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Summary of 10% Happier 

4.6 . 9655 reviews

Short summary

Following an on-air anxiety attack and meltdown, author and news anchor Dan Harris decided to take control of his life. After struggling with addiction while trying to be ambitious in the competitive world of journalism, he realized that something had to change; this prompted him to seek help, sober up, and go to therapy. He eventually agreed to embark on a spirituality-themed journalism project his boss, Peter Jennings (a legendary news anchor), pressured him to undertake. This project exposed him to a myriad of religious figures, self-help superstars, and the likes. He eventually stumbled upon what he felt might be the answer to his conundrum — mindfulness. To achieve this, he had to learn meditation. Being a pragmatic person, he had to demystify the whole concept first and then distill the true lessons from the usual pretentiousness associated with it. Once you get the hang of it, the practice can create just enough space in your head so that when you get angry or annoyed, you are less likely to take the bait and act on it. ~ Dan Harris

Table of content

  • Summary of 10% Happier
  • About the author
  • What is 10% Happier about?
  • Who should read 10% Happier
  • Topics in 10% Happier
first key point

Mindlessness is a plague that has beset the modern population

Listen the first key point
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Most of us live in a complete daze; we barely have time for ourselves and are constantly busy with something. We are either worrying about the past or trying to predict the future, leaving the present entirely unattended.

Dan Harris realized that this lack of awareness was not only responsible for his panic attack on live television but also his drug addiction, overeating, and overreacting.

Many people assume they must be paranoid and always on guard to stay at the top of their game. They have come to identify with the incessant nagging in their heads and attribute success to this “taskmaster” that is never satisfied. They aim to put out more work, getting hooked on the intensity and forgetting about wellbeing and sanity. When the satisfaction is no longer attainable through work or other activities, turning to drugs is one of the most common resorts.
Cocaine is said to activate the same reward center of the brain that lights up when you accomplish something, so it is an easy trap for those seeking that thrill.
This lack of attention to oneself can lead to an unprecedented buildup of mental and emotional stress underneath a surface of activeness and an eventual collapse or breakdown.

Dan Harris’ breakdown happened publicly — on national television. The cumulative stress of working in a competitive and demanding network company and a high level of mindlessness finally caused him to lose his composure while reading the news.

He had been a reporter in Afghanistan, an assignment he agreed to because of career advancement prospects. Disregarding his wellbeing, he embarked on this project and ignored the psychological effect it had on him, even upon returning to the United States. His lifestyle did not help his situation either, as he indulged himself with partying and taking drugs, let alone not eating healthily or working out.

All these factors, coupled with a sort of willful blindness to his condition, led to the on–air anxiety attack, which served as a wake–up call that he, fortunately, didn’t ignore.

In this summary, you will learn all about Dan Harris’ journey, and his path to enlightenment and perhaps you can find your own route towards the same outcome.
second key point

Meditation can help to find your purpose and teach you the power of the present

Dan Harris’ search for understanding kicked off with early exposure to certain members of the meditation subculture, which included people like Eckhart Tolle, the author of
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third key point

There is no such thing as security, so don’t bother with the insecurity

fourth key point

Mindfulness creates space in your head so you can respond rather than react

fifth key point

Enlightenment is the achievement of the self, and one must bother reaching enlightenment despite its rarity

sixth key point

Unrealistic ideas stand in the way of true enlightenment

seventh key point

Conclusion

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What is 10% Happier about?

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Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.

Do you find yourself staring at your computer for long minutes, unaware of time slipping by? Do you enter a room and suddenly cannot remember why you stepped in the first place? Is it a herculean task for you to sit through ten pages of a book without reaching for your phone? If yes, your focus needs some work and fast.

Actually, yours is not a unique situation. Many adults like you have issues concentrating on a given task. However, in this fast-paced world of ours, you can’t afford to be not focused at all times. Thankfully, this article comes to your rescue! With the tips and tricks from Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, you will get in the top percent of folks who have mastered the art of concentration.