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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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.
The Role of Meditation in Finding Meaning
Modern life has made it challenging to understand and solve the perennial spiritual problem of finding true contentment. Life hacks and external solutions do not address the deeper existential questions. Meditation, characterized by paying attention and recognizing the mind prior to distraction, offers a remedy. Through meditation, individuals can experience the truth of impermanence, which leads to a sense of freedom and fulfillment. Additionally, meditation allows individuals to realize the illusory nature of the self, leading to profound insights and growth. The podcast discusses the Waking Up app, which provides meditation and courses on applied philosophy and psychology to help individuals live a good life and navigate the chaos of the world.
If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.
Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam 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. Get 30 days free - https://www.wakingup.com/makingsense.
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