Dr. Rick Hanson

Big picture is that there are neural correlates of the stream of consciousness. So we're having experiences, and those patterns of mental activity correlate with underlying patterns of neural activity. Maybe there's some X factor that's supernatural or even divine, ultimately, that's getting in the mix there. Science accepts mysteries.

Big picture is that there are neural correlates of the stream of consciousness. So we're having experiences, and those patterns of mental activity correlate with underlying patterns of neural activity. Maybe there's some X factor that's supernatural or even divine, ultimately, that's getting in the mix there. Science accepts mysteries.

Big picture is that there are neural correlates of the stream of consciousness. So we're having experiences, and those patterns of mental activity correlate with underlying patterns of neural activity. Maybe there's some X factor that's supernatural or even divine, ultimately, that's getting in the mix there. Science accepts mysteries.

But meanwhile, it's really clear that there's a very high level of correlation, moment to moment to moment. So we have states of being, moment to moment, and we have underlying traits, underlying tendencies that foster states. And the states, the experiences we're having, can then leave lasting traces behind for better or worse that foster the traits, the underlying tendencies of who we are.

But meanwhile, it's really clear that there's a very high level of correlation, moment to moment to moment. So we have states of being, moment to moment, and we have underlying traits, underlying tendencies that foster states. And the states, the experiences we're having, can then leave lasting traces behind for better or worse that foster the traits, the underlying tendencies of who we are.

But meanwhile, it's really clear that there's a very high level of correlation, moment to moment to moment. So we have states of being, moment to moment, and we have underlying traits, underlying tendencies that foster states. And the states, the experiences we're having, can then leave lasting traces behind for better or worse that foster the traits, the underlying tendencies of who we are.

Boom. My work has been extremely focused on how to grab hold of and take charge of who we are becoming and that fundamental process of helping beneficial states of being, emotions, sensations, attitudes, motivations, and thoughts become embedded as underlying beneficial traits of

Boom. My work has been extremely focused on how to grab hold of and take charge of who we are becoming and that fundamental process of helping beneficial states of being, emotions, sensations, attitudes, motivations, and thoughts become embedded as underlying beneficial traits of

Boom. My work has been extremely focused on how to grab hold of and take charge of who we are becoming and that fundamental process of helping beneficial states of being, emotions, sensations, attitudes, motivations, and thoughts become embedded as underlying beneficial traits of

inner strengths of various kinds, including a positive mood, since we're focused on happiness here, that then foster beneficial states in a positive upward spiral. And being in charge of that process rather than just kind of willy-nilly being swept along, including with a brain that has a big negativity bias. Like Velcro for bad experiences, Teflon for good ones. Okay. Pause for breath.

inner strengths of various kinds, including a positive mood, since we're focused on happiness here, that then foster beneficial states in a positive upward spiral. And being in charge of that process rather than just kind of willy-nilly being swept along, including with a brain that has a big negativity bias. Like Velcro for bad experiences, Teflon for good ones. Okay. Pause for breath.

inner strengths of various kinds, including a positive mood, since we're focused on happiness here, that then foster beneficial states in a positive upward spiral. And being in charge of that process rather than just kind of willy-nilly being swept along, including with a brain that has a big negativity bias. Like Velcro for bad experiences, Teflon for good ones. Okay. Pause for breath.

Any questions so far? Keep going. You're on a roll. Okay. So you're exactly right. How do we foster in ourselves or those we care about more beneficial? I prefer beneficial to positive because sometimes a beneficial state of being is healthy remorse. or open-hearted sorrow, or being real about something that's painful to look at and hard, but you really need to look at it inside yourself.

Any questions so far? Keep going. You're on a roll. Okay. So you're exactly right. How do we foster in ourselves or those we care about more beneficial? I prefer beneficial to positive because sometimes a beneficial state of being is healthy remorse. or open-hearted sorrow, or being real about something that's painful to look at and hard, but you really need to look at it inside yourself.

Any questions so far? Keep going. You're on a roll. Okay. So you're exactly right. How do we foster in ourselves or those we care about more beneficial? I prefer beneficial to positive because sometimes a beneficial state of being is healthy remorse. or open-hearted sorrow, or being real about something that's painful to look at and hard, but you really need to look at it inside yourself.

So how do we foster beneficial states and beneficial traits? What's the actual how of that? And what's going on in the machinery under the hood? That's what you're getting at. So operationally, we're talking about reduce. I'm going to use the word bad, not morally, but pragmatically here. Reduce the bad, grow the good. Less sadness, less unnecessary sadness, fear, anxiety, and shame.

So how do we foster beneficial states and beneficial traits? What's the actual how of that? And what's going on in the machinery under the hood? That's what you're getting at. So operationally, we're talking about reduce. I'm going to use the word bad, not morally, but pragmatically here. Reduce the bad, grow the good. Less sadness, less unnecessary sadness, fear, anxiety, and shame.

So how do we foster beneficial states and beneficial traits? What's the actual how of that? And what's going on in the machinery under the hood? That's what you're getting at. So operationally, we're talking about reduce. I'm going to use the word bad, not morally, but pragmatically here. Reduce the bad, grow the good. Less sadness, less unnecessary sadness, fear, anxiety, and shame.

The four major negative emotions, so-called negative. Less of that, less crippling anxiety, less negative rumination, less of that, and more sense of underlying well-being that's resilient, even as you deal with the challenges of life. So what's going on in your brain?

The four major negative emotions, so-called negative. Less of that, less crippling anxiety, less negative rumination, less of that, and more sense of underlying well-being that's resilient, even as you deal with the challenges of life. So what's going on in your brain?