Logo

    Guided Meditation: 'Struggle as Feedback'

    enApril 29, 2016
    What approach does meditation encourage towards unpleasant sensations?
    How did Joseph Goldstein's bus ride impact his meditation practice?
    What is the significance of mindfulness meditation in daily life?
    What is the premise of The Last City audio series?
    What darker themes are hinted at in the society of Pura?

    Podcast Summary

    • Accepting unpleasant sensations during meditationInstead of trying to suppress unpleasant sensations during meditation, accept them with a non-judgmental attitude for greater ease of mind and body.

      During meditation, it's not about trying to avoid or suppress unpleasant sensations or experiences, but rather about being mindful and accepting of them with a non-judgmental attitude. This concept was illustrated through a story shared by meditation teacher Joseph Goldstein, who once found himself on a long and uncomfortable bus ride in India. Instead of focusing on keeping unpleasant sensations out, he discovered that letting them in and accepting them brought him greater ease of mind and body. This mindset can be applied to daily life, helping us to better handle and respond to challenging situations.

    • Embrace all experiences, pleasant and unpleasant, for a deeper understandingThrough mindfulness meditation, we can learn to be open to all experiences and gain a deeper self-understanding

      Being open to the full range of our experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant, can make our journeys, whether literal or metaphorical, more meaningful. This can be achieved through mindfulness meditation, which involves sitting upright, relaxing the body, and focusing on the sensations of the breath. However, when other bodily sensations become predominant, they too should be the object of meditation. By being mindful of these sensations and their changing qualities, we can learn to be with pleasantness and unpleasantness without reactivity. This openness to experience can lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

    • Exploring the Power of MindfulnessPractice observing bodily sensations without judgment or attachment for better reaction management and peace

      Mindfulness practice involves observing bodily sensations as they arise and pass away without judgment or attachment. This means being open to both pleasant and unpleasant sensations, rather than trying to hold on to the pleasant ones or push away the unpleasant ones. By practicing this non-judgmental awareness, we can learn to better manage our reactions to our experiences and find greater peace and clarity. As we continue to explore mindfulness through various teachers, we hope you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the power of this practice. If you're interested in trying it out for yourself, consider checking out the 10% Happier app, where you can access more guided meditations and resources. Remember, the first few days are free, and if you enjoy it, you can subscribe for more content. Stay tuned for our next interview. And before you go, don't forget to fill out a short survey at Wondery.com/survey to tell us more about yourself. If you're a traveler, don't forget to maximize your rewards with your Delta Sky Miles Platinum American Express card, which offers up to $10 back monthly on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Happy exploring!

    • Exploring the human desire for safety and security in a seemingly perfect societyThe Last City invites listeners to join a utopian society offering safety and security, but hints at deceit and conflict even within this seemingly perfect world.

      The Last City, a new scripted audio series from Wondery, presents a futuristic and seemingly perfect society called Pura, which offers safety and security from various environmental and criminal threats. The series explores the lengths people are willing to go to be a part of such a haven. The speaker, who seems to have committed a crime in the past, emphasizes the importance of safety and security, especially in a world that feels increasingly unsafe. This is why they have become a Delta Sky Miles Platinum American Express card member and a resident of Pura, where there are no crimes, no cost to join, and no natural disasters. The speaker promises to keep the listener safe and invites them to join this utopian city. However, the darker side of this seemingly perfect society is hinted at when the speaker says, "I killed her! You took everything!" suggesting that even in Pura, there may be deceit and conflict. Overall, The Last City offers an intriguing exploration of the human desire for safety and security, and the potential costs and consequences of achieving it. Listen to The Last City on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts, and binge all episodes for free with a trial on Wondery Plus.

    Recent Episodes from Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris

    A Reformed Skeptic Leads A Loving-Kindness Meditation | A Meditation Party Retreat Bonus with Dan Harris

    A Reformed Skeptic Leads A Loving-Kindness Meditation | A Meditation Party Retreat Bonus with Dan Harris

    Recorded live at the Omega Institute, Dan leads us through a loving-kindness meditation, followed by discussion with retreat co-leaders Jeff Warren and Sebene Selassie.


    For more information on the next upcoming Meditation Party retreat, including scholarships available for BIPOC participants, visit Omega Institute


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

    How to Avoid the Toilet Vortex of Anxiety | Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren

    How to Avoid the Toilet Vortex of Anxiety | Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren

    We also talk about: whether it is possible to be a failed meditator; grief versus mourning; and meditation tips for parents.

    Sebene Selassie is a writer, teacher, and speaker who leads meditation, creativity, and nature-based practices for personal & collective liberation. Using ancient wisdom and modern science mixed with her own relational and relatable style, Sebene helps spiritually curious people explore the profound and sacred truth of belonging. She is trained as a meditation teacher, an integral coach, a practitioner of Indigenous Focusing Oriented Therapy for Complex Trauma (IFOT), and is a licensed hiking guide in New York State. She has taught classes, workshops and retreats online and in person for almost fifteen years. Sebene is a devoted student of mystic traditions, including astrology, and writes the popular newsletter Ancestors to Elements. Her first book, You Belong: A Call for Connection, is published by HarperOne. 


    Jeff Warren is a meditation instructor and writer, known for his dynamic and accessible style of teaching. He is the co-author of The New York Times best-selling Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics, founder of the nonprofit Consciousness Explorers Club, and co-host of the Mind Bod Adventure Pod. Jeff's Do Nothing Project streams for free every Sunday night on YouTube; his guided meditations reach millions of people through the Ten Percent Happier and Calm apps, as well as through his Substack, Home Base

    Jeff’s mission is to empower people to care for their mental health, through the realistic, intelligent and sometimes irreverent exploration of meditation and personal growth practices. As someone with both ADHD and bipolar, he is big on destigmatizing mental health issues, and championing a neurodiverse outlook on life and practice.


    Tascha Schumann is a Buddhist Lama, writer, visual artist, co-host of The Mind Bod Adventure Pod, and Juno-nominated recording artist whose work has been streamed many millions of times around the world.


    Related Episodes:

    How to Stay Calm No Matter What’s Happening | Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren

    Meditation Party: The “Sh*t Is Fertilizer” Edition | Sebene Selassie & Jeff Warren

    Meditation Party with Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren: Psychedelics, ADHD, Waking Up From Distraction, and Singing Without Being Self-Conscious

    Meditation Party: Magic, Mystery, Intuition, Tattoos, and Non-Efforting | Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren



    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://happierapp.com/podcast/tph/omega-826


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

    I Just Went Through A Career Earthquake. Here’s What I Learned About Anger, Insomnia, And Bouncing Back | Dan Harris

    I Just Went Through A Career Earthquake. Here’s What I Learned About Anger, Insomnia, And Bouncing Back | Dan Harris

    In which Dan gets candid about a major life struggle, the practical takeaways, and a big new project.


    In this episode:

    • Dan shares news about what’s next for him
    • His strategies and lessons from a big career change including how to deal with conflict, anger and insomnia
    • What he's learned about the power of self-compassion, the value of failure and how to gain perspective when you need it most 


    If you'd like to be a member of Dan's new community but a subscription isn't affordable for you, write to free@danharris.com, and we'll hook you up, no questions asked.


    Related Episodes:

    Your Sleep Questions, Answered | Donn Posner

    How To Sleep Better | Diane Macedo

    Kryptonite for the Inner Critic | Kristin Neff


    Check out all the offerings at DanHarris.com


    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://happierapp.com/podcast/tph/dan-career-earthquake


    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 And Why To Avoid The Siren Call Of Cynicism | Dr. Jamil Zaki

    How And Why To Avoid The Siren Call Of Cynicism | Dr. Jamil Zaki

    This Stanford psychologist has evidence that being a cynic is bad for your health, and offers a non-corny alternative. 

    Dr. Jamil Zaki is a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab. He’s the author of The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World, and his new book is called Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness.

    In this episode we talk about:

    • What cynicism is, and why it’s so appealing
    • His own history as a “recovering cynic,”
    • How to know if you yourself are a cynic
    • A step-by-step guide to start developing the “hopeful skeptic” mindset
    • How to get better at disagreeing with other people, including some rules of engagement
    • And how to encourage kids not to become cynical


    Related Episodes:

    How (and Why) to Hack Your Empathy | Jamil Zaki

    Reversing the Golden Rule | Jamil Zaki


    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://happierapp.com/podcast/tph/jamil-zaki-cynic


    Additional Resources:


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

    Exploring What It Means To “Pay Attention” | A Meditation Party Retreat Bonus With Jeff Warren

    Exploring What It Means To “Pay Attention” | A Meditation Party Retreat Bonus With Jeff Warren

    Recorded live at the Omega Institute, Jeff guides us through two different approaches to being attentive to our experience — followed by a discussion with Dan and Sebene.


    About Jeff Warren:


    Jeff makes meditation and practice accessible to diverse audiences in order to help people live more fulfilled and connected lives. He’s taught meditation to suspicious journalists, US Army cadets, burned-out caregivers, Arizona cops, formerly-incarcerated youth, virtuoso popstars, distractible teens, and every other conceivable demographic of freethinker, including squirmy six-year old kids.  He tries to do this in a way that’s rigorous and clear and adventurous. You can find out more about him at jeffwarren.org

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

    A Buddhist Recipe for Handling Turmoil | Kaira Jewel Lingo

    A Buddhist Recipe for Handling Turmoil | Kaira Jewel Lingo

    We all know that change is inevitable and impermanence is non-negotiable. But somehow it can feel surprising, maybe even wrong, when we personally hit turbulence. The Buddha had a lot to say about this, and so does our guest. 


    Kaira Jewel Lingo is a Dharma teacher who has a lifelong interest in blending spirituality and meditation with social justice. Having grown up in an ecumenical Christian community where families practiced a new kind of monasticism and worked with the poor, at the age of twenty-five she entered a Buddhist monastery in the Plum Village tradition and spent fifteen years living as a nun under the guidance of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. She received Lamp Transmission from Thich Nhat Hanh and became a Zen teacher in 2007, and is also a teacher in the Vipassana Insight lineage through Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Today she sees her work as a continuation of the Engaged Buddhism developed by Thich Nhat Hanh as well as the work of her parents, inspired by their stories and her dad’s work with Martin Luther King Jr. on desegregating the South. 


    In addition to writing We Were Made for These Times: Skilfully Moving through Change, Loss and Disruption, she is also the editor of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness with Children. Now based in New York, she teaches and leads retreats internationally, provides spiritual mentoring, and interweaves art, play, nature, racial and earth justice, and embodied mindfulness practice in her teaching. She especially feels called to share the Dharma with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as activists, educators, youth, artists, and families. Her newest book, co-written with Marisela B. Gomez and Valerie Brown, is  Healing Our Way Home: Black Buddhist Teachings on Ancestors, Joy, and Liberation.


    In this episode we talk about:

    • waking up to what’s happening right now
    • trusting the unknown (easier said than done) 
    • A Buddhist list called the five remembrances 
    • how gratitude helps us in times of disruption
    • And accepting what is (and why this is different from resignation or passivity)


    Please note: There are brief mentions of domestic violence, abuse, the suffering of refugees, and war in this episode.


    Related Episodes:

    3 Buddhist Strategies for When the News is Overwhelming | Kaira Jewel Lingo

    How to Keep Your Relationships On the Rails | Kaira Jewel Lingo


    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.happierapp.com/podcast/tph/kaira-jewel-lingo-390


    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 Handling Uncertainty | Maya Shankar

    The Science of Handling Uncertainty | Maya Shankar

    Cognitive scientist Maya Shankar talks about how to get comfortable with uncertainty in an ever-changing world. 

    It seems like a design flaw in our species that we live in a world of constant change yet most of us are not comfortable with uncertainty. 

    In this episode, we talk to Maya Shankar about how to get better at dealing with change and to stop seeking what scientists call “cognitive closure.”

    Shankar is a former Senior Advisor in the Obama White House, where she founded and served as Chair of the White House Behavioral Science Team. She also served as the first Behavioral Science Advisor to the United Nations, and is currently a Senior Director of Behavioral Economics at Google. She is the host of the Pushkin Industries podcast A Slight Change of Plans, which was named Best Show of the Year in 2021 by Apple. 

    In this episode we talk about: 

    • Why humans are so uncomfortable with uncertainty and change
    • What a behavioral scientist actually does in the world
    • Why even the host of a podcast about change isn’t immune to the uncertainties of life 
    • The benefits of cultivating a more malleable sense of self
    • Why humans are such bad forecasters
    • The importance of auditing yourself when you’re undergoing a big change
    • How to take advantage of big reset moments
    • The concept of cognitive closure and why encouraging an open mind can make us more resilient  


    Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/maya-shankar-466


    Where to find Maya Shankar online: 

    Website: mayashankar.com

    Social Media:


    Books Mentioned:


    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.

    Stop Turning The Miraculous Into The Mundane | Bonus Meditation with Pascal Auclair

    Stop Turning The Miraculous Into The Mundane | Bonus Meditation with Pascal Auclair

    This is the first time you’ve ever been here, now. Pascal invites you to discover the vivid and mysterious experience of this new moment.


    About Pascal Auclair:


    Pascal Auclair has been immersed in Buddhist practice and study since 1997, sitting retreats in Asia and America with revered monastics and lay teachers. He has been mentored by Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield at the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Massachusetts and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California, where he is now enjoying teaching retreats. Pascal teaches in North America and in Europe. He is a co-founder of True North Insight and one of TNI’s Guiding Teachers.


    To find this meditation in the Ten Percent Happier app, you can search for “Rediscover the Familiar.”



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

    A Buddhist Recipe For Confidence | Ethan Nichtern

    A Buddhist Recipe For Confidence | Ethan Nichtern

    Cultivating resilience in the face of whatever comes up.


    Ethan Nichtern is the author of Confidence: Holding Your Seat through Life’s Eight Worldly Winds and several other titles, including the widely acclaimed The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path. A renowned contemporary Buddhist teacher and the host of The Road Home Podcast, Nichtern has offered meditation and Buddhist psychology classes at conferences, meditation centers, yoga studios, and universities, including Brown, Yale, and NYU. He has been featured by CNN, NPR, the New York Times, Vogue, and Business Insider and has written for the Huffington Post, Beliefnet, Lion’s Roar, Tricycle, Buddhadharma, and more. He lives in Brooklyn. Visit him online at http://www.EthanNichtern.com.



    In this episode we talk about:

    • Authentic vs performative confidence
    • The line between humility and confidence
    • A Buddhist list called the Eight Worldly Winds
    • A slew of little practices you can do in order to boost your confidence (or resilience or equanimity)
    • The meaning of self-confidence in a tradition that argues the self is an illusion


    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://happierapp.com/podcast/tph/ethan-nichtern-819


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

    Why Your Brain Turns The Miraculous Into The Mundane—And How To Fix It | Maria Popova

    Why Your Brain Turns The Miraculous Into The Mundane—And How To Fix It | Maria Popova

    Smart and practical strategies for living, in Maria's words, wonder-smitten by reality.


    Maria Popova thinks and writes about our search for meaning — sometimes through science and philosophy, sometimes through poetry and children's books, always through the lens of wonder. She is the creator of The Marginalian (born in 2006 under the name Brain Pickings), which is included in the Library of Congress permanent digital archive of culturally valuable materials, author of Figuring, and maker of the live show The Universe in Verse — a charitable celebration of the wonder of reality through stories of science winged with poetry, which is now also a book.



    In this episode we talk about:


    • Wonder as a tool for improving all of your relationships
    • The tyranny of the word should
    • How the hardest thing in life is not getting what you want, it's knowing what you want
    • Why she doesn't believe in making meditation a tool, even though she's been practicing for 14 years
    • The illusion of certainty
    • The immense value of intellectual humility
    • Strategies for outgrowing your old habits
    • Her new book, The Universe in Verse, which is a combination of science and poetry


    From The Marginalian: How to Love the World More: George Saunders on the Courage of Uncertainty


    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://happierapp.com/podcast/tph/maria-popova-818


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

    Related Episodes

    A Forgiving Heart - Embracing our Inner Life

    A Forgiving Heart - Embracing our Inner Life
    2012-12-05 - A Forgiving Heart - Embracing our Inner Life - Self-aggression, whether it's low key blame or deep condemnation, prevents us from intimacy with others and discovering the truth and wholeness of our Being. This talk explores how we can release self-blame, and free ourselves to access our natural warmth and creativity in responding to our world. Please support this podcast by donating at www.tarabrach.com or www.imcw.org. Your donations allow us to continue to freely offer the teachings!

    Beyond the Interpreted World

    Beyond the Interpreted World
    2013-02-20 - Beyond the Interpreted World - Hildegard of Bingen writes, "An interpreted world is not a Home." This talk explores the suffering that arises from believing in an interpreted reality, and the love, aliveness and freedom that becomes accessible as we challenge beliefs and awaken into living presence. Please support this podcast by donating at www.tarabrach.com or www.imcw.org. Your donations allow us to continue to freely offer the teachings!

    Be Who You Are (Retreat Talk)

    Be Who You Are (Retreat Talk)

    2012-05-02 - (Retreat Talk) Be Who You Are - By bringing a surrendering presence to mental, emotional and physical domains, we undo the trance of separation and discover our true nature. This talk explores the practices that cultivate the non-resisting space of presence, and the flavors of our essential being that are revealed: open awareness, love and a vibrant flow of awareness. Please support this podcast by donating at www.tarabrach.com or www.imcw.org. Your donations make a difference!

    Minting Gold (retreat talk)

    Minting Gold (retreat talk)

    2010-12-31 - Minting Gold - Embodying the Awakened Heart - Our core conditioning expresses as both a longing for love and the pain of not trusting we are loveable. This talk explores how we create the experience of separation, and the key meditative heart- trainings that lead us to realizing and living from the truth of our connectedness. This talk was given at the IMCW New Year's Retreat. Please support this podcast by donating at www.tarabrach.com or www.imcw.org. Thank you!

    Part 3: Three Blessings - Looking Into the Mirror

    Part 3: Three Blessings - Looking Into the Mirror
    2013-04-03 - Part 3: Three Blessings - Looking In the Mirror - The third gift on the journey of awakening is the mirror. In this talk we explore how to look back into our own minds and discover the timeless, radiant presence that is our essence. It is this realization of our Beingness that enables us to live these lives with wisdom, love and wonder. Please support this podcast by donating at www.tarabrach.com or www.imcw.org. Your donations allow us to continue to freely offer the teachings!