Rick Hanson, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, author, and teacher
with a great interest in the intersection of psychology, neurology,
and Buddhism. He has written and taught extensively about the
essential inner skills of personal well-being, psychological growth,
and contemplative practice - as well as about relationships, family
life, and raising children.
A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA, Rick did management consulting before earning his Ph.D. from The Wright Institute. He is first author of Mother Nurture: A Mother's Guide to Health in Body, Mind, and Intimate Relationships (Penguin, 2002). His latest book is Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom (with Rick Mendius, MD; Foreword by Daniel Siegel, MD and Preface by Jack Kornfield, PhD). He and Rick Mendius have also created the audio program, Meditations to Change Your Brain.
Rick has been President of the Board of FamilyWorks, and he sat on the Board of Spirit Rock Meditation Center for nine years. He began meditating in 1974 and has practiced in several traditions. Christina Feldman has been a major influence, with a focus on steadiness of mind in householder life (his wife and two young adult children have also been good teachers). A graduate of the Community Dharma Leader training program of Spirit Rock, he leads a weekly meditation group in San Rafael and teaches daylongs at Spirit Rock, Sati Center, and other organizations.
Rick's personal interests include rock-climbing and other wilderness
activities, reading, and having fun with his family and friends. You
can contact him at drrh@comcast.net
Rick Mendius, M.D. is a neurologist, author, and teacher. He
trained at UCLA as an epileptologist under Jerome Engel and as a
neurobehaviorist under Frank Benson and Jeff Cummings. He has been on
the teaching faculty of UCLA, Oregon Health Sciences University, and
Stanford University. His meditation practice began in the 1980s with
Shinzen Young in Los Angeles, and continues at Spirit Rock with Jack
Kornfield, Phillip Moffitt, Ajahn Amaro, and Ajahn Sumedho.
Rick leads a weekly meditation class at San Quentin Prison, and teaches daylongs at Spirit Rock, Sati Center, and other organizations. He has authored numerous articles for the Wise Brain Bulletin, and he has a particular interest in the long-term effects of meditation on aging, and in longitudinal research on contemplative practice. He played an instrumental role in Buddha's Brain, and co-authored Meditations to Change Your Brain.
With Dr. Hanson, he co-founded the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom. Rick's daughters, Courtney and Taryn, and his son, Ian, are three of his main teachers and companions on the path.
You can contact Rick at jrichardmendius@aol.com