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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics summary
A 10% Happier How-To-Book
20 mins
Brief summary
Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics by Dan Harris, Jeff Warren and Carlye Adler provides accessible strategies for skeptics to integrate meditation into their lives and reap the benefits of its practice.
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Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics
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Key idea 1 of 8
Everyday life can be stressful, and the scientifically proven remedy is meditation.
There are still a lot of fast-paced, city-dwelling professionals who think that meditation is a lot of new age nonsense. The author, Dan Harris, understands this feeling rather well since, not long ago, he was one of those people. If someone had told him in his twenties that one day he’d be promoting the benefits of meditation, he’d have laughed so hard that beer would have shot out his nose.
But life is full of unexpected twists and turns, some of which can be brought on by times of extreme stress.
For Harris, a big change came in 2004, when he was working as an anchorman for ABC News. While live on air, with an audience of five million viewers, the author suddenly began to stutter and slur his words – he was in the grip of a panic attack.
Like most panic attacks, however, this incident wasn’t an isolated event. In Harris’s case, it was the result of years spent reporting from war zones, the horrors of which had led him to sink into a state of depression. Yet, being the busy man he was, he’d failed to recognize or appreciate the symptoms he’d been experiencing.
These included trouble getting out of bed in the morning and a feverish feeling that never fully went away. After a brief attempt at self-medicating with cocaine and ecstasy, the on-air meltdown was Harris’s personal rock bottom.
But this turned out to be a good thing. It was the wake-up call Harris needed to make some much-needed changes in his life. And it’s what led to him discovering the benefits of meditation.
Like a lot of people, Harris was what you’d call a “fidgety skeptic” about meditation. But after doing some research, he was surprised to find a wealth of solid, scientific evidence showing the practice to be a proven stress reducer. It’s benefits included lowering blood pressure and helping people recover from anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Harris also found legitimate data indicating that meditation both strengthens the immune system and rewires the neurons in the brain to improve attributes like self-awareness, endurance and compassion.
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What is Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics about?
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.
Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics Review
Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics (2017) is a compelling book that explores the benefits and practicality of meditation for those who are skeptical or struggle with restlessness. Here's why it's worth reading:
- It offers a refreshingly approachable take on meditation, providing practical tips and techniques that can be easily incorporated into everyday life.
- Backed by scientific research and personal anecdotes, the book effectively demystifies meditation, making it accessible and relatable to a wide range of readers.
- The authors' humorous and relatable storytelling keeps the content engaging and entertaining, making it a far cry from the stereotypical dry and mundane meditation guides.
Best quote from Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics
I think in the future, mental exercise will be considered as important and mainstream as physical exercise.
—Dan Harris, Jeff Warren and Carlye Adler
Who should read Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics?
- Professionals seeking serenity
- Anyone pursuing happiness
- Amateur meditators
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Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics FAQs
What is the main message of Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics?
The main message of Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics is that meditation is accessible and beneficial for everyone, even skeptics.
How long does it take to read Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics?
The reading time for Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics varies, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just minutes.
Is Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics a good book? Is it worth reading?
Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics is worth reading as it provides practical techniques and insights to help even the most skeptical individuals experience the benefits of meditation.
Who is the author of Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics?
The authors of Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics are Dan Harris, Jeff Warren, and Carlye Adler.
What to read after Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics?
If you're wondering what to read next after Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The No-Nonsense Meditation Book by Steven Laureys
- Meditation by Osho
- 10% Happier by Dan Harris
- The Buddha and the Badass by Vishen Lakhiani
- The 6 Phase Meditation Method by Vishen Lakhiani
- Journey of Awakening by Ram Dass
- Thrive by Arianna Huffington
- The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
- Mind Magic by James R. Doty