What will I learn about: how a stressful on-air panic attack led a skeptical news anchor to uncover meditation's scientifically proven ability to lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, and rewire the brain?

Discover how a stressful on-air panic attack led a skeptical news anchor to uncover meditation's scientifically proven ability to lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, and rewire the brain.

What will I learn about: overcome the anxiety of doing it wrong by simply focusing your attention on a single sensation, whether it is your breathing, a candle flame, or a ticking clock?

Learn how to overcome the anxiety of doing it wrong by simply focusing your attention on a single sensation, whether it is your breathing, a candle flame, or a ticking clock.

What will I learn about: why you do not need a lot of free time to meditate by seamlessly integrating one-minute sessions into daily routines, like your morning commute or right after brushing your teeth?

Understand why you do not need a lot of free time to meditate by seamlessly integrating one-minute sessions into daily routines, like your morning commute or right after brushing your teeth.

What will I learn about: the simple 'ten breaths' meditation technique to instantly shift your attention away from everyday worries and kickstart a lifelong habit of self-improvement?

Master the simple 'ten breaths' meditation technique to instantly shift your attention away from everyday worries and kickstart a lifelong habit of self-improvement.

What will I learn about: how committing to just 60 seconds of daily mindfulness can naturally transform your mindset from feeling obligated to meditate into genuinely loving the practice?

Find out how committing to just 60 seconds of daily mindfulness can naturally transform your mindset from feeling obligated to meditate into genuinely loving the practice.

Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics

A 10% Happier How-To-Book

Dan Harris, Jeff Warren and Carlye Adler

★ 4.4 / 5(190 ratings)

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Categories:

Mindfulness & Happiness

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡What if you could reap the scientifically proven benefits of meditation without having to sit still, clear your mind, or buy into any 'new age' fluff?
💡Have you ever wondered why even the most restless, fidgety skeptics are now using mindfulness as a high-performance tool for success?
💡Did you know that you don’t need a quiet room or a yoga mat to start quieting the voice in your head that never stops talking?

Listen to Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics — Free Audiobook

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Key Takeaways from Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics

✓Discover how a stressful on-air panic attack led a skeptical news anchor to uncover meditation's scientifically proven ability to lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, and rewire the brain.
✓Learn how to overcome the anxiety of doing it wrong by simply focusing your attention on a single sensation, whether it is your breathing, a candle flame, or a ticking clock.
✓Understand why you do not need a lot of free time to meditate by seamlessly integrating one-minute sessions into daily routines, like your morning commute or right after brushing your teeth.
✓Master the simple 'ten breaths' meditation technique to instantly shift your attention away from everyday worries and kickstart a lifelong habit of self-improvement.
✓Find out how committing to just 60 seconds of daily mindfulness can naturally transform your mindset from feeling obligated to meditate into genuinely loving the practice.

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics

Mind Map

Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics

Overcoming Skepticism+

Core Meditation Basics+

Building the Habit+

Managing Emotions (R.A.I.N.)+

High-Pressure Situations (S.U.R.F.)+

Alternative & Advanced Practices+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8

What event prompted author Dan Harris to discover the benefits of meditation?

A. A severe health diagnosis from his doctor
B. An on-air panic attack while working as an anchorman
C. A life-changing trip to a monastery in India
D. An interview with a famous meditation guru

Question 2 of 8

According to the book, what is the fundamental technique for a beginner starting a meditation practice?

A. Clearing the mind completely of all thoughts
B. Chanting a specific mantra to block out external noise
C. Focusing attention on a single sensation, such as breathing
D. Visualizing a peaceful landscape or calm ocean

Question 3 of 8

What indicates a highly positive shift in a person's daily meditation habit?

A. Moving from extrinsic motivation ('I have to') to intrinsic motivation ('I love to')
B. Being able to meditate for exactly 60 minutes without moving
C. Transitioning from guided audio meditations to silent retreats
D. Experiencing a complete absence of negative emotions throughout the day

Question 4 of 8

How does US Congressman Tim Ryan counter arguments from parents who worry that mindfulness in schools is a religious practice?

A. He argues that public schools should embrace all religious traditions equally.
B. He points out that mindfulness is not forbidden by any religion and shares scientific evidence of its benefits for healthy brain development.
C. He reminds them that the Founding Fathers practiced mindfulness during the drafting of the Constitution.
D. He replaces the word 'mindfulness' with 'concentration training' to avoid spiritual connotations.

Question 5 of 8

What is a unique aspect of the two-hour meditation described in the book?

A. It requires strict silence and an upright, rigid posture.
B. It focuses on intense physical exertion and rapid breath control.
C. It allows you to lie down, be lazy, and can even be done while resting next to a companion.
D. It is strictly reserved for advanced practitioners who have meditated for years.

Question 6 of 8

In the context of dealing with difficult emotions during meditation, what does the acronym R.A.I.N. stand for?

A. React, Assess, Internalize, Neutralize
B. Release, Allow, Inquire, Notice
C. Recognize, Accept, Investigate, Non-identification
D. Reframe, Acknowledge, Isolate, Navigate

Question 7 of 8

The S.U.R.F. meditation technique is specifically recommended for individuals in high-pressure jobs. What is the primary purpose of this technique?

A. To quickly fall asleep after a highly stressful shift
B. To take a quick pause in a stressful situation to prevent a reactive, regrettable mistake
C. To mentally rehearse complex physical tasks before executing them
D. To completely detach from the emotional weight of traumatic events

Question 8 of 8

According to the final chapters of the book, what is considered an advanced, 'expert level' goal in meditation?

A. Meditating continuously for 24 hours
B. Achieving a state of levitation or out-of-body experience
C. Meditating on absolutely nothing by gradually making the focused sensation more subtle
D. Memorizing and reciting complex, ancient meditation texts

Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
21 — Everyday life is stressful, and meditation is the scientifically proven remedy.
32 — Meditation helps you find inner peace by focusing on a sensation that works for you.
43 — Start with short meditations, which can naturally lead to longer ones.
54 — Meditation has faced an uphill battle for mainstream acceptance, but it has a lot to offer.
65 — Meditation is a great way to let yourself be lazy and connect with a companion.
76 — Meditation gives you the tools to handle your emotions.
87 — If you have a high-pressure job, the S.U.R.F. meditation tool can boost your performance.
98 — Stay aware of meditation’s benefits and work toward the goal of focusing on nothing.
109 — Final summary

Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics Summary & Overview

Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics (2017) is a down-to-earth beginner’s guide to meditation – especially for those skeptics among us who think that meditation is a lot of new age hooey. Dan Harris presents readers with a firsthand account of how even people with restless minds and no time to spare can start experiencing the scientifically proven benefits of meditation.

Who Should Listen to Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics?

Professionals seeking serenity
Anyone pursuing happiness
Amateur meditators

About the Author: Dan Harris, Jeff Warren and Carlye Adler

Dan Harris, a frequent contributor to Nightline and 20/20, is a longtime correspondent for ABC News, as well as the co-host for Good Morning America’s weekend edition. Based in New York City, he’s traveled the world to report from areas as diverse as Cambodia, Afghanistan and Haiti. He’s also the creator of the 10% Happier podcast and app, both of which strive to bring the benefits of meditation to busy urban professionals.

Jeff Warren is a writer and teacher who’s been called the “Meditation MacGyver.” He’s also the founder of Toronto’s Consciousness Explorers Club, a vibrant meeting place for adventurous meditators.

Carlye Adler is a journalist whose work has appeared in BusinessWeek, Forbes, Newsweek and Wired, just to mention a few. She’s also the co-author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestseller, Rebooting Work: Transform How You Work in the Age of Entrepreneurship.

Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics

If You're Curious About These Questions...

Listen to Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics — Free Audiobook

Key Takeaways from Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics

Learning Tools

Mind Map

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics — Full Chapter Overview

Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics Summary & Overview

Who Should Listen to Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics?

About the Author: Dan Harris, Jeff Warren and Carlye Adler

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