Dan Harris' Panic Attack (and Discovery of Meditation) | Big Think
Vložit
- čas přidán 24. 04. 2014
- Dan Harris' Panic Attack (and Discovery of Meditation)
Watch the newest video from Big Think: bigth.ink/NewVideo
Join Big Think Edge for exclusive videos: bigth.ink/Edge
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABC News anchor Dan Harris recounts having a panic attack live on "Good Morning America." Harris went on to encounter a number of snake-oil-selling self-help gurus before he finally discovered the effectiveness of traditional Buddhist meditation. Harris is the author of 10% Happier.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAN HARRIS:
Anchor, 'Nightline' and 'Good Morning America' Weekend Edition
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARTICLE:
Share Dan Harris’s Panic Attack (and Discovery of Meditation) on LinkedIn
One of the greatest things that we can do for our minds is give them a break. From our hectic schedules, the demands of our careers, and the demands we put on ourselves, we can let the pressures build until they demand to be heard. Dan Harris, the co-anchor of “Nightline” and the weekend editions of “Good Morning America,” discovered this on live television, while having a panic attack, in front of 5 million people. Harris, a popular anchor, flourished in the world of fast-paced television news. But he relieved his stress with recreational drug use, and it caught up to him, changing his life.
“I was doing a job that I’d done many times before which was filling in as the news reader on ‘Good Morning America,’” says Harris, recalling the unforgettable incident. “The job basically entails coming on at the top of each hour and reading a series of headlines to the audience, bringing them up to date on the news of the day. And I was happy and excited to be there. I had no way to foresee what was about to happen.”
What happened next was a physiological reaction to stress and his unhealthy coping method for dealing with that stress. An “irresistible bolt of fear” shot through him, his heart was racing, palms sweating, and it became hard to breathe. Panic attacks are not unusual, what’s of course unique about his experience is that the moment was preserved on tape. “You can see it and hear it on the tape. I’m gasping for air. It would have gotten a lot worse, it would have become something like the famous clip from Broadcast News where Albert Brooks breaks out in flop sweat except for I did something halfway through my newscast I’d never done before, which is I quit,” he says. “I punted. I sent it back to the main hosts of the show.”
Harris set off to understand what happened to him, and how he could adopt healthier ways of dealing with stress. This led him to a meeting with renowned author Eckhart Tolle. His most famous book, The Power of Now, created a movement about embracing the power of the present, the sanity of a single breath. Some readers have complained that the book’s writing style is too dense and confusing.
“Eckhart Tolle says we all have a voice in our head. He’s not talking about hearing voices in the schizophrenic sense. He’s talking about our inner narrator, the thing that wakes us up in the morning and yammers at us all day long,” explains Harris. Unchecked, this inner-narrator can lead us to self-defeating behaviors, as Harris admits that it did in his life.
To read the full transcript, please visit: bigthink.com/surprising-scien...
Want to get Smarter, Faster?
Subscribe for DAILY videos: bigth.ink/GetSmarter
His willingness to be vulnerable is so empowering. Very moving.
He ain't no daisy.
that's was a refreshingly sober interpretation of meditation.
Meditation changed my life more than any philosophy or religious study. Even got promoted at work and gave up booze. It's powerful.
Wow, this is exactly what happened to me at work a few months ago. Presenting some routine data at a meeting, something I've been doing for 20+ years when I was completely overwhelmed with fear for no reason and totally lost my shit... good to know that it can happen to anyone.
Did you keep your job?
were you doing drugs?
This just happened to me. Did it ever happen to you again?
how good was the ecstasy you did?
Happened to me recently, exact situation as you. Again, something I’ve done many times before and very much shocked me
Wow. I just last night and into this morning was struggling with panic...and what stopped me in my tracks was mindful breathing...watching my breath, allowing my fearful thoughts to pass through my mind... Not attempting to halt them, not trying to hold them down, just letting them flow by. My panic subsided. Mindfulness is possible at any moment. How brave of this man to tell his story, to seek inner healing. Marvelous. Thank you for this.
I too have panic attacks some times and breathing helps tremendously for mr. Focus on ur breathing
Damn. Very relatable.
I also slipped into depression after a severe panic attack about 2 years ago (which was in itself caused by sleep deprivation and ... anxiety medication, as weird as that may sound). Longest months of my life.
It's great to see how someone who thinks he is in charge (and has no respect for anything transcendent) is humbled and realizes there is something bigger than he is.
This is so beautifully honest. I am impressed, and moved.
That "higher level of consciousness"/"ultimate metaphysical dimension" kind of discourse is what held me from trying meditation until now. I bet hundreds of other people think meditation wouldn't work for them because of that. I almost skipped this video, I'm glad I didn't. Exactly what I needed to hear to give meditation a try.
Very relatable with great modesty. There are too many over promising self help books out there. Thanks for this video.
I've been using meditation on and off and has helped a lot. I've had two huge panic attacks due to anxiety thankfully they happened at home. It's all about relaxing and letting go what ever is suppressing and having time for yourself to just be, and not think about the next or the what will happen. Once you learn this every thing has a solution.
‘time to just BE’. I’ve been saying/not applying this for years. Thanks for the reminder. 👍🏽
I enjoyed this video, he seemed very truthful!!!
yes definitely an authentic story!
No. I don't believe him. I don't think he took drugs, he just wants attention.
Cure your panic attacks permanently using this great resource here:
*PanicFree . info*
@@stp52x his drugs are hardly the most interesting thing about him. What a dumb comment.
I read his 10% book this past week. I love his honesty, openness, re himself, the human mind/brain, meditation, and Buddhism.
That was a real good one, I love the honesty, especially from a tv personality.
By chance I started reading 10% Happier by chance last week while traveling and feel head over heels in love with it! It's so nice to get to see Dan in this video re-enforcing what I've just read and am reading. He definitely wrote an amazing book, it's absolutely a worthwhile read!
My experience is somewhat similar... without drugs but starting with bad feelings, searching for gurus and ending with the teaching of the Buddha and meditation. It is interesting...
This was a fantastic "Big Think" video. It's the kind of content that I subscribed for in the first place, so it's good to see a bit of it. It takes real courage to admit to one's poor choices and to reflect on times that would be more comfortable to just try and forget about. I absolutely agree that setting more realistic expectations for things such as meditation and other alternate self-help strategies would do a world of good for their credibility, and I thank you for your contribution to that cause. I'll definitely be looking out for more from you here in the future.
That was beautifully done. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for that information. Big help!
Do another one about how you meditate. Thanks for your unabashed honesty. That was helpful.
Dan, thanks for your honesty. I know more and more people are going to experience the vast benefits. I've been teaching meditation for 30 years and I am delighted to see how many people are now sitting still and breathing. It's so incredibly simple and yet not easy.
How can I help?
That ws a incredibly refreshing view on meditation. So honest that I think I'll look into it.
Probably my favorite big think video. Well done 👍
I have always loved seeing you on different news shows. I'm so glad you have made the changes you needed to keep going. Everything in life adds to what makes you a wise and sagely being. Experience. Keep it real. You rock.
What an awesome video :) Thanks
Thank you for sharing.
I'm reading this book now. I really relate to it and love it. Thank u for writing.
Brave guy opening up so truthfully!
You're helping a lot of people with your story. Thank you Dan!
Thank you so very much Dan Harris for bringing this awareness of panic attacks to others. I have had panic attacks due to PTSD, but are now well controlled with mindful meditation and centering prayer.
I’ve had panic attacks for twenty years, almost everyday. I have never done drugs, nor alcohol or anything. It’s over now but once you’ve had panic attacks, it will be part of your life forever. It will never go away for good. You will always be fragile and aware or scared that it could come back anytime. I’d rather die than experience it for a long time again.
Thank you.
I think he handled it so well!
very interesting video and definitely agree with all the other commenters on how refreshingly straight-forward and relateable Dan Harris's descriptions and experiences are.
Emotional freedom technique , tapping helped me lots . I was disabled by my panic attacks for years
Love this and absolutely love the book!
Just read his brand new book. Never heard of him before (I'm not an American).
Its his personal journey to mindfulness, including some insights into other gurus. His views echoed my suspicions. His book is excellent, highly recommended. Finished my copy yesterday and have booked a retreat today after dithering for years.
I play Tai Chi, so i'm a daily meditator...Haven't seen Nirvana yet, but i've experienced a few lovely mornings in the park.
to me that is exactly what he seemed to be referring to.....congrats on your moments of loveliness. I am going to try to find mine....
Sandi Benedum I'd be remiss if i didn't mention that the moments of loveliness were achieved while training to throw people around (Taijiquan being a martial art, after all). Also, there's a great feeling of peace to be found training in the rain...nobody bothers you during a storm, and the sun on your face when it breaks is worth the wet feet.
It's there any downsides effects on meditation that you maight know?
What’s more rewarding than the humble lovely walks in the park :)
THANK YOU FOR THIS. WELL DONE. I NEEDED THIS so bad. God, it's so frustrating when you blind yourself while stressing for answers and progress. Things like this help me stop and go "OH. Oh yeah, that's right." lol geezus
THANKS, I HAD A SOCIAL anxiety attack for the last 35 years ,you are give me some hope.
Such an inspitational guy! God bless him❤
This is a very thoughtful and insightful video. It's great in that it also highlights the relationship between MDMA ( and other stimulants) with panic attacks. It's unpleasant but seems like he's found a pretty decent way to recover, will investigate further.
Wow...being an ABC anchor, I can't believe how real and awesome he is. You're wonderful, Dan!
Dear, a fellow meditator.
No doubt!! He handled it like a trooper! If that had happened to me, I would of abruptly got up and jumped out that back window!
Very courageous testimony
Great story - right to the point and no bullshit :) Love it!
Dan is brilliant in explaining his journey in self awareness and the path to his podcast which I love.
Excellent video..Especially the point on modern so called gurus over promising things is very true..
This was a great video.
This is amazing.
Amazing thank u
Awesome.
I was depressed and for nine months, I didn’t sleep for more than a minute. Meditation helped me to recover and I now practice meditation three times a day.
Happy to know the quality of your life has improved for you.
What's wild is how well he kept it under wraps.
thanks
" . . . a drive for excellence . . . "
skeptic, and I meditate. Eckhart got me through an opiate addiction. Especially the parts he talks about. "You are not the thinker". That chapter changed the way I view everything.
cool vid. BIG think.
I meditate several hours daily for a year and a half.
It's not changing everything.
But it's changing quit a lot.
You seem perfectly calm I didn't notice anything. Hurrah.
wow what a talk. anyone close to science is just so much more insightful and interesting and real.
i've experienced extreme social anxiety for about 8 years now, 5 of which--the last 5 years in fact--i've barely left the house. i'm still uncertain as to what exactly has caused it, but i'd wager money that it is largely due to the fact that i, too, abused substances (mainly cocaine and ecstasy, with spurts of crack, heroin, and prescription drugs) from the age of 14 to 25. it took me 11 or so years, but i've finally cleaned up my act. the anxiety has in many ways become more manageable, but it's still a cause of great disorder in my life. i just wanted to share this in case there are any kids out there who are, like i used to be, currently experimenting with drugs or, after discovering that drugs can be a source of immense pleasure, are subsequently abusing them. you might not notice any negative effects for years, even if you heavily abuse them, but i can guarantee you that if you continue abusing them sooner or later you will experience some very troubling ailments. my best friend, too, one of the kids with whom i did all of the drugs over the years, ended up suffering from chemical psychosis and was diagnosed clinically insane. he's also recovering, yet it has taken years and years upon years... be careful kids! think twice.
You could try Freedom From Fear. It may well help you understand your symptoms and help you overcome them.
Hey..did u finally solve your anxiety issues. Pls tell me how
What a brave dude.
A panic attack has got to be one of the worst physical sensations available to a human being. I don't want to discount anyone's suffering but I just know that I've been pepper-sprayed, beaten, and even had a punctured lung once, but anxiety of this level is a continuous waking hell for however long it's around.
There is no escaping it or "meditating" it away. It is a primal, evolutionary fear, it's what a rabbit feels as it's being eaten alive by a coyote. It's one of the worst feelings available to a human being.
I can truly relate
that's totally happened to me giving a speech... you just have to push through... it goes away.
Yea, I think some secular people miss out because they are so opposed to any of the ideas from religion. If secular people can take the useful parts of religion and use them without following the dogma, it could really benefit them.
As a secular person, I have found meditation great for motivation and focus.
***** you do not understand meditation. You have no idea about it. People who seek to control their physical state of mind to control their bodies to help them overcome illnesses are profound though most are ignorant of how deep the processes actually go. Most "diseases" that are "discovered" by modern medicine are actually things that can easily be solved by a person having self control and finding balance in their lifestyle. (noting that medicine should not be ignored but rather the two should work together and in the cases of psychological issues taking medicine should be avoided unless it is an issue that is clearly threatening the physical being of the person) This is a fundamental teaching in hinduism. (the god stuff are things that the media and outside persons love to criticize)
ArctusCanusLupus So your solution to the person with misfiring transmitters or lack thereof is to overload their system and just forcing it to work? I applaud your innovation and your solution to the world. You are the sort of person that makes people who have depression want to kill themselves. Most persons who encounter depression (noting that everyone in society encounters depression in their life, be it a small puddle or a massive hole) are there because of bad situations in life or see no real path in front of them. They need guidance, compassion and self confidence. Telling them here go take a pill, it will make you feel better is not going to help them. It is just going to create a dependency. Something pharmaceutical companies enjoy.
Meditation and like minded techniques exist because people actually saw benefit from it for millennia. Navy Seals practice meditation to slow their breaths thereby reducing heartrate while diving to reduce oxygen usage. (OOPPPPSSS THERES YOUR PRACTIAL USAGE) There are also many studies that show meditation effectively stimulates your immune system and in deeper forms it can increase the activity and strength of your immune system. However, if you wish to be taking a box load of pills for each sniffle in your life. Go ahead :)!!! We'll see how cancer among many other illnesses will keep you when you get old.
***** I'm appreciative of your retort but you completely took the first like of what I said and went with it. I noted that meditation would help diseases in more regard to situations of mental instability and of course you cannot help genetic defects but not everyone who is born lacking something is an idiot. You are trivializing my response with superficial arguments.
Let's take a case of an individual with anxiety disorder.(Yes I know of the differences between diseases and disorders, however if you can take the liberty to give an example to prove your point undoubtedly then can I not the same?) If their issue cannot be solved through physical surgery or the addition of natural dietary supplements why should any of us force them to take a pill with a 60% success rate and a butt load of side effects. Why not help the person out with calming therapies such as meditation and self control? Do we think so little of ourselves that our minds and bodies cannot adapt and grow beyond?
ArctusCanusLupus If you know anything about business and lived outside the bubble that you do you would understand most of my arguments. Pharmaceutical companies are companies none the less.
Beyond genetic deficiencies or injuries that would cause physical harm to areas of the body that would inhibit the body's natural ability to generate a specific protein or other vital chemical I do not believe modern medicine can cure anything by just introducing more chemicals into the body. The fact that the placebo effect even exists shows that people can cure themselves of something just by dealing with internal issues be it sociological, economic or even just by handling stress better.
Promote your dependency syndromes where ever you love to but I'm not buying it. Modern medicine should never be something you need for the rest of your life. If so then you probably haven't fixed anything. Just like your fire, it snuffs out just as your fuel is over. So lets throw more wood in there !! :D
Time and time again it is shown that our bodies are designed to adapt and develop. Be it over a couple months or over generations. I am not arguing with myself. I understand and comprehend this. Your welcome to keep quoting medical references. It just shows how much you think your right. I really don't think I can convince you otherwise but keep up the great arguments.
ArctusCanusLupus I love how you take everything I say out of context. No I am not saying modern medicine is poppy cock. Same thing for alternative methods. Noting that most helpful medicines come from those poppy cock herbal crap you laugh at, pharmaceutical companies just extract what they need and throw away the rest and call it a new discovery. Or wait you don't understand anything I say. Your the one in willful ignorance. You want to see the world in such a way so badly that it creates a tunnel vision. Your not better than a horse with blinders.
Promoting a healthy and long life requires a collaboration of modern medicine when its needed and alternative methods that force the body to adapt and develop to be stronger. You can't see or understand what I am saying so ... hats off to your blissful ignorance.
Wow, great story. Meditation is powerful. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting.
Genius happens in the light of day.
I have one on all the time in crowded places
'...the value of having a view of the world that is larger than your own self interest...'
Dan doesn't mention that he also concluded the news story by saying "But it's too early to prescribe statins SLOWLY for cancer PRODUCTION" instead of "solely for cancer prevention." That's another absurd moment, and shows how completely his mind shut down under the stress of the unexpected panic attack!
This happened to me everyday at work as soon as the morning meeting starts and thoughout the day often. Just speaking and not shaking was olmost impossible. Just not trembling almost impossible. Everyone thought i was on drugs. They still do even though I've said over and over its panic attacks.
I can listen to this over and over again and it won't ever get old.
I had the exact same experience with Tolle, far too extreme. I found Jon Kabat-Zinn's ideas to be the most rational approach.
I agree overworked I can relate
That's cool.
I had a nervous breakdown at work
*I suffered from chronic anxiety and panic attacks for over 15 years - And now I don't have them any more!*
Everyone with anxiety and panic attacks should try this...
==> apanicattack.tumblr.com/anxiety.html
click it, hope it helps
his employers were Extremely compassionate. Peter Jennings was very compassionate.
The things I am most embarressed of in my life... Many of which happend when the 'inner voice' din't kick in; I do really psycho things when I'm not self aware or self concious. That's why I don't take drugs like alcohol and the like.
I had to calm this voice many times as a hobby musican, so that's not the problem. It's just about letting things happen and about overcoming inner obstacles.
Eckhart Tolle, yeah, that worked oddly for me, too...
Well, I've had panic attacks and I've never done drugs. What about THAT?
panic attacks (PS) are not dangerous, but a nuisance and uncomfortable! Instead of running away or worry about something bad will take place during a panic attack, just reassure yourself of that fact! It is our primitive fight or flight system that is keeping us safe in certain situations, nothing more. Basically, understand PS, face ur fears, and take charge of the situation. Breathing into paper bag won't help as much, its like saying to the body... oh mang it is so dangerous and i have to do something to intervene PS; that'll intensify the fear and make PS worse. And as Mr. Harris suggested, meditation might be helpful in preventing PS.
Why do you have them? do you have anxiery disorder or OCD?
Every voice has a stillnes behind
The only issue I have with this is that he still equates shame with his panic episode... It was an unfortunate symptom of his drug abuse but it led him to eventually get help.
For other people, especially those whose root of panic isn't so simply located, I think it would be a service to recognize that acceptance is of greater value than shame.
These people on our screens are so special!!! We have so much to learn from them!!! No matter that they are, most of them, grossly overpaid liars!!! We must always know more about them!!! More and more and more and more!!! They're so special!!! They lead such interesting lives!!! We must always know more about them!!! Tell us more!!! Every little detail!!! Never stop telling us more about you!!!
Going to be honest; I can’t watch the on-air panic attack because it’s too anxiety inducing. I fast-forwarded through those parts.
Embrace the panic, I think you learn how to control it or shift the energy onto some other behavior or technique!
The goal of all spirituality and furthermore meditation is to create thoughtless space in your consciousness budhhism provides the actionable thought friendly step by step advice for people who don't understand that what there trying to achieve can not be understood, Its similar to feeding a toddler vegetables, its good for them but they wont eat it unless its in a special format. I'm not saying he is a toddler, but to have written a best selling book about happiness im afraid his advice might be short sighted.
good video, laughed when he said eckhart is confused lol
What book did you get he has several out there? Please.
Meditation is like physiotherapy for the mind.
Great analogy. Thanks!
if only doctors recommended meditation instead of medication
Breathing helped me alot and ive been thinking about meditation, Ive tried meditating in the past and it did help me, I noticed my sleep got alot better and concentration as well, lucid dreaming was a normal thing, Weed seemed to enhance these effects, wax just blasts me into an acid trip hahah, overall im going to try to keep breathing and meditating and see the results after a month or 2 of it.
Furious meditation is so important. alot of us forget how to breathe right. I will always recommend meditation.
xxxblendxxx rather than "instead of", I'd say "as well as". Some of us need medication. Even psychiatrists who specialise in MBSR admit that. And meditation isn't for everyone. There are people who suffer such psychological issues that it would actually be perilous for them to meditate.
My doctor recommended meditation ^.^ but certainly not for the masses, no :(
If only the general populous would accept this as something other than extreme or treatment. That'd be so grand.
Those over promising gurus are dangerous.
Experience the beauty of the heart with Heartfulness Meditation....it's really a game changer!!! #heartfulness #knowbyheart #meditation
The only way for me to even try to describe a panic attack is picture the worst your body has ever ached during a very long run, then imagine you were also electrocuted and someone stabbed an epi-pen into your heart and started waterboarding you for 2 hours....
It is a continuous waking hell for however long it's around. There is no escaping it or "meditating" it away. It is a primal, evolutionary fear, it's what a rabbit feels as it's being eaten alive by a coyote. It's one of the worst feelings available to a human being.
Yes, but you gotta meditate like all of the time(in time spare from singing, exersise, do you intellectual work etc) , or brain falls into default a lot.
I can see improvements, like automatically noticing all voice colours of people I talk to, sudden reaction, like catching things, which fell from my hand, navigating dreams. But still shitty default is pressing heavy. Have to meditate more and raise quallity of it..