Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time

See yourself as a young child—sweet, vulnerable, precious—and extend this same attitude of loyalty, strength, and caring toward that little boy or girl. (You could get a picture of yourself as a kid and carry it in your wallet or purse, and look at it from time to time.)

Whether you’re stuck in traffic, wading through an overflowing in-box, or having a tough conversation, being able to relax your body at will is a critically important inner skill.

Several times a day, ask yourself: Am I on my own side here? Am I looking out for my own best interests?

Practice is not for wusses. You will earn its benefits. So honor yourself for your practice. While it’s down-to-earth and ordinary, it’s also aspirational and profound.

So often in life a good thing happens—flowers are blooming, someone is nice, a goal’s been attained—and you know it, but you don’t feel it. This time, let the good fact affect you.

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Think about what it’s like to be a good friend to someone. Then ask: Am I that kind of friend to myself?

Sense a quiet voice inside you, coming from your own core, firmly and honestly listing some of your good qualities. Listen to it. Let what it’s saying sink in. If you like, write down the list and go over it from time to time; you don’t have to show it to anyone. As you go through life, look for examples of your decency, endurance, caring, and othe

For example, doing any practice is an act of kindness toward yourself; you’re treating yourself like you matter—which is especially important and healing if you have felt as a child or an adult that others haven’t respected or cared about you. Further, you’re being active rather than passive—which increases optimism, resilience, and happiness, and