50 Days of Meditation: A Review of the Waking Up App from Sam Harris

Summary

The speaker shares their experience after completing a 50-day meditation journey using the Sam Harris 'Waking Up' app, which they found superior to other apps like Headspace for its depth. They clarify that meditation isn't about silencing the mind but becoming aware of its constant activity. The 'Waking Up' app guided them through various techniques, emphasizing mindfulness and the importance of non-judgmental awareness. The benefits highlighted include calmness, mental clarity, and the ability to separate the observer from the experience. The speaker recommends the app for its comprehensive approach and encourages finding a meditation practice that works for each individual.

Takeaways

• 🧘 The speaker completed a 50-day meditation journey using the Sam Harris 'Waking Up' app and shares their insights without sponsorship.
• 🌟 They found the 'Waking Up' app to be the most beneficial for their practice, but also appreciates 'Headspace' for its foundational techniques.
• 📈 The speaker started meditating in 2012 and has used various apps, noting that 'Headspace' was limited in its techniques after a year of use.
• 💡 Meditation is often misunderstood as silencing the mind, but the true purpose is to become aware of the constant occurrences within one's mind.
• 🌀 The speaker recommends a 10-second exercise to focus on breathing, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining focus and the natural tendency to get distracted.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Meditation is likened to a workout, where each time one returns focus to the breath after being distracted, it's akin to completing a rep.
• 💪 The benefits of meditation include improved calmness, centeredness, and the ability to recognize that one is not every thought that comes to mind.
• 💰 The 'Waking Up' app offers a 10-day free trial, after which a subscription is required, ranging from $8-12 per month or $100 annually.
• 🌱 The app's introductory program guides users through various techniques, emphasizing the importance of non-judgmental awareness of one's experiences.
• 👀 The 'Waking Up' app also introduces techniques for expanding awareness, including focusing on different areas each day and integrating them into a cohesive practice.
• 🌈 The speaker encourages finding what works for the individual, emphasizing that meditation can be practiced anywhere and under any circumstances.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video transcript?

The purpose of the video transcript is to share the insights gained from using the Sam Harris 'Waking Up' app for a 50-day meditation journey and to discuss the concept of mindfulness and meditation.

Why did the speaker choose the Sam Harris 'Waking Up' app over other meditation apps?

The speaker chose the 'Waking Up' app because they felt it helped them reach a new level of meditation and mindfulness, offering techniques beyond the basics found in other apps like Headspace.

What is the common misconception about meditation mentioned in the transcript?

The common misconception is that meditation is about silencing the mind and thoughts, which the speaker advises against, especially for beginners.

What is the recommended exercise for beginners to try in the transcript?

The recommended exercise is to focus on breathing for five breaths in and out, using this as a way to become aware of distractions and the natural flow of thoughts.

How does the speaker describe the benefits of meditation in terms of mental health?

The speaker describes meditation as a mental exercise that can lead to calmness, centeredness, and the ability to observe thoughts and feelings without reacting to them, thus improving mental health.

What is the cost of the Sam Harris 'Waking Up' app after the free trial?

After the free trial, the app costs about 8 to 12 dollars a month or $100 per year, which the speaker acknowledges as being steep for some people.

What is the main goal of the first stage in meditation according to the transcript?

The main goal of the first stage in meditation is to develop a lack of judgment about what is being experienced, simply being aware of what is taking place inside the mind without labeling it as good or bad.

How does the 'Waking Up' app guide users through meditation?

The 'Waking Up' app guides users through various techniques, starting with basic meditation focusing on breathing, and then expanding awareness by focusing on different areas each day, slowly weaving them together.

What is the role of the observer in meditation as described in the transcript?

The role of the observer in meditation is to maintain a separation from the experience, allowing one to observe feelings and sensations without directly reacting to them, thus building distance and disentangling the observer from the experience.

What additional meditation techniques does the 'Waking Up' app introduce beyond basic breathing focus?

The app introduces techniques such as expanding awareness to all five senses and a sixth sense, including physical sensations, hearing, and vision, allowing users to observe these perceptions as objects of meditation.

What advice does the speaker give regarding finding the right meditation method?

The speaker advises that one should find what works best for them, emphasizing that meditation can be done anywhere and under any circumstances without the need for apps or specific tools.