Logo
    Search

    Guided Meditation: Getting Out Of Your Head in an Age of Polarization

    enJuly 17, 2017

    Podcast Summary

    • Mindfulness meditation to navigate politically charged timesPractice mindfulness meditation to focus on the present moment, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall well-being during politically charged times.

      During these politically charged times, it's essential to prioritize mindfulness and self-care to avoid being overwhelmed by the constant influx of information. The 10% Happier team, in collaboration with Wondery, has created a series of guided meditations designed to help individuals navigate through these turbulent times by focusing on the present moment and using body awareness to find relaxation and well-being. In this specific meditation, led by one of their favorite teachers, 70 Salassi, listeners are encouraged to find a comfortable position and focus on the sensations in their body instead of getting lost in endless thoughts and emotions. By practicing this mind-body connection, individuals can reduce stress and anxiety, and improve their overall mental and emotional well-being.

    • Mindfulness meditation with breath focusPractice mindfulness meditation by focusing on breath to find balance, reconnect to body and present moment, observe thoughts and emotions without judgment, and bring ease during challenging times.

      Mindfulness meditation using the breath as a focus can help us find balance between being grounded and alert. By focusing on the breath, we can reconnect to our bodies and the present moment, allowing us to observe thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them. This practice is a simple yet powerful tool to bring ease and well-being during challenging times. Remember, we don't need to push away thoughts or emotions, but instead, we can rest our awareness on the breath and the sensations in our body. This practice is always available to us whenever we feel overwhelmed or lost in our thoughts.

    • The Disastrous Reality of 'The Swan'Reality TV's pursuit of perfection can lead to ethical dilemmas and negative consequences for contestants, as demonstrated by the failed show 'The Swan'.

      The pursuit of perfection and the allure of reality TV can lead to disastrous results, as exemplified by the failed reality show "The Swan." During the show, contestants were isolated, berated, and underwent extensive physical transformations, only to be ranked by judges. This social experiment turned into a viewing nightmare, highlighting the importance of considering the ethical implications of entertainment. While it's essential to strive for improvement, it's crucial not to sacrifice dignity and well-being in the process. Listen to "The Big Flop" podcast on Wondery for more insights on pop culture fails. If you're a Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express card member, don't forget to enjoy your travels and the perks that come with your membership. And if you're feeling anxious about the political scene, there are plenty of free guided meditations available to help you relax.

    Recent Episodes from Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris

    The Science Of Getting Out Of Your Head | Annie Murphy Paul

    The Science Of Getting Out Of Your Head | Annie Murphy Paul

    An acclaimed science writer on how to upgrade your mind by using more than your head.


    When you think about thinking, most of us think of it as a supremely solo pursuit. You’re in your head, concentrating and cogitating, all by yourself. But the science shows that if you want to improve your thinking, you need to get out of your head. Today we’re going to talk about a concept called “the extended mind.” Your mind isn’t just in your skull: it’s in your body, it’s in the people around you, it’s in your surroundings. The best thinking requires that you break out of what the writer David Foster Wallace called “the skull sized kingdom” and access these other resources.


    This may sound abstract, but our guest today makes it very practical. Annie Murphy Paul is an acclaimed science writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, the Boston Globe, Scientific American, Slate, Time, and The Best American Science Writing, among many other publications. She is the author of Origins and The Cult of Personality, hailed by Malcolm Gladwell as a “fascinating new book.” Currently a fellow at New America, Paul has spoken to audiences around the world about learning and cognition; her TED talk has been viewed by more than 2.6 million people. A graduate of Yale University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, she has served as a lecturer at Yale University and as a senior advisor at their Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning. Her latest book is The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain


    In this episode, we also talk about:


    • How to use your surroundings to think better 
    • My favorite of the three areas of this book – thinking with our relationships
    • Why “groupthink” isn’t always a bad thing (OR you can say, the benefits of thinking in groups)
    • What she called “extension inequality” – that this benefit of the extended mind isn’t available to all people



    Related Episodes: Ancient Secrets to Modern Happiness | Tamar Gendler


    Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/anniemurphypaul


    Additional Resources:

    Download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    On Having Your Own Back | Bonus Meditation with Jess Morey

    On Having Your Own Back | Bonus Meditation with Jess Morey

    Connecting to self-compassion can be really tough. Ease the struggle by imagining your loved ones sending care & support your way.


    About Jess Morey:


    Jess Morey is a lead teacher, cofounder and former executive director of Inward Bound Mindfulness Education which runs in-depth mindfulness programming for youth, and the parents and professionals who support them across the US, and internationally. She began practicing meditation at age 14 on teen retreats offered by the Insight Meditation Society (IMS), and has maintained a consistent commitment to meditation since. Diving head first into meditation at such a key developmental stage makes the revelatory perspective of mindfulness & compassion her natural home turf, and gives her an easy, conversational teaching style anyone can relate to.


    For more information on Inward Bound: https://inwardboundmind.org/


    For more information on the Contemplative Semester: https://www.contemplativesemester.org/


    To find this meditation in the Ten Percent Happier app, you can search for “Compassion For Yourself.”



    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Three Buddhist Practices For Getting Your Sh*t Together | Vinny Ferraro

    Three Buddhist Practices For Getting Your Sh*t Together | Vinny Ferraro

    Practical advice from a straight-talking, formerly incarcerated, occasionally profane dharma teacher.


    Vinny Ferraro is the Guiding Teacher of the Big Heart City Sangha in San Francisco and has led a weekly sitting group for almost two decades. As a fully empowered Dharma Teacher thru Spirit Rock/IMS, he has taught residential retreats at Spirit Rock, Insight Meditation Society, and the Esalen Institute. Currently, he leads Spirit Rock's Year to Live course and teaches retreats and daylongs through Big Heart City and meditation centers across the country. He is a respected leader in developing and implementing interventions for at-risk populations. leading groups in schools, juvenile halls and prisons since 1987. He has led emotional intelligence workshops for over 100,000 youth on four continents.



    In this episode we talk about:

    • Alignment
    • Vinny‘s concept of “flashing your basic goodness”
    • Noting practice
    • The deep satisfaction in not seeking satisfaction
    • Redirecting awareness
    • Being an “empathetic witness” for yourself
    • When to opt for distraction
    • Not taking what’s not yours 
    • Vinny’s ancestor practice
    • What is the connection between seeing our family patterns and not taking what is not ours?  
    • How loyal have we been to our suffering?



    Related Episodes:


    Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here

    Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok

    Ten Percent Happier online bookstore

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

    Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes


    Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/vinny-ferraro



    Additional Resources:


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The Science Of Overcoming Perfectionism | Thomas Curran

    The Science Of Overcoming Perfectionism | Thomas Curran

    Actionable advice on working with one of the few socially acceptable vices.


    Whilst striving for perfection might seem logical on some level, it’s not actually attainable. And the research shows it can lead to burnout, stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, reduced productivity, and reduced resilience.


    Thomas Curran is a professor in the Department of Psychological and Behavioral Science at the London School of Economics and is the author of The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough. 


    In this episode we talk about:


    • The definition of perfectionism – it’s more than just high standards
    • The 3 flavors of perfectionism
    • The surprising findings on perfectionism and gender 
    • Perfectionism VS imposter syndrome 
    • The root of perfectionism 
    • The variables that lead to perfectionism 
    • Thomas’ critiques on capitalism and growth mindset
    • How to actually implement mantras like “progress not perfection” and “embracing good enough”
    • 4 elements to combat imperfectionism 
    • The recipe for achieving inner abundance
    • How to make good work without caring what other people think of you?
    • And parenting and perfectionism 



    Related Episodes:


    Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here

    Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok

    Ten Percent Happier online bookstore

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

    Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes


    Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/thomas-curran


    Additional Resources:


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    What Is Happiness Anyway? | Bonus Meditation with Jay Michaelson

    What Is Happiness Anyway? | Bonus Meditation with Jay Michaelson

    What is happiness? Investigate how happiness is created, what it’s really like, and learn to access the simple happiness of right now.


    About Jay Michaelson:


    Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson is the author of ten books, including his newest, The Secret That Is Not A Secret: Ten Heretical Tales. In his “other career,” Jay is a columnist for The Daily Beast, and was a professional LGBTQ activist for ten years. Jay is an ordained rabbi and has taught meditation in secular, Buddhist, and Jewish context for eighteen years.


    To find this meditation in the Ten Percent Happier app, you can search for “What Is Happiness.”



    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Dua Lipa On: Radical Optimism, Falling On Stage, And “Writing Yourself Into A Good Idea”

    Dua Lipa On: Radical Optimism, Falling On Stage, And “Writing Yourself Into A Good Idea”

    Talking creativity and sanity with one of the world’s biggest pop stars.


    British-Albanian singer-songwriter Dua Lipa emerged as a global pop sensation with her captivating blend of sultry vocals, empowering lyrics, and infectious beats. Born in London in 1995 to Albanian parents, Lipa's musical journey began at a young age, inspired by her father's own musical career. She hosts the podcast Dua Lipa: At Her Service, and her latest album is Radical Optimism



    In this episode we talk about:

    • What she means by radical optimism – and how it applied when she literally fell on stage
    • How she resists the temptation to fully armor herself
    • Her famous work ethic and packed schedule  
    • Her non-negotiable daily practices, including meditation
    • Her social media hygiene (specially, how to stay sane when nearly 80 million people follow you on Instagram alone)
    • And we have a great conversation about creativity, including how she builds psychological safety with her team in studio and on tour
    • Why she had to write 97 songs to make this one album
    • And her concept of “writing herself into a good idea” – as she says, “You have to be shit to be good.” 



    Related Episodes:



    Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here

    Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok

    Ten Percent Happier online bookstore

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

    Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes


    Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/dua-lipa



    Additional Resources:


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The Neuroscience Of: Emotional Regulation, Relationships, Body Image, And Intuition | Emma Seppälä

    The Neuroscience Of: Emotional Regulation, Relationships, Body Image, And Intuition | Emma Seppälä

    A research-backed plan for getting your sh*t together in every possible sphere.


    We’re going to talk about some smart strategies today with Emma Seppälä, Ph.D. She is a psychologist and research scientist, with an expertise in the science of happiness, emotional intelligence, and social connection. She is the Science Director of Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and she also teaches executives at the Yale School of Management. She’s been on this show before, to discuss her best-selling book The Happiness Track. And today she’s back to discuss her new book, Sovereign: Reclaim Your Freedom, Energy, and Power in a Time of Distraction, Uncertainty, and Chaos


    In this episode we talk about:

    • What she means by that term, sovereign
    • The neuroscience of emotion regulation
    • The science of intuition – and how to work with it when you’re a critical thinker
    • How our past can unconsciously bind us 
    • The impact of trauma
    • The latest evidence for the benefits of meditation
    • And how to cultivate what scientists call Positive Relational Energy


    Related Episodes:


    Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here

    Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok

    Ten Percent Happier online bookstore

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

    Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes


    Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/emma-seppala-764


    Additional Resources:


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    How To Regulate Your Nervous System For Stress, Anxiety, And Trauma | Peter Levine

    How To Regulate Your Nervous System For Stress, Anxiety, And Trauma | Peter Levine

    The creator of somatic experiencing shows Dan how to heal trauma through the body.

     

    Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., has spent the past 50 years developing Somatic Experiencing. He holds a doctorate in Biophysics from UC Berkeley and a doctorate in Psychology from International University. His work has been taught to over 30,000 therapists in over 42 countries. He is the author of the new book, An Autobiography of Trauma.


    Content warning: This episode includes discussions of rape and violence.


    In this episode we talk about:


    • How to do somatic experiencing. You’ll see Dan play the role of guinea pig + make weird sounds
    • The difference between somatic experiencing and talk therapy
    • Somatic experiencing practices we can implement into our lives
    • Why some people feel horror/terror at the thought of re-occupying the body and how to overcome those fears
    • What the research says – and how these practices around body awareness have gone from the fringes to entering the scientific mainstream
    • And how to move through ancient wounds – and enrich our lives (whether we have trauma or not)
    • Practices to fortify us in times of difficulty
    • Facing mortality 



    Related Episodes:

    Become An Active Operator Of Your Nervous System | Deb Dana

    What Science and Buddhism Say About How to Regulate Your Own Nervous System | Deb Dana & Kaira Jewel Lingo

    How to Live with the Worst Things That Ever Happened to You | Stephanie Foo

    An Ace Therapist Gives Dan A Run For His Money | Dr. Jacob Ham

    How to Get Out of Your Head | Willa Blythe Baker


    Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here

    Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok

    Ten Percent Happier online bookstore

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

    Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes


    Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/peter-levine


    Additional Resources:


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    How To Meditate If You Have ADHD (Or Are Simply Fidgety And Distractible) | Bonus Meditation with Jeff Warren

    How To Meditate If You Have ADHD (Or Are Simply Fidgety And Distractible) | Bonus Meditation with Jeff Warren

    Tap into your ADHD superpowers with a meditation that celebrates your unique wiring. Embrace exploration and self-acceptance.


    About Jeff Warren:


    Jeff is an incredibly gifted meditation teacher. He's trained in multiple traditions, including with renowned teacher Shinzen Young. Jeff is the co-author of NY Times Bestseller "Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics," and the founder of the Consciousness Explorers Club, a meditation adventure group in Toronto. He has a knack for surfacing the exact meditation that will help everyone he meets. "I have a meditation for that" is regularly heard from Jeff, so we've dubbed him the "Meditation MacGyver."


    More information on the group retreat (AKA Meditation Party) at the Omega Institute is here


    To find this meditation in the Ten Percent Happier app, you can search for “Meditating with ADHD.” 



    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Rewire How You Talk To Yourself | Ofosu Jones-Quartey

    Rewire How You Talk To Yourself | Ofosu Jones-Quartey

    Buddhist strategies for taming that nagging voice in your head.


    Ofosu Jones-Quartey, a meditation teacher, author, and musician hailing from the Washington DC area brings over 17 years of experience in sharing mindfulness, meditation and self-compassion practices with the world. Holding a bachelor’s degree from American University and certified by the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, Ofosu is a graduate of the Teleos Coaching Institute and is the male voice on the Balance meditation app, reaching over 10 million subscribers. 


    Ofosu leads meditation classes and retreats nationwide, having taught and led retreats at the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, The Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock, Brooklyn Zen Center, Cleveland Insight, Inward Bound Mindfulness and more.


    As an accomplished hip hop artist under the name “Born I,” Ofosu released the mindfulness-themed album “In This Moment” in 2021. His most recent album is “AMIDA”, a spiritual, Lo-Fi Hip Hop album exploring life, death and his Buddhist faith.


    Beyond music, Ofosu is an author, releasing his self-published children’s book “You Are Enough” in 2020 and “Love Your Amazing Self” via Storey Publishing in 2022. He lives in Rockville, Maryland, with his wife and four children.


    In this episode we talk about:

    • The relationship between self-compassion and a successful meditation practice
    • All the reasons people resist self-compassion, and his rebuttals
    • Whether self-compassion is selfish
    • How to do self-compassion off the cushion, including practices like journaling, written reminders, establishing accountability partners, and simple questions you can drop into your mind when all else fails
    • How to do self-compassion on the cushion, including practices like body scans, metta, and a check-in practice you can use at the very start of your sits
    • And how to teach self-compassion to children



    Related Episodes:

    The Voice in Your Head | Ethan Kross



    Sign up for Dan’s weekly newsletter here

    Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok

    Ten Percent Happier online bookstore

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

    Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes


    Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/ofosu-jones-quartey



    Additional Resources:


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Related Episodes

    You Are Not Your Thoughts | Bonus Meditation with Joseph Goldstein

    You Are Not Your Thoughts | Bonus Meditation with Joseph Goldstein
    Joseph Goldstein is one of the most respected meditation teachers in the world -- a key architect of the rise of mindfulness in our modern society -- with a sense of humor to boot. In the 1970's, he co-founded the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) alongside Sharon Salzberg and Jack Kornfield. Since its founding, thousands of people from around the world have come to IMS to learn mindfulness from leaders in the field. Joseph has been a teacher there since its founding and continues as the resident guiding teacher. To listen to this meditation in the Ten Percent Happier app, visit https://10percenthappier.app.link/DreamingMyselfIntoExistencePod You can always get started with the Ten Percent Happier app with our flagship course, The Basics. In The Basics, Joseph Goldstein and Dan Harris discuss the fundamentals of mediation and dispel common myths about meditation in a seven-day meditation series. Visit https://10percenthappier.app.link/TheBasicsPod to get started. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Election Stress Special (Bonus Episode!)

    Election Stress Special (Bonus Episode!)
    In the midst of what some are calling the ugliest election ever, millions of Americans say they're feeling more stressed, anxious and just plain exhausted from it. One therapist even coined a term for this: "election stress disorder." As a remedy, many doctors are recommending meditation. On a special edition of the "10% Happier" podcast, we present a one-of-a-kind roundtable discussion led by our host Dan Harris about best practices for handling stress during the election. Dan is joined in-studio by two meditation teachers, Sharon Salzberg and JoAnna Harper, as well as David Gelles, an author and New York Times business reporter who covers the meditation scene. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Animal Reiki with Kathleen Prasad!

    Animal Reiki with Kathleen Prasad!

    What is the “Let Animals Lead” method? How does meditation and mindfulness help? Kathleen shares stories that will inspire you and help you see through our animals’ eyes!

     

    Do you want to get involved? Would you like to bring reiki into shelters and sanctuaries? What are your next steps?

    Diana Butler Bass, 100 Days of Gratitude

    Diana Butler Bass, 100 Days of Gratitude
    Author and religion scholar Diana Butler Bass has tried on many forms of Christianity, from growing up Methodist to becoming an Evangelical Christian for years and then joining the Episcopal Church, where she started exploring Centering Prayer and eventually meditation. Though her 10 books span a range of facets on Christianity, Bass says writing her most recent book, "Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks," saved her life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    The Selfish Case for Being Ethical | Eugene Cash

    The Selfish Case for Being Ethical | Eugene Cash

    Virtue is a tricky topic. It’s often sold to us by religious leaders who are thundering judgmentally, and sometimes hypocritically, down to us from the mountaintop. But from the Buddhist perspective, there is actually a deeply self-interested case for ethics and virtue. The Buddhists are not trying to get you to follow a bunch of very specific rules: they are trying to get you to do no harm because that will make you happy.  


    This is part two of our series on a venerable Buddhist list called the Noble Eightfold Path. The three middle items on the list all have to do with ethical conduct. They are: right speech, right action, and right livelihood.  


    Our guest today, Eugene Cash, is gonna talk about this stuff in super practical, non-dogmatic and non-preachy ways. Cash has been a Buddhist teacher since 1990. He's the founding teacher of San Francisco Insight and a senior teacher on the Spirit Rock Teachers Council. His teaching is influenced by many streams of Buddhism— Theravada, Zen and Tibetan. 


    In this conversation we talk about: 

    • How to make terms such as virtue and ethics more attractive to skeptics
    • Eugene's case that being ethical is in your self-interest
    • His idea that kindness can actually be hard-nosed and tough
    • How the Buddha could be hard on people when it was helpful for those people
    • How to use right speech skillfully
    • Why he says that practicing right action all day long is his idea of fun 
    • The technical versus the holistic understanding of right livelihood
    • The difference between “being present” and “presence” 
    • And what has kept him devoted to the eightfold path for so many years  


    Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/eugene-cash-595


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.