Episode
824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
1:01:44
Published: Wed Jul 17 2019
Description
THERE IS JUST CONSCIOUSNESS AND ITS CONTENTS. When you’re dreaming, you don’t know that you’re asleep. You’re caught up in the dream. That’s how most of us go through life. We’re unaware that we’re not actually experiencing the things we are feeling. But you can break the spell in a moment with meditation. When you become present, you’re no longer asleep. It’s time to wake up. On today’s episode of The School of Greatness, I continue my conversation on meditation and mindfulness with one of the greatest thinkers of our time: Sam Harris. Sam Harris is a New York Times best-selling author, podcast host, and creator of the Waking Up Course. His books include The End of Faith, Letter to a Christian Nation, The Moral Landscape, Free Will, Lying, Waking Up, and Islam and the Future of Tolerance (with Maajid Nawaz). The End of Faith won the 2005 PEN Award for Nonfiction. His writing and public lectures cover a wide range of topics—neuroscience, moral philosophy, religion, meditation practice, human violence, rationality—but generally focus on how a growing understanding of ourselves and the world is changing our sense of how we should live. Sam shares that when he experiences emotions like anger to sadness, he becomes interested in the emotion. He observes his body’s reaction and tries to distance himself from the feelings. So get ready to learn how mindfulness can end suffering on Episode 824. Some Questions I Ask: How do you eliminate worry? (49:00) How do we stay satisfied in an unsatisfied world? (1:07:00) When do you feel the most loved? (1:15:00) What’s the one lesson you want to teach your kids? (1:21:00) What’s the question you wish you had the answer to? (1:31:00) What are you most proud of? (1:40:00) In This Episode You Will Learn: The landmarks for mindfulness (53:00) Why the feeling of self is an illusion (54:00) The hardest part of meditation (01:11:00) What death has meant in Sam’s life (01:37:00) If you enjoyed this episode, check out the show notes, video, and more at http://lewishowes.com/824 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes
Chapters
In this podcast episode, Sam Harris shares insights on eliminating worry, recognizing consciousness, and experiencing real love.
00:00 - 02:11 (02:11)
Summary
In this podcast episode, Sam Harris shares insights on eliminating worry, recognizing consciousness, and experiencing real love. He also talks about how facing one's own mortality can bring more happiness.
Episode824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
PodcastThe School of Greatness
The podcast episode talks about how meditation can help people gain perspective and bring consciousness to their experiences before thought or concepts come into play.
02:11 - 07:37 (05:26)
Summary
The podcast episode talks about how meditation can help people gain perspective and bring consciousness to their experiences before thought or concepts come into play.
Episode824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
PodcastThe School of Greatness
The practice of mindfulness involves punctuating life with brief moments of observation, where one is fully present and aware of their surroundings.
07:37 - 12:59 (05:21)
Summary
The practice of mindfulness involves punctuating life with brief moments of observation, where one is fully present and aware of their surroundings.
Episode824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
PodcastThe School of Greatness
The search for contentment can be found by learning to be present in the moment rather than constantly desiring what's coming next.
12:59 - 17:40 (04:41)
Summary
The search for contentment can be found by learning to be present in the moment rather than constantly desiring what's coming next. The key is to relax into the current experience and fulfill desires in order to let go of them.
Episode824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
PodcastThe School of Greatness
The speaker reflects on their past experience with perfectionism and their obsession with achieving their goals and how dissatisfaction can be a part of the journey.
17:40 - 21:01 (03:21)
Summary
The speaker reflects on their past experience with perfectionism and their obsession with achieving their goals and how dissatisfaction can be a part of the journey.
Episode824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
PodcastThe School of Greatness
The experience of pain, especially intense pain, can be a challenge to understand but it is important to recognize the difference between the experience of pain and the reality of pain.
21:01 - 26:33 (05:32)
Summary
The experience of pain, especially intense pain, can be a challenge to understand but it is important to recognize the difference between the experience of pain and the reality of pain.
Episode824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
PodcastThe School of Greatness
This episode explores the emotions of envy and joy within friendships.
26:33 - 32:12 (05:39)
Summary
This episode explores the emotions of envy and joy within friendships. It delves into how envy when others succeed can be detrimental to relationships, while joy can strengthen them.
Episode824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
PodcastThe School of Greatness
A discussion on the repercussions of lying and the importance of honesty from an interview with an author and professor.
32:12 - 36:44 (04:32)
Summary
A discussion on the repercussions of lying and the importance of honesty from an interview with an author and professor.
Episode824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
PodcastThe School of Greatness
In this episode, the speaker talks about the value of being radically honest in relationship with the people around us and how it can change the dynamics of interactions with others and ourselves.
36:44 - 40:38 (03:53)
Summary
In this episode, the speaker talks about the value of being radically honest in relationship with the people around us and how it can change the dynamics of interactions with others and ourselves.
Episode824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
PodcastThe School of Greatness
The speaker shares about their philosophical concerns about life and death since the age of 13, triggered by the death of someone they knew.
40:38 - 48:33 (07:55)
Summary
The speaker shares about their philosophical concerns about life and death since the age of 13, triggered by the death of someone they knew. They mention having some experiences that answered some of those concerns when they were 18 years old.
Episode824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
PodcastThe School of Greatness
The world needs to organize society in a way to better incentivize people to behave well towards each other, as many of the problems and misery stem from poorly aligned incentives.
48:33 - 56:39 (08:06)
Summary
The world needs to organize society in a way to better incentivize people to behave well towards each other, as many of the problems and misery stem from poorly aligned incentives.
Episode824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
PodcastThe School of Greatness
The speaker acknowledges Sam Harris for his valuable work in researching and analyzing ideas that can help people overcome struggles and discover new ways of thinking.
56:39 - 1:00:36 (03:57)
Summary
The speaker acknowledges Sam Harris for his valuable work in researching and analyzing ideas that can help people overcome struggles and discover new ways of thinking. The speaker admires his intelligence and willingness to dive into controversial topics.
Episode824 Suffering vs. Satisfaction with Sam Harris, Part 2
PodcastThe School of Greatness
The speaker emphasizes the importance of controlling thoughts in order to find peace in one's mind, body, and life.
1:00:36 - 1:01:19 (00:43)
Summary
The speaker emphasizes the importance of controlling thoughts in order to find peace in one's mind, body, and life. The reference to Gandhi's quote, "I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet," serves as a reminder to not let negativity take hold of one's thoughts.