There are meaningful differences between someone who's at the end stages of an illness and dying at any moment from someone who's walking around talking and otherwise in good health per se, et cetera. The thesis is don't wait till that diagnosis to realize you're mortal. If you can invite the truth of death into your life earlier and you'll receive its lessons. Once you realize you will die at some point, you in a sense can start really living.
Sam Harris speaks with BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger about preparing for death. They discuss the difference between palliative care and hospice, the tension between getting the most out of life and not clinging to experience, planning for death while still healthy, the importance of an advance directive, navigating the healthcare system, pain control at the end of life, assisted suicide, psychedelic therapy for end-of-life anxiety, and other topics.
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Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.