In April of 2015 I began reading Dan Harris‘ 10% Happier. I’ve watched Dan since he was in Boston at NECN – the same time I was interning and working at WCVB and knew he was a local guy from Newton. He also covered religion for ABC. I had heard Dan’s story about an on-air panic attack during Good Morning America. Re-watching the clip I actually remember watching GMA that day and thinking Dan’s behavior was a bit off.

The premiss of the book is how Dan learned about and used meditation to help overcome panic attacks and “quiet the voices” in his head. He felt the change in himself and others noticed. He wrote the book to help others and the title comes from an off hand comment he made when someone asked if meditation made his life better. He responded it made him “10% happier.” He said it was a good return on investment and has become a bit of an evangelist for meditation. He has written often about it, talked about it in interviews and on GMA and has expanded his book into a podcast and tour.

The tour came to Boston and Chris and I went to hear Dan and another meditation expert, Jeff Warren speak. Chris and I have both read Dan’s book and often listen to his podcast interviews. It was a great talk that included a conversation about what Dan is doing next- a book talking about the barriers and blocks people have found to prevent them from daily meditation.

I have found meditation has been very valuable for me. I can especially relate to the idea that it helps with “responding not reacting” to situations. I read the book at the end of my time at my last school when I was feeling burned out and can definitely say I was reacting all the time. Dan says he believes the meditation will be the next public health movement similar to the way physical activity has become. Brendan has told us the meditate at school before lunch sometimes. I hope Dan is right.