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

Authentic and Profound

Humor and self aware acknowledgement promenade throughout this very personal internal story of seeking self improvement, professional survival, and overarching happiness.

Motivational, without being too Pushy

A personal journey to finding a higher level of peace. Dan Harris' account from some religious/spiritual back ground, to finding meditiation is approachable and authentic. A great listen!

More autobiography than 'How I Tamed the Voice...

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

I appreciate the knowledge I gained from his lessons in mindfulness and Buddhism. It just took a long time to get there. It didn't start until about four hours into the book. So, be warned. I'd put it in my top 20 self-help books.

loved this

I was completely entertained from beginning to end. he is a wonderful story teller. I actually listened to it 2wice

Entertaining and insightful

Very reluctant to read this title but pleasantly surprised. Dan is a great story teller with a lot of humor in serious subjects. This book does not give any specific instruction, just a real world account of what he went through, which happened to coincide with the boom of meditation in the US. I highly suggest it for EVERYONE. He does not go in to meditation specifically, it is done very well. Made some very positive changes after this book!

Refreshingly honest

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Dan is open and honest about his struggles and journey. Listening to his story of overcoming through meditation was both inspiring and entertaining, with a healthy dose of science and skepticism too. Loved it.

Great story

Great story - inspired me to start meditation - I like that Dan Harris narrates it himself.

great listen and great story

amazing book to start understanding meditation. this should be the standard pre-req for getting into the world of meditation. great for the average person to start understanding it.

95% good read

Dan is an excellent performer and journalist, and he certainly brings those qualities to this book. Easy listen, good advice, and really interesting journey through the self-help landscape.

How entertaining! Well written and informative!

Dan Harris has done a fascinating, humorous and deeply personal piece of non fiction. I wasn't interested in the news business before I listened to this book. Now I am. Additionally, I'm a psych doctor and I find his techniques for improved happiness psychologically sound. Listening to Dan Harris read his own work is truely a treat. Great job Mr. Harris. Great book!