10% Happier

How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found a Self-Help That Actually Works

By: Dan Harris

Narrated by: Dan Harris

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

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 listeners 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2014 Daniel Benjamin Harris (P)2014 HarperCollinsPublishers

Dan Harris is Brutally Honest

Dan Harris bares his soul and reveals his demons in this brutally honest book that documents his journey toward enlightenment. Dan looks at key moments of his life and examines where he went wrong. He also reveals techniques and courses he's taken and reveals what worked for him. The result, he's 10% happier and you will be too. A no-nonsense self-help book. AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Loved this book!

Dan is so much himself and this authenticity and humility comes through with every word. I love that he doesn't try to "white wash," his life, but instead he is natural, funny and honest. I have begun to practice Loving Kindness" meditation as a bonus of a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Loved the Book!

Would you listen to 10% Happier again? Why?

I would listen to the second half. The first half is an autobiography of Dan's career. It is long and goes into such detail that I didn't feel was needed for his story and goal of the book.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Wonderful! I love his journey to find more happiness. It is real and honest without a lot of woo-woo. He takes a journalist approach to meditation and I loved listening to his curiosity and discovery.

Which character – as performed by Dan Harris – was your favorite?

Dan was my favorite character.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed! I thought deeply. I looked at my life and compared my experiences with his.

Any additional comments?

Nope! Thanks Dan for the wonderful book!

A very enjoyable listen and I learned a lot!

Where does 10% Happier rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book falls within the top 10 books I have listened to so far.

What other book might you compare 10% Happier to and why?

I can't think of one.

What about Dan Harris’s performance did you like?

He was very easy to listen to. It was like Dan was telling his story instead of reading a story. I am glad he chose to narrate his work.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from 10% Happier?

Much of it. This book has inspired me to keep at meditation and explore the different types.

Any additional comments?

Being a guy in a similar life phase as the author, I could really relate to Dan and got a lot of ideas from this book. It was not preachy or over-the-top new age or even prim and proper. It is a middle-aged guy telling the story about his search. I recommend this book to other men that may be facing challenges with career, family or searching for meaning in life, the universe and everything. I really enjoyed the book and was sad when it ended.

10% was 99% for me

Dan is a great story teller. A bit long winded at times and a supreme knowledge of the English language. Is one of the best non guru books on meditation.
Highly recommended.

appreciated his skepticism throughout his journey.

appreciated his skepticism throughout his journey, and loved his nuggets along the way. a fun, interesting listen!

life changing

everyone should read this book. loved it. read by the author, this was a good choice.

Entertaining and Informative!

An entertaining account of how meditation improved the author's life. I enjoyed his performance, at times finding myself laughing out loud in public.

Great recommendation

Dan Rykert recommended this book on a podcast to people who were interested but skeptical about meditation. Great story (and narration) from Dan Harris, an awesome short book.

Entertaining and engaging.

This is not a self-help book, but it did inspire me to give meditation a try. Dan Harris is a credible source who knows how to spin a good story. This will appeal to cynical people who are easily bored.