Waking Up

by Sam Haris

Genres: Nonfiction

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Lisa Kalenkiewicz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Sam Harris at an earlier time in my life and disliked his pompous attitude and reductionist narrative. I have changed a lot since then so when someone important to me recommended harass Haley I decided to give him another try, picking up this book and checking out his podcast by the same name.
I still can’t stand him. His supercilious tone and sweeping generalizations bore me, which is unfortunate because I think he is a smart guy with very interesting fields of research and intellectual engagement. I might find him entertaining if he weren’t such an asshole. I still don’t think I would like this book, however, because it is jumbled and rambling and I don’t know what he is trying to communicate.
My TL/DR summary of this book:
Religious gurus are shams, and you don’t need religion to have mind-blowing experiences. Try meditation and LSD.

[Kunal Sen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always wanted to hear someone explain meditation without the distraction of religion. This is finally that book, which talks about spiritualism without the supernatural. It is not a neuroscience book that is trying to explain the effects of meditation, but rather the personal experiences of a rational atheist describing his experiences of a lifetime of chasing the ultimate goals of meditation. He describes his encounters with meditation, psychedelic drug use, and spiritual practices, to better understand the nature of our consciousness and our sense of self. He makes a really compelling case, where I truly feel like giving it a try, but he also makes it clear the the efforts involved are enormous. The chemical path is easy, but it is random and undirected.

[Mitch Olson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to like this book and I was right so no surprises there :-). Sam Harris is the suicide bomber of atheists. So dogmatic and such a fundamentalist that his hyperbole and disrespect for others knows no bounds. The irony of this is he sees himself as the epitome of rationality. I think he obviously had a very troubled childhood as his vitriol for anyone different than him is truly a holy crusade for him. He doesn’t stand for anything so much as he stands against anything he hasn’t experienced in his own life or can’t imagine. In short Sam Harris is a dick and this book is best left as material for him and his psychotherapist to sift through.

[Niels Skriver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Sam Harris is an incredibly insightful individual. I’ve enjoyed listening to him reading this audio book to me in his own voice, & I was fully invested throughout

[Alexandru Morariu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book challenged me, especially because I'm a non-atheist and I deeply love everything that Mr.Harris criticizes and dislikes about religions, such as the metaphysics and lore. That said, I do see it as lore and it fascinates me in the same way a good fantasy world fascinates me. I think there's value in it. Mr.Harris disagrees and instead spends most of the time focusing on the core issue that many of these ancient stories point to: namely the absence of an 'I'. This is a very powerful idea and extremely difficult to understand or contemplate. Hence, the need, in my opinion, for stories and lore.
So I didn't exactly like this book, but the fact that I didn't like it made me like it. It's worth a read for those interested in the topic of meditation. But don't stop here, is my advice.

[Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a book on meditation that was solid. No fluffy, dreamy new age waffle. It was historical, critical, up to date and put meditation in a modern context. Really helpful.

I’ve read the audiobook, listening to the theory lessons and I’m in the middle of the 50 day course on the Waking Up App. It’s all good for me.

[Gleb Kalinin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a good recap of many things I already know about meditation, psychedelics and mind in general, but I didn’t understand why he has spend so much time attacking gurus and people’s so called after-life reports. I would expect it to be much more practical. I guess for practical part one should try Sam’s app of the same title.

[Debbie Corson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will work on meditation because of the scientific studies which show improvement to the brain. I thought he really made an argument that no one is really enlightened no matter how long they have worked at it. Made me wonder if you really are your thoughts and meditation just keeps them in check.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this audiobook to be informative and educational. This is likely in spite of the fact that I did not create the ideal listening experience, given that I almost exclusively listened while out running and at double the recorded speed, both of which seem somewhat counter to the intent of a book about meditation and the examination of the self without succumbing to the distractions around you. The author/narrator writes and speaks clearly, and while he may sound dismissive of the beliefs held by some, he generally does a thorough job of explaining how he arrived at that position and why he believes he is justified in that perspective.

While it did not change my life, I do feel more knowledgeable about the subject of consciousness, the self, and how we experience the world. I discovered Sam Harris through his podcast (formerly by the same name, but now the Making Sense Podcast) and it did feel as if it was in the same vein as much of what he discusses there.

I have not in the past, nor do I plan on dedicating myself to a serious pursuit of meditation or exploration via psychedelics, but I did relate to some of his descriptions of spiritual experiences in a religious context. It was quite interesting to explore what might have triggered such experiences, and how they can occur in the absence of that religious context.

[James Karalus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not bad, I'm not exactly sure how to interpret everything it contains but I do like a book that leaves me a place of wanting to know more. This book achieved that on some subjects I don't know very well. So yeah it's worth a read.

[James Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cerebral, scientific, secular look at meditation and improving your consciousness. Having read some other books on meditation I appreciated the less spiritual take on it.

[Daniel Cryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very important book

[Thushar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its amazing the amount of clarity Sam Harris possesses regarding his insights. A very interesting guide to spirituality without the need for believing in mumbo jumbo.

[Christopher Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good justify about how meditation is important in your life.
It has a deep research, many may find interesting, many other may find it boring.