Do You Have the Brain of a Buddha?
No one can claim to have the brain of a Buddha, let alone have any clear idea about what the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, had occupying his cranium! But modern neuroscience and positive psychology have a lot to verify in the 2600 year old science of the mind that is attributed to him and his students. In "Buddha's Brain", Dr. Rick Hanson, PhD, leads the reader through the basic scientific underpinnings of the treasure trove of best practices that uncover our innate capacities for wisdom, happiness, love, and resilience.
In this 8-week live Zoom book club, we'll explore the science and practice the art of mindfulness meditation to provide support for the brain and train the mind, with a special emphasis on developing lovingkindness, appreciation, gratitude, and wisdom.
"The promise of harnessing our minds to change our brains through these practices is to build the circuits of kindness and well-being moment by moment, one person, one relationship at a time. What more can we ask for?
And what better time to begin than now?"
-- Dr. Dan Siegel, MD
"Buddha's Brain": A Mindfulness Book Club
8 Saturdays Feb 5th - Mar 26th 2022
9 - 11am Pacific Standard Time LIVE on Zoom
Instructor: Brian Shiers MA CMF LMFT
UCLA'S MAPS II: Turning obstacles into allies
Dates: TBA
LOCATION: Live zoom classroom
In this follow up class to MAPs I, this class will offer tools for working with both outer and inner obstacles, helping us to learn to see difficulties, not as problems, but as situations and mind states that can actually help us more deeply understand ourselves and our practice.
Pre-requisite: Attendance in any introductory MAPs I series or equivalent mindfulness introductory class with permission from our instructor. If you have not taken a MAPs I class at MARC, please email us a brief description of your equivalent experience to marcinfo@ucla.edu before class start date.
Note: Special COVID-19 rates apply. UCLA Students, and UCLA MARC TMF IPP students are enrolled at no charge.
UCLA'S MAPS II: CULTIVATING POSITIVE EMOTIONS
Dates: To Be Announced
LOCATION: Toluca Lake Tennis Club 6711 Forest Lawn Dr. Toluca Lake, CA 90068 (across from Warner Bros. Studios)
In this class series, we will explore the science and practice of how to develop more equanimity, kindness, generosity, compassion, and gratitude, in ways that allow us to begin right where we are in our lives, and right where we are in the moment. Far from 'fake it 'til you feel it', these practices, arising from mindfulness meditation contemplative traditions, are backed by science from research labs at Stanford, UC Berkeley, and the University of Wisconsin - Madison, among others. Learn how to naturally experience and express positive emotions that are our natural birthright, even amidst the turmoil of our times.
Pre-requisite: Attendance in any introductory MAPs I series or equivalent mindfulness introductory class with permission from our instructor. If you have not taken a MAPs I class at MARC, please email us a brief description of you equivalent experience to marcinfo@ucla.edu before class start date.
UCLA'S MAPS II: NEXT STEPS
Dates to be determined
LOCATION: Live zoom classroom
This series of classes takes a closer look at the fundamentals of mindfulness practice, including the cultivation of concentration (and how it differs from mindful attention), daily practice discipline strategies, mindfulness in daily life, emotional intelligence, being present in relationships and more. And here's the good news: you don't have to have gotten an "A" in MAPs I to benefit from MAPs II! Every level of practice - from beginner to advanced practitioner - is welcome.
Prerequisite: Attendance in any introductory MAPs I series or equivalent mindfulness introductory class with permission from our instructor. If you have not taken a MAPs I class at MARC, please email us a brief description of you equivalent experience to marcinfo@ucla.edu before class start date.