I want to point to just a handful of my favorite conversations from the Waking Up app. I’m not sponsored or anything like that. I just think it’s a great resource. Thanks goes to Sam Harris for creating such a valuable channel. If you’re interested in diving deep into self-understanding through the lens of meditation, this is a great tool to accompany you on your journey.

Jack Kornfield – Reflections on the Path

Jack Kornfield is one of the original teachers who introduced meditation to the West. I found this conversation valuable due to Jack’s understanding of integration and enlightenment. His warm words on the subject are pointed, clear, and loving. This is an episode worthy of revisit.

Rupert Spira – The Nature of Awareness

I first learned about Rupert’s non-dual teachings via this engaging conversation. Rupert shares his view that consciousness is primary, challenging the materialist worldview. This irritates Sam and the winding exchange proves insightful towards understanding nonduality and direct teachings. While it takes a while for Sam and Rupert to find common footing, mostly in the necessity of stabilization, the journey is well worth the listen.

Mark Coleman – The Natural State

Mark Coleman is a meditation teacher and wilderness guide. His story had me tuned in from the very beginning—we seemed to share a lot in common. He first found vipassana, then Dzogchen, and then finally combined the two techniques in nature. In this episode, Mark speaks on the value of practicing meditation in nature, allowing nature to be his guiding principle, and combining dualistic and non-dualistic insight. If you’re into outdoorsy stuff like me, this conversation is for you.

Loch Kelly

Loch Kelly is the man from whom I heard my first pointing out instruction. I’d been practicing my own version of effortless awareness for months, which primed me for his guidance and opened the door to deeper understanding. You can choose to listen to Loch Kelly and Sam’s conversation here, but I also recommend his Effortless Mindfulness series under the ‘Practice’ tab of the Waking Up app. There, you’ll find a series of ten short guided meditation episodes.

Joseph Goldstein – The Stages of Enlightenment

Here we have one of my favorite meditation teachers, Joseph Goldstein. Joseph offers a well of insight into the necessity of maintaining a gradual mediation practice, the differences between vipassana and Dzogchen, challenges the notion that mental defilements can be permanently uprooted, and much more. There’s lots of laughs and plenty of insights to be had. If you don’t know Joseph, now is your opportunity.

Thanks for reading and listening. If you have any episodes you loved, please share them in the comments below.

Much Love,

David

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like these blog posts:

• My Waking Up Experience, Thanks to an App
• My Experience with Vipassana Meditation: Four Years of Insights, Hindrances & What’s Next
• How to Prepare for a Weekend Solo Retreat
• The Story Behind True Nature: What I Learned About Love & Enlightenment
• Real Happiness: Understanding the Root of Suffering
• How to Protect and Cultivate Attention

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