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Chapter 1: "Air Hunger" Question #1 (week of 1/6)

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Chapter 1: "Air Hunger" Question #1 (week of 1/6)

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In the Preface, Harris talks about the practical take-away ... how is this of use to me?  So, what are the reasons you joined this book discussion?  How are you hoping to benefit?

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Harris comments that "the balance between stress and contentment was life's biggest riddle."  What are some of your methods for trying to achieve balance?

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Please share tips about how you are taking better care of yourself "with a steady regimen of exercise, sleep, healthy food and temperance"

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Chapter 2: "Unchurched"  Question #1 (week of 1/13)

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Chapter 2: "Unchurched"  Question #1 (week of 1/13)

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While interviewing parishioners, Harris describes them as "elated and empowered." How/when have you felt elated or empowered in your job or life in general?

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Dan Harris talks about how a cultural and philosophical gap between he & Ted would make you think a connection was impossible.  What are some unlikely friendships or work relationships that have surprised you?

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Dan's wife, Bianca, is annoyed by his attachment to his blackberry. How do you take your work home or how does it interfere with your personal time?

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Chapter 3: "Genius or Lunatic"  Question #1 (week of 1/20)

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Chapter 3: "Genius or Lunatic"  Question #1 (week of 1/20)

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To paraphrase: The ego thrives on drama, keeping our old resentments & grievances alive through compulsive thought ... obsessing with the past & future at the expense of the present.
What are ways that you stay in the present?

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Per Tolle, our lives are governed by the voice in our heads. At a recent EOPO conference, JJ DeGeronimo also talked about the voice in our heads. What is your "voice" like and how do you control it or use it to your advantage?"

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An ex-girlfriend told Harris, "When you have one foot in the future and the other in the past, you **** on the present. He describes hurling through the day, checking things off his to-do list, picturing completion instead of enjoying the process. What are ways you can enjoy the process of your work?

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Chapter #4: "Happiness, Inc" Question #1(week of 1/27)

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Chapter #4: "Happiness, Inc" Question #1(week of 1/27)

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In line with the concept in this chapter that, "it's not just thinking - it's thinking coupled with action," what are self help books or experiences that have been helpful to you?

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What have you tried that has NOT been helpful?

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What are your thoughts on the book and this discussion so far?

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Chapter #5: "The Jew-Bu"  Question #1 (week of 2/3)

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Chapter #5: "The Jew-Bu"  Question #1 (week of 2/3)

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The title of this chapter just sounds awful. What are your thoughts about Epstein's concept that "the human tendency" is "to lurch headlong from one pleasurable experience to the next without ever achieving satisfaction?"

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Comment on Harris'  understanding that "the Buddha's main thesis was that in a world where everything is constantly changing, we suffer because we cling to things that won't last."

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How do you relate to Harris' question, "Wasn't the Buddhist emphasis on LETTING GO a recipe for passivity ... saying we shouldn't strive or we shouldn't be attached to our loved ones?

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Chapter #6: "The Power of Negative Thinking"  Question#1 (week of 2/9)

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Chapter #6: "The Power of Negative Thinking"  Question#1 (week of 2/9)

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Have you tried the 3 steps to meditation?  If so, thoughts, successes? Is this a strategy that helps you overcome negative thinking?

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Mindfulness is a real buzzword in schools right now. What is your definition of mindfulness?

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If mindfulness creates "some space in your head so you can ... RESPOND  rather than simply REACT"  and you can't control what comes into your mind, but you have the SUPERPOWER to control how you handle it, then what are some of your experiences?

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Chapter #7: "Retreat"  Question #1 (week of 2/16)

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Chapter #7: "Retreat"  Question #1 (week of 2/16)

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Goldstein's opinion regarding DESIRE is that we are conditioned to believe that the more pleasant experiences we have, the happier we'll be. Why is that such a bad thing, Harris questions. Goldstein explains, "The key is not to get carried away by desire; we need to manage it with wisdom and mindfulness." So, how can we apply this to our professional lives?

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Day 5 of the Retreat, Goldstein addresses the Buddhist concept that "life is suffering" by explaining that the concept is more accurately that "everything in the world is unsatisfying and unreliable because it won't last" and we are living in anticipation of the next  pleasant experience.  If we could be more aligned with what is true, it would bring us greater happiness.  Happiness is self-generated, not contingent on exogenous forces. How do we apply this to our work lives?

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(a) As the retreat concludes, Goldstein urges them not to spend too much time thinking about the stuff they have to do when they  get back to the real world.  Harris challenges that advice on the basis that not all thoughts are irrelevant.  They conclude that it is "ok to worry, plot and plan ... until it's not useful anymore."  (b) As Harris is driving away, he says "the habits of a lifetime reassert themselves with astonishing speed."  How do you balance your habits so that they are useful, but not stressful?

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Instead of answering one of the questions, try this relaxation exercise for at least 5 minutes and report back what you thought:

Lay on your back.  Completely stretch your legs out and your arms straight above your head, so you are as tall/long as possible.  Breathe deep.  To focus, on every breath in, repeat to yourself, "I breathe in."  On every breath out, repeat, "I breathe out."  Put a hand on your abdomen and feel it rise and fall.

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Chapter #8 "10% Happier"  Question #1 (Week of 2/23)

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Chapter #8 "10% Happier"  Question #1 (Week of 2/23)

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Post Retreat, when talking to people about meditation, Harris says he was trying to "defend my reputation, to make sure people didn't think I was a loon."  Have you ever felt that way?  Explain.

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In an interview with Joseph Goldstein, they discuss the notion that "everything  we experience in this world goes through on filter - our minds..."  Do you feel that you're now more aware of the voice in your head?

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Have you learned anything from 10% Happier that has helped you be 10% Happier? For example, creating space between stimulus and response.

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Try something from the Appendix and share your thoughts.

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Chapter #9 "The New Caffeine"  Question #1 (Week of March 2)

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Chapter #9 "The New Caffeine"  Question #1 (Week of March 2)

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What did you think after reading about the different research studies about meditation?

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One of our conference presenters talked about mindfulness breaks as they do in this chapter.  What is something that you do to take a break ... something that relaxes and distracts you?

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How can you become a better leader, more focused and/or more creative?

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In Chapter 4 Question 1, members shared some self help techniques. Have you tried something that someone else recommended?

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Saw this and thought of you all.
Centered Soul Retreats
March 13-15, 2020
Sandusky, OH
Reflect, heal, grow, dream
www.centeredsoulretreats.com
centeredsoulretreats@gmail.com
216-789-5725

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Chapter #10: "The Self Interested Case for Not Being a Dick:  Question #1 (Week of March 9)

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Chapter #10: "The Self Interested Case for Not Being a Dick:  Question #1 (Week of March 9)

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The previous chapter ended with the notion that in mainstreaming meditation, COMPASSION was being overlooked. In his conversation with the Dalai Lama, Harris is taught that the practice of compassion is ultimately a benefit to self.  He is advised to be "wise selfish rather than foolish selfish. "  What do you think this means?

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Harris talks about the study at Emory proving that compassionate people tend to be healthier, happier and more successful at work.  How do you intend to take this information and become more successful at work?

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Is being nice a daily, conscious priority for you? How so?

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Bonus:  "Mo money, mo problems," said Biggie Smalls.  Brian Kight's dailydiscipline question today is:

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Bonus:  "Mo money, mo problems," said Biggie Smalls.  Brian Kight's dailydiscipline question today is:

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I can't tell you what would make you happy and keep you happy. Can you?

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Chapter #11:  "Hide the Zen"  Question #1 (Week of 3/16)

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Chapter #11:  "Hide the Zen"  Question #1 (Week of 3/16)

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"People will take advantage of you if they're reading you as too Zen."  Have you ever experienced this?

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Harris often talked about finding the balance between "the price of security" and the "wisdom of insecurity." In this final chapter he says he finds "nonattachment to results" as the middle path he was seeking. The last piece of the puzzle.  Are you able to drop the attachment in your job realizing that you have limited control over what happens?

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"There's a reason they call Buddhism 'advanced common sense;' it's all about methodically confronting obvious-but-often-overlooked truths until something in you shifts."  Have you experienced any SHIFTS as a result of reading "10% Happier?"