10% Happier audiobook

A heartbreaking work of staggering genius.

Dan Harris is a bit of a jerk. You don’t have to take my word for it. He says it himself, more than once, in his book. A lot of 10% Happier is about Harris trying to be less of a jerk. Among his other journalistic accomplishments, which include more than a few in-country assignments in hot-fire war zones, hosting gigs on Good Morning America and Nightline, and scoring interviews with some very scary people, Harris is known for a live on-camera meltdown that was seen only by close family members, co-workers and oh, maybe 5 million viewers. I have added a link at the bottom. This is a road trip of self-discovery tale, and the path Harris takes is extremely interesting. Of course the self he discovers is still a self-centered jerk, but a jerk who can really, really tell a story, fill it with fascinating, meaningful information, add in considerable dollops of LOL humor, much at his own expense, and emerge with what, for himself and many others, is a life-changing way of going about his life. Dan Harris - photo from 2Paragraphs.comOne of the nifty things about the book is that Harris is a seasoned media pro and can deliver a snappy line with the best of them I might have disagreed with the conclusion reached by people of faith, but at least that part of their brain was functioning. Every week, they had a set time to consider their place in the universe, to step out of the matrix and achieve some perspective. If you’re never looking up, I now realized, you’re always just looking around. Of course this presumes that everyone who is looking up is seeking something celestial and not doing so merely to fit in with the pack, or being distracted by a passing drone. Still, my cynicism notwithstanding, the man has a way with words. And that makes this a very easy book to read. He is a charming guide on this search for a better way and you will meet some familiar names and learn of some others who should be.Harris offers small bits on Peter Jennings and Diane Sawyer, among other ABC news folks. No surprises are to be had there. Jennings assigned the young Harris to the religion beat, over his (silent) objections, just in time for the post 9/11 world to give a damn about religion as news fodder. Harris covered a range of stories while on this gig, and met many interesting people, but was very impressed with Ted Haggard, who, off-camera, comes across as a pretty reasonable sort, which was surprising. Of course Haggard, who publicly preached against same-sex relationships, was practicing the fine art of total hypocrisy, as he was enjoying the company of a paid male escort. But he comes across as having much more substance than his gawker-headline downfall would lead one to suspect. Harris meets with a few more folks in the self-help biz, whether of the religious, secular, or woo-woo sorts. The up-close and personal here is riveting. But the business at hand is not just about getting a fix on people like Deepak Chopra, it is about Harris trying to find his way past his personal limitations. He does a bit of a pinball route, bouncing among several of today’s self-help gurus in search of a way to quiet the inner anchorman who offers running commentary during every waking moment. The first step, of course was to realize that the ego was on camera all the time, offering a live feed, an internal, personal, and less than wonderful 24/7 personal news channel. One of the first people whose work he found illuminating was a weird but compelling German, Eckhart Tolle, who offered a take on how to live in the now. It was a little embarrassing to be reading a self-help writer and thinking, This guy gets me. But it was in this moment, lying in bed late at night, that I first realized that the voice in my head—the running commentary that had dominated my field of consciousness since I could remember—was kind of an asshole. He finds elements of Deepak Chopra illuminating as well, but with reservations. Chopra was definitely more fun to hang out with than Tolle—I preferred Deepak’s rascally What Makes Sammy Run? style to the German’s otherworldly diffidence—but I left the experience more confused, not less. Eckhart was befuddling because, while I believed he was sincere, I couldn’t tell if he was sane. With Deepak it was the opposite; I believed he was sane, but I couldn’t tell if he was sincere. What he arrives at is meditation. In particular a state called “mindfulness”, in which one observes the thoughts and feelings that are occurring, but at a remove, so that one can respond without relying on immediate, visceral and ego-driven reactions. There are different forms of meditation, but he finds one that does the trick for him. And puts it into practice. How he goes about this is sometimes LOL funny, particularly when we are privy to the snarky ramblings of his ego while he is attempting to not lose his mind during a lengthy meditation retreat. At end he learns a very useful skill, and even offers a very accessible step-by-step set of directions for having a go yourself. No beads, sandals, incense or robes required, really. Corporations and even the Marines are promoting meditation among their people. Turns out there are real-world benefits. It is probably worth at least a try.There is an old saw that goes “Sincerity, if you can fake that you’ve got it made.” I do not think that Harris is faking anything here. He is definitely into meditation, and tells lot about the very real benefits to be had. Of course, as a self-centered jerk, it is the self-benefits that get the air-time in his book. There is another realm, which involves compassion. While Harris does talk about this, it is pretty clear that meditation is a way for Dan Harris to do better in the world for Dan Harris. And while there are collateral benefits for those around him as a result of his evolution, the whole compassion thing remains for Harris a means to an end. In 10% Happier, a term he came up with to explain the benefits of his mindfulness practice and stop people from looking at him as if he were an alien, Harris offers a revealing portrait of himself as far, far less than perfect (his meltdown, for example, was made possible in large measure by considerable intake of cocaine and ecstasy), tells a tale of personal seeking and growth, and shares with us the very concrete techniques he has gleaned. So, while self-interest remains the beneficiary of his new knowledge, and while Dan Harris remains, IMHO, a jerk, he is a curious, articulate, and entertaining jerk who has shared some useful experiences and knowledge with the rest of us. Nothing jerky about that. Review first posted 11/21/14Published - 1/1/2014 =============================EXTRA STUFFLinks to the author’s Twitter and FB pagesDan Harris’s vid on how to Hack Your Brain's Default Mode with Meditation Harris's on-air report about the book on ABCHarris is interviewed on Colbert

I fucking loved this book. It's the most compelling introduction to meditation I've seen, after spending hundreds of dollars buying books on the subject. I have a therapy practice that is mindfulness-based. I often recommend informative-but-boring mindfulness-related books to people that they don't often finish. They'll almost certainly finish this one. It's terrific.

Dan Harris had problems, like all of us, but unlike all of us, he was beginning to experience some of the messier symptoms of his dysfunctional inner world in front of millions of people.He sought help and jumped into the meditation world with both feet. I think its why most people find their way into spiritual practices- something isn't working quite right in their life and they need to change from the inside out. So, they look for a process of inner change and run smack into meditation.However, Dan isn't drinking the kool-aid of the new age movement. He questions every practice for its practical benefits and searches for scientific experimentation to back up those benefits.In essence, he brings the investigative skills that he applies to his job as a news anchor to the practice of meditation and it's a delight to read.I loved this. Dan had the same initial reaction to Eckhart Tolle and Deepak Chopra that I did. One of them seems too mellow to be real and the other seems to market himself too well to be that spiritual.Over time, I've come to love both of those authors/gurus for their wisdom, but they are both just out of this world. Harris isn't afraid to point that out.In conclusion, I'd recommend 10% Happier to anyone who wants to become 10% happier- isn't that all of us?Also, anyone who has read Eckhart Tolle or Deepak Chopra may also enjoy this, if only for the surprisingly accurate descriptions of their foibles. Anyone who wants to try meditation but feels like they don't have time, couldn't do it if they tried, or doesn't know where to start may find some inspiration from this book.And, finally, anyone who is fed up with the hippie-dippie-trippie feeling that most spiritual memoirs give them, will find a kindred soul in Dan Harris.

I am a self-help cynic. I've never read any self-help, but I knew I needed to get a handle on my stress, anxiety and anger. When I read the description of this book (I listened to the audio version) I said, "OK, newsman, tell me how to be happier."Dan Harris is an anchor for ABC, and in this story (which reads more like a memoir than a self-help guide) he details his own struggles early in his career. I related to many of these difficulties (particularly the fear of freezing up while live on the air) and so I immediately felt a kinship. However, I don't think you need to work in media to get where Dan is coming from; anyone in a high-stress situation, be it work or personal life, can find connections.For me, this book really opened my eyes to ways that I can relieve stress while still maintaining my "edge" in the workplace. My two biggest takeaways from this book are "Enlightened self-interest" and "Respond, not react." I kind of want to make posters of these for my office. Dan is personable and funny, but he looks at the world of self-help and meditation with the eyes of an investigative reporter, which I greatly appreciated. If you want to start your own journey of becoming at least 10% happier... well, this is a good place to start.

This is the story of Dan Harris's self development. His need for thinking over how he was living his life was prompted by a few panic attacks on live television (he works with ABC Broadcasting). As he seeks medical help, he realizes what his habit of drug abuse and competitive lifestyle is doing to him. He next reads Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth" and also meets him for an interview. While interested in what Eckhart Tolle tells him, he regards his views as incomplete with no techniques for being “here and now” which Tolle advocates. He next meets Deepak Chopra and finds him unimpressive as well. He is even more forthright in condemning "The Secret" film as being simplistic, incorrect and of little value. He goes on to dismiss most of the “Self Help” industry as hardly worth even a mention – primarily cooking up incomplete and ineffective theories and dishing them out to a gullible and desperate people. He next reads the work of Dr Mark Epstein based on advice from his wife on Buddhist practices with focus on meditation which interests him. He meets Mark and over time their families become good friends. He goes on to a retreat which changes his outlook to life. He builds on the gains from the retreat incrementally – all the time reading more and introducing more aspects in his meditation practice. His meeting with the Dalai Lama is one such turning point where the Dalai Lama explains the concept of compassion for others – even on a purely selfish note you need to do good for others since it is very good for you ultimately!As he makes significant progress in turning around his life, he still has many questions for which he often turns to Mark. One of these is the concern that turning to meditation might make him less competitive as it conjures up images of monks and robed people who seem to be removed from the real world. Over time he realizes that none of this is a call to give up right and appropriate action. As he brings in the principles of compassion with meditation in his life, he finds his relationships as well his work situation getting a lot better.Associated with ABC, he takes the lead in researching and broadcasting stories on Mindfulness. During the course of his research, he finds that a large number of leading corporates have already incorporated Mindfulness training as part of their employee development initiatives. While they have branded their programs separately with a secularized program without the need for religious chanting, the basic principles remain the same. There is now a large body of research indicating that such practices actually rewire the brain with major benefits.This is a book which is unpretentious and very conversational. I loved reading it and can relate to it based on personal experiences as well. However, his being dismissive of Tolle and Deepak Chopra does not feel right especially based on his limited interaction. In fact while he read Tolle's book, he reads nothing of Deepak Chopra, instead basing his opinion on his reading of his personality and commercial success. As he points out in the book, he is wrong on numerous occasions on his analysis of people. There is also inadequate material on alternative meditation techniques and experiences of others besides himself though he alludes to it in the afterword (including practices derived from Hinduism). That said, his overall conclusions ring true and he is certainly right about most of the literature we regard as “Self Help”.In today's age, this is an excellent book to read. It brings to the mainstream questions and issues most working people have – the search for purpose, stress, and relationships. It also brings to the fore another important point – the wisdom of the ages dismissed by the waves of modernity, and deserving another look. You may just find that the secret to a right life was known long ago – hidden away in classics and practices which nobody bothers to look at any more. He discusses the problems in making such practices mainstream. In fact when he first tells people he has taken up meditation they look at him strangely. This is because such practices with origins in Eastern philosophies are associated with either robed monks or hippies. He decides a better way is to say that he has started a practice which has made him 10% happier. Overall, a book I strongly recommend you read. If it helps you seek a practice of your own, you might just find that it could certainly make you more than 10% happier.

I’m no newbie to the concept of meditating—it’s a practise I’ve explored over the last few years—but 10% Happier by Dan Harris was a refreshing reminder that this journey doesn’t have to be perfect. Daily meditation doesn’t make you immune to hardship/stress/etc., but it does give you the tools to navigate those situations with more awareness. In addition to finding Dan Harris’ investigation into this world fascinating (between learning about his career as an anchor and his attempts to endure lengthy meditation retreats, there was lot to unpack here haha), I also found myself laughing a lot. When you’re reading self help books, there can be times when you’re reading something and thinking to yourself: “woah, this is a little out there.” I appreciated that Dan leaned into those moments with wit...it made for a book filled with “mic drop moments” that still felt approachable. Although this isn’t a guide to mediating, I do think there’s a lot to learn and takeaway from it. All that to say, this was a great book to start 2021 off with. There have been numerous examples in my life lately that keep reminding me how important the breathe is, so this was a perfect time to dive into this story. Highly recommend— especially if you’re a beginner to mediating and feeling skeptical 🙌✨

He does a great job of demystifying meditation. In an enjoyable way he recounts his own experiences, from skepticism to belief in, & explains what he's learned from others along the way.

Dan Harris is a television journalist and news-anchor for the ABC network. He currently is the co-anchor of the Nightline show and the weekend edition of Good Morning America. He has gone into numerous war zones around the world, bringing back incredible stories from the front. He found this type of reporting to be thrilling, and often brought on an emotional "high". When he came back home, however, he found the need to self-medicate, with cocaine or other drugs. At one point in his career he experienced a panic attack while on national television. which triggered his quest for reducing his stress.Harris was given the assignment to cover stories related to religion and faith. So, he used these opportunities to look for techniques that could help himself. He realized that he needed to reduce his stress, without, as he says, "losing my edge." He found some use for the things he learned from Eckhart Tolle and from Deepak Chopra. But it wasn't until he found meditation, that he realized that this was the magic technique that worked for him. Harris even went to a ten-day silent meditation retreat. Most of his time there was pure torture. But for a day or two, he experience the highest high of his life.This isn't really a self-help book. The book describes Harris' journey through his journalist and television news career, and the enlightenment that he gradually attained. It was fascinating, fun, entertaining, and I recommend it to everyone.I didn't read this book; I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Dan Harris. While his narration is excellent, the audio quality is not. It is obvious that the volume level was saturated, giving rise to distorted sound. Harper Audio should be ashamed of its audio engineering department. If it weren't for this audio defect, I would have rated the book 5 stars.

Surprisingly good read and not what I was expecting. Recommended for anyone curious about meditation and mindfulness. Harris does a great job of breaking down all the fluffy and ‘hippy’ terminology that usually get associated with meditation. He also brings the benefits to life by showing how it helped him. A very honest account and nicely told.

A Meditation Book Designed For A True Skeptic. This is the first book that I've read on meditation that approached meditation through a severely skeptical eye. Dan Harris has asked all the questions you would have thought to ask and gets all the answers for you. This is also the first book that I've read on meditation that was approached from a journalists point of view. Using Dan's connections he has managed to interview and talk to most of the meditation community you wish you could talk to. For these two reasons I strongly recommended reading this book if you are considering Meditation or if you are an experienced veteran and anyone in between! If Dan Harris ends up writing another book I will definitely be interested in reading it. He has a very fluid, humorous and honest writing style. Dan gets bonus points for originally wanting to name the book: "The Voice In My Head Is An Asshole."Thank you for reading my review! As a bonus here are a few status updates I wrote while reading the book:"Dan Harris takes a big dump on self help gurus for a couple chapters. I went through the same process as Dan, being suckered into buying those books only to realize they were based on no real substance other then made up words and empty promises. Then when it doesn't work the explanation you get is that it's your own fault because you don't believe hard enough in whatever confusing theory they're selling you.""Dan Harris is just as big a skeptic as I am about religion and self help gurus apparently. Unless at some point in this book he's going to tell me he became enlightened. Haha.""Wow! Who knew Dan Harris partied so hard? I wouldn't have guessed."

Surprisingly awesome. My friend Susan told me to read this. I was a bit shocked as she seemed the last person to suggest meditation. Since it happened a week after my attendance of the OUAT con where Lana Parrilla mentioned how meditation was important to her happiness which surprised me at the time, I felt like the universe was smacking me with a WAKE UP AND MEDITATE call.This book is awesome sauce on multiple levels. It was fun reading about the experience of a a news person writing stories, exploring the world, and rising the ranks.Dan was resistant to the idea of mediation etc which made me feel better. I'm NOT resistant to the idea of mediation but some of the language seems deliberately off-putting. Harris made me willing to take a step back.I do still maintain the insistence on wincing at phrases like "transformation vortex of the infinite." I'm curious. I was impressed by Dan's honesty. He does seem a bit of an @sshole sometimes which makes the whole book more refreshing and funny. He's a good guy. He's real. I'll be reading the Epstein book next.... after the 5th Louise Penny book for some joy.

Great, down-to-earth "regular guy's" introduction to meditation. Also, a quick, fun read. For me, the book came into my life at a unique time. I'm a Stage IV melanoma patient. I've been meaning to enroll myself in a MBSR program (ala Kabat-Zinn) as I know meditation is an important tool. Reading Dan's book sealed it for me. I've enrolled in a program and, in preparation, have been practicing for 10 minutes/day using one of Kabat-Zinn's CD programs. Thanks Dan.