Waking Up

Great book

Started reading Krishnamurti and Alan Watts over 20 years ago after an experience on psychedelics showed me something thats difficult to explain. It unlocked something I couldn’t pinpoint but I was absolutely positive that I was missing something crucial about basically everything. I always seemed to feel like I was just on the verge of recognizing a Truth during and immediately after reading and meditating that I’m not verbally gifted or poetic enough to describe in words. Unfortunately, trying to balance living in the U.S while at the same time trying to prolong and stabilize the peace I found through these teachings proved very difficult. These books became somewhat of a crutch I needed to ‘get back’ to that ‘place’. Years back, I bought Waking Up and downloaded the meditation app. It introduced me to exactly what I seemed to be missing. I started reading I Am That by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, Writings of Ramana Maharishi and Poonja, And began studying forms of Advaita Vedanta and other non dual teachings, Nisarga Yoga, Dzogchen, Vipassana Meditation. Suddenly the realization that the very effort of searching for something that is inherently already present was the very thing that was inhibiting me from recognizing it was clear as can be. The rope is no longer a snake. The pictures on the screen are just that and nothing more. Re reading Krishnamurti and others now, from this place and perspective, is infinitely rewarding. The observer truly is the observed and not just as an intellectual exercise, but a profound experience and recognition. True Freedom is the only endeavor worth pursuing in this life. Best of wishes to everyone who truly seek peace and self realization.. When you find it, all that’s left to do is laugh and smile

This book is amazing and is a must-read for anyone (religious or otherwise) undertaking the seemingly lonely journey of self-improvement.

Sam articulates in a purely ration manner the ways in which one can alter and improve one's subjective experience through contemplative exercise. Highly recommended

Happiness is available to all, right here, right now.

There's no point in writing something that most of us can not understand. Too wordy.

This is an excellent podcast to help you process and formulate your value system. Your ideas will be challenged and if you are open you can learn much. Highly recommend. I have listened to every episode sometimes twice.

Sam is one of the few authors who I can't get enough of.

Could not recommend more! Sam will make you second guess many presumptions you have. I am sure if you are a person who can be persuaded by reason you will enjoy this podcast!

Sam Harris is a fascinating person with the ability to write in easy fashion complicate subjects.

Just listened to ask me anything #3. I love these because he answers questions from friend or foe. Most questions are extremely interesting and go into more detail of his thoughts. I'm a big fan of his discussions and conversation because he expresses himself so well and you can hear where the honesty lives and dies. He's willing to navigate endlessly till he gets to the truth. His feelings on Hilary Clinton are exactly how I feel though he expresses it so much better than my own thoughts could organize. Thanks. Looking forward to the meditation app.

Great

Sam Harris is a modern intellectual in the ilk of Chris Hitchens. His conversations span morality, religion (in particular it's limitations) and violence. I look forward to his podcasts every week. I also highly recommend his books.

So glad I gave it a chance. I believe everybody can benefit from these ideas.

I must say I really appreciate the way in which Mr. Harris drives into subject matter with the intent of underlying both sides of the coin. While some of his opinions I may not agree with his willingness to have dialogue and get to root causes is something lost today. I hope he has Paul Bloom on more often. It is fascinating listening to them go back and forth on whatever subject they try to tackle.

Sam has written a guide for the thinker and spiritual person in all of us. He does a great job of using science to break down consciousness into its individual components. This "sum-of-it's-parts" explanation is very satisfying to the thinker in me but my spiritual self still feels like he was trying to tell me something more that I'm still working at grasping. I'm going to hold onto this book as I continue on my own spiritual journey. I have the feeling ill want to reference it again.

Highly balanced in his assertions, Harris builds a solid case for a departure from ordinary cognitive thought.

This book is great. It’s full of things I’ve never taken the time to think about, things that are likely to improve my life. It’s one of the few books that I started rereading immediately after finishing in order to get the most out of it.

An excellent read explaining how certain spiritual practices need not necessarily conflict with a disbelief in god(s). As both an atheist and practitioner of mindfulness meditation, I appreciate Sam's well researched and reasoned point of view, if for no other reason than to feel less of a need to explain my meditative practices to others without faith in the supernatural. I can just point them to this book! No faith is required since nothing could be less "supernatural" than internal states of mind, as we have them everyday even if a full explanation of them has yet to be rendered. I hope it opens up discussion in the atheist community to what spiritual practices may be worthy of further investigation and discussion.