Dan Harris, author of the best-selling memoir *10% Happier* and host of the eponymous podcast, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Sam Harris. They explore the emotional toll of natural disasters and the importance of mindfulness during chaos. The duo dives into contentious topics, including the ethics of gun ownership and the challenge of maintaining compassion in a polarized political landscape. They also discuss free will, its illusion, and how mindfulness can help navigate emotional responses in our lives.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
LA Fires
Sam Harris discusses the recent Los Angeles fires and their impact on his family.
His house was spared, but the experience highlighted the impermanence of material possessions.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Evacuation Essentials
When evacuating his home, Harris left with his family, pets, MDMA, and a gun.
This unusual combination reflects his diverse life path.
insights INSIGHT
Impermanence
Harris reflects on impermanence, noting that everything is rented and subject to change.
Stability requires constant effort against the forces of chaos and entropy.
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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.
Hillbilly Elegy
A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
JD Vance
In 'Hillbilly Elegy,' J.D. Vance recounts his life growing up in a dysfunctional family in Middletown, Ohio, with roots in Kentucky's Appalachia. The book details his experiences with poverty, addiction, and family violence, as well as his journey to joining the marines and eventually graduating from Yale Law School. Vance provides a personal and insightful look into the decline of the white working class in America, exploring themes of family, culture, and the loss of the American dream. The memoir also touches on the political swing of the region, particularly in relation to the 2016 presidential election and the appeal of Donald Trump to this demographic.
On Having No Head
Douglas Harding
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.
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.
Dan Harris is the author of the #1 New York Times best-selling memoir 10% Happier, about a fidgety, skeptical news anchor who finds meditation. He’s also the host of the 10% Happier podcast, where he interviews celebrities, entrepreneurs, authors, scientists, and meditation teachers about how to do life better. For 21 years, he worked at ABC News, where he anchored such shows as Nightline and the weekend editions of Good Morning America.
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 - Subscriber Content 
