10% Happier | Dan Harris | Talks at Google

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.
After having a nationally televised panic attack on Good Morning America, Dan Harris knew he had to make some changes. A lifelong nonbeliever, he found himself on a bizarre adventure, involving a disgraced pastor, a mysterious self-help guru, and a gaggle of brain scientists. Eventually, Harris realized that the source of his problems was the very thing he always thought was his greatest asset: the incessant, insatiable voice in his head, which had both propelled him through the ranks of a hyper-competitive business and also led him to make the profoundly stupid decisions that provoked his on-air freak-out.
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.

[@RamonDaniel]

If anyone’s scrolling though the comments wondering if they should sit though this whole video, watch it. You’ll get drawn in and wouldn’t even think about clicking off. 100% worth your time, 10% happier for all of time.

[@shellystarkey6543]

thank you. took us (5 years) to get here. Saw your comment, watched the entire video (and ordered Dan's book) So, thanks 😃

[@markodowtz5631]

Brilliant articulate, humorous guy offers a simple and indispensable insight.

[@jenniferpierce3013]

fuhg

[@Efalstrup]

Such an articulate guy with such valuable and timely insight. Thanks for the awesome talk!

[@ragingdogeblade6190]

It’s not a big thing but why don’t we start to do the other things and I think 💭 would have a lot to say about to the act of the one where I don’t know what to say I think I don’t have a lot to say I think I just do that and I think I can get a little more than what you do but it’s not a big thing for you I just do not want you and I want you and you have to start with me and you have a lot to me and you do you need me to start with me I just want you to do something

[@itjustis4009]

Thank you Dan Harris

[@iamremmie]

I appreciate this guy. Panic attacks are no fun. Know that you're not alone! Be happy😊

[@lisas.5872]

exactly. I have severe panic attacks that actually effect my life. People who have never have one shouldn't judge.

[@kathyhays4025]

Lisa S. Me to Lisa. But I had a Abusive stepdad n first husband.. luckily I found the right passionate Dr. Retiring this month.

[@ragingdogeblade6190]

No

[@kiburamaha7715]

On 15:01 to 15:07 when he said, "I mean, if you think about it, how many good meals have you had? Are you done🤨" got me on tears😂😂😂...his humor is awesome but his speech was great too

[@michaelglynn5856]

Yes clearly one of the best public speakers bar none!

[@ncf1]

You have to be ready for what Tolle teaches; it took me 10 years to finally reach that stage, and that after going through mindfulness meditation and other forms of spirituality. Others may be ready for it immediately, but it is profoundly wise, beautifully written, and you wont believe how good you feel once you have practised for a while. I suffered daily panic attacks for over a decade, and found myself first attracted to mindfulness meditation which did help eliminate them completely. But after that, I found a deeper yearning and found a yearning for ultimate truth. This is where you need the teachings of those like Tolle, Leonard Jacobson, David Hawkins, because meditation will only take you so far. Its good - really good - but its not the best.

[@sandygavin-atkinson8275]

I agree, I had crippling depression and panic attacks for decades, practicing what Tolle taught in "the power of now" was what led to my full recovery.

[@ncf1]

that is terrific to hear Sandy, it truly works and the peace just keeps deepening the more you practice.. there is nothing like it!

[@garymeehan3021]

Dan does a great job of demystifying - even de-spritualizing the subject which helps to make 'practice' more accessible. For many, it's the feeling that one must become something else to participate that is off-putting. Dan's presentation makes it clear that a simple, small investment in time is all that's required!

[@MrPortraitsofpast]

This guy seems awesome

[@NEWTeenRunaway0X0X]

I remember you from you from Newton! (I'm one of the shy bond twins from Brown Jr. High -- we were 8th grade, you were 7th)! You are terrific, Danny Harris. Thank you for the book -- and your unique, self-aware, cynical-humorous-yet-sincere, simple approach to what seems complex. It really helps.

[@caerulea0]

Really great video, all of the truth with none of the bullshit! It's hard for a lot of people to digest the Eckhart Toille approach or the pseudo hippie mentality. This is stripped-back realness on how to be mindful and stop worrying so damn much about all that life bollocks, self-medicating is used by so many because we just don't know how to deal with life. This is a really great starting point on how to start helping yourself instead of hurting yourself.

[@MACD69]

caerulea0 Gary weber has some talks that go along the no bullshit line aswell.

[@oleeotv]

Really digestible and clear introduction and invitation to an unfamiliar concept in the west. Thank you very much for this!

[@RyanScarbrough]

Awesome speech, Dan!!

[@Lyotac]

Couldn't agree more

[@ic2063]

Why do people have to judge everything from the point of science for things to be. The scientific method leaves out the spirit. Ancient cultures have synthesized this wisdom but we feel we have validate with science and capitalize on it. Intuition is a convergence of intelligence and common sense. Glad this guy finally got it.

[@jamescollins6927]

Of all the stuff I've watched all the research I've done in my fledgling attempts to understand meditation this is the first time the penny dropped unbelievably now I get it

[@cesartoscano6813]

His book is even better trust me, really enjoyable

[@jamescollins6927]

@@cesartoscano6813 thank-you cesar

[@clelanj]

Hooked by the book, and now engrossed by Dan’s talk. I love the fact that he is dispelling many of the awkward perceptions surrounding meditation.

[@susiesusie2889]

Yes ! Intelligent and articulate man giving a fascinating presentation.

[@gknewlin]

This is priceless. I will be sure to share with students and friends, and I particularly love the "space behind the waterfall" analogy. Thank you. And dare I say, namaste ;-)

[@leokyrpychenko]

Gina Newlin мультикпрапринцесуминяд.

[@magicalsimmy]

Just make sure you say it ironically. LOL! ;)

[@anyariv]

I came to the realization a while back that we're always time traveling. Humans are time travelers. How many of us actually spend any time in the present moment? Even when you're actively conversing with someone you are thinking about what to say next while they are speaking, or thinking about what they just said 5 minutes ago and missing what they're saying now. When you are eating with someone, you are most likely trapped in your head reliving a memory or thinking about what you're going to order for desert, or about the review you read online about the restaurant, or how you're going to buy the ingredients to make that meal at home. I mean..... ANYTHING other than really enjoying and savoring the food, focusing on the flavors, or feeling relaxation and joy of being with your partner in the moment. We are constantly in the past or in the future. Mindfulness is just being present. In the Now. But because it's such a foreign concept to most people they need to read books, listen to gurus, watch youtube videos, pay money for meditation classes, etc. just to learn to be present.

[@dddshaughnessy]

Thank you Dan for sharing with full honesty, refreshing, again ty !! : )

[@freezerburnednomore]

I never tire of hearing you talk on this topic.

[@fullermoments]

Your presentation was/is so so helpful and it resonates with me. As a caregiver, and person that is on disability after several years of a great professional career and as a minister....I never never found an approach to handle my anxiety and depression. This is a game changer because you explained it in a way that makes it doable for even people like me.

[@cynthwise6982]

Wow...Dan Harris...I applaud YOU.... thanks....

[@tacotruck7995]

Thank You Dan! Grateful for your experience thanks for sharing.

[@MegF142857]

Dan Harris is yet another person who has written a book about his personal journey and discovery of a topic that is thousands of years old. He recommends Mark Epstein for learning about mindfulness meditation. I recommend talks and books by Jon Kabat-Zinn, who is Professor of Medicine Emeritus and creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. If you liked this talk, then you should search on Vipassana (mindfulness) meditation. You can also take this free course. greatergood.berkeley.edu/news_events/event/the_science_of_happiness 34:24 Sam Harris book "Waking Up" talking about what is the self (non-duality) fits nicely in with Eckart Tolle's books discussing the "ego".

[@michaelglynn5856]

Where ever you go there you are! Is Jon Kabir zin badass book as well and Andrew Wiel of Harvard school of Medicine and Author of a dozen books has an CD on meditation with Zin and one on breathe work. Weil is a straight beast in his own right.

[@theajdisplay]

Perfectly timed for my life. Thanks!

[@hupnvs1396]

Thank you.

[@FoxyJeff]

I love his comments about meditation and I’ve practiced it in the past. What turned my life around 15 years ago was my faith in Christ and the knowledge that God is with me in my human form. I always said that I believed in God, but that was irrelevant to me as a breathing human…and then I turned my life over to God.

[@airbloomamplifiers]

Just bought the book. (Already read "Waking Up" a few times). Thanks for the inspiration Dan Harris.

[@mindfitness5525]

Great talk. Presented really well! I am on mission fix up my life and I found this very helpful.

[@pakaza]

Excellent!!!

[@SpidermanInLondon]

This was a really good talk. (Grateful, thank you.)

[@gangstersayfock]

A very inspiriantional talk of Dan Harris. I already did meditation for a long time when I saw this talk the first time at the end of 2015, but it inspires me to follow a mindfulness course. That was very nice! I learn a lot from it and I have more attention for the things I do and I listen better to people if they talk to me. Also I hear more and here different things if I listen to music. I even wrote a blog about it and watched this talk totall 5 times I think in the last 2 years. I really like how Dan talk about mediation. He is keeping it simple and makes it clear to understand for everybody because his examples and his experience and because he uses the science. I hope it will inspire a lot of people to try to meditate 5 minutes a day! Meditation brought me a lot together with yoga and the positive psychology. I hope more people in the world will benefit from it:).

[@michaelglynn5856]

Thank you Dan Harris again knocks it out of the park!

[@karenpcumbie]

Finished your book today. So totally awesome! Life changer!

[@mca10spro]

I am reading the book now. Seeing this video helps me understand the bigger picture of where Dan is coming from. I am looking forward to this journey. I really enjoyed the Q&A at the end. I thought I was going to just skip over it, but found it very helpful and even more endorsing about meditation. I really like his quote about being a Buddha is better than being a Buddhist. In other words, it's better to be the product than to sell to someone else.

[@pellqt]

Needed this talk more then ever! Thank you :)

[@rogertoole9468]

Cant explain how greatful I am to read this book, and get info from someone that has alot more means and leway, to learn about what millions of people suffer world over anxiety and panic . thanks for. Your efforts !

[@sheeralim8020]

I worked on GMA as a teleprompter typist for several years while I was in college. My life was a panic attack! Such an incredibly stressful job. So glad I left that crazy industry before it killed me.

[@fuatkurban353]

Thank you so much for that video! This is excellent vehicle to communicate verbally the concept of meditation! I also came to understanding the concept through my own version of personal crisis and long journey of soul-searching, but when I started getting the understanding, the more I felt it inside the more hopeless I start becoming in my ability to communicate it verbally to people around me. I felt that when I attempt to share it people are becoming annoyed by me, just like they are feeling annoyed by what Tolle is saying. ;-)

[@uenjoylife]

Thanks for sharing.

[@lisaransom3375]

I feel he has a long way to go, but so glad he has begun!!

[@lcarpetron6997]

If that's the most embarrassing day of your life then you've had a pretty damn good life. Congratulations.

[@jamesp4521]

Panic attack on nation television? That's pretty gd embarrassing mate

[@QGTube]

watch this video and look at the comment over here from xxAlicexxhnp, you could possibly relate a little bit more :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqWYgqlvqbqCmKs

[@vodkacannon]

Lcarpetron YEAH LOL

[@watashiwanachodes]

It's not about the objective thing that happened. It is about the hellish experience he had. And about the vulnerability about opening up and saying: hey this little stutterted and unfocused thing i did at a show 10 yrs ago was masking depresion, and this other real bad feelings i had.

[@lisas.5872]

Clearly you have no idea what it's like to have a panic attack OR depression. protestsong68 you got it right.

[@ColleenHKane]

Loving hearing about Dan Harris's journey. It all makes so much sense. Practice, Practice Practice. He's seems like a pretty normal guy that opened up his world.

[@Fackerleft]

That's what the Buddha did. And what we can. all do

[@margaretthompson4886]

Great video, Dan, you are so funny, guess I will be getting this book !

[@jansuch]

The Q&A was better than the talk. And the talk was fukkin awesome.

[@animasuzie]

Came for the mesmerizing velvet curtains . Stayed for the message. Thanks Dan.

[@AIAPJ7925RJ]

Brilliant one. I loved it. Pakka practical still spiritual

[@Ridlehoover2B]

This might have been the best thing to stumble upon during 2020

[@rachelhykel]

Great talk!

[@Test21Test]

I'm so glad I found you by accident. As someone who is getting anxiety attacks during work, I need to badly fix this issue as it's the main obstacle that's stopping me from where I want to be in terms of my work life. I too think my anxiety attacks started thanks to recreational cocaine use which I for sure will stop now that it's what caused yours too. Definitely going to read your book and hope it helps me overcome and handle this social anxiety I've developed.

[@abelcompean4893]

Thank you really interesting video

[@Haliotro]

Fantastic talk

[@rickyrhoades4083]

Haliotro Fantastic is a stretch. I would say decent or almost good.

[@MarcosLopez-oq7wh]

This was very helpful

[@VictoriaSobocki]

Funny and insightful guy! Good, dry humor and intelligent points.

[@ruthe.kastner6346]

It's great that he's promoting the benefits of meditating, but you don't have to think of it has 'hard'. The whole point is just to notice when you're lost in thought and then come back to the breath (or mantra or whatever). There's nothing wrong or insufficient about noticing thoughts and then going back to the breath. That's what meditation is. It shouldn't be thought of as some task one has to accomplish. It's just a process--finding that you're having thoughts, then returning to the breath. All of that is good--none of it is bad or a sign that you're not 'doing it right'.

[@PatriceWalker]

Amen, Ruth.

[@nikkig5153]

Wow, what a great story. How brave to put this out there. I would love to see this live. Glad it was a google platform. To be honest I’ve never heard of you before. But I’m following now. I might even read the book.

[@crazyleg2006]

I really enjoyed that.

[@doulosrei71]

thanks dan!

[@garyreidmusic]

I'm 10% happier because I got this book for free today from a Little Free Library...

[@home-hobbies]

Can so much relate to my own journey to meditation 🧘‍♀️

[@TonyRossi]

It's still 10% better to read the book. :-) This is the link you share with your friends and family to explain why you calmed down a bit after reading this mystery book. Thanks for publishing this, Google!

[@amylee9]

That voice.

[@ragingdogeblade6190]

What brown is the white blue blue red sue brown brown blue orange pink sue green green yellow sue brown brown blue red sue white red yellow sue white red blue red yellow sue brown blue red yellow yellow blue red sue brown blue blue red sue white blue red sue blue red blue orange pink sue brown brown sue brown brown blue blue orange yellow yellow sue white blue red sue

[@user-jc8py7dw7r]

His app for mediation is ridiculously expensive. I was listening to his 10% Happier audio book and downloaded the app...once I saw how crazy expensive the app was, i couldn't even bring myself to finish the audio book.

[@xflyingtiger]

I have been curious about whether I could do this and drive a car. So I tried it. You can. You can actually be mindful when you drive. This was a revelation for me.

[@susydyson1750]

i totally enjoyed this very humanised and witty mindfulness and meditation rap!

[@nicole-lj2zh]

Minus the cussing this was very fun to listen to. Every time you meditate and have to return your thoughts to your breathing it is a bicep for your brain. I have read many times about meditation but his way of explaining it actually convinced me and I'm going to do it. And I can enjoy me life even though I'm not college educated, have a great love life or am in any way successful according to the way this world defines it. No matter what we have or don't have we all have demons in our head and those external success factors don't change that. That doesn't preclude you from enjoying your life though. He has a very dry sense of humor and his personality didn't initially appeal to me but his way of explaining things and keepin' it real makes me appreciate him, his struggles and his art of teaching.

[@combatxhoop7069]

shit after watching videos from gurus and etc, this video is an eye opening. thanks dan. ;)

[@ingridgott]

You handel the panic attack like hero man

[@marymcarthur3273]

What he is describing is circular thinking occurring when you are trying to sleep. Antidepressants was a miracle for me. Turned off circular negative thinking like a light switch.

[@22calum22]

Can anyone recommend more eye opening talks such as this one?

[@ruined_carpet9630]

15:30 - are ye talking about me?! xD

[@stephenfermoyle1498]

he is awesome

[@chrisbaybay7326]

I believe what you believe comes true no matter what, bad or good. Hence the very misunderstood movie "The Secret" But I love this video. Hes very good!

[@waystadtymphyndir7079]

This is still relevant today.

[@inceptiondreamz]

Eckhart tolle is not relatable to most people because he has reached that place of near enlightenment as they call it. Many Buddhist monks achieve this only after years of training.

[@stoplightslaw]

That's why dan harris is not saying anything new but he is relatable bc he explains how he skeptical he was before but still learned the benefits of meditation. Ekhart tolle claims he found enlightenment but it actually started from millions of years ago way before christ. The lessons he is teaching is all from buddhism. Except buddha wasn't trying to capitalize on it. The buddhism lessons don't require you to be a buddhist. None of these people are teaching anything new.

[@rdphd]

+stoplightslaw Do you meditate?

[@inceptiondreamz]

+stoplightslaw I realize he may be making a profit from it but this is one of the ways to bring awareness. Without shows or books people won't necessarily be drawn to it. Them again you might say that they aren't the true enlightened ones anyway. Usually the ones really interested go to meditate with a monk or at a monostary You make great points.

[@Fackerleft]

You are mistaken about Tolle. He had some realisation but is no where near Enlightened and is still creating a lot of Karma for himself. Don't be fooled

[@loungydoc]

inceptiondreamz there is only moments of enlightenment , since we still live in a physical body and use a mind that by nature, polarizes

[@claudealan100]

Great piece . He is such a bro though.

[@Zooman160]

Positive thinking is better than negative thinking The glass can be half full or half empty this helps day to day living

[@amandalynne9314]

I came up with two quotes over 12 years ago which I'm reluctantly going to share but feel they were never truly were 'mine' so I'm going to share despite this. One: To give a dog a bone is to give a man a thought. Two: The mind is a tool to be used, not used by. We are meant to utilize the mind as a tool. The spirit is meant to be at the helm. All life will change with this perspective. And, yes, I am a hippy, if you will. A smart one; as many hippies actually are. The dissing would do well to subside.

[@lizstoneman1560]

Even if this is only 50% relevant with 10% results its worth consideration. Helps me with my loved ones, on the water when Im rowing and career.

[@tenzintharwangyal666]

If 10% happier, it means almost we still have 90% ignorances.

[@531katie]

22:30. Mindfulness.

[@noveltycrusade]

yes!!!

[@carlingtonme]

Not only are most of the components of this found in spiritual mystic practices,east and West for centuries but we have had the maharishi who spawned Bensons the Relaxation Response and now Tolle....we keep reinventing the wheel...oh Oprah like it

[@Tormentality]

This' some good shit.

[@carlylemiii]

The irony of his saying at the end that you don't need an app

[@psychguru66]

So from a psychoanalytic/biologic perspective, Dan's panic attack on air occurs at 1:36 into the newscast. At this point he is discussing the effect of a class of medications called statins and their possible link to cancer. As the son of physicians there may have been expectations that he would enter the medical field causing conflict. Later in the discussion he mentions the passing of newscaster Peter Jenkins whom he would succeed. The use of drugs such as XTC and Molly with their serotonergic properties acted not to "self- medicate" his anxiety but to overwhelm his serotonin system which occurs even when using conventional serotonin reuptake inhibitors at doses used to treat depression.

[@brettsweat]

I feel like most people who don't understand panic/anxiety mostly work in offices/cubicles where you can be isolated and chill and somewhat control your environment, and they have never worked in the service industry where people are all up in your face all day non stop and you have no escape. Is there a meditation class for that specifically? Also, I'll sign up for your 6 figure job and have a mild meltdown on tv every day, that was nothing. I've been battling this shit for years. He's rich, he'll be fine.

[@SatanIsSextingMe]

money = happiness...?

[@QGTube]

Dan Harris reminds me of Harvey from suits :p

[@rachelmoody568]

By 23 mins the audio and video goes out if sync and loops back to the beginning. Ironic, as I had to focus on the audio, whilst noticing but not getting annoyed be the visuals! Good meditative practice.

[@TheGrapplingMonkey]

Is there a site where i can download these talks as mp3 file?

[@LindasDesk]

Loved that you made Eckhart Tolle LOL Hysterical. Kudos buddy:) lol namaste ;0)

[@nickinurse6433]

He obviously never covered Joyce Meyers in his coverage of religion, or Jesus who she represents. All those suffering from anxiety should check out Joyce as she helps with this. His diagram was right out of her sermon on...I want, I feel, I need, which was his waterfall. And if you add the instructions of Christ, you can rename this 100% happier. Which is probably why her program is called Enjoying Everyday Life.

[@UnderDog280]

Having the army meditate is a poor plan. They're going to see through the bullshit and leave the army.

[@SatanIsSextingMe]

that's what I was thinking. meditation doesn't exactly make you want to go out and kill someone. they're going to see through the bullshit and start protesting to end war. maybe that would be a better outcome.

[@TYD98]

Hence no war only peace!!

[@delanagracejohnson6282]

I meditate everyday on the word of God.

[@dessibel8649]

Currently reading

[@rickyrhoades4083]

What this comes down to is basically spirituality for atheists.

[@pushthetempo2]

Ricky Rhoades Pretty much! We need more down to earth people preaching meditation.

[@tedl7538]

Not true, Ricky. It's an approach that would apply equally to religious people and non-believers.

[@noynalinyazansanievongviva7401]

Its buddhism without the buddha...

[@danegner7267]

46:38 Dan Harris says the meditation app Headspace is good.

[@tipofmytongue1024]

He's cute.

[@melindachisholm3410]

Yes he is😘

[@caerulea0]

agreed

[@ragingdogeblade6190]

No