Waking Up

A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion

Sam Harris

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Naval Ravikant: "Loved 'Waking Up.'"

Book Synopsis

"Waking Up" by Sam Harris offers a compelling exploration of spirituality without the dogma of traditional religions. Harris, a neuroscientist and philosopher, presents a persuasive case for the benefits of cultivating mindfulness and the possibilities of experiencing profound states of consciousness outside the realm of religious belief.

In this thought-provoking book, Harris delves into the nature of consciousness and the illusory self, challenging long-held notions of who we are and how we perceive the world. Drawing on scientific research and personal anecdotes, he argues for the importance of understanding the mechanics of our minds and the potential for transcendent experiences that can lead to a deep sense of well-being and insight.

Harris also emphasizes the value of meditation and mindfulness practices in uncovering the true nature of reality and exploring the depths of human consciousness. With clarity and precision, he guides readers through various meditation techniques and offers practical advice on how to incorporate these practices into everyday life.

While questioning the validity of religious claims, Harris acknowledges the value of certain spiritual practices and experiences, offering a thoughtful and rational approach to the topic. He discusses the pitfalls of religious fundamentalism and the potential dangers of seeking transcendence through ungrounded beliefs.

In "Waking Up," Sam Harris proposes a modern and secular approach to spirituality that encourages readers to explore the possibilities of transformative experiences and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. Through this engaging and enlightened exploration of consciousness, Harris invites us to question our assumptions and embark on a journey towards greater insight and fulfillment.

Explore More Books

See All
The Varieties of Religious Experience
Art of the Living Dead
Open
In Praise of Shadows
How The Mind Works
Shattered
The Story of the Human Body
King of Capital
The Song of the Cell
Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It
Brave New Words
Behave
As I Lay Dying
The Ten Golden Rules of Leadership
QED
Where Do School Funds Go?
Evolving Ourselves
Schulz and Peanuts
The Little Liar
The Humanure Handbook
Where The Wild Things Are
The Emperor of All Maladies
The Singularity Is Near
Radical Chic and Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers
Freedom from the Known
Iacocca
Statistical Consequences of Fat Tails
The Method Method
When To Jump
The Art of Living and Dying
Crucial Conversations
Marc's Mission
Daughter of the Heartland
The Odyssey
The DevOps Handbook
How to Make Millions with Your Ideas
The Energy World Is Flat
The Deficit Myth
I'd Like To Play Alone, Please
Physics from Finance
Heretics of Dune
Save The Cat!
Models of My Life
Prosperity
Philosophy and Scientific Realism
Destined For War
More Heat Than Light
Superintelligence
Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
The Meaning of It All
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Lincoln In The Bardo
Lincoln
The Evolution of Cooperation
The Demon Under The Microscope
My Inventions
Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air
The Origin of Species
Friday Forward
An Apology for the Builder
Permanent Record
Anti Americanism
Reminiscences of a Stock Operator
Howard Hughes
America's Cultural Revolution
Sea Flight
The Quest
The Law
Forged in Crisis
Rational Decisions
On Trails
Calculus Made Easy
Quality Investing
Sex at Dawn
Just Mercy
The Hockey Stick Illusion
Secrets of Closing the Sale
The Plot Against the President
Liberating Learning
Toussaint Louverture
The Museum of Other People
Winners Take All
The Tipping Point
Positioning
Winning The Loser's Game
David Foster Wallace
Treasure Island
Financial Derivatives
Creative Selection
When Reason Goes on Holiday
Greenlights
The Farming Ladder
World War 3.0
The Art of Memoir
Getting It Done
Rock On
I Heard God Laughing
Kill It With Fire
Very Classy