There are four distinct circuits in the brain that are essential for well-being in humans: the ability to maintain positive states, the ability to recover from negative states of mind—those are two distinct skills—the ability to focus the mind, and the ability to be generous. Studies show that the more our mind wanders, the less happy we are. And we tend to wander into states of discontent more than states of bliss or happiness. The practice of appreciative joy crosses into each of these. It’s interesting to see that there’s an entire kind of circuit in the mind devoted to giving—to the joy we feel at cooperating and collaborating as humans.
Talks
March 25, 2018
| 33 min.
Resilience through Joy and Gratitude
Oren Jay Sofer
![Oren Jay Sofer](https://www.spiritrock.org/uploads/team-photos/teachers/_600x750_crop_center-center_none/Spirit-Rock-Teacher-Oren-Jay-Sofer_2023-10-11-180928_efyy.jpg)
Oren Jay Sofer
Residential Retreat Teacher
Oren Jay Sofer teaches meditation internationally. He holds a degree in comparative religion from Columbia University and is author of "Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication" and "Your Heart Was Made for This: Contemplative Practices to Meet a World In Crisis with Courage, Integrity, and Love."