Why Should I Meditate? | Sam Harris

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Sam Harris discusses the mystery of our existence on earth and how fortunate we are to be here now—at a time when information and knowledge are so easily accessible. He shares that meditation isn't about understanding things conceptually, but is rather about the ability to experience things more clearly in order to experience psychological freedom.

While many meditation tools today aim to improve symptoms of an untrained mind such as trouble falling asleep or anxious thinking, Waking Up treats the root cause of these struggles with carefully curated content aimed at developing a sound understanding of the practice and theory behind meditation. After all, it’s only in fully examining our minds that we’re able to unlock them.

Credits
Animation: Zeino

[acraze]

sam’s solo talks will always be my favorite, i wish he did more solo podcasts

[Accolonian]

My father died last week. While I was sitting at his side during the last hours, I was using my mindfulness practice to "stay in the moment" and "be present". I think that if I hadn't known how to do that or *why* I should do that, I would have disconnected from the experience and withdrawn into myself. But instead I was able to be present for my family. I also think the whole process left me with a lot less trauma than would have otherwise been the case, since I didn't have regrets or second thoughts afterwards. I have felt no need to re-examine the event in my thoughts, because I examined it while living it. It doesn't make it easier in the moment, but mindfulness at least allows you to not lose yourself in those moments.

[yoitsjust]

I could listen to Sam have these solo talks forever. There’s a level of clarity in his diction that is hard to find elsewhere. It’s not that he’s using big words. It’s that his choices of words are so sharp, the meaning of what he is saying comes to in full clarity.

[orlonarsino]

That was the most epic commercial I have ever seen in my life.

[golnartavakoli]

thank you Sam, for everything you've taught me in waking up courses. words aren't strong enough for me to tell you how grateful I am for being your student.

[MiguelDurazo]

If there was an Academy award on ads this will win it, amazing animation and message

[mindchimp]

This is beautiful work, great writing and digital animations, thought provoking and uplifting. Appreciate your work.

[MOUSTAKALIS]

Sam…you’re an appearance in consciousness that I find hard not to cling to. ♥️

[TEProductions]

Well done, Sam. I've been using Waking Up for over a year and have found it incredibly helpful in my journey. As Alan Watts stated, “Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself."

[johndoe]

I have had the good fortune of being a member since the beginning. Witnessing the evolution from what it once was to what is has become thus far has been an absolute joy. Thank you for all that you have done and all that you continue to do.

[vahidhosseinzadeh]

Waking up changed my life. I started it about 1 year ago. After 3 months something weird happened in my meditaion and after that I was more curious about that so I could not quit and I think I never can. Thanks Sam 🙏

[sdfabctr]

for the first time I feel like i've heard a compelling case for meditation and why it's a valuable behavior. This is really interesting

[MrJoshVH]

Word's cannot begin to describe how much the state of my mental health, personal relationships, & overall gratitude for life has improved since I began using the Waking Up app. The work you do is amazing, & from the bottom of my heart, I wanted to say thank you.

You really are helping to make the world a better place. Much love!

[omermukhtar]

Among all the books I've read and people I've listened to, Sam has profoundly transformed my understanding of religion, meditation, and many other topics. His clarity of thought and eloquence captivate me, making me eager to listen to him more. Unlike any teacher I've had in school or college, he has been a true mentor and guide, reshaping my perspective on life. His honesty and bravery in the face of criticism have inspired me to pursue my own endeavors with courage. As an ex-Muslim from India, I am deeply grateful for everything, Sam. Thank you!

[jacksonmaloney]

Incredible. After using the app for 14 months, the benefits are immense. The app has taught me not to be afraid of imperanence, but rather to recognize the incredible freedom that comes with the transistory nature of experience. We think of thoughts (especially the negative ones) as having a type of superpower that has the potential to ruin our day, only to realise that once we pay sufficent attention to their nature, their structure is inherently superficial.

[Fourty-Six]

Absolutely phenomenal visuals. Truly keeps you engaged and able to 'take home' the message. Perfect delivery, and concepts shared in a crystal clear fashion, that is easy to understand. Great video!

[andreasbaros]

Nice talk. Always appreciate Sam's content. Many great minds came across the difference between the concept of a thing and the actual thing whether scientists, philosophers, artists or whatever. The painting the Treachery of Images with the famous "this is not a pipe" quote, while also Richard Feynman, Alan Watts, Terence Mckenna are just a few examples.
Richard Feynman:
"I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something"
Terence McKenna with his magnificent eloquent style:
"Culture replaces authentic feeling with words. As an example of this, imagine an infant lying in its cradle, and the window is open, and into the room comes something, marvelous, mysterious, glittering, shedding light of many colors, movement, sound, a transformative hierophany of integrated perception and the child is enthralled and then the mother comes into the room and she says to the child, “that’s a bird, baby, that’s a bird, ” instantly the complex wave of the angel peacock iridescent trans-formative mystery is collapsed, into the word. All mystery is gone, the child learns this is a bird, this is a bird, and by the time we’re five or six years old all the mystery of reality has been carefully tiled over with words. This is a bird, this is a house, this is the sky, and we seal ourselves in within a linguistic shell of dis-empowered perception. "

[FerDeLira]

Very well put! I have been vocally critical of a couple of recent Sam's videos, but I understand those are another topic, and being able to separate those from this one taught me something, there is a lot of value on what a person as intelligent as Sam thinks and says, in this case it reminded me of something I had forgotten I have lost but that with a bit of work I can find and hold again, thank you for this Sam.

[gardenofthenorth]

My goodness, SO much crammed into such a short video.

Efficient and life changing.

[kevinsayes]

@ 4:16 “well would you just look at that? Look at it!”