Emiliana Simon-Thomas, the science director of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, dives deep into the neuroscience of happiness. She discusses the vital role of compassion in enhancing personal well-being and the transformative power it holds. The difference between empathy and compassion becomes clearer, with practical insights on cultivating kindness. Simon-Thomas also explores the complexities of love, advocating for discernment in relationships while highlighting the inherent goodness of humanity that promotes collective happiness. A thought-provoking listen!
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insights INSIGHT
Compassion vs. Empathy
Compassion involves feeling the urge to alleviate suffering and acting on it.
Empathy is understanding others' emotions, but it doesn't necessitate action.
insights INSIGHT
Wise Selfishness
Compassion, while altruistic, also benefits the giver.
It activates reward pathways in the brain, similar to receiving a treat.
insights INSIGHT
Obstacles to Compassion
Societal pressures, like competition and self-interest, hinder compassion.
"Compassion collapse" occurs when we feel overwhelmed by the scale of suffering, leading to inaction.
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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].
Love 2.0
Barbara Fredrickson
Barbara Fredrickson's "Love 2.0" delves into the science of positive emotions and their impact on well-being. It explores the concept of 'positivity resonance,' a state of mutual positive connection between individuals. The book argues that these positive interactions are essential for building strong relationships and fostering overall happiness. Fredrickson presents research findings that demonstrate the physiological and psychological benefits of positivity resonance. She offers practical strategies for cultivating more positive connections in daily life.
In a previous interview with Dan, the Dalai Lama said something along the lines of, “everyone’s selfish; that’s the way we’re wired. But if you’re going to be selfish, you should be wisely selfish.” Wise selfishness takes into account the fact that what really makes humans happy is to care for other people. This notion has been a central part of the Buddhist platform for millennia, but is now being borne out in scientific research. Today’s guest is Emiliana Simon-Thomas. She is the science director of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, where she is a co-instructor of its Science of Happiness online course. In this conversation, Emiliana talks to us about the difference between empathy and compassion, how we can be happier by being more compassionate and connected, what we misunderstand about love, and a more scientific definition for that culturally loaded term. Just to note -- this is a re-run of an older episode we pulled out of our vault for a few reasons: 1) It’s summer and we want to give our tireless staff a break; and 2) This is one of our all-time favorite episodes and one that many of our newer listeners may not have heard. For more science-based happiness practices, you can download the Ten Percent Happier app today: https://10percenthappier.app.link/install. Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/emiliana-simon-thomas-repost
10% Happier with Dan Harris 
