---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are a host of surprises among…"
description: "\"There are a host of surprises among longer-term meditators, like a boost in the immune system from a day of practice, which is not seen in beginners, a..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/daniel-goleman-1599_anxiety_there-are-a-host-of-surprises-among-long_2958714.jpg"
---

#  There are a host of surprises among longer-term…

![“There are a host of surprises among longer-term meditators, like a boost in the immune system from a day of practice, which is not seen in beginners, and a rapid recovery from stress or pain. At the &quot;Olympic level&quot; we find there is no anticipatory anxiety when the stress of pain is certain to…” quote by Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/daniel-goleman-1599_anxiety_there-are-a-host-of-surprises-among-long_2958714.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/daniel-goleman-1599_anxiety_there-are-a-host-of-surprises-among-long_2958714.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/daniel-goleman-1599_anxiety_there-are-a-host-of-surprises-among-long_2958714.jpg)

> “There are a host of surprises among longer-term meditators, like a boost in the immune system from a day of practice, which is not seen in beginners, and a rapid recovery from stress or pain. At the "Olympic level" we find there is no anticipatory anxiety when the stress of pain is certain to come, and no lingering aftereffects - unlike the stress reactions in ordinary folk.”

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Long‑term meditators show immune boosts, rapid stress recovery, and no anticipatory anxiety at high‑stress events.

**In simple terms:** Meditation improves health and stress response.

Key Takeaway

Practice regular meditation for resilience.

Themes

meditation immune health stress performance

Mood

calm empowered

Type

scientific inspirational

When to use this quote

- sports
- healthcare
- personal development

Key Concepts

neuroscience psychophysiology

Questions to Reflect On

- How does meditation change your stress perception?
- What practices can you adopt to improve resilience?

A Different Perspective

Benefits may vary by individual.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Host](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/host/) [Immune system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immune-system/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Meditators Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditators-like-4495504/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Pain Olympic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain-olympic-4495506/) [Recovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recovery/) [Stress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stress/) [Stress Reactions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stress-reactions-4495507/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) [Term Meditators](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term-meditators-3866881/) [Unlike Stress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlike-stress-4495505/)

## Related quotes

> [By 2012, I probably had, like, three stress reactions in my back. Two stress fractures in my fibula.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katelyn-ohashi/by-2012-i-probably-had-like-three-stress-reactions-in-my-back-two/)

[Katelyn Ohashi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katelyn-ohashi/)

> [“The Happiest Man in The World The French interpreter for the 14th Dalai Lama, former academic and dedicated meditator Matthieu Ricard, came into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dines/the-happiest-man-in-the-world-the-french-interpreter-for-the-14th/)

[Christopher Dines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dines/)

> [Too many multi-vitamins are packaged as one size fits all, but you should be more specific about what you need. When I was competing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-du-beke/too-many-multi-vitamins-are-packaged-as-one-size-fits-all-but-you/)

[Anton du Beke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-du-beke/)

> [“Our immune system is evolving through trials of use in fighting illnesses and the bombardment of our modern world toxins and that this evolution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-char-love/our-immune-system-is-evolving-through-trials-of-use-in-fighting/)

[Martha Char Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-char-love/)

> [“Optimal functioning of the immune system, it turns out, is dependent upon feeling good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcey-shapiro/optimal-functioning-of-the-immune-system-it-turns-out-is-dependent/)

[Marcey Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcey-shapiro/)

> [“Saying so might creep expectant mothers out, but you can make a good case that fetuses are parasites. After conception, the tiny embryo infiltrates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/saying-so-might-creep-expectant-mothers-out-but-you-can-make-a-good/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Orgasms strengthen the immune system &amp; reduces the risk of heart disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/orgasms-strengthen-the-immune-system-reduces-the-risk-of-heart-disease/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Routinely sleeping less than six or seven hours a night demolishes your immune system, more than doubling your risk of cancer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-walker/routinely-sleeping-less-than-six-or-seven-hours-a-night-demolishes/)

[Matthew Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-walker/)

> [Scientists are discovering that while anger and hatred eat into our immune system, warm-heartedness and compassion are good for our health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/scientists-are-discovering-that-while-anger-and-hatred-eat-into-our/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [“A great friend can act like a trash can with a hole in the bottom. To listen to someone else's personal garbage with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-rose/a-great-friend-can-act-like-a-trash-can-with-a-hole-in-the-bottom-to/)

[Doug Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-rose/)

> [The first year I was sober was probably the worst year of my life. My immune system was screwed. I completely isolated myself. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-taylor/the-first-year-i-was-sober-was-probably-the-worst-year-of-my-life-my/)

[Corey Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-taylor/)

> [It is astounding how much the immune system is strengthened by reducing daily mental stress levels with either visualization or meditation. The other great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-siegel/it-is-astounding-how-much-the-immune-system-is-strengthened-by/)

[Bernie Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-siegel/)

> [“Chamomile- Potent Medicine Pretty Flowers!  This flower has many uses including digestive aid, ulcer healing/prevention, boosts immune system, tranquilizer, soothes menstrual cramps and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-stuart/chamomile-potent-medicine-pretty-flowers-this-flower-has-many-uses/)

[Stephanie Stuart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-stuart/)

> [Thankfully, I found a doctor at Presbyterian Hospital in New York, Scott Hammer, who diagnosed my chronic fatigue as the Epstein-Barr virus, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tucker-halpern/thankfully-i-found-a-doctor-at-presbyterian-hospital-in-new-york/)

[Tucker Halpern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tucker-halpern/)

> [ “i believe \[images\] are the soul's immune system and transit system.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-barry/i-believe-images-are-the-soul-s-immune-system-and-transit-system/)

[Lynda Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-barry/)

## More by Daniel Goleman

> [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [When the darkness is seen as a necessary prelude to the creative light, one is less likely to ascribe frustration to personal inadequacy or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/when-the-darkness-is-seen-as-a-necessary-prelude-to-the-creative/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [All the classical meditation traditions, in one way or another, stress nonattachment to the self as a goal of practice. Oddly, this dimension is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/all-the-classical-meditation-traditions-in-one-way-or-another-stress/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [Feelings are self-justifying, with a set of perceptions and "proofs" all their own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/feelings-are-self-justifying-with-a-set-of-perceptions-and-proofs-all/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [Overloading attention shrinks mental control. Life immersed in digital distractions creates a near constant cognitive overload. And that overload wears out self-control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/overloading-attention-shrinks-mental-control-life-immersed-in-digital/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [What seems to set apart those at the very top of competitive pursuits from others of roughly equal ability is the degree to which,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/what-seems-to-set-apart-those-at-the-very-top-of-competitive-pursuits/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [“What distinguishes leaders in medicine goes far beyond that knowledge, into interpersonal skills like empathy, conflict resolution, and people development.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/what-distinguishes-leaders-in-medicine-goes-far-beyond-that-knowledge/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [“Richard Davidson, a University of Wisconsin psychologist. He discovered that people who have greater activity in the left frontal lobe, compared to the right,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/richard-davidson-a-university-of-wisconsin-psychologist-he-discovered/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [Emotional 'literacy' implies an expanded responsibility for schools in helping to socialize children. This daunting task requires two major changes: that teachers go beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/emotional-literacy-implies-an-expanded-responsibility-for-schools-in/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [The social brain is in its natural habitat when we're talking with someone face-to-face in real time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-social-brain-is-in-its-natural-habitat-when-we-re-talking-with/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [The ability to handle stress increases with the practice of meditation. In a culture like ours in which inner, spiritual growth is totally neglected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-ability-to-handle-stress-increases-with-the-practice-of/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [Research shows that for jobs of all kinds, emotional intelligence is twice as important an ingredient of outstanding performance as cognitive ability and technical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/research-shows-that-for-jobs-of-all-kinds-emotional-intelligence-is/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [The emotional brain responds to an event more quickly than the thinking brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-emotional-brain-responds-to-an-event-more-quickly-than-the/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [Positive work environments outperform negative work environments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/positive-work-environments-outperform-negative-work-environments/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

> [Who does not recall school at least in part as endless dreary hours of boredom punctuated by moments of high anxiety?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/who-does-not-recall-school-at-least-in-part-as-endless-dreary-hours/)

[Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

[Explore all 200 Daniel Goleman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/)

## More Anxiety quotes

> [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/)

[Nagisa Tatsumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nagisa-tatsumi/)

> [Bein Crazy is the least of my worries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/bein-crazy-is-the-least-of-my-worries/)

[Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/)

> [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/)

[Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/)

> [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/)

[Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/)

> [I get nervous when I don't get nervous. If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-get-nervous-when-i-don-t-get-nervous-if-i-m-nervous-i-know-i-m/)

[Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/)

> [“Every invention comes through anxiousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-wadhwani/every-invention-comes-through-anxiousness/)

[Rakesh Wadhwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-wadhwani/)

> [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Nothing happens on its own, you have to make things happen. If you really want to come out of your stressful situation than you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subodh-gupta/nothing-happens-on-its-own-you-have-to-make-things-happen-if-you/)

[Subodh Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subodh-gupta/)

> [“I guess if we're talking about my anxiety, the even truthier truth is it started way before that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-winfrey/i-guess-if-we-re-talking-about-my-anxiety-the-even-truthier-truth-is/)

[Kerry Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-winfrey/)

> [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/)

[Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/)

> [“The suspense: the fearful, acute suspense: of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-suspense-the-fearful-acute-suspense-of-standing-idly-by-while-the/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/)

[Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/)

> [As you know, I have been very open about my struggle with social anxiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-walker/as-you-know-i-have-been-very-open-about-my-struggle-with-social/)

[Summer Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-walker/)

> [Anxiety is not to be managed it is a sin that needs to be repented of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/anxiety-is-not-to-be-managed-it-is-a-sin-that-needs-to-be-repented-of/)

[Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/)

> [“I’ve always seen this in you, ever since you were a little girl — this hunger to love other people into their highest selves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-elisabeth/i-ve-always-seen-this-in-you-ever-since-you-were-a-little-girl-this/)

[Jennifer Elisabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-elisabeth/)

[Browse all 4,944 Anxiety quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "There are a host of surprises among longer-term meditators, like a boost in the immune system from a day of practice, which is not seen in beginners, and a rapid recovery from stress or pain. At the \"Olympic level\" we find there is no anticipatory anxiety when the stress of pain is certain to come, and no lingering aftereffects - unlike the stress reactions in ordinary folk.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Daniel Goleman"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/there-are-a-host-of-surprises-among-longer-term-meditators-like-a/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Anxiety"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/there-are-a-host-of-surprises-among-longer-term-meditators-like-a/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/daniel-goleman-1599_anxiety_there-are-a-host-of-surprises-among-long_2958714.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/daniel-goleman-1599_anxiety_there-are-a-host-of-surprises-among-long_2958714.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/daniel-goleman-1599_anxiety_there-are-a-host-of-surprises-among-long_2958714.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“There are a host of surprises among longer-term meditators, like a boost in the immune system from a day of…” — Daniel Goleman",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Daniel Goleman",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "There are a host of surprises...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/there-are-a-host-of-surprises-among-longer-term-meditators-like-a/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/there-are-a-host-of-surprises-among-longer-term-meditators-like-a/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
