Dan Harris, the very same one you see on ABC News and Good Morning America, is on a mission to change our beliefs. We believe that meditation is hard. We believe that meditation is about stopping our thoughts. We believe that meditation is only for spiritual gurus and teachers. We believe that meditation is difficult and time-consuming and we're too busy and important to make room for it in our lives. 

And this is where Dan Harris tells us that we're wrong. In his latest book, Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics, he offers honest insight into how much meditating can help with anxiety and depression, help lower blood pressure, and improve productivity. Although he's not a typical meditation expert, his co-author Jeff Warren is the kind of guy you think of with the word "meditation." 

With lots of honest stories from his own life and fancy illustrations that Harris himself drew, Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics is the perfect introduction to meditation for, well, skeptics who don't like the idea of sitting still. Harris takes a look at all the reasons we have for not meditating, like that people would think you were weird or that you can't do it or that you might lose you edge. He knows all the reasons not to meditate, because he's used them all too. But after a very public panic attack, Harris started making changes in his life, and meditation has made a huge difference for him. 

Here's the thing: meditation doesn't have to be a big, scary life change. It's just a few minutes a day paying attention to your breath. All you have to do is breathe. And when your mind wanders, and it will, just remember to go back to your breath. That's all it is. 

But if you want more than just those basics, read the book. Harris is talking to us all about how much meditation can help. Even if you don't have panic attacks on national television. Even if you're worried about coming across like a freak. Even if you only have a few minutes a day. Even if you're scared. Even if you don't believe. Even if you hate to sit still. All you have to do is breathe. 



Galleys for Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics were provided by Random House Publishing Group through NetGalley, with many thanks.

I gave up about halfway through. I should have known that this would happen, because I couldn't get through his first book 10% Happier. But because I'm doing my dissertation on stress reduction in health professions students, and as part of that I'm developing a course that will likely involve meditation and a captive audience of students who will have mixed feelings about that, I thought this would be worthwhile.

There's something about his narrative that bugs me, and I don't know what it is. He's self-deprecating, but I don't mind that. I think it's just too wordy? I found myself skimming it and being like "I really don't care about this/I don't see why I need to know this." For being targeted to fidgety skeptics, it didn't appeal to a fidgety reader that likes things to get right to the point. I also found myself skipping over the meditations, because they were placed awkwardly in the book (I'd rather they all be at the end). Some were in the middle of the chapters so I was like "am I supposed to do this now before I keep reading the rest?" And it's not really possible to do a meditation at the time I'm reading the book, and especially in an e-book, having them buried within chapters makes it harder to come back to later. The few I read seemed like they would be decent, but I never actually sat down and tried any of them.

Still giving it 2 stars because I was able to get to the halfway point, and I'm sure this book will appeal to some folks. It's not horrible, it just isn't at all for me.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

The title "Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics" caught my attention immediately as someone with ADHD. And the story told is one that is interesting and told well. But it struck me more as a memoir than as a how-to guide as I was expecting.

This is a charming, informative book on the ever elusive subject of meditation. Like many, I have felt frustrated in the past by feeling I wasn't doing it right. This book alleviates that fear with the authors' clear advice. That practicing for even a minute counts; that it's like a bicep curl with cumulative results- advice like this will definitely help me develop a meaningful practice. This book is full of useful advice and all is presented with underlying humour. I hadn't read any of this series before but will now look up further material by these authors.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Finally, a new-age-jargon free book on meditation! Dan Harris’ writing is so easy-to-read, while not lacking luster, as he sprinkles his writing with humour, as well as, unique words and ideas.

Personally, I have always been interested in meditation and have already practiced guided meditation but I have always had a hard time understanding meditation as it's a subject dominated by spiritual communities, which often produce the most information on the subject. This is a great book for people, like me, who want a more practical understanding of meditation.

The book is structured as a series of personal antidotes of Dan Harris’ journey with meditation, alongside meditation coach Jeff Warren. Throughout these antidotes appear meditation practices that you can try yourself.

One of the reasons for why I really enjoyed this book is because Dan Harris has a great sense of humour and he doesn’t take himself too seriously. I’ve found myself laughing out loud quite a few times, and for me that is a sign of a good book!

I absolutely loved "Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics" by Dan Harris. It is funny and charming. It brings the idea and practice of meditation to anyone. I also liked the drawings throughout the book as well. If you haven't had luck with other meditation books, you should try this one. It's great.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

In this small book, Dan Harris offers the readers an approach to meditation. It is well researched, follows a storytelling pattern to unveil the different techniques expressed in the book. It lacks the appeal as the other major work by Dan Harris consists but at the same time is a great companion to the 10% Happier.

I was a fan of Dan's first book, and actually liked this book even more! I've been meditating for more than 5 years, and still get stuck in "am I doing this right?" and "I must be doing this wrong" on a weekly basis. Dan Harris brings meditation to a level that is totally achievable, and fun. His humor & sarcasm throughout the book completely dispel any notion that meditation is a very serious, always Zen practice. I'll be gifting this book to a number of people in my life. (I rec'd a digital copy of this book from NetGalley...I was not compensated for this review)

Meditation produces calm, focus and mindfulness in just 5-10 minutes per day.

Unfortunately, only about a third of the book teaches how to meditate. The rest is autobiography and an explanation of why the reader should meditate even though everyone will think you’re weird.

All the guided meditations in the book can be found in the author’s 10% Happier App for free. To access anything else costs $14.99 per month.

The best of the book can be seen by just downloading the app. Therefore, this book receives only 1 star.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for a copy.

Great book on meditation. As someone who has struggled with meditation in the past, Dan Harris gives actionable steps to make meditation achievable!

Pretty sure this book was written for me. Fidgety skeptic. Yep, that's me.

Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics delves into the benefits of meditation (and all the excuses not to meditate) and still manages to stay grounded, rarely meandering into the lofty gray area of the woo-woo stuff. And it does it with a dry, witty, irreverent humor that perfectly fits the narrative.

I highly recommend MEDITATION FOR FIDGETY SKEPTICS for anyone even the tiniest bit interested in gaining a little more inner peace. And also for those wishing to avoid social interactions. Because, seriously, "sorry I have to meditate" is the best excuse for pretty much anything.

I enjoyed reading this book. I really enjoyed having the instructions for different styles of meditations. The author did a great job of making the reader aware that any amount of time you can dedicate to meditation (even if it's just one minute!) is worth it.

"It's Like a Bicep Curl for Your Brain”

Meditations abound in this user friendly guide to how to do it and more importantly, how to do it consistently. Yes, even a minute counts. Yay!! News personality Dan Harris sets his sites on a nationwide meditation tour to well, teach people how to meditate and how to cultivate a practice.

The book felt a little long and I would have been at least 10% happier if the author had trimmed it by a third or so but it worked in getting me back into a daily practice AND validating my belief that there is no right or wrong way to meditate. Harris also boasts a website 10%happier.com with more information regarding meditation along with a podcast and an app.

We go on the road with Harris and his meditation guru Jeff, along with an entire crew. The usual chaos and messiness ensues and Harris is transparent in his recounting the trials and tribulations of the trip. In addition, Harris willingly puts his own sometimes unpleasant idiosyncrasies under the light so that none of us has to feel like a lone freak.

There are meditations offered along with complete directions for execution for anything you can think of. Meditation is a journey, not a destination. This book hit the mark for this reviewer

BRB Rating: Own It.

I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

I have always enjoyed watching Dan Harris on Good Morning America, so this was a book that I knew I would enjoy. The author does a stellar job of providing techniques for meditation without coming across as preachy. I have always considered meditation as a form of relaxation, but figured it would take too much time. This book provides meditations that are short and effective so they can be fit into any busy schedule. Thank you for the new relaxation techniques!

Early in the book, author Dan Harris mentions that meditation has been the victim of the worst marketing campaign ever. I think that this book is not really for fidgety skeptics, it's for people who have trouble separating the practice of meditation from the idea that it's part of a lifestyle that is immersed in New age-y things that people find mysterious and/or silly. I'm fidgety and I'm skeptical, but this book wasn't really for me. It's probably most geared for people who are curious about meditation but have a lot of hangups about the idea of how meditation will affect them. If you, or someone you know is meditation-curious but can't get past some preconceived ideas, this may just be the perfect book.

I've read about the benefits of meditation. I even halfheartedly tried doing it. I was always a little leery because of the Buddhist association and the idea of emptying my mind just did not sit well with me. I knew I could never sit still for an hour either. I guess I was a fidgety skeptic.

Harris clarifies a few misconceptions right away. It doesn't have to include the Buddhist flavor nor did I have to empty my mind nor did I have to sit on the floor cross legged nor did I have to meditate for a long period to see benefits. Harris describes this meditation as focusing the mind rather than emptying it. There are a variety of mindful meditation techniques described in the book and many of them are just a few minutes long. One can increase the time as skills increase. I was disappointed that Jeff, Harris's meditation guru, did bring up Buddhist ideas from time to time. Books on Buddhism are listed in the resources list.

What I liked most about this book is the variety of meditation techniques offered. Harris realizes meditation is not a one size fits all. For an outdoor nature lover like me there are walking meditations. There are very short meditations one can do while waiting in line at the grocery store. I can develop a sort of relaxed enjoyment of life at any place and any time, experiencing mindfulness.

I also liked the way Harris describes mindfulness. It's being able to see what is happening in my head at any moment. Rather than being carried away by anger, I can recognize the emotion and begin to investigate why it is there and what I can do with it. And that is a big reward of mindful meditation. I don't have to be held captive by my intense emotions. I can also become aware of habits that I was previously unaware of.

What I didn't like about the book was Harris's folksy story telling way of presenting the material. I feel like I know him and the people around him much better than I wanted to. I understand his technique of introducing readers to meditation practices through the experiences they had on the bus tour. I just got really tired of it.

I do recommend this book to people who know there are benefits to being mindful and meditation but just thought they would never be able to do it. You'll find good techniques for a variety of ways to meditate. You'll learn much about Harris too, especially his own struggles with meditation as a reality check.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Reading this is like having your own, personal meditation coach. One who understands how easily distracted a person can be, and relates to you like a friend. Who takes the time to tell you it's okay to not be the perfect Buddha. It's given me a lot to think about, and is very encouraging!

If you like your mindfulness books with a generous side of humor, swearing, and self-deprecation, alongside sincere passion for meditation and tons of practical tips and foundational info, then this book is for you, as it was for me. Great for beginners, but even though I’m not a beginner, and the opposite of a skeptic, I do sometimes struggle to make time for my practice; I found this totally relevant and helpful.

Like Dan Harris's previous book, he manages to make meditation seem totally accessible. Great for those short on time, but high on anxiety!