Spirituality offers a path to peace by accepting impermanence and finding fulfillment in the present moment.
Acknowledging the role of luck fosters empathy and compassion, leading to creating systems that facilitate positive change.
Balancing personal emotions with rational decision-making is crucial for making a meaningful impact in the world.
Deep dives
Recognizing the tension between being and becoming
In this podcast episode, Sam Harris discusses the ongoing tension between being and becoming. He explores the concept of spirituality and how it offers a path to being at peace with impermanence. Harris emphasizes the importance of recognizing the present moment and finding fulfillment without relying solely on future achievements or goals. He highlights the practice of mindfulness meditation as a tool to break free from the constant stream of thoughts and emotions and cultivate a sense of peace in the midst of life's challenges.
The role of luck in human achievement and suffering
Harris delves into the influence of luck on human lives and outcomes. He stresses the significance of acknowledging the role of luck in shaping every individual's circumstances and successes. Harris argues that understanding the arbitrary nature of luck allows for more empathy and compassion towards others who may face different challenges. He discusses the importance of creating systems and institutions that align incentives and make it easier for individuals to do good in the world.
Separating personal emotions from effective altruism
Harris explores the distinction between personal emotions and effective altruism. He discusses the tendency for individuals to be more persuaded by individual stories and anecdotes rather than statistics and larger-scale problems. Harris raises the issue of finding a balance between individual emotions and rational decision-making when it comes to making a meaningful impact in the world. He shares his decision to allocate a portion of his profits and personal income to effective charities, regardless of personal interests or emotional reactions.
Designing systems and institutions for positive change
Harris emphasizes the need to focus on creating systems and institutions that facilitate positive change collectively. He challenges the notion that individual improvements alone can solve larger societal issues. Harris encourages a shift towards addressing systemic problems and changing incentives at a broader level. He brings up examples such as carbon taxation and improving ethical practices in supply chains to illustrate the importance of aligning incentives with ethical values.
The Visceral Experience of Giving: Selfishness and Selflessness Merging
The speaker reflects on the experience of giving money, highlighting how it can trigger both selfish and selfless emotions. They compare the intense desire to give with the same pleasure derived from wanting everything in a catalog. They also discuss how setting a predefined amount for giving can simplify decision-making and change one's relationship with giving.
Changing Relationship with News: Deleting Twitter Account for Mental Health
The speaker shares their personal journey of changing their relationship with the news by deleting their Twitter account. They explain how Twitter became toxic and misleading, leading to a constant state of anger and contempt. They reflect on the negative impact of online misinformation and the obsession with clarifying misunderstandings. Ultimately, they recognize the importance of prioritizing one's mental well-being and focusing on what truly matters in daily life.
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?
