Ever noticed that trying to calm down often produces more agitation? That trying to change bad habits can seem impossible? Or that real fulfillment can be elusive, despite living a successful life?

Often, such difficulties stem from the human brain’s hardwired tendency to seek pleasure and avoid pain. Modern science demonstrates that this survival mechanism served the needs of our earliest ancestors, but is at the root of many problems that we face today, such as depression, compulsive and addictive behaviors, chronic pain, and stress and anxiety.

For thousands of years, people have used mindfulness practices to deal effectively with a wide range of life challenges. But how exactly does mindfulness work, in scientific terms? How can the human brain, which gives rise to so many of our problems, actually provide a solution?

We are now in the midst of an explosion of scientific research demonstrating that mindfulness practice changes both the function and the structure of the brain. Numerous studies show which parts of the brain are affected by mindfulness practice, and how these neurobiological changes benefit our minds and bodies.

Now, in the 24 fascinating lectures of The Science of Mindfulness, Professor Siegel, a clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School, reveals the science behind mindfulness in compelling detail and demonstrates its application to a wide range of issues – psychological, social, and medical. You’ll examine the neurobiology underlying ancient practices that are now profoundly influencing the contemporary world. And you’ll learn many practical ways you can use mindfulness techniques in your own life.

This playful, caring course demonstrates the effectiveness of mindfulness in responding to many of humanity’s fundamental existential problems.

In addition, this audiobook has complementary soundtracks, which are included in the audiobook from chapters 25 to 29.

Reviews

Thoroughly enjoyed the book. I think it is one of the most useful books/courses I have ever had. Ron explains mindfulness so very clearly and illustrates each point with a short anecdote. Importantly he back up his points with references to research and also explains the research.

One of the most heartbreaking experiments he pointed to (at least to me a dog owner) is the one done by psychologist Martin Seligman who induced depression in a dog by enclosing it in a cage which repeatedly gave it electric shock and the poor dog had no escape. So it would just yelp and cry with pain whole day till it shut its body down completely by depression. Ron explains it as not causing any harm to the dog. Perhaps he is right and there is no long-term harm, but I can just imagine the poor dog having to undergo such a traumatic experience through no fault of his, to the extent of getting depressed and not wanting food and fun. I abhor these sort of experiments. Martin Seligman should have been brave and used himself as the experimentee rather than the dog; I wonder how long he would have lasted; probably not more than a few seconds….that coward.

About The Great Courses

It all began with just a few videotapes—and a brilliant inspiration.

Tom Rollins, the founder of The Great Courses, was a law student at Harvard University and was facing an important exam on the U.S. Federal Rules of Evidence—an exam for which he wasn’t prepared.

Dreading the notoriously boring subject but knowing his success depended on understanding the material, Rollins obtained videotapes of 10 lectures by a noted authority on the subject, Professor Irving Younger. Rollins planted himself in front of his television late at night and put the first tape into his VCR. What he discovered changed his life.

The tapes were unlike anything Rollins had experienced in his Harvard lecture halls. Professor Younger’s lectures were outrageously insightful, impressively thorough, and engagingly witty. Most important: They hammered home the concepts in a way that made the subject both accessible and interesting. They made learning not a chore to be accomplished but an adventure to be experienced.

Rollins played all 10 hours of those lectures nearly nonstop. A few days later he passed his exam and went on to make an “A” in the course.

He never forgot the unique power of recorded lectures by a great teacher—the way that a bright mind could ignite a passion for lifelong learning. And years later, in 1990, Rollins founded The Great Courses to share that unforgettable experience with the rest of the world.

Product details

• Full Audiobook MP3 Program
• Full PDF Guidebook Included
• Listening Length: 13 hours and 53 minutes
• Author: Ronald Siegel, The Great Courses
• Narrator: Ronald Siegel
• Release Date: August 22, 2014
• Publisher: The Great Courses
• Version: Original recording
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00MFW8USU

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