Making Sense with Sam Harris cover image

Making Sense with Sam Harris

#347 — Finding Sanity in 2024

Jan 2, 2024
08:59
Snipd AI
Explore the crisis of meaning in affluent societies, the challenges of finding contentment in the modern world, and the power of meditation. Learn about the Waking Up app, which offers secular teachings. Dive into the concepts of selflessness and non-duality, and find sanity, wisdom, and gratitude amidst global chaos.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Understanding and taking responsibility for our own minds can help address the crisis of meaning in affluent societies.
  • Meditation provides a remedy for finding true contentment and can lead to profound insights and growth.

Deep dives

Crisis of Meaning in Affluent Societies

In affluent societies, there is a crisis of meaning characterized by loneliness, erosion of social trust, and extreme political partisanship. The abundance of modern life does not guarantee a fulfilling life, as buying more stuff and seeking constant distractions cannot satisfy deep-seated human longing. To address this crisis, individuals need to understand and take responsibility for their own minds. The chaos and problems in the world stem from individual minds being out of control, driven by negative states like greed, fear, and ignorance. While individuals may not be able to change the larger culture or institutions quickly, they can transform their own lives through self-awareness and attention to their deeper priorities.

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