people want to be happier, healthier, less stressed, and more self-accepting, but it's often hard to find time to work toward these goals. The brilliance of this book is that it offers powerful, targeted practices that can be done easily throughout the day to help people reach their highest potential."
--Kristin Neff, PhD, associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin and author of Self-Compassion
"Delightfully clear and practical, this book distills profound insights from ancient wisdom traditions, modern psychology, and cutting-edge neurobiology into simple techniques anyone can use to live a happier, saner, more rewarding life. I felt more awake and alive after reading just a few pages."
--Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD, assistant clinical professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and author of The Mindfulness Solution
"If you are looking for bite-sized daily practices that can open your heart and clear your mind, Just One Thing deserves to be at the top of your reading list. Grounded in fascinating science, psychological understanding, and timeless wisdom, this book offers a rich assortment of entirely simple, doable ways you can find more happiness and ease."
--Tara Brach, PhD, author of Radical Happiness
"Rick Hanson has done the work for us, distilling decades of self-inquiry and key psychological research into fifty-two essential skills for healthy, happy living. This deceptively simple book is a trustworthy guide to living our lives more deeply and fully. Read, practice, and your brain will surely return the favor."
--Christopher K. Germer, PhD, clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School and author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion
"This gem of a book is the perfect follow-up to Rick Hanson's brilliant Buddha's Brain. Just One Thing offers dozens of easy-to-learn practices that slowly work their magic on our brains, making it possible for all of us to dwell in the peaceful contentment of a Buddha. Just One Thing is one of those rare books that becomes a lifelong companion--never far out of reach."
--Toni Bernhard, author of How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and their Caregivers
"Is it improper to be begged by someone you don't know to buy a book? Then call me improper because I am begging you to give yourself the miracle of Rick Hanson's grounded science and earthy spirituality. Keep this book close by while giving copies to everyone you love."
--Jennifer Louden, author of The Woman's Comfort Book and The Life Organizer
"What a way to go through life! These simple yet profound practices train the brain, open the heart, and enhance well-being. Rick Hanson provides the map. If you follow it, you'll surely increase your happiness and awaken your joy!"
--James Baraz, author of Awakening Joy
"Just One Thing is a very wise, sincere, and heartfelt guide to living well. Rick Hanson skillfully guides you through fifty-two accessible and down-to-earth practices that can transform your outlook on life and health"
--Bob Stahl, PhD, coauthor of A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook and Living with Your Heart Wide Open
"Just One Thing is full of simple, down-to-earth steps you can take to experience greater happiness and love in your life. Based in brain science, but written beautifully from the heart, this book is a gem."
--Marci Shimoff, author of Happy for No Reason
