One of the most common—and least accurate—critiques of Buddhism is that the emphasis on accepting things as they are is a recipe for resignation, passivity, or being a palooka.
Bullshit: acceptance (or, as the Buddhists sometimes call it, “radical acceptance”) is not only wise, but empowering.
How do you want to deal with the harsh realities of the world? I’m talking not only about what’s happening in Washington or the many conflicts raging across the globe, but also about the various suboptimal aspects of your own psychology and behavior.
What’s the best way to deal with this stuff? Is it from a position of denial or compartmentalization? Blind rage? Shame? Being at war with reality?
Or is the best starting point to see things as they are—as calmly and clearly as possible?
I know my choice. There's a reason Alcoholics Anonymous says, “The first step is admitting it.”
It’s only from a dry-eyed acceptance of the truth that we can work effectively for change.
As the Buddhist teacher Phillip Moffitt says, “These are the only conditions that will allow you to move forward—because they’re the only conditions that are present. You have to start where you are.”
In this way, acceptance, properly understood, is a source of humility, resiliency, and power. In a world where the only constant is change, radical acceptance is what lets you begin again. And again. And again. Both in meditation and in the world.
For more on cultivating radical acceptance—including in the face of turbulence and difficult transitions—check out today’s episode of the 10% Happier podcast with Phillip Moffitt.
Paid subscribers also get a companion meditation from our September Teacher of the Month, Vinny Ferraro. This one’s called “Start Here” and is designed to help you practice radical acceptance in real time, no matter the conditions.
Also: I’m going live Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 4:00 p.m. ET for a guided meditation and Q&A exclusively for paid subscribers. Don’t miss it.
Finally: Jeff Warren, Sebene Selassie, Ofosu Jones-Quartey, and I are doing another version of our annual Meditation Party retreat this Oct. 24-26. It’s at the Omega Institute in upstate NY. One of our subscribers asked what we’ll actually do—fair question! Think four big sessions of meditation, conversation, and Q&A—with plenty of free time to hike the 240-acre campus, play some pickleball, shoot hoops, or just relax by the lake (yes, they’ve got kayaks). You can also drop into yoga or tai chi classes, and on Saturday night there’s even a dance party (totally optional, I promise). I hope you’ll join us. More info here.
Paid subscribers get the 10% Happier podcast ad-free, as well as:
A cheatsheet for each episode — with key takeaways, time-coded highlights, and a transcript
The ability to comment on posts and participate in subscriber chats
Access to our weekly live video sessions, in which I and/or our meditation Teacher of the Month guide a meditation and take questions
Tailor-made meditations every Monday and Wednesday, led by our meditation Teacher of the Month and designed to pair with the podcast episodes
Join the party.
Episode cheatsheet
The big takeaway
Buddhist meditation teacher Phillip Moffitt shares his essential mindfulness recipe for handling life's inevitable turbulence and transitions. He explains how mindful awareness, clarity of values, and the power of pausing can help us navigate change with resilience, agency, and even growth—no matter how messy or unexpected the circumstances.
Resetting in uncertain times: mindfulness tools for life’s ups and downs
Key takeaways:
Start where you are (even when it sucks): Progress begins by accepting your current reality, no matter how unpleasant, instead of resisting or waiting for “perfect” conditions.
Agency through awareness: Mindfulness helps break reactive cycles, empowers your inner coach, and reconnects you to your values—so you can respond wisely rather than impulsively.
Mistakes are part of the process: Each moment is a fresh chance to reset and begin again—perfection isn’t the goal, resilience is.
Pause before you act: The simple act of pausing can interrupt obsessive thinking and emotional spirals, opening up space for better choices.
6 practical tips to stay grounded when life shakes you up:
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Dan Harris to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.