About Us
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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), and first author (with
Rick Mendius, M.D.) of a book in progress titled, Brainpower: The New
Neuroscience of Using Your Mind to Change Your Brain for Happiness,
Love, and Wisdom.
Rick has been President of the Board of FamilyWorks, and he currently
sits on the Board of Spirit Rock Meditation Center. 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
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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.
With Dr. Hanson, he co-founded the Heartwood 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
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