Author, philosopher, and neuroscientist Sam Harris discusses aspects of meditation, the fusion of vipassana and nondual practice, insights into selflessness through mindfulness and concentration, personal experiences with MDMA and psilocybin, the role of psychedelics in spiritual introspection, concerns about misuse of psychedelics, and more.
The fusion of vipassana and nondual practice is considered the 'gold standard' for practitioners.
Mindfulness is an open and non-judgmental awareness that allows for experiencing the primary characteristics of sensations.
Non-duality recognizes the absence of a separate self and emphasizes the emptiness and openness of experience.
Deep dives
The potential of the contemplative life in the 21st century
Sam Harris discusses his increasing interest in understanding the ultimate promise of the contemplative life in today's world. He explores the idea of enlightenment in relation to a modern understanding of living a good life. Harris emphasizes the need to go beyond meditation and ethical codes, and considers the impact of societal systems and organization on one's ability to live a good life. He also highlights his specific interest in the difference between dualistic and non-dualistic mindfulness, and the importance of recognizing the non-dual side early on in practice.
The significance of mindfulness as a preliminary practice
Harris discusses the role of mindfulness as a preliminary practice in the pursuit of non-dual mindfulness. He recognizes mindfulness as an open, non-judgmental, and non-conceptual awareness of the raw data of experience. He emphasizes the importance of dropping past conceptualizations and experiencing the primary characteristics of sensations. Additionally, Harris acknowledges the uniqueness of mindfulness in bypassing errors and misconceptions that can occur in dualistic and non-dualistic practices, and sees it as a fusion of Vipassana and non-duality.
Exploring the nature of non-duality
Harris delves into the concept of non-duality and its relationship to mindfulness. He explains that non-duality is the recognition that there is no separate subject experiencing consciousness and its contents. He distinguishes non-duality from oneness, highlighting the multiplicity of appearances and the absence of a separate self. He also emphasizes the need to go beyond the emphasis on oneness and recognize the emptiness and openness of experience, suggesting that the concept of emptiness is a better descriptor of non-duality.
The potential of psychedelics in spiritual exploration
Harris acknowledges the potential benefits of psychedelics in alleviating suffering and promoting psychological healing. He notes the promise of compounds like MDMA, psilocybin, and LSD, but highlights the importance of caution and individual suitability due to varying effects and potential risks. Harris also reflects on his personal experiences with psychedelics, recognizing their influence in his early exploration of inner landscapes and the potential for intense positive or negative hangovers. He cautions against over-reliance on psychedelics, emphasizing that their interest is distinct from the path of recognizing and stabilizing insight in non-duality.
The importance of long-term practice and stability
Harris reflects on the need for long-term practice and stability in non-dual insight. He recognizes the potential for psychedelics to initiate interest and insight, but emphasizes the necessity of ongoing meditation practice for integration and stabilization. He acknowledges the challenge of maintaining commitment to practice and the impact of individual choices in prioritizing the path. Harris considers the tension between living an ordinary life and the more monastic approach often associated with spiritual pursuits. He contemplates the consequences of choices and the vulnerability to illusions when the practice is not prioritized.
Host Michael Taft speaks with author, philosopher, and neuroscientist Sam Harris about the fusion of vipassana and nondual practice as the “gold standard” for practitioners, insights into selflessness through mindfulness and concentration, the distinction between moment-to-moment experiences and peak experiences, personal experiences with MDMA and psilocybin, the role of psychedelics in initiating spiritual introspection, concerns about the misuse of psychedelics and potential pitfalls, and more.
Sam Harris is a renowned author, philosopher, neuroscientist, and podcast host, who weights in on issues around religion, morality, and the human mind. Harris holds a degree in philosophy from Stanford and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA, and he has practiced meditation for more than 30 years with many Tibetan, Indian, Burmese, and Western meditation teachers. Harris is particularly recognized for his exploration of meditation and non-duality, delving into their significance in understanding consciousness and the self. He’s also well known in the meditation community for his book Waking Up, and for the app of the same name.