Rick Hanson's 2020 book Neurodharma: New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness is an intriguing blend of self-improvement, speculation, science, and superstition. In a glimpse of the terrain that Hanson explores, from Chapter 1, the section "A Path that Progresses" begins:
The seven themes of this book—steadiness of mind, warmth of heart, and so forth—have been explored in many ways by many people in many traditions. They involve experiencing what is out in the open and not hidden: we can be more mindful and loving, we can afford to crave less, we are innately whole, this moment is the only moment there is, and each person exists interdependently with everything else. These ways of being are accessible to all of us, and their essence is available without years of rigorous training. I'll offer suggestions for how you can have a greater sense of them in everyday life as well as guided meditations that will go deeply into these experiences.
You can also weave them into activities you're already doing, such as going for a walk. You don't need a background in science or meditation to develop a greater sense of contentment or kindness, or the other ways of being well be exploring. Even ten minutes a day, spread out here and there, can make a difference if you do the practice, day after day. As with anything, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. What gives me both trust and hope is that this is a path we can walk step after step through our own efforts, not a magical quick fix. Unless you're already living on top of the mountain of awakening—and I'm not there myself—there remains something to do. How should we do it?
Hanson talks about how to work toward insight — gradually ("reducing unhappiness and growing compassion, insight, and equanimity") versus suddenly ("recognizing an innate perfection in which there is nothing to gain"). He offers a beautiful thought from Tibetan poet-yogi Milarepa:
In the beginning nothing came,
in the middle nothing stayed,
and in the end nothing left.
And there's the trio of thoughtful goodness that Hanson suggests:
Developing a greater sense of fullness, wholeness, and other aspects of awakening involves three kinds of practice, First, you can simply be with whatever you're experiencing: accepting it, feeling it, perhaps exploring it As you be with it, your experience may change, but you're not trying to nudge it one way or another. Second, you can release what is painful or harmful, such as by easing tension in the body, venting feelings, challenging thoughts that aren't true or helpful, or disengaging from desires that hurt you or others. Third, you can grow what is enjoyable or useful: developing virtues and skills, becoming more resilient, grateful, and compassionate. In a nutshell: let be, let go, let in. If your mind is like a garden, you can observe it, pull weeds, and plant flowers. Of these, letting be is most essential. It's where we start, and sometimes it's all we can do: ...
Worth remembering:
Let Be
Let Go
Let In
The book Neurodharma is thick and demands significant study over time. The biggest themes to ponder, perhaps, are Hanson's seven:
... in Toki Pona, perhaps poetically something akin to:
kon awen
pilin seli
lape pona
lon pini
tenpo jo
wan pali
ale alasa
| toki pona | rough translation |
|---|---|
| kon awen | spirit steady |
| pilin seli | heart warm |
| lape pona | resting well |
| lon pini | being complete |
| tenpo jo | holding time |
| wan pali | creating oneness |
| ale alasa | seeking everything |
(cf Just One Thing (2012-12-02), Strong and Lasting (2013-02-02), Stay Right When Wronged (2016-10-05), Mantra - Quiet Fierceness (2017-12-04), Hanson on Letting Go (2018-01-17), Holding with an Open Hand (2025-07-12), ...) - ^z - 2025-08-10