Dr. Rick Hanson - Seven Practices to Reach the Highest Levels of Happiness

Practices

Rick Hanson outlines the seven practices that foster inner wholeness, starting with steadying the mind, warming the heart, and resting in fullness. These practices aim to cultivate traits like equanimity and emotional balance, leading to a state of contentment. He emphasizes the importance of internalizing these states to develop lasting traits, akin to acquiring new habits 1. Hanson humorously mentions his goal of becoming "unerable," highlighting the value of learning from irksome experiences to grow more peaceful and resilient 2.

I'm trying to help myself become increasingly unerkable and to, when I do get irked, learn from the experience.

--- Rick Hanson

   

Brain Science

Hanson delves into the brain science behind these practices, explaining how they shift neural activity from stress-inducing midline networks to the more holistic right hemisphere. This shift helps individuals stay present and reduces self-preoccupation 3. He also discusses the role of positive emotions in steadying the mind, noting that dopamine activity during positive experiences aids in storing these moments as emotional memories 4.

When we drop into the present, activity in those midline networks decreases, and activity increases in networks on the sides of your brain.

--- Rick Hanson

   

Challenges

Addressing common challenges, Hanson advises disengaging from unnecessary friction and focusing on a sense of "frictionless contentment." He likens this to being like kelp in the sea, resilient and flexible amidst life's waves 5. He also highlights the importance of gratitude practices, suggesting that truly feeling and marinating in gratitude can change neural structures and foster a sense of peace, contentment, and love 6.

Every day we need to pet the lizard, feed the mouse and hug the monkey.

--- Rick Hanson