Sam Harris points to the threat to liberal democracies globally, the ongoing conflict between Israel and her neighbors, the potential for war with Iran, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, the war in Ukraine, and the simmering hostility between the US and China. He also mentions the possibility of World War III starting unnoticed.
Sam Harris is concerned about Donald Trump's return to the White House due to his controversial nominations, such as Pete Hegseth for the Department of Defense and Matt Gaetz for the Department of Justice, which he views as acts of vandalism. Harris also criticizes Trump's normalization of extreme behavior and his failure to act during the January 6th Capitol attack.
Sam Harris warns that mob behavior can lead to horrific outcomes, citing historical examples like the French Revolution. He emphasizes that normal individuals can act monstrously in a mob, and questions what might have happened if the January 6th rioters had succeeded in capturing political leaders like Mike Pence or Nancy Pelosi.
Sam Harris's New Year's resolution is to live the year as if it were his last. He plans to focus on what truly matters, prioritize meaningful experiences, and avoid regrets by asking himself whether he would do something if he knew 2025 would be his final year.
Sam Harris describes meditation as non-distraction, a practice of noticing what is already present rather than adding something new. He emphasizes that real meditation is about recognizing the nature of the mind and experiencing life as it is, free from mental distortions and unnecessary thoughts.
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Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up) app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.