Journalist Sebastian Junger discusses his experiences in war zones and surviving a burst aneurysm. Topics include danger and meaning, near-death experiences, trauma, awe, psychedelics, atheism, consciousness, and the intersection of drug-induced states with near-death experiences.
Finding purpose through facing danger and challenges can lead to personal growth.
Reflecting on the sacredness of life after a near-death experience encourages appreciation for existence.
Exploring consciousness and existential questions can deepen our understanding of the mysteries of life.
Deep dives
Seeking Meaning Through Danger and Survival
Navigating through his experiences as a journalist in war zones, including close brushes with death, the speaker reflects on the connection between danger and meaning in life. He shares his journey of seeking challenges and testing his limits as a way to find purpose and maturity, highlighting the significance of consequences in creating meaning.
The Sacredness of Life and Facing Death
After a life-threatening medical emergency, the speaker delves into his profound encounter with mortality and the fear of almost dying. Wrestling with the aftermath of his near-death experience, he grapples with understanding the blessing inherent in wounds, reflecting on the etymology of 'blessing' and finding a renewed appreciation for the sacredness of life.
Reverence for Life and Existential Reflections
Drawing inspiration from Dostoevsky's near-death encounter, the speaker contemplates the uncertainty of life's fragility and the values one holds on their supposed last day. Reflecting on Nietzsche's eternal recurrence concept, he advocates for living with pro-social behaviors, embracing reverence for life, and maximizing meaningful connections and actions.
Avoiding Drug Influences and Psychedelics
Despite a brief encounter with substances in his youth that left him terrified, the speaker has steered clear of drugs and psychedelics throughout his life. His decision to abstain from such experiences was influenced by a negative encounter with marijuana laced with angel dust, shaping his perspective on altering consciousness.
Contemplating Atheism and the Afterlife
The speaker shares a personal experience of a medical emergency where he felt close to death but didn't see a God. The discussion delves into atheism and the possibility of an afterlife, examining the relationship between belief in God and the concept of life after death. The speaker highlights that these concepts can exist independently, allowing for diverse interpretations and perspectives on the universe and existence.
Exploring Near-Death Experiences and Consciousness
The conversation shifts to near-death experiences and consciousness, questioning the boundary between life and death, and the mysteries surrounding consciousness. The discussion touches on quantum mechanics, many-worlds theory, and the enduring enigma of consciousness. The speaker reflects on personal fears and philosophical implications raised by these topics, demonstrating a complex interplay between scientific knowledge and existential uncertainties.
Sam Harris speaks with Sebastian Junger about danger and death. They discuss Sebastian's career as a journalist in war zones, the connection between danger and meaning, his experience of nearly dying from a burst aneurysm in his abdomen, his lingering trauma, the concept of "awe," psychedelics, near-death experiences, atheism, psychic phenomena, consciousness and the brain, and other topics.
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.
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