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Waking Up

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Waking Up

By: Sam Harris
Narrated by: Sam Harris
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About this listen

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 Agnosticism History & Philosophy Philosophy Science Social Sciences Spirituality Inspiring Suspenseful Meditation Yoga Physical Exercise

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All stars
Most relevant  
I'm not a Sam Harris fan boy, his views on the Muslim world match a very imperialistic American dogma, however, I still find him an inspired writer, and this book does indeed help wake you up.

We can all change humanity one by one.

I am consciousness.

What is Says

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Masterfully written material and truly well expressed thoughts.

The only reason I have scratched off a star in my rating is due to the remaining feeling of uncovered void or, to put it in rather simpler terms, I'm talking about the feeling that the most pertinent questions, which Sam fervently and zealously attempted to address in here, were left practically unanswered.

To some degree, it felt like Sam was beating around or about the bush, without truly tackling what he initially set out to tackle.

He was simply doing it very gracefully, masterfully and eloquently, sustaining his reputation of a skillful "handler of words".

I do not exclude the possibility, that he actually did drive the subjects home with many other listeners.

It's just that, from where I'm standing, sounded like like he stated that it is truly difficult to accurately, correctly and precisely define consciousness, yet he kept mentioning that word so frequently, that I kept asking myself; how do you go on talking about something in such depth and length without knowing what it is you are actually talking about?!?!?

Don't get me wrong, I love the way his brain works... Scratch THAT!
Since, I do not really know a thing about how HIS brain works.
I couldn't even begin to fathom that.

BUT... I do GENUINELY LOVE the way he formulates, stipulates and "serves" his thoughts.
In other words, he was an immense pleasure to listen to.

I guess, I'll have to listen to this audio book at least once more to see if I could possibly derive more satisfactory deductions and conclusions.

Truly well written!

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Meditation from a scientist’s point of view - thoroughly enjoyable.

Could have potentially done without some of Chapters 1 and 5 but the rest was fantastic.

Fantastic introduction to meditation.

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What about Sam Harris’s performance did you like?

I totally liked Sam Harris reading this. Some comments insist they like the author but not his reading, which I don't get. I wish all authors spent the time to read their books - it's their thoughts, their stories!

Loved it

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The only book I've ever completed and then re-read instantly. Written with honesty and elegance. Take a bow Sam Harris.

Wonderful

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Great for those trying to make sense of the spiritual journey. Highly recommended quickest I have got thomrough an audio book of this length.

Just great

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i am the ceo of a medium enterprise. the daily issues were taking a toll on me. but thanks to this and his waking up app, i do not feel the extreme pains of anxieties, stresses, hatred nor anger as much anymore. i let them pass without much reaction, and simply work on getting solutions and focus on execution.
my thoughts, no matter how negative or toxic from my memory, just come and go in my conscience. oddly, my grandpa was a follower of ramana maharishi, and i called him today and spoke in depth of his 30 year journey in selflessness. love it. tq sam, for clearing the bullshit from faith based spirituality, and distilling for us logical minds a pure form of spirituality. all the best sir.

You will never be angry, anxious or stressed again

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This book discusses the nature of consciousness without dogma, instead using reason and first hand experiences available to anyone through introspection.
The part about split brain patients was particularly fascinating and enlightening.
As a negative, too much of the book is devoted to debunking bad ideas.
Great overall.

Great discussion on the nature of consciousness.

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Sam makes a strong and well-argued case for a a thoroughly reasonable spirituality with his uniquely humorous sober candour. He gently nudges you in to a desire to explore..

A solid case for a reasonable spirituality

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Beyond the clear and eloquent discussion on spirituality from a scientific perspective, Sam Harris' discourse on consciousness is presented with the open-mindedness and scientific rigour one would expect from him.

I was already on his side as it were before the listen, but also as usual there are many passages of worthy insights to take from Sam's experiences.

Enlightening listen

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