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) by Dan Harris -- Summary, Review & Analysis

by Save Time Summaries

*Note: Our summary is an accompaniment to 10% Happier, not the book itself. While it will greatly enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the book, it is not intended to stand in its place.*

This summary of Dan Harris' 10% Happier takes you on an expected ride that is 100% guaranteed to make you reconsider your skepticism toward self-help and spirituality. As an anchor of Nightline, Dan Harris seemed to have things under control. However, after the world witnessed him come unglued at the seams on Good Morning America, he knew it was time for change. A devout non-believer, Harris ended up on a trek with gurus and scientists who previously seemed meaningless to him. This summary of 10% Happier breaks down his ride, chapter by chapter, as you read how his inner voices caused his on-air breakdown.

Have you ever eaten even though you knew you weren't hungry? Have you ever lashed out at someone in anger, even though you knew you were overreacting? Have you ever thought so much about the future that the present became a blur of just "being"? Your inner voice caused those events, and Dan Harris has found the key to keeping your demon quiet: meditation. Contrary to its reputation, meditation is indeed the self-help technique of the future, already adopted by scientists, business moguls, and even the military. This summary gives you the key points to take away from each chapter, followed by a "Putting it Together" section that gives you a virtual pamphlet to take with you on your journey to being just what the title states: 10% Happier.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

110 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 20, 2014

Reviews

[Karen Cohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a memoir, I found this volume interesting; as a method of convincing me to try meditation, not so much. Harris's autobiography was interesting, especially his insider's view of the new industry, and seeing how meditation impacted his life was a key piece of that - but as he kept pointing out, it's not for everyone, and pushing it on people isn't effective; despite that, he kept pushing it on people, from the perspective of "it worked for me, and it can work for you too!", but the way it worked for him was from a starting point of an immersive week of mediation camp, and that's just a bit much for me. Yes, the volume includes much smaller pieces of meditation, particularly in the appendix, but that appears to be largely pushing his app, which requires in-app purchases. Read this volume for his story, which is interesting, and take as much, or as little, as you like from the meditation practices.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read very funny, I love how the story unfolds describing the benefits of mediation and mindfulness. I took away many ideas I'm going to try and apply just to name a few, "is it worth it" and "security is attained by insecurity".

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun, engaging book. I'm encouraged to try meditation and mindfulness.