Waking Up

By: Sam Harris

Narrated by: Sam Harris

For the millions of people who want spirituality without religion, Sam Harris’ new book is a guide to meditation as a rational spiritual practice informed by neuroscience and psychology.

From best-selling author, neuroscientist, and "new atheist" Sam Harris, Waking Up is for the increasingly large numbers of people who follow no religion, but who suspect that Jesus, Buddha, Lao Tzu, Rumi, and the other saints and sages of history could not have all been epileptics, schizophrenics, or frauds. Throughout the book, Harris argues that there are important truths to be found in the experiences of such contemplatives - and, therefore, that there is more to understanding reality than science and secular culture generally allow.

Waking Up is part seeker’s memoir and part exploration of the scientific underpinnings of spirituality. No other book marries contemplative wisdom and modern science in this way, and no author other than Sam Harris - a scientist, philosopher, and famous sceptic - could write it.

©2014 Sam Harris (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc. 2014, published in the UK by Random House Audiobooks

A clear headed look at spirituality

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for spiritual fulfilment without religion. Sam Harris talks about the benefits of a contemplative life with insight and reason, identifying and cutting through the mumbo jumbo of religious doctrines.

Sam Harris has outdone himself

Great writing by a great mind.
As usual Harris offers a new perspective on things, one which would have been extremely difficult to arrive by oneself.
Thanks Sam, I've enjoyed it thoroughly.

I think this book might change my life

Never really thought about meditation seriously until after listening to this book. Thank you Sam.

wow

Simply great. A balanced, useful, contemporary synthesis of philosophy, neuroscience, and contemplative methodology.

Sam Harris is possibly the most reasonable man alive.

Great read

Insightful, well structured and logical. Which given the topic is no easy task. The task of becoming a better person is greatly enhanced from reading this book

Life changing book for those who are both critical thinkers and open minded

It’s difficult to change your worldview. Generally, people don’t. We vote the same way as our parents. We have the same religion. The things that were real important to them are real important to us.

Reading this book does require you to be ready to change your worldview. It also requires you to be open minded. This isn’t because it’s fantastical - in fact it’s the opposite - but Harris’ observations, based in empirical research as much as philosophy really do challenge the reader to think about life and our own minds differently.

I think it will change my life.

interesting but not that helpful.

very scientificly structured which I am happy about and well researched and methodical.

it does not exactly capture your mind or thoughts though.

Transformative

The best secular approach to meditation and mind maintenance I've come across. A great addition to Sam's Waking Up app, as it explains a lot of the ideas he guides you through in a way that makes me want to revisit them.

Eloquently written

Highly recommended. A wonderful book that articulates beautifully how Sam has come to observe the relationship between mind, body, and spirit. Sam also challenges us to question the legitimacy of our ideas, and to remove those that do not benefit all humanity. Worth a second, and a third listen.

Enlightening

Sam's writing is incisive and lucid as always, with soothing narration. A short, illuminating read.