How to Instantly Achieve a Calm State | Sam Harris on Impact Theory

Sam Harris, 5-time NYT best-selling author, believes the limits to human well-being have not yet been reached. By being open to being wrong, improving our conversations with others and with our own selves, we can learn to control our emotions and our destiny. On this episode of Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu, Sam Harris talks about what to do if you suffer from anxiety, feel lost or hopeless, or just want to connect more effectively with real life.

SHOW NOTES:

Sam defines what a good life is, and why we have to get our act together [3:05]
Sam describes the relationship between philanthropy and psychological good [5:12]
Sam challenges dogma and advocates open conversation and scientific investigation [8:39]
Sam and Tom discuss skill acquisition, and how even well-being is a skill [16:03]
Sam and Tom discuss emotional control [22:34]
Sam explains that he has no life hacks to optimize learning [26:46]
Sam describes meditation as jiu-jitsu for the mind [29:56]
Sam explains why ego and never-ending thoughts cause suffering [33:49]
Sam describes what a flourishing life would be [40:11]
Sam talks about what to do if you are just completely lost [45:27]
Sam shares the impact he would like to have on the world [50:24]

QUOTES:

We have to be continually open to the possibility that we might be wrong, and in fact we are very likely to be wrong, a lot of the time. [11:59]
The half-life of negative emotions is incredibly short. [22:30]
I know there’s an infinite amount of stuff I want to read. I don’t go into the table of contents and look at the structure of the book, and go to the index and look at the topics. I just start on page one and start reading. When I get bored I stop. Do with that life-hack what you will. [28:41]

FOLLOW:

BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

[JonnM]

He’s on the button here. A major determinant of how well we feel is framing. When I was a little kid I was always very anxious. One day my father took me aside and told me he observed my anxiousness and asked me what I was worried about. He suggested we write them down. He then put the list in his wallet and said we’d revisit them in the future sometime. A few weeks later he called me in and said “let’s check that list”. He then ticked them off one by one and of course none had happened. He then said to me “worry is a wasted emotion” “Most bad things never happen”. “If your worry is something you can do something about then do it, if you can’t do anything about it, forget it.” 50 years later I often think of that conversation and appreciate it as the best lesson I ever learned. It’s guided me throughout my life.

[angiemcmurray]

Whether you agree with his ideas or not, he is one of the most articulate people alive. It’s a total pleasure just listening to his mastery of the language and how amazingly well he expresses his ideas. Wonderful.

[xInfisphere]

I'm 24 now and I have been following Sam Harris' work for 10 years.

I have only read a couple of his books, but have watched countless speeches, seminars, debates, and interviews, listened and continue to listen to many of his podcasts, have been using his meditation app and listening to his lessons for over a year, and I am still BLOWN AWAY by his words. I still find myself excitedly inclined to open my notes and write down his quotes. What a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. Each word seems so acutely thoughtful and precise. In my view, he is one of the most authentic and empathetic minds of all humanity.

[KphexTwin]

Sam Harris is one of my favourite humans.

[Larfage]

Thank you Ben Stiller for your zen words of wisdom!

[jonasjrgensen]

"Most people are waiting for the world to give them a good enough reason to just be present" Wow. Absolutely brilliant. 3 years later and i cannot get that quote out of my head

[Kinsman]

Sam is one of the most thoughtful and complete thinkers I've ever come across.

[Satadru]

Never get bored of listening to this man. Thanks, Tom, for bringing him in.

[moragmcgill]

Love Sam Harris' take on mindfulness and Tom's questioning and listening skills
Anxiety and excitement: tehe story we tell ourselves 21:45
Freedom and welbeing is not predicated on getting rid of the physiology: 22:45
Sense of self: 34
stream of consciousness: 36:35
Most people are waiting for the world to give them a good enough reason to just be present: 38:55
Experiencing self and Remembering Self: 41:10

[TrentonErker]

“Most people wait for the world to give them a reason to lose their sense of self.”

[HumansOfVR]

*_I recommend looking into stoicism if you are trying to achieve a feeling of inner tranquility_*

[juanbonami]

Whenever i click on longer videos i begin with the slight intention of clicking away after the first 10 min or so... but before i knew it the video was 50 minutes in and the video was over. I love when that happens. Good stuff Sam Harris!

[danchisholm]

sam and folks like him are slowly making this world better

[gihaniamarasuriya]

Tom, I’ve always watched your videos. But I’ve been binge watching them for the past two days, and I have to tell you Not only do you have the best content with the most insightful people, I look up to you so much for the amount of effort and research you put into an episode. It’s insanely admirable! Keep up the best work. 🙌🏼

[MindNow]

*What has really helped me is actually reminding myself that I’m going to die someday* 🙏
Coming to peace with death is something really liberating

[ShadowZZZ]

I love listening to Sam Harris, he is a great mind, wise philosopher, and logical thinker. I can recommend reading his books the end of faith, letter to a christian nation, free will and trying out his meditation app. He has truely changed my life for the better

[mattbidus]

You’re at the mercy of who you were yesterday Sam Harris you’re a genius

[michaelmarkunas]

The interviewer asked rambling self -centered questions. Treating the interview as his own therapy session. Fortunately, Sam Harris is an outstanding speaker. And kept the interview on track.

[Christopher-mdtf]

"I don't think all forms of depression are just a matter of what a person's thinking". Thank you. So many people in the self-development and mindfulness world seem to think that all you have to do is meditate and "keep a positive mindset" to cure depression.

[feezyfutruck]

It's pretty amazing how our brains are able to refocus energy to something different in just a second. What we do don't realize is that we are able to 100% dictate what to focus that energy on. Reminds me of the book The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Great interview