Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC's Chief Medical Correspondent and author of 'Life After Suicide', shares her personal journey through the devastation of her ex-husband's suicide. She discusses the profound impact of grief and the healing power of meditation, emphasizing resilience amid trauma. Ashton highlights the importance of mental health awareness and the need for open conversations surrounding suicide. She also reflects on how to transform pain into purposeful action, helping others navigate their own losses.
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Kids Noticed Meditation Impact
Jennifer Ashton's children noticed she was more relaxed after she started meditating.
She hadn't realized how uptight she'd been previously.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Choose a Meditation Technique
Choose a specific meditation technique as a beginner.
Don't just sit and hope to hear music; a structured approach is more effective.
insights INSIGHT
Meditation as Mental Fuel
Meditation provides mental energy, focus, and a buffer against negativity.
It's like having extra gas in the tank.
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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[2][4][5].
Meditation for fidgety skeptics
Dan Harris
Life After Suicide
Finding Courage, Comfort & Community After Unthinkable Loss
Dr. Jennifer Ashton
In 'Life After Suicide', Dr. Jennifer Ashton shares her personal experience of losing her ex-husband to suicide and explores the impact on her family. The book combines memoir elements with advice from researchers and health professionals, aiming to provide comfort and community to those affected by suicide. It highlights the importance of conversation and community in the healing process.
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor Frankl
The book is divided into two parts. The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945. He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners. The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure. Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering). The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.
The untethered soul
Michael A. Singer
In 'The Untethered Soul', Michael A. Singer explores the nature of the self and how to achieve spiritual growth by recognizing and releasing the inner blockages that prevent us from experiencing true happiness. The book emphasizes the importance of accepting reality as it is, rather than trying to control or resist it. Singer provides practical advice on how to manage negative thoughts, cultivate a positive mindset, and live in harmony with the natural flow of life.
With suicide being the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, the likelihood is that nearly every person in this country knows someone who has died by suicide. In just the last couple of weeks, we learned of the suicides of three people linked by American tragedies - two survivors of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the father of a child who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Jeremy Richman, a recent guest on our podcast. ABC's Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton has witnessed firsthand the impact of a loved one's suicide. When her ex-husband killed himself soon after their divorce, her world - and that of her children - was shattered. In a quest to provide comfort and solace to the countless others who have had to face the aftermath of suicide, Dr. Ashton joins us this week, not as a medical professional, but as a person whose family has been rocked by suicide, who found the courage, community and grit to move on with her life. The Plug Zone Website: https://jenniferashtonmd.com/# Book: https://jenniferashtonmd.com/book/life-after-suicide/ Social: @DrJAshton
10% Happier with Dan Harris 
