I am always wary of reading a book written by someone already in the public eye. Publishers and publicists know that celebrities will easily sell celebrity books because the authors have already sold themselves. Where is the incentive to produce quality writing? I fell for the celebrity trap with Tony Danza’s book about his half-assed stint as a teacher, and I didn’t foresee myself reading another book by a TV personality in the near future. I thought 10% Happier by Dan Harris, a co-anchor for ABC’s Nightline, wasn’t going to be much different. Why did I read it? I am also a sucker for books that claim they will make us happier.
I wouldn’t exactly say Harris’s book was well written. Despite criticizing the ego and the havoc it can wreak on our psyche, there is no shortage of ego in 10% Happier. Although Harris read Eckhart Tolle’s, A New Earth over 5 times, he doesn’t speak highly of Tolle’s writing, which is somewhat hypocritical coming from a guy whose unseemly vocabulary makes it sound like he merely did a once-over with a thesaurus before publishing.
Regardless of the apparent contradictions within, 10% Happier is a unique self-help book. Instead of only preaching the power of Zen and meditation (like most books of the sort) Harris’s book is more autobiographical, narrating his quest to resolve psychological issues and live a happier life. His examples from the news anchor world are riveting, especially as someone who has reported from war zones and other tense locations.
I give the book 3 out of 5 stars. I wouldn’t claim to be 10% Happier already, but Harris ends his book with a practical list of things to try. Most importantly he addresses the obvious contradiction between living a life of attachment and striving for what we want.
Life Lessons
- It is necessary to strike a balance between non-attachment and ambition. “Hide the Zen” was some good advice from Harris. Despite being calm and nonjudgmental in our professional lives, sometimes we are required to show passion, anger or drive.
- Like Harris, I think an eclectic education is useful on the path toward enlightenment. I too enjoy reading books about a range of topics related to happiness. It’s interesting and meditative to find out what makes people happy.
- The physiological benefits of meditation are amazing. Taking care of your brain is more than just eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
Literature and Life 