10% Happier

: January 16, 2019; 21 March 2019

https://amzn.to/2t1RrKc

About the Book

Winner of the 2014 Living Now Book Award for Inspirational Memoir

Nightline anchor Dan Harris embarks on an unexpected, hilarious, and deeply skeptical odyssey through the strange worlds of spirituality and self-help, and discovers a way to get happier that is truly achievable.

We all have a voice in our head. It’s what has us losing our temper unnecessarily, checking our email compulsively, eating when we’re not hungry, and fixating on the past and the future at the expense of the present. Most of us would assume we’re stuck with this voice – that there’s nothing we can do to rein it in – but Harris stumbled upon an effective way to do just that. It’s a far cry from the miracle cures peddled by the self-help swamis he met; instead, it’s something he always assumed to be either impossible or useless: meditation. After learning about research that suggests meditation can do everything from lower your blood pressure to essentially rewire your brain, Harris took a deep dive into the underreported world of CEOs, scientists, and even marines who are now using it for increased calm, focus, and happiness.

10% Happier takes readers on a ride from the outer reaches of neuroscience to the inner sanctum of network news to the bizarre fringes of America’s spiritual scene, and leaves them with a takeaway that could actually change their lives.

About the Author

Dan Harris is the coanchor of Nightline and the weekend editions of Good Morning America. He regularly reports for 20/20, World News with Diane Sawyer, and the weekday editions of Good Morning America. Before joining ABC News fourteen years ago, he worked for local news outlets in Boston and Maine. He lives with his wife, Bianca, in New York City. This is his first book.

About the Reviews

There aren’t an enormous amount of self help books that I find myself absolutely devouring while also highlighting every other line so I can re-devour at a later date also adding key phrases to my Twitter because “sharing is caring”.

Buddhism was the religion course I chose to enroll in during college, so much of the dharma was not new to me, however, besides a couple yoga classes I have not made an effort to regularly meditate. After reading this book and sending at least 75% of my favorite passages to my husband, we both promised it would be something we will try to incorporate into our daily lives.

Dan Harris provides lengthy, in depth, thought provoking questions and answers to many questions about meditation especially what perhaps a newbie would be considering. He also provides his experience as well as many scholars & specialists on the subject have directed. His stories about his time on GMA all other news outlets provides a level of expertise that gave me comfort that this man had asked all the right questions and provided responses that were not biased in any way.

Incredible amount of information on the positive effects of meditation while also keeping you on your toes with personal experiences and stories that will have you laughing. You’ll be putting the book down wishing that it wasn’t quite over, but eager to instate some meditation practices into your daily life!

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I learned about Dan Harris' book, "10% Happier" when he first introduced it on Weekend GMA. But I was hesitant to read it then. Dan mentioned it again, as well as the follow-up book, "Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics" this last weekend on GMA. In looking at the description of both titles on Amazon, the description of "10% Happier" really resonated with me. Maybe you have to be in a certain place in your life. Fittingly, I purchased and began reading/listening to "10% Happier" on Monday, January 1st. It's an excellent book and I learned so much....so much so that my New Year's resolution is to become more mindful this year. I have a lot more reading to do to further understand the concept of mindfulness (I intend to start with Dan's list of suggested readings). And I'm looking forward to learning more! Also, Dan Harris did a wonderful job narrating the book. I highly recommend "10% Happier"....if you're ready for it!

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I loved this book. Besides being a very good writer, Dan Harris told his story in an appealing way.

First he gave us a picture of his career as a TV newscaster, which I found very enlightening. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes view of this fascinating field. His story continued right up to his on-air panic attack, which you can see for yourself on Youtube. I personally thought it was barely detectable. It was, however, a wake-up call for him forcing him to realize that he was losing control of his life.

Next on his career path, he was assigned to cover the religious and spiritual field. In this endeavor, he was exposed to the practice of meditation. Reading about this journey was so satisfying as, at first, he had what was probably our own reaction – “Oh, c’mon, what drivel”. Then we watch as he slowly changed to a believer. And this happened over and over – and each time I could really relate to his beginning rejection of each new idea and also to his conversion.

Finally he related how science has proven the many befits of meditation to our brain and daily life. He also explains the different kinds of meditation such as walking meditation and compassion meditation.

In conclusion, he recommends good books and writers in the field. Even if you already know how to meditate and understand the benefits, this book will refresh and strengthen your beliefs.