10% Happier with Dan Harris Can Meditation Prolong Your Life?, Dr. Peter Attia
Dr. Peter Attia, a longevity expert and founder of Attia Medical, shares insights on how meditation can enhance emotional well-being and potentially extend life. He reflects on his personal battles and the transformation achieved through mindfulness practices. Attia emphasizes that even if happiness doesn’t significantly prolong life, it’s still worthwhile. The discussion intertwines meditation with personal growth, emotional regulation, and the importance of meaningful relationships as essential components of a fulfilling, long life.
01:30:27
Attia's Meditation Journey
- Peter Attia discovered meditation through Dan Harris's book in 2014.
- Initially, he tried Headspace but found Transcendental Meditation (TM) more suitable.
Happiness vs. Complacency
- Attia initially viewed happiness as complacency, hindering hard work.
- He later realized this was a misconception and now understands happiness differently.
Shift to Mindfulness
- A transformative experience in rehab led Attia to switch from TM to Vipassana/mindfulness meditation.
- This shift was prompted by a moment of presence observing trees blowing in the wind.
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Intro
00:00 • 4min
Transforming Perspectives on Meditation and Happiness
03:58 • 2min
The Transformative Journey of Meditation Practice
06:10 • 4min
Meditation and Emotional Transformation
10:17 • 10min
Meditation and Personal Growth
20:45 • 32min
Rethinking the Concept of Edge: A Holistic Approach to Happiness
52:59 • 2min
Fall Fashion and Ethical Shopping Essentials
55:03 • 3min
Embracing Longevity: The Path to Well-Being
57:34 • 29min
Meditation for Sleep and Holiday Cheer
01:26:07 • 9min
1984
None
George Orwell
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism.
The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother.
Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative.
He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination.
The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
10% Happier
Dan Harris
In '10% Happier,' Dan Harris shares his personal journey of discovering the benefits of meditation.
Initially a skeptic, Harris, a news anchor, found himself on a path of self-discovery after a nationally televised panic attack.
He delves into the world of spirituality and self-help, encountering various figures including brain scientists, CEOs, and spiritual leaders.
The book explores how meditation can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being without compromising one's ambition or edge.
Harris emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in making one more resilient and better equipped to handle life's challenges, though it does not eliminate problems entirely.
Waking Up
A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
Sam Harris
In this book, Sam Harris argues that there is more to understanding reality than science and secular culture generally allow.
He explores the scientific underpinnings of spirituality, suggesting that how we pay attention to the present moment largely determines the quality of our lives.
The book is part memoir and part exploration, discussing the illusion of the self, the benefits of meditation, and the importance of understanding consciousness through both scientific and philosophical lenses.
Lovely One
Ketanji Brown Jackson
Funny Story
Emily Henry
In 'Funny Story', Emily Henry tells the story of Daphne Vincent, a children’s librarian whose life is turned upside down when her fiancé, Peter, leaves her for his childhood best friend, Petra.
Daphne moves in with Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak, a chaotic and laid-back winery employee who is the opposite of Daphne’s practical and buttoned-up personality.
As they form a tenuous friendship and engage in a pretend-lovers plot, they navigate their emotional baggage, childhood traumas, and the complexities of love and relationships.
The novel is set in the beautiful small town of Waning Bay, Michigan, and explores themes of self-discovery, meaningful friendships, and the growth of the characters.
The Women
Kristen Hanna
This is water
Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life
David Foster Wallace
This book is a transcript of the only public speech David Foster Wallace gave on his views on life, delivered as a commencement address at Kenyon College in 2005.
The speech delves into the difficulties of empathy, the unimportance of being well-adjusted, and the apparent loneliness of adult life.
Wallace argues that true freedom comes from the ability to be fully conscious and sympathetic, and he emphasizes the importance of learning how to think and exercise control over one's thoughts.
The speech is known for its blend of casual humor, exacting intellect, and practical philosophy, offering advice that renews readers with every reading.
After his death, the speech became a treasured piece of writing, reprinted in various publications and widely discussed online.
James
Percival Everett
Percival Everett's "James" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that reimagines the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim. Everett's writing is both sharp and witty, blending humor and pathos to create a compelling narrative.
The novel explores themes of race, freedom, and identity in a way that is both timely and timeless.
Everett's unique voice and perspective offer a fresh take on a familiar story, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about race and American history.
The novel's unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged until the very end, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
The Coddling of the American Mind
Jonathan Haidt
Greg Lukianoff
The book explores how the ideas 'what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker,' 'always trust your feelings,' and 'life is a battle between good people and evil people' have become embedded in American culture.
These 'Great Untruths' contradict basic psychological principles and ancient wisdom, leading to a culture of safetyism that interferes with young people’s social, emotional, and intellectual development.
The authors investigate various social trends, including fearful parenting, the decline of unsupervised play, and the impact of social media, as well as changes on college campuses and the broader context of political polarization in America.
I Don't Want to Talk About It
The Hidden Epidemic of Depression in Men
Terry Real
Terry Real's "I Don't Want to Talk About It" explores the hidden epidemic of depression in men, connecting it to societal expectations of masculinity and emotional repression.
The book delves into the roots of male depression, often tracing them back to childhood experiences and the impact of traditional gender roles.
Real challenges the notion of stoicism and encourages men to embrace vulnerability and emotional expression.
He provides practical strategies for men to address their emotional struggles and build healthier relationships.
The book's impact lies in its ability to validate the experiences of men struggling with depression and offer a path towards healing and connection.
The Great Believers
Rebecca Makkai
The Great Believers follows two intertwining storylines.
The first is set in 1980s and '90s Chicago, where Yale Tishman, an art gallery acquisitions manager, navigates the devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic on his community.
The second storyline takes place in Paris in 2015, where Fiona Marcus, a secondary character from the first storyline, searches for her estranged daughter and grapples with the long-term consequences of the epidemic on her life.
The novel explores themes of loss, betrayal, friendship, and survival, and it is known for its detailed portrayal of the emotional and social impacts of the AIDS crisis.
Peter Attia is the founder of Attia Medical, PC, a medical practice focusing on the applied science of longevity. In other words, his practice aims to increase the length of one's life, while simultaneously improving the quality. He explains how happiness, or emotional well-being, can help accomplish both and he recommends meditation as one way to achieve that emotional well-being. He knows this first hand; emotionally describing the personal struggles he overcame to transform himself into the person he is today. Discussing both his personal and professional beliefs he tells Dan, "Even If being happier didn't extend your life one day, even if it shortened your life a day, wouldn't it be worth it?" Plug Zone Website: https://peterattiamd.com/ The Peter Attia Drive Podcast: https://peterattiamd.com/podcast/ Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @PeterAttiaMD ***VOICEMAILS*** Have a question for Dan? Leave us a voicemail: 646-883-8326