Dan Harris: Hack Your Brain's Default Mode with Meditation | Big Think

Hack Your Brain's Default Mode with Meditation
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Dan Harris was named co-anchor of ABC News' weekend edition of "Good Morning America" in October 2010. He is also a correspondent for ABC News' broadcasts and platforms including "World News with Diane Sawyer," "Good Morning America," "Nightline," ABC News Digital and ABC News Radio, and for four years anchored "World News Sunday."
Harris joined ABC News in March 2000 and has covered many of the biggest stories in recent years. He has reported on the mass shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, Aurora, Colorado and Tucson, Arizona, and has covered natural disasters from Haiti to Myanmar to New Orleans. He has also reported on combat in Afghanistan, Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, and has made six visits to Iraq.
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TRANSCRIPT:
There’s no way a fidgety and skeptical news anchor would ever have started meditating were it not for the science. The science is really compelling. It shows that meditation can boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, help you deal with problems ranging from irritable bowel syndrome to psoriasis. And the neuroscience is where it really gets sci-fi. There was a study out of Harvard that shows that short daily doses of meditation can literally grow the gray matter in key areas of your brain having to do with self-awareness and compassion and shrink the gray matter in the area associated with stress.
There was also a study out of Yale that looked at what’s called the default mode network of the brain. It’s a connected series of brain regions that are active during most of our waking hours when we’re doing that thing that human beings do all the time which is obsessing about ourselves, thinking about the past, thinking about the future, doing anything but being focused on what’s happening right now. Meditators not only turn off the default mode network of their brain while they’re meditating but even when they’re not meditating. In other words, meditators are setting a new default mode. And what’s that default mode? They’re focused on what’s happening right now.
In sports this is called being in the zone. It’s nothing mystical. It’s not magical. You’re not floating off into cosmic ooze. You are just being where you are - big cliché in self-help circles is being in the now. You can use that term if you want but because it’s accurate. It’s slightly annoying but it’s accurate. It’s more just being focused on what you’re doing. And the benefits of that are enormous. And this is why you’re seeing these unlikely meditators now, why you’re seeing the U.S. Marines adopting it, the U.S. Army, corporate executives from the head of Ford to the founders of Twitter. Athletes from Phil Jackson to many, many Olympians. Scientists, doctors, lawyers, school children. There’s this sort of elite subculture of high achievers who are adopting this because they know it can help you be more focused on what you’re doing and it can stop you from being yanked around by the voice in your head.
My powers of prognostication are not great. I bought a lot of stock in a company that made Palm Pilot back in 2000 and that didn’t go so well for me. But having said that I’m going to make a prediction. I think we’re looking at meditation as the next big public health revolution. In the 1940s if you told people that you went running they would say, who’s chasing you. Right now if you tell people you meditate - and I have a lot of experience with telling people this, they’re going to look at you like you’re a little weird most of the time. That’s going to change. Meditation is going to join the pantheon of no brainers like exercise, brushing your teeth and taking the meds that your doctor prescribes to you. These are all things that if you don’t do you feel guilty about. And that is where I think we’re heading with meditation because the science is so strongly suggestive that meditation can do really, really great things for your brain and for your body.
Read the full transcript bigthink.com/videos/dan-harri...

[@bigthink]

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[@Fj3]

Why am I the only one (by now) who has liked this comment? (And commented on it?)

[@fabiojr15]

The Buriers Faction yeah

[@agent-eg8mb]

Meditation healed my ptsd, social anxiety, depression, loneliness, and helped we move on from past events that I used to dwell on. Meditation teaches you how to let go of everything that gets in the way of love, happiness, and peace

[@lorddoom81]

What type of meditation did you do?

[@nmh75556]

What method did you use to meditate ?

[@moanamason2454]

Me to. For those that have asked the author "what type"? For me it wasn't just the meditation but the whole philosophy. I found QiGong Taoism/Daoism. Don't get caught up in the name. The Way that can be walked is not the eternal Way. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The nameless is the beginning of Heaven and Earth. The named is the mother of all things. Therefore: Free from desire you see the mystery. Full of desire you see the manifestations. These two have the same origin but differ in name. That is the secret, The secret of secrets, The gate to all mysteries

[@skyjuke2006]

You forget walk on the water 🌊

[@kwixotic]

Like a T shirt I once had said: "Meditation, it's not what you think."

[@kevinhess7839]

genius!

[@EpicBunty]

its what you not think! right!? right !??

[@Nitephall]

EpicBunty Lol 🤣

[@Cristobels-Green-Boots]

kwixotic -- It was Dan Hagen, author of several helpful little books🙏

[@BABRY93]

I know what you did there

[@icebenderbeats1484]

Comment sections on meditation are so much more peaceful than anywhere else on KZbin

[@AlisonBryen]

Icebender Beats it's very refreshing!

[@dom252]

I dunno, the liquid drum and bass corner is up there too :)

[@alanhetherington6788]

Ain't that the truth, peaceful.

[@4gegtyreeyuyeddffvyt]

I’ll kick all your fucking asses! Jk Maybe

[@revooshnoj4078]

FUCK YOU

[@GMUStudentDesign]

Meditation changed my life! I use to be angry all the time and now everything just brushes off of me!

[@erko78]

Lol seriously?

[@GMUStudentDesign]

erko78 No bullshit homie!

[@sniffthestuff]

how long you are in this new state of fucking zen?

[@GMUStudentDesign]

Mišo Vuković I've been fuckin zen for a couple months now and she's fantastic!! ;)

[@sniffthestuff]

whats your meditation routine, like, daily?

[@strangelovedave]

"It stops you being yanked around by the voices in your head." I don't think there is a better way of saying how important meditation is...

[@RaulVazquez-dh7sz]

Wow! I read this comment as the audio was saying it!

[@ryry5249]

@@RaulVazquez-dh7sz I find I lose concentration in the video if I start reading the comments as it plays

[@sk8ingthemystery]

I like this guy, well spoken and clear.

[@ziquaftynny9285]

+sk8ingthemystery Well its his job. Haha

[@sk8ingthemystery]

+Ziquafty Nny yeah you would think, fox news is another story

[@user-qe8zj1bi4r]

+sk8ingthemystery No it isn't

[@GuardianSoldier]

I was about to type the same thing.

[@pilaparambil]

ɷɷɷɷ Heeyy Friends I Have F0undd Workingggggg Online Hacck visittt : - t.co/0WgNWW5XI7

[@vincesina9786]

Try to eat dinner in silence while only concentrating on your food and the simple act of eating that is presently going on. Watch how many times your brain tries to take you somewhere else, anywhere but on what your actually doing, and thats just eating dinner... Sounds like an easy thing to do, but It's probably one of the most difficult things I've tried to do. Attention is not easy, but when honed correctly it has such wonderful benefits in many activities of life. Mindful eating (what it's called) also helps you loose weight because your actually paying attention to your actions. Seems trippy, but I promise it's 100% real and works. Vipassanna meditation seems to be the best ( personal opinion)...to those of you in the comments section asking which meditation works best.

[@AlmostThereDotCom]

I don't want to eat dinner in silence while only concentrating on my food, and the simple, monotone and boring routine of eating. I enjoy how my brain takes me on a journey through my own thoughts, memories and morals. It keeps me "entertained" (in a strange way), and I often engage in it willfully because I simply have nothing else to use my brain for. I'd rather go through my own mind than pull out my phone. If "mindful eating" is indicative of what meditation is, I don't want to engage in it. An alternative to mindful eating would be to put less on your plate or prepare less food in the first place, and to think about whether or not to eat more at the appropriate time, when you can do something about it. (I have in fact lost weight this way) Attention is not difficult, despite not meditating. I have no problem finding the discipline to pay attention or, conversely, losing myself in the moment of something I'm passionate about, interested in or generally enjoy. For example when eating, regardless of what my mind is doing, I can still snap in and out of it at the appropriate times to pay attention to how much I'm eating. It doesn't mean I can't pay attention in class, or when doing something difficult. Meditation probably has beneficial effects, but I just feel like I'm benefiting from another way of thinking, which would be reverted with meditation. As if I AM in fact engaging in meditation, but of a different kind. A kind which can occur without preparation, and any time I wish for it.

[@Synky]

AlmostThereDotCom wow, this really made me think. Brilliant! Haha. I was just about to participate in my first meditation ever, but your comment persuaded me otherwise. Odd.

[@DSDMovies]

Synkronization And you've just been led astray by someone who has absolutely no idea what mediation is or what it's for. Mediation combats unwanted thoughts, not wanted ones. It stops you being dragged away by worries and fears, not from creativity. Mediation has been proven to boost creativity. It allows you to be more creative by getting rid of the constant fears and regrets.

[@DSDMovies]

AlmostThereDotCom At least know what mediation is and what it does before deciding it's not for you based entirely on a gross misconception.

[@AlmostThereDotCom]

Synkronization My intention was not to persuade anyone not to meditate, only to share my thoughts. I'm glad I made someone think though. :) DSD Movies I may be basing my opinion on a misconception, but the point of sharing my thoughts in a comment was to elicit a response which could further them. If your clarification is correct, I might just try it some time. Thanks for the response.

[@MeditationVacation]

I came across meditation in almost the same way as Dan, saw his anxiety attack when he was reporting news. There are many benefits to meditation.

[@Jst4fun817]

Meditation changed me too. I cannot stress enough how much the world needs meditation. The world would be a much much better place if all of us started mediating.

[@HowtoADHD]

Excellent video, well researched and well presented. Thank you for sharing!

[@cansabanci]

GOOD TO SEE YOU HERE!

[@AwesomePossumChanel]

I ride a motorcycle. While I am riding I live in the moment. Riding brings me great pleasure and makes me happy. Based on what was said I think the act of riding is a type of meditation, as past and future are of no concern to me... all I need to think of is 'now'.

[@powerrangers9288]

"You can make anything whatsoever, any human activity into meditation so long as your truly with it." -Alan Watts

[@AwesomePossumChanel]

That I am ;)

[@Fridtjuv]

alfredo smith Playing guitar and piano too I guess? Kinda meditative.

[@teudaan]

but driving a motorcycle is a more riskier method of meditation, you cant advertise that to the masses since it could be potential lethal than sitting down to meditate.

[@AwesomePossumChanel]

Agree, it just never occur to me that riding was a type of meditation...

[@shawnsherfey5204]

Dear Tushar and friends. There is no wrong way to meditate. Some meditation is passive and some active. Meditation is simply being...being present in the moment...This moment. You may do powerful work by simply observing your breath and thoughts or visualization or allowing gratitude to flow through you or even being in the zone during sports. Meditation is letting go of judgment and observe yourself in this moment. Peace to us all. Thank you for learning with me.

[@marcelomiceli5291]

being doing it for 20 years , and you explained so well. It changes everything, you are here and now and your mind is always calm , so you can resolve situations easily.

[@superlambmilkshake4904]

whats your routine?

[@KT-zx9jr]

@@superlambmilkshake4904 I started n the mid 1990s. I have breaths 1 to 2x a day. Sometimes 5mins n the morning and then 10 to 20mins at night.

[@xrotarebil]

The easiest way to meditate: Breathe in deeply and focus on the breath at the same time. Breathe out deeply while focusing on the breath at the same time. Repeat for as long as you can.

[@Procrastinerd]

This is the best method anyone's going to find. All I could add is try to go for 20 minutes a day and every week try to add another 10 minutes until you find yourself adopting an hour's worth of meditation a day, every day. Self-exam yourself for change in work ethic and levels of desire and you'll find that the former increases dramatically while the latter decreases. Good luck everyone

[@OTHERVERSETCG]

I like this

[@Procrastinerd]

Sammy t Me too. Free happiness. Tell your friends but make sure they don't fall into the whole New Age bullshit associated with meditation. Keep them grounded

[@OTHERVERSETCG]

I have been for many years now :) Positively influence those around you.

[@GeluTavi]

If you have 7 hours a week to meditate, you are one lucky fucker :D In my experience I had a starter session of about 10 minutes, then did 20 minutes every day and after a few weeks I was already experiencing the benefits :)

[@tomandband]

"It doesn’t mean you’re not going to be subject to the vagaries of an impermanent, entropic universe. It just means you are going to be able to navigate this with a little bit more ease." love it

[@bluegirl1445]

"You're not floating off into cosmic ooze." Where's that video? I would very much like to do that.

[@brentonakoname1902]

i agree with this. i've been meditating for almost 3years now,its like a hobby for me. and i can say i've improved a lot especially on how i think and feel. i can now focus more on what im doing and say.

[@sampheonix]

my mind wanders a lot when I am depressed and stressed out

[@epiphany55]

+Sam Pheonix Being aware of that is half the "battle". A lot of people don't even realise they are lost in thought, so they get swallowed up by whatever stories arise in their mind. You can train yourself to only use the mind for productive purposes such as problem solving, planning and creative pursuits. The rumination and anxiety can be lifted up to be seen as just another part of the contents of conscious experience, like a cloud that passes, without you blindly following it. The thought becomes less engulfing of who you are and all you're left with is your pure potential in this moment. Sorry, not sure if you were asking for help but that's my take on the pros of meditation.

[@sampheonix]

+epiphany55 thank you...so much...that was enlightening.... but please tell that hiw should I train myself...I am always preoccupied with my job and education

[@User76324]

+Sam Pheonix you can try writing. Just go and dump everything that worries you on the paper. It usually helped me a lot during depression. It's helping now too. I cannot say anything about meditation because I'm just starting out. Wish you luck! Depression is a b*tch but we can be stronger than it.

[@sampheonix]

Oxana Bredikhina sure I'll try that out...thank you so much for these kind words

[@douglas7672]

+Oxana Bredikhina writing helps me either ...it is good to write isn't it?

[@kevinhess7839]

"happiness is a skill"... ive thought that b4. Bitter sweet to know that.

[@erikpoephoofd]

It is a skill to some extend, but if you happen to have a shortage of serotonin in your brain, you're fucked either way.

[@majus3177]

Brain changes as time passes, certain activities can grow it, mold it. Shortage of serotonin could be just a temporary problem - wouldn't give up so quickly.

[@RPGyourLIFE]

माया Majus 💪🏼 wise words

[@JonnyAuto]

The best thing about meditation has been detachment from unsolicited thoughts, like a song stuck in your head (or an addiction)

[@Psych2go]

Love the CC

[@Weissheitt]

Look I’m an OG now

[@KarthikSubramanianKrishnan]

MEDITATION A DAY KEEPS THE DISEASES AT BAY AND THE DOCTOR AWAY!!Meditation is being one with oneself and with nature. The magic feel of our breadth which one should not take for granted. Meditation makes our brain energized, as if it is made of vibrating strings. Doing it the right way, learning from a Guru is worth more than anything our lives can experience in this world!

[@CampingforCool41]

I taught myself some very basic meditation from a hodge podge of sources (and sort of made it up as I went) after many months of a crippling panic disorder. First I learned to view my panic as though from a position beside myself, and let it go through me just as clouds move through the sky and just watching it. I realized that the panic wasn't "me", so it helped me let go of it more quickly each time it flared up. A few years later I had another bad flare up of my panic disorder for several months, and this time I learned to concentrate on relaxing individual parts of my body, from my jaw, to my scalp, to my shoulders, my fingers, down to my chest and through my legs and feet. It's actually a very incredible experience, once you reach your chest you start to feel almost ecstatic if you are doing it right. This technique also really helps with my migrains, and you can also do metta-esque meditation at the same time and focus on bringing about feelings of love. People don't realize how much control we actually have over feelings of love and happiness if we learn to focus on them. And there's nothing mystical about it.

[@kittywampusdrums4963]

I love how this is talked about in a normal way and not mystified. I learned allot about this same things talked about here in the Drukama school. It definitely helps a person focus and we can even take it further if we want to.

[@LouisesLife]

Never heard of this guy (as im from UK) - but he explained it fairly well.

[@benhenderson1031]

Did he say meditation is a 'no brainer'....does he realize the sweet sweet irony in that?

[@koroko999]

hahaha!!! That is hilarious, well spotted mate ;-)

[@danchisholm1]

so glad dan went in this direction in his career. i always liked his personality in the news but this makes him feel like a normal person. with a very important helpful message.

[@possiblyawkward8457]

Better video than I expected. He mentioned a lot of important angles that many don't ever consider

[@eganburg]

Is there any good video on how to meditate?

[@OTHERVERSETCG]

I can help you meditate. I have a few videos. But talking with me for 5 minutes I can teach you.

[@MrBasisGuy]

It's better to google articles than videos about it. One thing I read, to test if you need to meditate. Whenever you are waiting in line or commuting, try to focus on the second hand of your watch and look and think of only that. You will be amazed at how hard that is. If you can't even focus for 30 seconds and clear your head, you need to meditate. I started with 3 minutes of focus, now If I choose to I can go a whole 1.5 hours.

[@OTHERVERSETCG]

Don Unless you are directly talking to me :)

[@bigthink]

Try this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3_cdHmHYreCgdE

[@MrRayne911]

When I was training in aikido my Sensei taught us to meditate. We sat in a Japanese way (you know like when you see them sit eating at small tables in the movies) and the only thing we had to do is whenever we had a thought, we had to stop it. No matter what is the thought, you stop it. You can try it, Id love to hear what is your opinion of it afterward.

[@macruz1221]

"Who's chasing you?" ---hilarious

[@mr.n8101]

Excellent! I'm a scientist with an extremely demanding job. These past few weeks I've made efforts to work out every day before work, as well as meditating twice a day. i just feel better overall, and my ability to focus has improved.

[@OttoVonGarfield]

meditation helps me deal with social anxiety, as well as the general difficulty of concentrating on tasks I often procrastinate on.

[@ccpIz]

"...and taking the meds that your doctor prescribes to you." Sheer genius.

[@greebat]

Whenever I skateboard, if I skate long enough, I get into this mode where I feel "in the zone." My head feels more clear and I am much more likely to land whatever the trick is that I am attempting. I also feel a rush of endorphines during this time and I never want it to end. Is this a form of meditation? Or is it just that my mind and muscles are fully warmed up for me skate better?

[@SamuelStephen28]

I'm not an expert but I feel very similar when playing sports and have been for many years.

[@helion6884]

Sounds like being in a state of flow (real term, cool to read about). I can see it being considered a form of meditation and it has overlaps at the very least.

[@pneumonoultramicroscopicsi4065]

kuroko no basketball lol zone!

[@dafreshest420]

greebat ive had that same experience playing games or just working out, certain days you are a god some you just cant

[@rexluminus9867]

It's not meditation yet. It's just before that.

[@gangstersayfock]

I like this video very much! Dan really explains meditation very good and I think it will inspire a lot of people to start with it! I am already a long term meditator, but I learn a lot from this video! I learn that your brain changes so much. I have noticed that I am more in the zone as Dan mentioned and I am really focussed on what I am doing now when I am doing something. It is for example when I talk to people. I am totally focussed on what they say. It is the same as listening to music. It is really nice and I hope that more people get involved and that Dan is right abouth his prediction about the future! I hope so!

[@andysoul295]

Best short intro on meditation in years and years. Thank you

[@GreggaraZZi]

Hmm, I need to start meditating.

[@M6Alex6961992]

Check out * Lilian Eden * on youtube or * Dr Steven greer Two guided Meditations * on youtube .

[@GreggaraZZi]

Will do, thanks.

[@M6Alex6961992]

G Anderson i can give you some links if you wish ..

[@GreggaraZZi]

Sure, send them on

[@M6Alex6961992]

G Anderson Did you get the links i sended you in my previous comment ? check them out ;) .

[@vahisli]

man, this guy has a really nice resonant voice (no homo)

[@danielfahrenheit4139]

You changed my perspective. I thought focus and meditation were two different things even though I wondered why you need to focus on your breathing during meditation. You can actually focus on anything even the present or what they call mindfulness. I do this all the time and didn't realize it.

[@jamesliakos]

Great video! Thanks for being honest and keeping things in perspective.

[@rondasandrews820]

Great info about meditation!

[@Colinvdw1976]

greatest share in ages *thankyou* reshared :-)

[@rondasandrews820]

Blessings Colin Van Der Woude​ Thanks😀 Happy Friday! www.speakliferadio.net

[@Tamer_108]

Thousands of years later, neurotic bourgeois secularism finds itself turning to Eastern tradition, co-opts the meditation/mindfulness and dismisses the rest as concomitant fluff, as if Eastern philosophy and meditation are an arbitrary cable TV package, slapped together just yesterday. Nothing more to see folks, particularly ignore the part about illusory egos and the folly of materialism.

[@basedworldsk8]

you said this so eloquently thank you.

[@jwarrior343]

but there are quite a lot of science studies and tests done showing benefits, all hooey?

[@wulf67]

jwarrior, you didn't understand what Tamer said. Of course there are benefits to mindfulness! There is also value in the other aspects of Eastern philosophy and spiritual tradition that have been dismissed "as concomitant fluff". It "likely won't send one floating into the cosmic ooze." What about all of the science that tells us that materially that's all there is?

[@MrCmon113]

Tamer Sadek You are utterly confused. Meditation is not like prayer, not like bargaining or begging for magical powers. It doesn't need any magical, ancient framework to make sense. What do you mean with "Eastern philosophy"? Confucianism is the source of much suffering and oppression until today, so is Hinduism.

[@wulf67]

Taxtro, what "magical powers" are you referring to in the context of Eastern meditation tradition? Are you incapable of understanding metaphor?

[@gigsandbusking8959]

I follow and feel my breath 45 minutes every day without fail, mindfulness meditation, it has stop me worrying about future events that have not yet happened and things that happened yesterday, leaving me to be in the present enjoying things as they really are, tasting food, conversations you really listen, you see with an uncluttered mind, *I cannot recommend it enough, Stress Free*

[@rountree5]

I'm a artist and my inner critic was such a butcher of my creativity and made me go into a artist block very often. But when i started meditating my inner critic seems to just sit in a corner whistling when i'm painting and it in of the best experiences I've ever had the pleasure of indulging my self in.

[@Bricks3374]

i don't understand how with all that scientific proof the guy still thinks its not magical

[@devtest9607]

underrated comment

[@inboundmoose2349]

I think what he's trying to express is that he wasn't want to give the impression that picking up meditation requires anyone to believe in "woo-woo" similar to the way religions talk about gods, demons, paranormal activity, etc. Meditation isn't about strictly 'spiritual,' ethereal or otherworldly concepts, it's just a basic phenomenon within reality with powerful effects on our psychology and mental well-being. Some might call it spiritual, but not in the way that we refer to a "soul" or other mystical/magical concepts.

it's funny how much later we are compared to Asia..

[@Rope257]

+Calamiro Asjcobeti I know right. Meditation is thousands of years old. From my point of view meditation is the science of consciousness which science currently mostly rejects because consciousness is not a materialistic concept, so they reject it. Like tesla said: “The day science begins to study non-physical phenomena, it will make more progress in one decade than in all the previous centuries of its existence.”

[@Yourhighnessnona]

+RopeNL Wow, thanks for that quote! I always thought the same.

[@7kurisu]

im sure that's not the commenters point. its just that, on the other side of the world, this has been known and practiced since day dot. of course that doesnt mean that western science isnt one of the greatest contributions of the west...uuug...sorry, double negative

***** Heh, someone's a bit sensitive here... And as 7kurisu said, that's not my point...

[@misho129]

It's funny how much later Asia is to us in obesity.

[@Ms2cents]

Explained it better than I could've done. I tell people all the time about the benefits but they just say ok and brush it off like I'm a hippie. People have been doing it for a long time and science is now proving the benefits of it. A lot of successful professional athletes and famous people have been using meditation to focus so it tells you that it works and it will get more people to do it. I started meditating because I suffer from depression, anxiety, panic attack, and IBS. On top of that I have ADHD. When I was in college and working full time, it helped me with stress and it helped clear my brain so essentially, it helped me focus to get things done. The challenging part is to make it into a habit. If you can do it religiously, you can reap the long term benefits.

[@igorchak48]

This was 8 years ago, this guy is on point!

[@DrSpooglemon]

I find it curious that he gives, taking the med's your doctor gives you, as an example of something we do without questioning it. I do not. Any sensible person would want to fully understand what they are putting in their body and what the possible consequences and alternatives are. No just swallow whatever you are told to.

[@DSDMovies]

You've just uncovered the Big Pharma conspiracy behind this video. I suspect he has some personal experience, either himself or a relative where they didn't take their meds and got sick and then started taking them and we well again. Probably depression, but I'm speculating based on my own life. The way he dropped it in there was phrased somewhat poorly. Absolutely know what you're taking and why. And question it and ask to be reassessed at regularl intervals. It doesn't undermine his point about mediation, however.

[@DrSpooglemon]

DSD Movies I'm not a "Big Pharma" conspiracy nut. I just think that some doctors are too inclined to throw pills at a problem and prescription medications do kill more people than illegal drugs. Possibly because more people use them but the point still remains. Drugs can be dangerous. So just taking the pills the doctor gives you as a matter of course is a foolish idea. Consider antibiotics. The reason we have antibiotic resistant bugs is because doctors threw those things at everyone rather than using them only when absolutely necessary. And valium was popular in the 50's with a lot of doctors. I don't think that we live in a particularly enlightened age. People are still people and doctors, they are people...

[@tyfenrir]

I think he meant taking medication as in antibiotics and what you need to take when you're physically ill.

[@malachiq7357]

DrSpooglemon Yeah, there was an article in Scientific American a couple months back, I think, about a study done about Doctors who would prescribe antibiotics just to make the patient feel like they were getting some treatment. The figures are shocking, I recommend searching for it. No 'Big Pharma' nuttiness needed, thankfully.

[@MrDOB1000]

DSD Movies "I don't think we live in a particularly enlightened age..." that's a big understatement!!!

[@nerad1994]

one meditates by not trying to meditate.

[@RinatShop]

You DON'T try -- that is the point. Because if you do, you WILL miss the point.

[@JamesWilliams-vo8ld]

Deeken Wheeler finally someone gets it

[@geoff1121]

good way to say nothing. Like with everything, at first its intentional, full of effort, but it gets easier and when you're a master at it it becomes easy and you don't even have to "try".

[@wheniztheend]

geoff1121 well I would say not trying is honestly pretty accurate when it comes to meditation. When you are trying to hard to meditate, it will become frustrating, because you are still attached to something (and that is trying to meditate). When meditating, just try to let go. Don't even think that you are meditating. Just be mindfully aware of the current moment.

[@stopper90004]

Nick Baldwin , there is no "you" that you say should try to "let go"… according to meditation experts, the "you" is an illusion. so what is it that is doing the "letting go"?

[@S4V0LAEN3N]

Liked how this went quickly to the point - and did it very well. Good material for sharing with new comers.

[@tacianomm]

Best Big Think video until now. Awesome topic and delivery!

[@BalboaBaggins]

Fun fact: people familiar with this subject already knew this for thousands of years.

[@mohammadjj]

Is this Sam Harris's brother?

[@nectoraravena9064]

Nop.

[@PresidentialWinner]

What are the chances that There is a Sam Harris and a Dan Harris and both teach meditation in the same site and for the same organization (Big Think)

[@nixypixels6440]

This is absolutely true! Meditation changed my life!

[@montgomery384]

Thank you so much for this great message! How powerful is the idea that we can control our own happiness internally through meditation. That is an incredibly liberating thought for me!

[@TheVigilante2000]

If "high achievers" are turning to Meditation, then they did not need it to achieve in the first place. Maybe it will actually make you an under achiever. Quick - name a Buddhist mega corp or empire!! You can't. It just calms you down to a point that you are just happy where you are at. Mediate all you want, just do it after you have everything else you want.

[@TheVigilante2000]

***** Dammed auto-correct & rum.

[@Caarnji]

You got a major misconception. Mediation is not about being happy, happiness is a short lived emotion and pointless, it´s about being more focused on the present instead anxious of the future/past with letting thoughts about those be, but not give weight to them and remain focused on the present during mediation which than also has positive cognitive effect outside of it when done regularly, be it in better self awareness or concentration/focus. It won´t make you insta happy for anything or cure greediness or whatever simpleton fantasy you got there. lmao

[@TheVigilante2000]

***** Well his book is called '10% Happier'. I'm just going with his thinking.

[@Caarnji]

TheVigilante2000 He probably needed something catchy...I´m 10% hornier "reading" playboy though, maybe it has truth to it. lol

Apple

[@mrgangsta135]

Meditating is not the only way of being in the now, doing a sport like boxing or wrestling for example will require yourself to be 100% in the now because if you are not you will either get wrestled down hard or get punched in the face. Just think about anything that requires your full attention, like a sport or even a video game. Meditation is not only sitting down with your legs across each other and thinking about clouds and breathing. Basically when he is sayin the word ''meditation'' he means that you are focusing 100%.

[@JeanneCassidy]

I agree with this 100%

[@michaelhugh302]

MrJackpot He never really said mediation was "seeing clouds and breathing". In fact, he never even elaborated on it at all. He just explained some its effects. With that said, yes, if you plan to meditate, it is essentially just focusing on proper breathing and feeling the effects on your body and mood as you do so. You'll become relaxed, clearheaded, and even a little sleepy. lol

[@wulf67]

Meditation is not just "focusing 100%" which may help explain why video games do not provide the same benefits to the pre-frontal cortex, and why the Buddha did not attain enlightenment after boxing some dude.

[@Dylan_Thomas1]

That kind of thing is healthy too but meditation goes a step further. Boxing is not something you do 24/7, so you're still relying on something external to generate the "now"ness. Sitting down and generating that peace and focus with no outside help will allow you to bring that focus to things like boxing. It's like a bicep curl for your brain that lets you get into the zone better for activities like that.

[@Xargxes]

MrJackpot play music with others.

[@eaw2nf]

I love this guy. I read his book, and listen to all his podcasts. He has made such an impact on my life!

[@man777net]

Thank you!DanHarris. The study is really good.has gone into the depth and details of what meditation really does.

[@calumh1777]

All good ... except for "take your meds like your dr prescribed to you" 😦

[@henrylee702]

He must have also bought some stock in pharmaceutical companies.

[@Procrastinerd]

I guarantee now that a big bad (Western) media correspondent gives credit to the practice of meditation, people will actually begin to give it a go. The robe-clad monks have been telling us this same message for years from an empirical point of view, but who the hell gives a shit about monks, right? Pathetic. Keep calm and keep meditating!

[@vivalakakarot]

The difference is that a monk has been meditating their entire life and they're just all around completely different people than the average person. If they see some random newscaster with anxiety problems "self-medicating" with meditation, people can connect with the guy and think to try it themselves.

[@DSDMovies]

The monks always have a religious dimension to what they say. Even when they use studies to back it up, it's always cherry picked and they are being disingenuous by playing down their own religious beliefs. All that said, it isn't even true that people in the west haven't been listening to eastern monks. The Maharishi was a world wide celebirty whose core message was meditation. He may also have been a cult leader, but that's not the point. The Dalai Lama is one of the most famous people in the world. Millions of people across the US and Europe have been practising mediation for years already and go to classes all the time. Yoga is incredibly popular. There's no battle going between east and west.

[@Procrastinerd]

vivalakakarot DSD Movies You're both right. I'm just disappointed that this may never hit the mainstream like Harris describes. Meditation will be practiced and cherished by many but it will not be considered "hip" and respected by all. To me, that sucks.

[@MrCmon113]

You are doing good to ignore people in religious garment. You forget that the utter spiritual retardation in the West, which only now gets amended, is mostly due to the book religions, whose priests also like to wear funny clothing.

[@EvaluateAssimilate]

It is down to operating in theta frequencies similar to hypnosis. If you're able to study, practice, relax in theta, you'll engrain it deeper. Using that notion, I play instruments as a hobby and since the day I did, it changed me. Akin to meditation, I believe anything like martial arts, music, painting etc is good for the brain and body as you exercise focus and discipline, similar to practicing mindfulness. Now, I do both simultaneously where I can.

[@jamescampbell2521]

I began meditating around age 15 through martial arts training.That was 50 years ago & I still "practice" meditation though sometimes my mind wants me to be doing something else. It is time well spent.

[@hideouspenguinboy]

I would be very happy if he cited some of the studies he was talking about in the desciption. It's a very good talk, and I think giving an easy way to check out the science behind it would go a long way to getting people to listen even more.

[@falldown7xstandup8x]

5 years since I started I used to meditate 3 hours everyday for a year he's very accurate with his description I recommend reasrching deeply​

[@theseigemeister]

Great video, thank you for the upload. 😊

[@OnlineMeditation]

A clear explanation of the benefits of Meditation - many thanks

[@ghudner]

This guy is awesome. More videos from him please!

[@Dyslexic-Artist-Theory-on-Time]

Dan Harris explains the neuroscience behind meditation, but reminds us that the ancient practice isn't magic and likely won't send one floating into the cosmic ooze. He predicts that the exercise will soon become regularly scheduled maintenance, as commonplace as brushing your teeth or eating your veggies. Harris, an ABC News correspondent, was turned on to mediation after a live, on-air panic attack. His latest book is 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works--A True Story

[@sharathegde]

Very well said. Bring meditation down to the basics, which is what it should be. Look for a simple and scientific approach to meditation which is free of cost. If you need help, let me know.

[@carpenterfamily6198]

Very good ~ thank you help move the ‘ main stream ‘ toward the healthy practice of meditation 🧘‍♀️

[@GeluTavi]

Best big think video in a long while, great stuff!

[@user-ez5vq9fd2t]

I know for some martial arts (at least for Tae Kwon Do and Kendo), it's common to begin and practice with a couple minutes of meditation. The point of it is to remove any distracting thoughts and to become focused so that you don't hurt yourself and so that you perform better.

[@brendonoehme8707]

What an awesome video. Thank you so much. With regards Brendon

[@daviddelarosa5196]

ive been meditating religiously for over a month and already notice less stress more compassion peace calm mind more energy ect. its grate

[@hikikhun6668]

People that meditate for many years look like they constantly meditating at every moment of their life. Walking, working, talking, anything, they are always focused in the present and in anything that is happening right now. Also, this is a very good mental state for observation of facts, very useful skill for any scientists. Some peopne use musical instruments to help them meditate. I like playing violin sometimes with this intention.

[@travelingshoesguru]

One of the best, most succinct explanations of the benefits of meditation I have yet come across. As a TM'er, I love what Dan Harris has to say! "Setting a new default mode." And he's amusing too. :)

[@yourmoms.]

meditation helps ground me and focus no matter where my thoughts may be I am present and relaxed

[@poppymm9376]

Being told meditation is the latest health craze and we won't be called 'weird' any more for being in the present is like being told we'll soon be able to buy oxygen at our local supermarket. It narrows all focus onto a soon-to-be fashionable solution. I like this guy a lot for his humility and eloquence, but I think the greater issue is this: WHY do we live in a society where pausing and not thinking and just BEING is something we have to actively pursue? I think the real issue is not 'how do we learn to better look after ourselves in the social climate', but 'why is it so hard to be happy in the social climate we're in?'. Consumerism, comparing ourselves to others and a general romance with self-punishing habits is the crux of why we need to be sold a meditation 'package' at all.

[@scalefrog2]

I bought Palm PIlot stock too!! And my dad bought Apple . . . I feel your pain. But as a physician, I loved the Palm Pilot . . .and had a "strong gut feeling" everyone else would love it like I did . . . wrong . . .😀

[@thebrightsideok]

Fantastic summary on the benefits of meditation. :)

[@razorgg]

I agree. I like his well spoken message. I would wonder , what his recommendation is on how to start then?

[@juliwhaley841]

Awesome material and I am proud to share it TY

[@jlloyd25]

Thanks for the info.

[@YongnianTaiChiUSA]

Excellent, I try to get my patients to meditate more and will share this. Thank you 🙏🙏🙏🕉☯☸

[@SpidermanInLondon]

Fantastic. Thank you!

[@kzmailman]

It would be great to know what kind of meditation was used (or more commonly used) on the studies mentioned in the video

[@juswolf22]

With everyone glued to their phone it's hard to see meditation taking off like the running craze I say, I'm suprised at all the meditators I've came across but it's a skill a lot of people I can't see dedicating time to cause you're actually sitting and experiencing yourself. And dealing with self in present moment is why people go drinking, running, stay on their phone all day.

[@MrElnur90]

Great video!

[@Anesidemus]

+BigThink thanks as always for a great video. There's not a video I've watched on this channel that I haven't gotten something valuable out of. Any chance you can put up your sources? Like the studies you mention from Harvard and Yale? Thanks :)

[@AlJahhaaf]

I wake up in the middle of the night from a severe abdominal pain(IBS) while semi conscious and I remember to meditate and I start breathing and shutting down any thoughts, couple of mins afterward and I'm sleeping again. I think meditation should be taught at school.

[@SuggestedbyyouVideos]

The goal of meditation is to focus and quiet your mind, eventually reaching a higher level of awareness and inner calm. It may come as a surprise to learn that you can meditate anywhere and at any time, allowing yourself to access a sense of tranquillity and peace no matter what's going on around you.

[@MaxGenius87]

Great video. Very well said. Thanks BT.

[@Targer4u]

If you're holding one concept in your mind too tight and never let it go, you'll never get a chance to open your mind to accept another.

[@sheftony7581]

Thanks Dan.

[@ruairiquinn6535]

Great video

[@oogentog13]

It really is a skill. Once you do it enough and find that sense of mindfulness, you can learn to find that place even without meditating. It's pretty handy when dealing with yourself and life's little surprises.

[@marcelomiceli5291]

Tip. Pranayam (breathing control) helps A LOT