The Self is an Illusion - Sam Harris

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Sam Harris is a neuroscientist, philosopher, New York Times best-selling author, host of Making Sense, and creator of Waking Up.

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Alex O'Connor
Po Box 1610
OXFORD
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ENGLAND

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[GospodinStanoje]

1:43

Sam:"Have you ever taken psychedelics?"
Alex:"I have, yeah."

*Hitchens from the background:"Of course you have, you're obsessed with drugs!"*

[eldanielromero]

I feel pretty thankful that Sam Harris is patient enough to talk about this topic everywhere he goes. I struggle with mindfulness, and understanding it, but each time it is explained, I feel lucky to be forced back to true consciousness, even if for brief moment, and reminded how important it is to keep trying.

[chemtrooper]

“You are the universe experiencing itself.”
—Alan Watts

[beng]

Sams right eyebrow is raising higher and higher every time I see him

[endeuinable]

Two of my favourite public intellectuals in conversation. This is incredibly exciting. I hope it's the first of many talks. I think Alex is just as sharp and clear thinking, if not even more, in religious debates as Sam has been. This podcast is a real treat.

[Rave.-]

This is one of those rare times i find myself thinking "oh i just really hope these two hit it off" and i care more about how they interact than the conversation itself.

Perhaps its because no matter how long this single discussion ends up being, there would be nothing i enjoy more than 2 dozen more of them over the next decade.

[DulceN]

Sam and Alex in conversation, what a wondeful treat!!!

[necroslikerock]

I like thay you adress the existential anxiety that is available when doing philosophy. I considered myself weak-minded when I lost some of the footing i thought i had, when i exposed myself to these questions and all their possible answers. Im glad that im not alone in thise experiences. And i love that Sam and you finally got a talk. Its been a long time coming.❤

[BOARMoto-bmmh]

“The more we make inner progress, the more the number of those with whom we can truly communicate decreases.”
-Emil Cioran

[ChopperChad]

So refreshing to watch a calm and respectful conversation. We’ve become so accustomed to obnoxious and confrontational discussions where the goal is to score points and win, that something like this stands out as odd, is telling of the sad state of the modern media and the gotcha culture.

[adritachanda]

I've always wanted alex to delve deeper into eastern philosophies and mindfulness. He's a brilliant mind and it would be a treat to watch him unfold these concepts.

[dangood]

I like the use of the gym and its outcome. As a meditator of almost 10 years (and waking up subscriber), there is still much to learn while simultaneously beginning again. Thank you both.

[constantchange]

On a Vipassana 10 day meditation course (the practice that got sam going on the meditation path) the teacher said to me, most of the world just talks about this, here, we are doing it"
And thats so true.

[kantjokes]

This is a method that was helpful for me personally with this sort of thing:

Asking myself: who do I believe I am? Whatever comes up, I notice it. Because I notice it, that means I am behind it, and it is not me, so I let it go of what came up. What am I thinking about next? Is that me? If not, I also let it go, because I am looking for my true self. I continue to let go of everything that is not me (not push it away, just relinquish it, just letting it drift away). Lo and behold, I am left with only raw experience at the end, not having found myself anywhere, I am left with no self.

And what got me here? The act (sensation?) of letting go of each of the things that came up prior.

So for me, re-accessing No-self becomes as simple as 'letting go' and learning to consistently access that sensation (action?) without even having to go through that questioning process, just letting go, and then sitting with what is left: no self, just experience.


I think this also ties in with the 'No-free will" stuff. Who is it behind your experience that is trying to control it, to access the no-self, to do anything? If there is no free will, who is trying to control what? Just a dog trying to hold its own leash.

[ancientambassador]

When Sam says at the end, that “the feeling of I” requires a prerequisite, a light by which I notice this feeling, I was instantly reminded of Heidegger’s concept of being-in-the-world. Which was, at least for me, an eye opener.

[jonj]

I'm surprised how little Alex knows about Eastern Philosophy and meditation.

[umehchisom]

Just listening to these guys talk about this subject is so wonderful. I've loved Sam and Alex for a long time and seeing both of them now, describing a phenomenon I enjoy, is just bunkers.

[ipjdhRwP]

I've been meditating for 4 years, thanks to discovering Sam Harris' app during the pandemic. It has significantly changed my life, but one thing I've always struggled with was this idea of "scrutiny of self" that he always describes. This video helped me finally get a glimpse of it for the first time. Thanks for sharing this conversation.

[Mentesestoicas_]

I never saw Alex nervous and he is not an intense expressive nervous dude, but you can clearly see he is so happy of being face to face with one of his idols. It’s like he is: “OMG IS SAM HARRIS” the entire time haha 😂

[shak]

Stoked to see this whole conversation !