Sam Harris, a renowned neuroscientist and author, shares his insights on grappling with extreme emotions and the role of social media in our lives. He emphasizes the need for mindfulness and mature meditation practices. The conversation dives into the crippling effects of excessive social media use and how to transform outrage into actionable, constructive steps. With a focus on personal growth, Harris advocates for self-awareness and urges listeners to navigate their social media habits thoughtfully for improved mental well-being.
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insights INSIGHT
Being vs. Becoming
Find fulfillment in the present moment amidst life's changes.
Recognize that lasting happiness doesn't rely on future events.
insights INSIGHT
Spirituality vs. Religion
Sam Harris critiques organized religion for its tribalism and outdated doctrines.
He advocates for a modern conversation about wisdom, incorporating valuable ideas from various traditions.
insights INSIGHT
Validating Spirituality
While some spiritual beliefs lack scientific basis, core concepts like unconditional love and the illusion of self are valid.
These align with modern understandings of the mind, even neuroscientifically.
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In this book, Sam Harris delivers a critical analysis of the clash between reason and religious faith in the modern world. He argues that religious beliefs, even moderate ones, can lead to dangerous consequences, such as terrorism, and that these beliefs are not grounded in empirical evidence. Harris draws on insights from neuroscience, philosophy, and Eastern mysticism to propose a secular and humanistic foundation for ethics and spirituality. The book is a call to action against the encroachment of organized religion into world politics and advocates for a rational approach to ethics based on human happiness and suffering.
Lying
Sam Harris
In 'Lying', Sam Harris explores the consequences of dishonesty, from small 'white lies' to large-scale deceptions. He argues that lying, even with benevolent intentions, damages personal relationships and public trust. Harris advocates for honesty in all interactions, suggesting that it simplifies life and improves society. He also discusses the psychological and social impacts of lying, emphasizing that maintaining lies can be stressful and ultimately harmful. The book promotes 'skillful truth-telling' as a better alternative to lying, even in situations where tact is required to avoid harm[1][3][4].
Free Will
Sam Harris
In 'Free Will,' Sam Harris argues that the concept of free will is inherently flawed and incoherent. He contends that our thoughts, intentions, and actions are determined by prior causes outside our conscious control, whether these causes are deterministic or the result of chance. Harris uses examples such as the Cheshire murders to illustrate how even heinous crimes can be seen as the product of uncontrollable experiences and neurological mechanisms, rather than free will. The book challenges readers to reconsider their views on morality, law, and personal responsibility in light of this understanding[2][4][5].
The Moral Landscape
How Science Can Determine Human Values
Sam Harris
In this book, Sam Harris challenges the traditional separation between scientific facts and human values. He argues that morality can be understood in terms of human and animal well-being, and that science can provide objective answers to moral questions. Harris contends that moral relativism is false and that science can tell us how we ought to live to achieve the greatest well-being. He uses his expertise in philosophy and neuroscience to make a case for a science of morality, emphasizing that moral values should be grounded in empirical facts about what causes people to flourish.
Waking Up
A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
Sam Harris
In this book, Sam Harris argues that there is more to understanding reality than science and secular culture generally allow. He explores the scientific underpinnings of spirituality, suggesting that how we pay attention to the present moment largely determines the quality of our lives. The book is part memoir and part exploration, discussing the illusion of the self, the benefits of meditation, and the importance of understanding consciousness through both scientific and philosophical lenses.
Eight Rules of Love
How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go
Jay Shetty
In 'Eight Rules of Love', Jay Shetty offers a comprehensive guide to navigating every stage of romance, from first dates to breakups. The book emphasizes the importance of self-love, mutual growth, and intentional effort in relationships. It provides practical advice and exercises inspired by ancient Vedic principles and modern psychology.
Cobalt Red
Sriram Krishnan
Today, I sit down with Sam Harris to talk about dealing with extreme emotions and pursuing your purpose. We discuss our freedom to pursue beliefs we want to support, how to approach meditation with maturity and incorporate it into our daily life, the crippling effects of spending too much time on social media, and how to turn outrage into manageable situations.
Sam Harris is an American author, philosopher, neuroscientist, and podcast host. He is known for his writings and lectures on religion, morality, neuroscience, and free will. Harris received a degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He has authored several books, including "The End of Faith," "Letter to a Christian Nation," "Waking Up," and "Free Will." Harris is also the host of the podcast "Making Sense," where he discusses various topics related to science, politics, and philosophy.
You can order my new book 8 RULES OF LOVE at 8rulesoflove.com or at a retail store near you. You can also get the chance to see me live on my first ever world tour. This is a 90 minute interactive show where I will take you on a journey of finding, keeping and even letting go of love. Head to jayshettytour.comand find out if I'll be in a city near you. Thank you so much for all your support - I hope to see you soon.
Open the door to a deeper understanding of yourself—with guided meditations and insights for living a more examined life. Visit https://www.wakingup.com/jayshetty
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
02:34 What is worthy of pursuit in life?
06:47 The difference between religion and spirituality that truly transcends culture
12:14 Why we need to be wiser in finding what is worthy of our credence
24:57 Sam explains what’s the mature approach of meditation and how this can be achieved
36:02 There are many levels of outrage and it mostly depends on the presented situation
45:00 How do you handle the feeling of outrage or any other strong feeling that may be difficult to deal with
54:19 Sam shares the philanthropic charities he has been investing his time in
01:02:02 Lessening time on social media can help avoid getting exposed to toxic and unhealthy content
01:11:16 How will you deal with the death of a loved one and of your own?
On Purpose with Jay Shetty 
