How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works--A True Story
Paperback, 272 pages
English language
Published April 16, 2019 by HarperCollins Publishers.
I wrote a memoir about a fidgety, skeptical newsman who reluctantly becomes a meditator to deal with his issues – and in the process of publishing it, I occasionally, to my embarrassment, found myself failing to practice what I preach. I was kind of like a dog that soils the rug, and the universe kept shoving my face into it.
In 2014, Dan Harris published his memoir 10% Happier. The book—which describes his reluctant embrace of meditation after a drug problem, an on-air freak-out, and an unplanned "spiritual" journey—became an instant bestseller and Dan, to his own surprise, became a public evangelist for mindfulness. Hoist on My Own Petard is the story of what happens to Dan Harris after the runaway success of his memoir and the lessons he had to (re)learn in the process.
Dan is funnier here than he is on the podcast. Doubly so if you know some of the dharma teachers he references like Kamala Master, Spring Washam, etc.
Will definitely check out his other books.
This is more memoir than neuroscience analysis, and that's not entirely a bad thing. Harris' journey from skeptic to curious about mediation or mindfulness to full-blown practitioner, told in amusingly sarcastic terms that counter expectations about the topic. It was alright.
I had this book on my to-read list for quite a while. I started this with a hesitation, thinking that I wasn't in the mood for another self help book. Instead, this was a amusing story following the author through his Buddhist journey. Plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. I think I'm 10% happier!
Interesting book, but you'll be better off doing some guided meditation yourself and figuring stuff out directly.
If you're looking for a how-to, probably not the book for you. However, gives an interesting insight into how Harris transformed (and is still transforming) his life. Lots of good information, and it's told in an engaging, approachable, and pretty funny style.
A funny, instructional and convincing argument for introducing meditation into one's own life.
One of the great love stories of our time, by one of America's greatest authors.
Or a practical look at meditation and how it can fit into your life
One of those.
Solid read with ideas I will be going back to reference.
A clear and engaging story of a newsman's often reluctant secular meditation journey. In his quest to reduce his anxiety and understand his mind better, Dan Harris finds one after another prejudice and preconception questioned and readjusted as he comes to embrace what I'd call his version of a secular Buddhism. A good read for anyone curious about meditation but suspicious of the usual woo-woo elements, and motivational for those of us who maybe don't even mind the woo-woo but forget over and over just how beneficial a meditative practice can be.
That said, it's more a memoir than a how-to, and while I'd say he does a good job representing how meditation is a useful thing to do even if you don't want religion or spirituality and want to "remain effective" ... he's also not really someone I'd personally want to hang around with, and while expressing gratitude for …
A clear and engaging story of a newsman's often reluctant secular meditation journey. In his quest to reduce his anxiety and understand his mind better, Dan Harris finds one after another prejudice and preconception questioned and readjusted as he comes to embrace what I'd call his version of a secular Buddhism. A good read for anyone curious about meditation but suspicious of the usual woo-woo elements, and motivational for those of us who maybe don't even mind the woo-woo but forget over and over just how beneficial a meditative practice can be.
That said, it's more a memoir than a how-to, and while I'd say he does a good job representing how meditation is a useful thing to do even if you don't want religion or spirituality and want to "remain effective" ... he's also not really someone I'd personally want to hang around with, and while expressing gratitude for his connections and luck, one has to admit, he also seems a little sheltered in his privilege & access. I'm really glad meditation helped his life get better, and I hope his message helps reduce stress and suffering for many. But I have to narrow my eyes a little when after all this he's still expressing befuddlement at the end as to why some of the figures in this book wanted to talk to him, "be his friend," or otherwise help him. Um ... hello? You've been a significant media figure since you began this journey.
alternate book title: "Dan Harris on Dan Harris"
