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Waking Up

A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion

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Waking Up

By: Sam Harris
Narrated by: Sam Harris
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For the millions of Americans 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 multiple New York Times best-selling author, neuroscientist, and "new atheist" Sam Harris, Waking Up is for the 30 percent of Americans 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 skeptic - could write it.

©2014 Sam Harris. All rights reserved. (P)2014 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. History & Philosophy Philosophy Religious Studies Science Sociology Spirituality Meditation Inspiring

Editor's Pick

Heathens need mindfulness, too
"Sam Harris’s non-religious approach to spirituality is brilliant, exhaustingly researched, erudite, and controversial—and in my opinion, necessary. This is a listen for those of us who are deeply critical of organized religion but also long for respite from the daily, existential anxieties that keep our days stress-filled and our nights fitful. Sam takes tried-and-true mindfulness practices, strips them of everything but their essential, non-hooey components, and painstakingly combines them to create the only approach to meditation that’s ever worked for me."
—Sean T., Audible Editor

Personal Spiritual Journey • Scientific Spiritual Approach • Soothing Voice • Transformative Meditation Experiences
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Would you consider the audio edition of Waking Up to be better than the print version?

Sam is an excellent speaker, and the audio version comes across more like one of his great talks, not a robotically narrated text.

What did you like best about this story?

This is not just yet another book on meditation---it's not only on meditation, and it's not a self-help book---at least in any traditional sense. Unlike most of the former, it's strictly rational and does not give any concessions to any sort of religious accommodation, and unlike the latter it does not give a "30-Day Program to Become Happy" or anything of this sort---although it does discuss practical points. You can look at it as an invitation to look inside our minds, and to use this rational introspection cut through the illusions which are, at the end of the day, the source of our unhappiness.

Any additional comments?

If you are new to the whole meditation thing, I can recommend to first read "10% Happier" by Dan Harris (no relation to Sam). It's a very different, lighter/entertaining book (the audio version is fantastic), but it should serve as an excellent introduction to "Waking Up".

A superb narration of a great book

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Enjoyed this immensely. I’m a 32 year daily meditator and this was such a fresh take.

No religion necessary for spirituality

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Truly mind opening. This is an incredibly important book to be read multiple times over.

Necessary

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The book get you to start switching your mindset and looking at the world in a more compassionate and loving way. I really believe that i was lost in this aspect of my life. But sam got me digging deeper into exploring more phychedelics and and acknowledge that true passion will only come in if you tap jnto that creativity . Suffering will always be in your life is a matter om how you handle those thoughts

consciousness

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This book is helping to accelerate my focus and determination towards practicing and understanding mindfulness meditation.

Profound and enlightening

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Sam Harris is brilliant. Very good look into what is perceived consciously as otherworldly can mostly be explained by rational thinking.

great insights!

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Loved it! Compelling message that must be spread. Would encourage to read/listen with an open mind, there really is value in it.

Great book

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I'm awake now. Thank you very much Sam. Fear is the mind killer. Good job.

awesomeness

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Didn’t think I would ever be a Sam Harris fan based in a few videos I had seen him in. Boy was I wrong! Highly recommend this book.

Pleasantly surprised!

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One of my favorites to read and reread. Lifechanging, and recommend it highly to those in my circles, and everyone I talk to about positive growth and human potential.

LOVED IT

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