The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

Hacking Enlightenment in 7 Steps: The Dharma and Next-Gen of Neuroscience – Rick Hanson, Ph.D., with Dave Asprey : 696

May 5, 2020

Rick Hanson, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist and bestselling author, shares fascinating insights from his latest work, 'Neurodharma.' He discusses seven transformative practices for enhancing happiness and inner peace, rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience. The conversation touches on the challenges of modern distractions, the art of being present, and the interplay of fear and trust in unfamiliar environments. Rick also emphasizes the potential for personal growth through understanding our brain's programming and the paths to enlightenment.

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INSIGHT

Pandemic as a Test

The pandemic reveals what we have cultivated internally, as external supports are stripped away.
Focus on transforming experiences into lasting traits for stability during challenging times.

ADVICE

Experiencing Wholeness

To experience wholeness, feel your body as a whole, shifting from a doing mode to a being mode.
This activates lateral brain networks, promoting presence and reducing self-centeredness.

INSIGHT

Achieving Nowness

Nowness is achieved by focusing on the alerting network of attention, not getting caught in the cascade behind it.
This allows for continuous letting go and abiding in the present moment.

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In this episode of Bulletproof Radio, my guest, Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a neuropsychologist, teacher, and speaker. He’s also a New York Times best-selling author of five books that explore topics like neuroscience, clinical psychology, and positive neuroplasticity.

I’ve asked Rick back to the show to discuss his new book, “Neurodharma: New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness.” We cover Rick’s seven practices for strengthening the neural circuitry of profound contentment and inner peace based on cutting-edge brain science. These qualities offer essential support in everyday life while at the same time support the exploration of the most radical reaches of human consciousness. If it sounds daunting, it’s absolutely not! Rick relies on methods and prefers to be in the trenches.

“These are seven ways of being that are perfected in enlightenment,” Rick says. “And then in effect, reverse engineering those seven ways of being so that we can develop them inside ourselves, literally hardwired into our own brain.”

He gives us hope while also recognizing the challenges of modern life: “Our deepest nature in fact has already awakened,” he says. “And yet it's really difficult to rest in that true nature for more than a few seconds in a row given the brain's survival biases and then the ways that modern culture floods us and distracts us.” … “It’s easy to lose sight of the peaks of human potential.”

Rick is a Senior Fellow of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. He’s lectured at NASA, Google, Oxford, and Harvard, and taught in meditation centers worldwide. Considered an expert on positive neuroplasticity, his work has been featured on the BBC, CBS, NPR, and other major media.

Rick doesn’t use any jargon or pep talks, but instead reaches into neuroscience while also sharing his own journey of practice (he’s been meditating for 46 years!) He teaches and informs through stories, guided meditations, examples and applications. You’ll find this episode pragmatic and practical.

Enjoy the show!

Catch my recorded IG Live with Rick on YouTube at https://youtu.be/J1XWHSbWyfI. And get more resources at https://blog.daveasprey.com/category/podcasts/.

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