JRE #1062 - Dan Harris & Jeff Warren

1/10/2018

Joe Rogan Podcast #1062 – Dan Harris & Jeff Warren

This podcast features Dan Harris, a correspondent for ABC News, and Jeff Warren, a writer and meditator, discussing their new book, “Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics: A 10% Happier How-to Book.” The conversation delves into the realm of mindfulness, exploring the relationship between the mind and body, the challenges of confronting fear and discomfort, and the transformative power of meditation. The podcast also touches upon psychedelic experiences, martial arts training, and the prevalence of self-help and new-age ideologies in contemporary culture.

The Sensory Deprivation Tank: A Test of Boundaries

The conversation kicks off with Joe Rogan’s challenge to Dan Harris to experience a sensory deprivation tank, a unique environment that induces a state of sensory isolation. Harris, known for his panic attacks and claustrophobia, confronts his fears and explores the potential of this practice to expand his boundaries and manage anxiety.

Harris’s experience in the tank highlights the power of fear and the mind’s ability to amplify perceived threats.
The tank serves as a metaphorical space for confronting internal anxieties and exploring the limits of comfort.
Meditation plays a crucial role in managing the fear response during the tank experience, allowing Harris to remain present without succumbing to panic.
The experience underscores the importance of pushing personal boundaries to challenge ingrained fears and expand one’s capacity for resilience.

Mind-Body Connection: Breaking Through Impingements

The podcast delves into the interconnectedness of the mind and body, drawing parallels between physical impingements and mental limitations. Harris and Warren discuss how both the body and the mind can become rigid and restricted through repetitive patterns and lack of conscious awareness.

The concept of impingement in the body, a physical restriction in a joint, is likened to mental blocks and limitations in the mind.
Both physical and mental impingements can result from chronic stress, poor habits, and the avoidance of discomfort.
Practices such as stretching, exercise, and meditation serve as tools for increasing flexibility and range of motion, both physically and mentally.
The conversation underscores the importance of identifying and challenging these limitations, both physical and mental, to cultivate a more fluid and open experience of life.

The Power of Surrender and Acceptance

The podcast explores the transformative role of surrender and acceptance in navigating difficult experiences and emotional states. Harris and Warren emphasize that resisting inner chaos often amplifies discomfort, while accepting and allowing for difficult emotions can ultimately lead to greater freedom and peace.

The concept of “target panic” in archery is presented as an example of how the mind can become locked in a state of fear and anxiety, hindering performance.
The podcast highlights the importance of surrendering to the present moment, embracing discomfort without trying to control or resist it.
Meditation is presented as a practice that cultivates the ability to observe internal states with non-judgmental awareness, allowing for a more accepting and compassionate relationship with oneself.
The conversation underscores the importance of cultivating a mindset of acceptance, both for the challenges of life and for the inner turmoil that arises within us.

Meditation: A Journey of Exfoliation and Transformation

Harris and Warren discuss the process of meditation as a journey of exfoliation, where layers of conditioning, both physical and mental, are gradually peeled away, revealing a deeper and more authentic sense of self.

Meditation is described as a process of “exfoliating the brain,” where old patterns of thinking, emotional baggage, and ingrained habits are brought to the surface and released.
The podcast explores the different stages of meditation, including the initial excitement of breakthroughs, the challenging stage of facing dark emotions, and the eventual emergence of equanimity and a sense of spaciousness.
The importance of non-judgmental observation is emphasized, allowing for a more detached and accepting relationship with internal experiences, whether pleasant or unpleasant.
The conversation highlights the transformative nature of meditation, highlighting how this practice can lead to greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and a more authentic experience of life.

The Importance of Challenging Conventional Wisdom

The podcast addresses the prevalence of positive thinking and new-age self-help ideologies in contemporary culture, questioning the simplistic notion that positive thinking alone can solve life’s problems.

Harris and Warren challenge the idea that positive thinking alone can overcome hardship and trauma, arguing that it can be a dangerous and misleading approach.
They emphasize the importance of acknowledging and embracing the full spectrum of human experience, including suffering and difficulty.
The podcast distinguishes between positive thinking, which often involves a misguided attempt to control external circumstances, and a positive attitude, which involves cultivating gratitude and appreciating the good in life.
The conversation highlights the need for a more nuanced and honest approach to personal growth and well-being, acknowledging both the beauty and the challenges of human existence.

The Role of Psychedelics in Exploring Consciousness

Harris shares his ongoing struggle with the potential benefits of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, as a tool for exploring consciousness and expanding awareness. He grapples with the inherent risks associated with these substances, particularly for individuals prone to anxiety and panic.

Harris discusses the growing body of research exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for treating various conditions, including anxiety, depression, and addiction.
The podcast explores the psychological effects of psychedelics, highlighting their ability to dissolve ingrained beliefs and create a profound sense of interconnectedness and unity.
Harris confronts his own fears and anxieties associated with psychedelics, acknowledging the potential for intense experiences and the challenges of managing the ego’s desire for control.
The conversation touches upon the need for caution and responsible use when exploring psychedelic experiences, emphasizing the importance of individual considerations and seeking guidance from qualified professionals.

The Transformative Power of Difficult Experiences

The podcast emphasizes the transformative potential of difficult experiences, highlighting how confronting fear, discomfort, and even trauma can lead to significant personal growth and resilience.

Harris shares his experience with exposure therapy, a gradual approach to confronting fears and anxieties, as a method for overcoming his panic attacks.
Warren discusses the concept of somatic experiencing, a body-centered approach to trauma healing, highlighting how physical sensations can be used to identify and release trapped energy.
The podcast underscores the importance of embracing discomfort and challenging personal limitations as a means of building resilience and expanding one’s capacity for growth.
The conversation encourages listeners to recognize the potential for transformation within challenging experiences, rather than avoiding or suppressing them.

Martial Arts: A Path to Mental and Physical Mastery

The podcast explores the transformative potential of martial arts training, highlighting its benefits for both physical and mental well-being.

Warren shares his experience as a martial arts instructor, emphasizing the importance of learning proper technique and breaking free from ingrained patterns.
The podcast highlights how martial arts training can cultivate a sense of presence, focus, and self-discipline, while also developing the ability to manage stressful situations.
The conversation underscores the importance of regular practice and the continual challenge of confronting one’s limitations, both physically and mentally.
Martial arts is presented as a practice that can promote self-awareness, build resilience, and cultivate a more balanced and grounded experience of life.

The Importance of Community and Shared Experience

The podcast emphasizes the role of community and shared experiences in supporting personal growth and well-being.

Harris and Warren discuss the value of connecting with others, particularly in the context of meditation, martial arts, and comedy.
They emphasize the importance of sharing stories, challenges, and insights with others, creating a sense of belonging and support.
The conversation highlights the power of community in providing a sense of validation, encouragement, and guidance on the journey of personal growth.
The podcast underscores the importance of fostering a supportive environment where individuals can feel comfortable sharing their struggles and celebrating their triumphs.

Social Media: The Antithesis of Mindfulness

The podcast addresses the pervasive influence of social media and its potential impact on mental health and well-being, contrasting its fragmented and addictive nature with the principles of mindfulness and meditation.

Harris and Warren discuss the negative effects of social media on attention, focus, and the ability to be present in the moment.
They highlight the importance of mindful use of social media, acknowledging its potential for connection and communication while recognizing its addictive and distracting qualities.
The podcast encourages listeners to develop healthy habits and boundaries around social media use, prioritizing mindful practices that promote a more balanced and fulfilling experience of life.
The conversation emphasizes the need for self-awareness and a conscious effort to cultivate a more balanced relationship with technology, prioritizing real-life experiences and meaningful connections over constant stimulation and distraction.

The Importance of Honoring the Mystery

The podcast concludes by emphasizing the importance of embracing the mystery of human existence and the limitations of language and understanding when it comes to the realm of consciousness and spirituality.

Harris and Warren acknowledge the difficulty of describing and articulating the deeper experiences of meditation and spiritual exploration, acknowledging that language can often fall short.
They emphasize the importance of embracing the mystery and the limitations of human understanding, recognizing that the true essence of existence may lie beyond our ability to fully comprehend.
The podcast encourages listeners to explore these concepts through direct experience, rather than relying solely on intellectual frameworks or dogma.
The conversation concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to engage in practices that cultivate a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them, embracing the unknown with curiosity and openness.

Memorable Quotes:

“The more stressful situations that I experience, the more I understand what they are, and the more I can relax.” – Dan Harris on the value of pushing personal boundaries.
“You gotta surrender. You gotta relax. And nothing’s gonna happen to you. You’re gonna be fine.” – Jeff Warren on the importance of accepting discomfort and letting go of control.
“It’s like you’re holding this fist and you don’t even realize you’re holding this fist. You’re walking around going, yeah, everything’s fine, but you’re holding this fist… and then you realize you’re holding on so tight.” – Jeff Warren on the subtle ways in which we restrict ourselves.
“The mind is trainable. All the things we want the most, calm, patience, compassion, generosity, happiness, whatever that means. These are not factory settings, nonnegotiable factory settings. These are skills that can be trained.” – Dan Harris on the transformative potential of mindfulness practices.
“The only way to truly surrender to reality is to not fucking care.” – Jeff Warren on the paradoxical nature of letting go and embracing the present moment.