Happiness Break: Finding Yourself in Silence

Happiness Break: Finding Yourself in Silence

Author: PRX and Greater Good Science Center October 2, 2025 Duration: 6:26
Zen and mindfulness teacher Henry Shukman guides us in a meditation that invites us to listen deeply and find clarity in quiet. How To Do This Practice: Find Stillness: Sit comfortably in a quiet space. Close your eyes if you’d like, and allow your body to settle. Bring Your Attention to the Present: Take a few deep breaths. Let go of to-do lists or distractions, gently arriving in this moment. Tune In to the Sounds Around You: Begin to notice the soundscape of your environment. Near or far, loud or soft. Don’t judge or label the sounds, just hear them. Notice Background Silence: Beyond individual sounds, sense the quiet in which all sounds arise. This isn’t just an absence of noise, it’s a felt sense of stillness. Soak in the Quiet: Rest your awareness in this space of quiet. Let it wash over you, soften you, and bring you back to yourself. Gently Return: When you're ready, bring small movements back to your body. Wiggle your fingers or stretch. Open your eyes and carry this quiet awareness into the rest of your day. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Today’s Happiness Break Guide: Henry Shukman, is a poet, mindfulness teacher, and author of Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening.  Learn more about Shukman’s work: https://henryshukman.com/about Order his book, Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening: https://tinyurl.com/mwv5cuxr Related Happiness Break episodes: A Mindful Breath Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/mr9d22kr A Meditation for When You Feel Uneasy: https://tinyurl.com/4x27ut3p Find Calm When You Can’t Clear Your Mind: https://tinyurl.com/3u8k2j8h A Meditation on Original Love and Interconnectedness: https://tinyurl.com/ye6baxv3 Related Science of Happiness episodes: How To Tune Out The Noise: https://tinyurl.com/4hhekjuh How To Show Up For Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/56ktb9xc How Holding Yourself Can Reduce Stress: https://tinyurl.com/2hvhkwe6 Follow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPod We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod. Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap Help us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/3bs7udur

What if the things that make life feel worthwhile aren't just abstract ideas, but observable, measurable phenomena? That's the territory explored in The Science of Happiness. Each episode moves beyond simple self-help platitudes, grounding itself in the concrete research from psychology and neuroscience. Hosted by the insightful Dacher Keltner, a psychologist whose work often centers on these very emotions, the conversations feel both authoritative and deeply human. You'll hear from people who are actively testing out specific, research-backed practices-from cultivating compassion to finding moments of genuine awe-and then discussing the real, sometimes messy results. This isn't about a constant state of cheer; it's about understanding the building blocks of a resilient and meaningful existence. The podcast, a co-production of PRX and the Greater Good Science Center, translates academic findings into accessible stories and actionable insights. Tuning in feels less like receiving a lecture and more like sitting in on a fascinating experiment about our shared human condition, one where the data points are moments of connection, gratitude, and personal discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Science of Happiness
Podcast Episodes
Finding Common Ground in Uncomfortable Times [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:44
Across school campuses and communities, students and educators are discovering how listening, curiosity, and everyday conversations can open pathways across differences and help restore a sense of shared humanity. Summar…
Happiness Break: A Walking Meditation With Dan Harris of 10% Happier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:00
Trouble sitting still? Learn to practice meditating by simply walking in this practice guided by 10% Happier host Dan Harris. How To Do This Practice: Start walking at a comfortable pace in a place where you can move wit…
How To Step Away from Anxiety [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:46
Do you have a hard time calming your nerves? Author Raina Telgemeier tries a practice to get out of her head, one step at a time. Summary: In this episode of The Science of Happiness, bestselling graphic novelist Raina T…
Happiness Break: The Unexpected Joy of Slow Looking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:37
What happens when you linger and look closely at a piece of art? Nathalie Ryan, an educator from the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., guides us through a slow looking practice shown to help deepen your sense o…
Love Throughout Your Life: Stories from a Stranger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:40
Description: Sharing a new podcast called Stories from a Stranger, which features portraits of strangers connected by themes of love, loss, regret, inspiration, illness, family connections, and more. In each episode of S…
The Art of Slowing Down [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:42
What happens when we slow down enough to really experience art? We visit a museum to discover how slow looking at art can cultivate awe, empathy, and a greater sense of connection in a distracted world. Summary: Art has…
Happiness Break: A Meditation to Inspire a Sense of Purpose [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:40
Take a few minutes to reflect on someone who inspires you, and how you can embody the values you admire in them. How To Do This Practice: Arrive and Settle: Find a quiet place to sit or stand. Gently close your eyes or s…
An Awe Walk Through History and Possibility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:59
Noticing the history and beauty around us can shift how we see ourselves—and our communities. An awe walk through Harlem reveals how the stories embedded in public spaces can spark connection, perspective, and a sense of…
Happiness Break: A Loving-Kindness Practice for Yourself [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:09
In this gentle practice, psychologist Kristin Neff helps us extend loving kindness inward, offering ourselves the same care and goodwill we naturally give to others. How To Do This Practice: Settle into your body: Sit co…
How Cities Can Make Space for Awe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:22
A simple experiment turning a parking space into a parklet reveals how small changes to public spaces can spark connection, belonging, and awe. Summary: What if even the smallest changes to our cities could transform how…