'10% Happier with Dan Harris' and Sharon Salzberg

[@DarylBambic]

I read his book. He's insightful, authentic and hilarious. I enjoy his interview style and his contribution helps to elevate KZbin. Thanks Dan.

[@rebeccalandry53]

Sharon is an absolutely amazing woman. Very helpful. Mirrors my childhood so very helpful in listening to her. I’m going to by her Faith. Book. I bought a book about Overcoming unwanted intrusive thoughts she recommended by sally Winston/ Martin seif. Soo glad I happened on 10percent happier. Amazing tools given to me as my psychologist used to say.

[@722barbi]

Love this woman!!!!

[@ruthgrover3335]

I had an aneurysm 2005 Jan. If you know aneurysm it also added aphasia. Aphasia is communicating and I moved in my sons place were he works long hours so I was alone. With aphasia you need to talk and start over to talk and read, write with others, but I was alone. I was interested about faith from the Bible. So I went to the library and right up front there was a book ‘Faith’. I love the book that Sharon write. I start using meditation. Wow, it was actually the best book for and a friend!

[@JasonGafar]

That is a very traumatic childhood. I'm so happy she found peace.

[@janewalsh2481]

Sharon is truly a beautiful inspiration!

[@sezwhojazz]

Really lovely interview! Thank you.

[@marisolsanchez996]

Funny to see him have a reaction to being a teacher but he is one. He is bridging these concepts for many. Congratulations. You are changing the world.

[@IONAPINKMOXIE]

I love SS! One of the first meditations I got into was her "pack" done with Joseph Goldstein called Insight Meditation. So excited to see you interview her. Thanks!

[@joythierryllewellyn7807]

Love this. Reading the 10% book at the moment.

[@peacefulisland67]

So far, my understanding of mentoring or teaching anything in a beneficial way is being slightly more experienced on a subject than the student, but also being open to possibility and potential. Willingness is the key factor. It enabled me to listen to the questions and then go find the answers; to be ready. And it was invigorating. If a teacher is so far removed from the student there's no relatability, no shared language to even be able to ask a question. Small links between many make a strong weave. How will anyone be able to relate personally to an app or far away teacher? It can be the spark, but long term, we need relationships up close.

[@kayheizman2182]

Absolutely 👍

[@katwebsteryoga]

I think the main requirement of a teacher is to really care, we cant all go to live in silent retreats but we can really truly care

[@crowdancer5]

love this !!!!!

[@einsteindarwin8756]

I’m so ball to have found this

[@Royalroadtotheunc]

Excellent interview. Keep up the good work. :-)

[@naturelover1284]

can we meditate during yin yoga poses? when I feel the thought in my body when people are intending to hurt you...they are in control, in those cases is not thought and staying in the head or detached the better choice?

[@angelecadieux1691]

What are your thoughts on The Ignorant Schoolmaster by Jacques Rancière

[@marshapelo9830]

this is a man.

[@SLefd]

Right? ? That's what I always say about Dan Harris. I am super impressed and delighted by his journey.

[@pschlosb]

I've watched numerous of his videos, and for someone who is promoting meditation, Dan Harris though very knowledgeable, and i'm sure devoted, seems awfully cynical about meditation and mindfulness by his tone and the way he questions his interview subjects. If he's so cynical, maybe he would be happier preaching about something else. I understand he says he is trying to separate the "hype" from what's real about meditation and educate people about that, and that is great. However, the reality is that meditation is a spiritual practice. Therefore it is also based to some degree in faith. Faith is about having belief in things that are unseen. He can be cynical all he wants and continue to be a doubting Thomas and keep trying to find more science that proves out meditation, and fortunately science is giving us more and more evidence about meditation's benefits. However, it's a spiritual pursuit which means ultimately one must learn to trust it as a process and believe in the reasons for it.

[@MrElicottero]

I actually like the way he talks about meditation and I like his skepticism. Reminds me of my meditation teacher... if he ever used the kind of sappy new age language I'd never get into it.

[@pschlosb]

Peter, I agree with you, I don't like sappy new age stuff either. Most of the "new age" is a bunch of horse crap. However, meditation IS extremely powerful and I believe it's even much more powerful than he even believes or gives it credit for. However, I like Dan Harris, and I do give him props that even though he doesn't necessarily consciously believe to that level, something in him at an unconscious level does believe which is still telling him to push forward with it, and he's doing a great job of teaching and spreading the word about meditation. He must be commended for what he's doing. I admit I think he's a good communicator and he is learning from some of the best teachers such as Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, George Mumford, etc. So I don't mean to be critical of Dan and I hope he continues with what he's doing. The power of meditation was known by yogis, meditators, spiritual aspirants thousands of years ago, long before the so-called "new age" ever existed. I definitely think that meditation can contribute to people being more than 10% happier (now hear me out -- I mean not only sitting and meditating, but living a meditative and mindful, conscious lifestyle and possibly using other wellness based tools such therapy, good food, exercise, etc). I understand he's trying to downplay it and not overstate it, and I don't necessarily think his way is a bad approach. But, I think he should also be careful to explain to people that it is possible that they could also gain a lot more than 10% from it. In other words, it's kind of like by naming it that, he's putting a limit on where it can take someone.

[@MrElicottero]

I agree. I have been meditating for two years now, and it's extremely powerful and transformative in ways that are very hard to put into words. But if it weren't for people like Dan Harris, I would not have been "hooked". My own meditation teacher has a similar approach, not in terms of limit it to 10% as Dan did in his book, but this kind of no-nonsense, plane spoken approach without any chakras, energy, third eyes or similar such stuff. (I'm not trying to insult anyone's beliefs, to each his own, but I'm a very secular person and I needed an approach that is less Ekhart Tolle -like cloudy metaphysics and more Western, logically tight and grounded approach. It's just a matter of personal preferences.)

[@pschlosb]

That's good Peter, I hope that your meditation continues to go well. I am very happy to hear you are meditating and that you feel that your practice is growing. I feel the same way, it is very important in my life. Peace and God bless!

[@jaykowsh1027]

The way he approaches all of this is from the perspective of a cynical person so he can help those that are cynical gain an understanding. All of the spiritual lingo is a turn-off for many many people so he's presenting it in a way that the masses can digest.

[@funhole26]

I'm sure everyone will find my question offensive but, how can someone who is clearly over weight be called a meditation master? Vipassana is supposed to make you aware of everything, including impulses. If your over weight wouldnt that suggest you havent gained much awareness over how much/types of food you eat?

[@martinratcliffe5987]

We all have different habits, and some are much deeper than others. Some take a lot more time, work and patience. Dharma isn't about beigg perfect. Metta is about befriending our karmic (habitual) situation, and that of others. Metta brings a kind of instant (but not complete) liberation of the heart, a radical change in attitude. So although some habits are very deep, and may take along time, we can develop the attitude of friendliness towards ourselves, which will not only be a support as we work with the habits, but will make us more understanding and accepting of others. This is what Sharon is teaching. So although we may or may not relinquish certain habits, at least we won't be a complete bully to ourselves and others. That's the point of metta, and compassion, I think (and the other brahma viharas) I hope that helps in some way.

[@MsMars.]

@funhole: Seriously? your comment is unbelievably shallow, judgmental, and unenlightened. I am truly shocked and dismayed that you would focus on the outward appearance, the physical body, of this very kind and insightful woman who has helped so many people. Perhaps you should look within your heart to figure out why you would think or say such things.

[@WH-hi5ew]

You might want to look up photos of saints like Neem Karoli Baba or Ajhan Buddhadasa. That aside, who knows whats behind someone else's weight loss or weight gain without more information? It's just assumptions.

[@yannicat123]

In all of my 14 years of Buddhist study I learned “1” essential truth. That truth is that Jesus Christ is the way and the truth and the LIFE! There is no other way.

[@MrCmon113]

Let's ignore all of the evil teachings of Christianity and focus only on the good ones: Jesus never tells you *how* to love others; it's just a commandment. It is hard to see what love is supposed to be in Christianity.

[@Atanu]

@David Jackson. I am truly sorry to hear this. You must be very insecure in your faith in Christ. I hope you learn to love your Christian faith enough so that you don't have to prop up your doubts about your faith by declaring to the world how sincere your faith is. Get well soon.

[@WH-hi5ew]

Good for you - I really wish you well on your chosen path!

[@emlynlewis2830]

If meditation is supposed to improve your daily decision making, it's terrible to have a leading proponent of meditation that's obese, who clearly is making bad decisions frequently. I wouldn't listen to productivity tips from a homeless drug addict.

[@jaykowsh1027]

She's teaching you how to be mentally healthy...not how to get a six pack.

[@laurieduitch1643]

Sharon Salzberg is a leading teacher in the meditation world.

[@laurieduitch1643]

Part of mindfulness, as I understand is taking a non-judgmental stance. Neither of us have any idea of what it is like to be in her shoes.

[@MrElicottero]

You are assuming a lot. Yeah it's not healthy to be obese, but you don't know WHY she is obese, she could actually have a medical condition. Second of all, meditation doesn't make people perfect, and her physical health says literally nothing about her meditative attainments and more importantly about her abilities to teach meditation.

[@MrElicottero]

Obesity can, for example, be a side-effect of medication used in some chronic and pretty serious conditions, in which case she wouldn't be able to lose weight no matter what she did. Second - you can't possibly know if she has trauma issue because you don't know her. Third - the elephant in the room is your reaction to her obesity; why exactly does it upset you so much?