Dan Harris, an esteemed journalist and author of '10% Happier', engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Sam Harris. They explore how meditation helped Sam navigate the chaos of the LA fires and discuss the ethics surrounding gun ownership in a tumultuous society. Their conversation touches on compassion in politics, challenging the idea of hating others, and the complex interplay of free will and determinism. With insights on mindfulness and the transformation of the Waking Up app, the discourse highlights the path to emotional resilience and self-awareness.
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Evacuating during the LA Fires
Sam Harris discusses evacuating his home during the LA fires.
He left with his family, pets, MDMA, and a gun.
insights INSIGHT
Meditation and Stress
Meditation helped manage stress during the evacuation.
Sam felt fortunate compared to those who lost their homes.
insights INSIGHT
Impermanence and Equanimity
Impermanence reigns supreme; everything is unstable and subject to change.
Recognizing this helps one achieve equanimity.
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Douglas Harding's "On Having No Head" is a seminal work exploring the nature of self-perception and consciousness. Harding's unique approach challenges the reader to question their ingrained assumptions about the self and the nature of experience. The book uses simple yet profound exercises to guide the reader towards a direct experience of reality, free from the limitations of conceptual thought. Through these exercises, Harding aims to reveal the inherent freedom and spaciousness of consciousness. The book's impact lies in its ability to facilitate a shift in perspective, leading to a deeper understanding of one's own being.
The logic of violence in civil war
Stathis N. Kalyvas
The Logic of Violence in Civil War by Stathis N. Kalyvas offers a comprehensive framework for understanding violence in civil conflicts. It distinguishes between indiscriminate and selective violence, arguing that the level of control exercised by factions is a key determinant of violence. The book provides a methodologically individualist account, focusing on the microfoundations of war and how violence is influenced by informational problems and local dynamics.
Dan Harris interviews Sam Harris for Dan’s podcast, 10% Happier. They discuss how meditation helped Sam after evacuating his home during the LA fires, why Sam owns a gun, the ethics of violence, how to feel compassion for your political opponents, why it doesn’t make sense to “hate” anyone, free will and determinism, psychedelics, the importance of training your mind, 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.
Making Sense with Sam Harris 
