Neuropsychologist Rick Hanson reveals scientific findings showing intimacy as the primary driver of human brain development. We learn the basic neurochemistry of sex and love and find out how to develop the three main neural circuits that affect our capacity for empathy. He explains how we are wired to feel hyper-threatened by ‘them’ – from family conflicts to global war – and how to overcome this tendency. And he offers step-by-step methods for practicing compassionate conflict resolution and forgiveness.