and it's something Sam Harris knows nothing about like every other Athiest who has no life except bashing religious people who couldn't care less what they think..
I like Sam but I found this to be rather empty and annoying. Achieving a state of mind where one is "at rest with what is happening right now" is not close to being possible for a human being. Anything close to happiness, in any meaningful sense, is impossible at length. This is the human condition. Sam's Buddhist stuff creeps into his thinking here. Lots of unsubstantiated positivity.
There are three steps that can lead you to such a state of mind (where neuroses and fear give way to happiness):
1) Be a hedonist: Enjoy good food, music, sex, ...
2) Find meaning: Dedicate your life to a higher cause. (Preferably not something like "spread the gospel" but e.g. fight poverty, protect the environment, help underprivileged children, organize an annual prog-rock concert, ... ^^)
3) Get active: Try to overcome obstacles and experience "the flow".
I would disagree that hedonism leads to happiness and diminishes neurosis. Where there is hedonism there is strong desire, and when the object of desire is absent there is unsatisfaction, frustration, even fear...I'm not saying don't have sex or listen to music or enjoy good food..do so because these are natural and enjoyable parts of life, but they cannot be the true source of your contentment. That must come from within
@ylordjanitor Sam said that he wants to change the fact that the terminology people use to describe meditation, happiness,transcendance or loss of ego all comes from religious ideas. He wants people to understand these concepts regardless of their beliefs.
But he certainly owes a debt of gratitude to various religious traditions (you can hear a lot of buddhist and perhaps taoist influence on some of his practical ideas) for obviously having shaped his beliefs and practices...I believe he would admit to that anyway. I feel like some 'intellectual' atheists advocate a type of buddhism minus the parts they dont like, reincarnation etc..The buddha himself said if some teaching is of no use to you, dont accept it. its all relative
To those asking how I manage without meds; I changed my way of thinking. It's simple/easy advice, but simple/easy advice is always the easiest not to follow. When you get down to it, how we think and talk to ourselves affects how we feel, and how we feel affects how we act. Cutting this short, there were 2 things that forced a turning point for me: The Now Habit by Neil Fiore, and the AJATT site by Khatzmono (it's for language learning, but I can not stress **enough** to go visit it).
@Ixandius Reading these two sources of advice will propel you along the correct path just as I was. Finishing this off, I don't use medications because they treat the symptom (chemical imbalance), not the cause (not knowing how to handle myself). It's like a case of nature vs nurture; here, it was the nurturing's lack of instruction on how to manage myself/thoughts. This worldwide pandemic of depression stems from our environment, not from our biology - that should be our first clue.
Let’s work to eradicate all religion. Conversely, begin a relationship with Jesus Christ today. You need to repent. Yes, you. Moreover, you should ask God for eternal forgiveness through applying the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to your life of sin within the quietness of your bedroom tonight. As an unrepentant sinner myself, I made this decision around 15 years ago. This is the most important decision that you could ever make. - Romans 10:9-10
So basically he is saying that being distracted from this world is where happiness comes from? I would argue that there is a greater level of happiness to be had when your hope is in something beyond this world. That happiness has hope, and will last a lifetime as opposed to a fleeting moment. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:13. If you search for this hope, I have absolute confidence that the Lord will honor your searching.
The present moment is the greatest gift that life gives us. It is the only thing we have at all times, the only real thing that never ends.Check out "Truth Contest", and read "The Present", to understand the nature of the present moment.
@0110mkultra00111 me graduating from college, i would consider it a short-lived joy (at best!), the memorable joys are all the crazy stuff i did with my friends and the experience of being in love, and those were not filters of anxiety at all. i could agree that we all have different ways to experience happines, but whats the point in living a plain life without stress?, you might as well lock yourself home and take diazepam for the rest of your life.
And what if you are in a roller-coaster?, for example, you would be feeling fear, anxyety... -well perhaps not neurosis-, but you would be having a great time too. So I think happiness is not bound to a complete absence of those aspects and living without complications. You wouldn't be suffering -on the upside-, but perhaps you could be bored. Happines perhaps ocurrs when you conquer those fears, anyety, and neurosis instead. But I don't know for sure, perhaps my answer is incomplete too.
As someone who has to deal with major depression on a day to day basis without the use of medications, I've never found anything to be more true. What a nugget of truth this is!
@Ixandius That's a powerful statement coming form someone who does suffer from this biological malady. A couple of friends of mine, dear to me, suffer from this. They work really hard to reach the state of peace. Without that, they would not be here, today.
@Ixandius I deal with major depression myself and I can't help ask why you don't use medication. As it turns out, I don't use any medication either, but this is only because none of them have worked for me. Has this also been your experience? What, if anything, helps you deal with depression.
@Ixandius I deal with major depression without medication as well. Letting go of anxiety is a very deep thing. The last 10 years, I hadn't realized that I was 100% anxious all the time, even when I'm asleep. A couple weeks ago, I finally found some truth. I was able to see my anxiety, to see my hatred I hold for myself, and because I was able to see it, I was able to fight it. This is pure truth Sam is talking about right here....
@corporacionmonstruo Some people become educated on the inflammatory side effects of anti-depressant drugs and decide not to go that route. This makes intuitive sense to me. Use good quality food, exercise, adequate sleep, and sunshine to improve your mood and your overall health. If you take the drugs, you are just covering up one health problem and causing another down the road.
@CountToBen " inflammatory side effects of anti-depressant drugs " WHAT ? lol,you don´t have a clue,psychoactive medications sometimes are the only way a lot of patients have a good and productive life,are you against Insulin too ?
@corporacionmonstruo I understand that sometimes the alternative to the drugs is a complete inability to function. I am not saying people shouldn't do anything about depression. I am saying they should be on the drugs for as little time as possible (if at all) as they improve their overall health. The drugs have very serious side effects. I am against long-term use of insulin for type II diabetes as well. It causes weight gain, hormonal imbalances, and does not begin to solve the root cause.
@CountToBen "The drugs have very serious side effects. I am against long-term use of insulin for type II diabetes as well. It causes weight gain, hormonal imbalances, and does not begin to solve the root cause." you are a clown.case closed.
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awhitesoul2012 4 days ago
very interesting sum up imo ;)
never noticed how everything happy I feel typically results in me not focusing on anything really serious or pressing
therealjordiano 1 week ago
and it's something Sam Harris knows nothing about like every other Athiest who has no life except bashing religious people who couldn't care less what they think..
ubermisogynist 1 week ago
I like Sam but I found this to be rather empty and annoying. Achieving a state of mind where one is "at rest with what is happening right now" is not close to being possible for a human being. Anything close to happiness, in any meaningful sense, is impossible at length. This is the human condition. Sam's Buddhist stuff creeps into his thinking here. Lots of unsubstantiated positivity.
blahguylol 1 week ago
@blahguylol You sir are an ididot good day.
TheMidwestsk8ter 4 days ago
@TheMidwestsk8ter Make an argument.
blahguylol 1 day ago
@blahguylol Don't have to your statement proves my point.
TheMidwestsk8ter 1 day ago
There are three steps that can lead you to such a state of mind (where neuroses and fear give way to happiness):
1) Be a hedonist: Enjoy good food, music, sex, ...
2) Find meaning: Dedicate your life to a higher cause. (Preferably not something like "spread the gospel" but e.g. fight poverty, protect the environment, help underprivileged children, organize an annual prog-rock concert, ... ^^)
3) Get active: Try to overcome obstacles and experience "the flow".
Good luck!
thofou76 1 week ago
@thofou76
I would disagree that hedonism leads to happiness and diminishes neurosis. Where there is hedonism there is strong desire, and when the object of desire is absent there is unsatisfaction, frustration, even fear...I'm not saying don't have sex or listen to music or enjoy good food..do so because these are natural and enjoyable parts of life, but they cannot be the true source of your contentment. That must come from within
bradley1107 1 day ago
sounds like buddhism to me?
ylordjanitor 3 weeks ago
@ylordjanitor Sam said that he wants to change the fact that the terminology people use to describe meditation, happiness,transcendance or loss of ego all comes from religious ideas. He wants people to understand these concepts regardless of their beliefs.
mattdd05 3 weeks ago
@mattdd05
But he certainly owes a debt of gratitude to various religious traditions (you can hear a lot of buddhist and perhaps taoist influence on some of his practical ideas) for obviously having shaped his beliefs and practices...I believe he would admit to that anyway. I feel like some 'intellectual' atheists advocate a type of buddhism minus the parts they dont like, reincarnation etc..The buddha himself said if some teaching is of no use to you, dont accept it. its all relative
bradley1107 1 day ago
To those asking how I manage without meds; I changed my way of thinking. It's simple/easy advice, but simple/easy advice is always the easiest not to follow. When you get down to it, how we think and talk to ourselves affects how we feel, and how we feel affects how we act. Cutting this short, there were 2 things that forced a turning point for me: The Now Habit by Neil Fiore, and the AJATT site by Khatzmono (it's for language learning, but I can not stress **enough** to go visit it).
Ixandius 3 weeks ago
@Ixandius Reading these two sources of advice will propel you along the correct path just as I was. Finishing this off, I don't use medications because they treat the symptom (chemical imbalance), not the cause (not knowing how to handle myself). It's like a case of nature vs nurture; here, it was the nurturing's lack of instruction on how to manage myself/thoughts. This worldwide pandemic of depression stems from our environment, not from our biology - that should be our first clue.
Ixandius 3 weeks ago
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Let’s work to eradicate all religion. Conversely, begin a relationship with Jesus Christ today. You need to repent. Yes, you. Moreover, you should ask God for eternal forgiveness through applying the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to your life of sin within the quietness of your bedroom tonight. As an unrepentant sinner myself, I made this decision around 15 years ago. This is the most important decision that you could ever make. - Romans 10:9-10
paularenas26 3 weeks ago
So basically he is saying that being distracted from this world is where happiness comes from? I would argue that there is a greater level of happiness to be had when your hope is in something beyond this world. That happiness has hope, and will last a lifetime as opposed to a fleeting moment. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:13. If you search for this hope, I have absolute confidence that the Lord will honor your searching.
drewbud8706 3 weeks ago in playlist Uploaded videos
he said having sex, but didn't giggle...
YouTrolol 3 weeks ago in playlist Uploaded videos 4
how do i get started with vipassana?
s0348953 1 month ago
I never realized how neurotic I am.
rossplendent 1 month ago
This is so true!
valkyriefrost 1 month ago
The present moment is the greatest gift that life gives us. It is the only thing we have at all times, the only real thing that never ends.Check out "Truth Contest", and read "The Present", to understand the nature of the present moment.
honkhonkbeep69 1 month ago
True happiness is the absence of unhappiness
Phyrexious 1 month ago
I've read A Letter To A Christian Nation and I'm very happy to find he's also into spirituality. Yay!
Tengent 1 month ago
@fuck192ass he has a degree in philosophy as well
Freethinker12341 1 month ago
he scares me.
desasterz 1 month ago
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@desasterz he has a degree in philosophy as well
Coffeeisnecessary 1 month ago
wow this guy took a big does of NZT to potray this clearly.
yppers 2 months ago
That's why college is an unhappy place!
Coffeeisnecessary 2 months ago
@Coffeeisnecessary ???
Freethinker12341 1 month ago
@0110mkultra00111 Just curious, what makes you disagree? What would your response be to the same question?
Y2KillerSPOOBLY 3 months ago
I totally agree! :)
fernandatralala 3 months ago
This video helps explain why generally children are quite effortlessly happy :D
GiveCourage 3 months ago
get this while listening to music and while making it.
DaveParnell24 3 months ago
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Wow. Just amazing, I think you just changed my life.
penguin4four 4 months ago
This video made my happy. I'd say enlightenment is another thing which distracts you from fear, anxiety etc...
Great work Sam
someonetoogoodforyou 4 months ago
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stripthatfatweightlo 4 months ago
Such a great mind and he always delivers with clarity and concision.
tyroy57 6 months ago 34
@0110mkultra00111 me graduating from college, i would consider it a short-lived joy (at best!), the memorable joys are all the crazy stuff i did with my friends and the experience of being in love, and those were not filters of anxiety at all. i could agree that we all have different ways to experience happines, but whats the point in living a plain life without stress?, you might as well lock yourself home and take diazepam for the rest of your life.
cool nickname btw
machib77 7 months ago
And what if you are in a roller-coaster?, for example, you would be feeling fear, anxyety... -well perhaps not neurosis-, but you would be having a great time too. So I think happiness is not bound to a complete absence of those aspects and living without complications. You wouldn't be suffering -on the upside-, but perhaps you could be bored. Happines perhaps ocurrs when you conquer those fears, anyety, and neurosis instead. But I don't know for sure, perhaps my answer is incomplete too.
machib77 7 months ago
As someone who has to deal with major depression on a day to day basis without the use of medications, I've never found anything to be more true. What a nugget of truth this is!
Ixandius 7 months ago 40
@Ixandius That's a powerful statement coming form someone who does suffer from this biological malady. A couple of friends of mine, dear to me, suffer from this. They work really hard to reach the state of peace. Without that, they would not be here, today.
truvelocity 7 months ago
@Ixandius I deal with major depression myself and I can't help ask why you don't use medication. As it turns out, I don't use any medication either, but this is only because none of them have worked for me. Has this also been your experience? What, if anything, helps you deal with depression.
redirishmanxlt 3 months ago
Comment removed
tpstrat14 2 months ago
@Ixandius I deal with major depression without medication as well. Letting go of anxiety is a very deep thing. The last 10 years, I hadn't realized that I was 100% anxious all the time, even when I'm asleep. A couple weeks ago, I finally found some truth. I was able to see my anxiety, to see my hatred I hold for myself, and because I was able to see it, I was able to fight it. This is pure truth Sam is talking about right here....
tpstrat14 2 months ago
@Ixandius I hope you have gotten better my friend.
SelfAware1 2 months ago
@Ixandius why without medication ?
corporacionmonstruo 1 month ago
@corporacionmonstruo Some people become educated on the inflammatory side effects of anti-depressant drugs and decide not to go that route. This makes intuitive sense to me. Use good quality food, exercise, adequate sleep, and sunshine to improve your mood and your overall health. If you take the drugs, you are just covering up one health problem and causing another down the road.
CountToBen 1 month ago
@CountToBen " inflammatory side effects of anti-depressant drugs " WHAT ? lol,you don´t have a clue,psychoactive medications sometimes are the only way a lot of patients have a good and productive life,are you against Insulin too ?
corporacionmonstruo 1 month ago
@corporacionmonstruo I understand that sometimes the alternative to the drugs is a complete inability to function. I am not saying people shouldn't do anything about depression. I am saying they should be on the drugs for as little time as possible (if at all) as they improve their overall health. The drugs have very serious side effects. I am against long-term use of insulin for type II diabetes as well. It causes weight gain, hormonal imbalances, and does not begin to solve the root cause.
CountToBen 1 month ago
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@CountToBen "The drugs have very serious side effects. I am against long-term use of insulin for type II diabetes as well. It causes weight gain, hormonal imbalances, and does not begin to solve the root cause." you are a clown.case closed.
corporacionmonstruo 1 month ago
@Ixandius dude i was depressive too and sertralin helped me a lot
diekontrolleure 3 weeks ago
@Ixandius Depression has a lot to do with expectations and nutrion.
TheMidwestsk8ter 2 weeks ago