Sam Harris

Waking Up

1. IDEA 1

   Spirituality need not require religion

   Sam Harris argues that spiritual experiences, such as deep peace and freedom from self-concern, are real and valuable. He believes they can be explored through meditation and reason, without accepting religious beliefs or supernatural claims.

2. IDEA 2

   The self may be an illusion

   Harris argues that the feeling of being a separate self, a thinker behind our thoughts, may be an illusion. Careful attention can reveal this. Harris suggests that looking closely at experience can show that the thinker is hard to find.

3. IDEA 3

   Mindfulness reveals experience

   Harris describes mindfulness meditation as a way to observe thoughts and sensations clearly. It can reduce suffering. Harris presents mindfulness as a skill of seeing what is actually present, rather than being lost in thought.

All 8 ideas from Waking Up →