Why Should I Meditate? | Sam Harris

sam’s solo talks will always be my favorite, i wish he did more solo podcasts

I could listen to Sam have these solo talks forever. There’s a level of clarity in his diction that is hard to find elsewhere. It’s not that he’s using big words. It’s that his choices of words are so sharp, the meaning of what he is saying comes to in full clarity.

My father died last week. While I was sitting at his side during the last hours, I was using my mindfulness practice to "stay in the moment" and "be present". I think that if I hadn't known how to do that or why I should do that, I would have disconnected from the experience and withdrawn into myself. But instead I was able to be present for my family. I also think the whole process left me with a lot less trauma than would have otherwise been the case, since I didn't have regrets or second thoughts afterwards. I have felt no need to re-examine the event in my thoughts, because I examined it while living it. It doesn't make it easier in the moment, but mindfulness at least allows you to not lose yourself in those moments.

This is beautiful work, great writing and digital animations, thought provoking and uplifting. Appreciate your work.

thank you Sam, for everything you've taught me in waking up courses. words aren't strong enough for me to tell you how grateful I am for being your student.

Absolutely phenomenal visuals. Truly keeps you engaged and able to 'take home' the message. Perfect delivery, and concepts shared in a crystal clear fashion, that is easy to understand. Great video!

If there was an Academy award on ads this will win it, amazing animation and message

Very well put! I have been vocally critical of a couple of recent Sam's videos, but I understand those are another topic, and being able to separate those from this one taught me something, there is a lot of value on what a person as intelligent as Sam thinks and says, in this case it reminded me of something I had forgotten I have lost but that with a bit of work I can find and hold again, thank you for this Sam.

Well done, Sam. I've been using Waking Up for over a year and have found it incredibly helpful in my journey. As Alan Watts stated, “Through our eyes, the universe is perceiving itself."

Sam…you’re an appearance in consciousness that I find hard not to cling to. ♥️

Sam I am deeply grateful for your insights and teachings. And of course this amazing app.

This made me tear up a bit, such a beautiful video. Thank you so much

Nice talk. Always appreciate Sam's content. Many great minds came across the difference between the concept of a thing and the actual thing whether scientists, philosophers, artists or whatever. The painting the Treachery of Images with the famous "this is not a pipe" quote, while also Richard Feynman, Alan Watts, Terence Mckenna are just a few examples. Richard Feynman: "I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something" Terence McKenna with his magnificent eloquent style: "Culture replaces authentic feeling with words. As an example of this, imagine an infant lying in its cradle, and the window is open, and into the room comes something, marvelous, mysterious, glittering, shedding light of many colors, movement, sound, a transformative hierophany of integrated perception and the child is enthralled and then the mother comes into the room and she says to the child, “that’s a bird, baby, that’s a bird,” instantly the complex wave of the angel peacock iridescent trans-formative mystery is collapsed, into the word. All mystery is gone, the child learns this is a bird, this is a bird, and by the time we’re five or six years old all the mystery of reality has been carefully tiled over with words. This is a bird, this is a house, this is the sky, and we seal ourselves in within a linguistic shell of dis-empowered perception. "

Waking up changed my life. I started it about 1 year ago. After 3 months something weird happened in my meditaion and after that I was more curious about that so I could not quit and I think I never can. Thanks Sam 🙏

I have had the good fortune of being a member since the beginning. Witnessing the evolution from what it once was to what is has become thus far has been an absolute joy. Thank you for all that you have done and all that you continue to do.

My goodness, SO much crammed into such a short video. Efficient and life changing.

Word's cannot begin to describe how much the state of my mental health, personal relationships, & overall gratitude for life has improved since I began using the Waking Up app. The work you do is amazing, & from the bottom of my heart, I wanted to say thank you. You really are helping to make the world a better place. Much love!

Always thanks for your thought-provoking videos.

Thanks Sam I love productions such as this. You are appreciated. Looking foward to more of the same your content is stimulating and so resonates with my core.

thank you for these, sam! they are really helping me shift my perspective in life and become more compassionate and loving to others and myself. i’ve really been enjoying using, waking up, and carrying the mediation practice throughout each moment with me