Rick Hanson - The Compassionate Brain: Activating the Neural Circuits of Kindness, Caring, and Love - Practical Neuroscience for Transformation

Sounds True is hosting a free seven-week series of podcasts with Rick Hanson and a roster of stars from the world of transformative neuroscience, including Richie Davidson, Dan Siegel, Tara Brach, Dacher Keltner, Kelly McGonigal, Kristin Neff, and Jean Houston (okay, Houston seems way out of place in this line-up - but I am biased in that I think she is suffering from Boomeritis). Anyway - this looks great and I am looking forward to 6/7ths of it.

The Compassionate Brain

Activating the Neural Circuits of Kindness, Caring, and Love
Practical Neuroscience for Transformation

A FREE Online Event Series, beginning Monday, October 8, 2012,
from 8–9 pm Eastern Time (GMT –4)

For the first time, we now have scientific evidence that we can consciously rewire our own brain to cultivate compassion, kindness, and love. With The Compassionate Brain, neuropsychologist Dr. Rick Hanson, author of Buddha’s Brain, presents a FREE seven-part video series that explores the most powerful and effective ways you can create positive, lasting changes in your brain—and your life.

Each week, Dr. Hanson will be joined by a leading scholar or teacher to investigate our growing understanding of the way meditation practice can affect our neurobiology. Together they will discuss the research behind neuroplasticity—our natural capacity to change the neural pathways in our brain—and examine which meditation practices seem to have the most positive effect on the human nervous system. Dr. Hanson and his guests will explore valuable insights, discoveries, and techniques—with a focus on practices that help us to create lasting changes in the way we react to and perceive the world.

Can’t make a live session? On-demand streaming videos will be available a few days after each session’s conclusion.

The Compassionate Brain Topics and Guests:

• Session 1: How the Mind Changes the Brain
  Monday, October 8, 2012, from 8–9 pm Eastern Time (GMT –4)
  With Dr. Richie Davidson, professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin and co-editor of The Asymmetrical Brain


• Session 2: Mindfulness of Oneself and Others
  Monday, October 15, 2012, from 8–9 pm Eastern Time (GMT –4)
  With Dr. Daniel Siegel, executive director of the Mindsight Institute and author of Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation


• Session 3: Cultivating a Forgiving Heart
  Monday, October 22, 2012, from 8–9 pm Eastern Time (GMT –4)
  With Dr. Tara Brach, founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington and author of Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha


• Session 4: The Evolution of Compassion: From Gene to Meme
  Monday, October 29, 2012, from 8–9 pm Eastern Time (GMT –4)
  With Dr. Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and author of Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life


• Session 5: Balancing Compassion and Assertiveness
  Monday, November 5, 2012, from 8–9 pm Eastern Time (GMT –5)
  With Dr. Kelly McGonigal, senior teacher and consultant for the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and author of The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It


• Session 6: The Power of Self-Compassion
  Monday, November 12, 2012, from 8–9 pm Eastern Time (GMT –5)
  With Dr. Kristin Neff, professor of human development and culture at the University of Texas, Austin and author of Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind


• Session 7: Compassion in the Wider World
  Monday, November 19, 2012, from 8–9 pm Eastern Time (GMT –5)
  With Dr. Jean Houston, co-founder of The Foundation for Mind Research and author of The Possible Human: A Course in Enhancing Your Physical, Mental, and Creative Abilities

Discover the Power of Self-Directed Neuroplasticity

“Perhaps the most valuable result of our new discoveries about neuroplasticity,” says Dr. Rick Hanson, “is that it helps us bring our brain into harmony with the greatest virtues of our heart.” With The Compassionate Brain FREE video event series, Dr. Rick Hanson invites you to join him and his seven guests to explore the profound implications of this cutting-edge science—and how you can use it to guide your own transformation.