Title: Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics: A 10% Happier How-To Book
Author: Dan Harris
First published December 26, 2017
304 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780399588945 (ISBN10: 0399588949)
Rating: 3.82
Overview
If you’re one of those people who think that meditation is only for the hippies, then Dan Harris’s book Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics: A 10% Happier How-To Book is what you need. Harris, who used to have the same belief, changed his mind after he had a panic attack on live television.
He began his journey to become a meditation advocate and discovered that science supports how meditation can help reduce blood pressure, depression, anxiety, and rewire parts of the brain. However, many people want to meditate but find it hard to practice.
In this guidebook, Harris and his friend Jeff Warren, a masterful teacher, embark on a journey to tackle the myths, misconceptions, and self-deceptions that hinder people from meditating. They traveled across the country, talked to different people, and created a taxonomy of the most common issues that people face when starting meditation.
This book not only offers practical meditation instructions but also tells an epic and hilarious road trip story into America’s neurotic underbelly. Join Harris and Warren as they take you on a journey toward a peaceful and mindful life in Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics.
About the Author
Meet Dan Harris – coanchor of Nightline and the weekend editions of Good Morning America. He’s a regular reporter for 20/20, World News with Diane Sawyer, and the weekday editions of Good Morning America.
But before joining ABC News, Dan worked for local news outlets in Boston and Maine. Now, he resides in New York City with his wife, Bianca.
Dan’s first book, 10% Happier, is a must-read.
Editoral Review
Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics: A 10% Happier How-To Book by Dan Harris is a self-help book published on December 26, 2017, that offers a practical guide to meditation for those who are skeptical about its benefits. The book is authored by Dan Harris, a journalist and anchor for ABC News, who himself struggled with anxiety until he discovered meditation.
The book falls under the genre of self-help and spirituality and aims to provide readers with a practical approach to meditation that is grounded in science.
The book follows Harris and his friend Jeff Warren, a meditation teacher, as they embark on a cross-country road trip to promote meditation and dispel the myths surrounding it. The book is divided into three parts, with the first part focusing on why people should meditate, the second part on how to meditate, and the third part on how to make meditation a habit.
Throughout the book, Harris uses his signature humor and storytelling to make the content engaging and accessible.
One of the strengths of this book is its practical approach to meditation. Harris and Warren break down the practice of meditation into simple steps, making it approachable for beginners.
They also provide tips for overcoming common obstacles such as restlessness, boredom, and skepticism. Moreover, the book’s emphasis on the scientific evidence supporting the benefits of meditation gives readers a solid foundation for understanding how and why meditation works.
However, one of the weaknesses of the book is its lack of depth. While the book provides a practical guide to meditation, it does not delve deeply into the spiritual or philosophical aspects of meditation.
Additionally, some readers may find the book’s emphasis on the scientific evidence to be limiting, as meditation has a rich history and cultural significance that extends beyond scientific research.
Overall, Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics is a useful and accessible guide to meditation for beginners. While it may not satisfy those seeking a deeper understanding of meditation’s spiritual or philosophical aspects, it provides a practical and evidence-based approach to the practice.
Moreover, Harris’s humor and storytelling make the book engaging and enjoyable to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who is curious about meditation or looking to start a meditation practice.
I would give this book a rating of 4 out of 5, based on its practicality, accessibility, and engaging writing style.
