Thank you Aaron for doing this interview. It is very interesting to approach our modern age with all its flaws and virtues from the perspective of the Buddhist view. The teachings of the Buddha have never been so valuable as in our current digital age especially since we are seeing a convergence in various aspects between modern science and Buddhism on matters such as psychology, quantum physics and a variety of other topics. Human evolution will hopefully bring us to a collective comprehension of what awakening from delusion and suffering truly means.
I've recently read Wright's book "Why Buddhism is True" that explains in detail the concepts & ideas that are summarized in this interview. The information presented in that book is the most clearly described and structured model of how the human mind makes the choices that guide our behavior that I have ever encountered. It is not a religious book as the subtitle suggests. Rather, it offers a view of how the mind functions that is in accord with some of the current views in the fields of, neuroscience, biology’s’s and psychology especially as they relate to beliefs, feelings and suffering. This book offers a clear and forceful description of human reasoning that provides light for his problems and conflicts that humanity faces, both past and present. I am 75 years old and did doctoral work in psychology and sociology.
Luke O'Brien There aren't many people bridging the gap between evolutionary psychology & ancient thought, that was why it was intellectually stimulating - it had little to do with Sam, other than he knows how to frame questions better than most. You should probably meditate more often.
It's a bit confusing: Robert Wright writes a book titled, "Why Buddhism Is True," but then guides people toward a type of mindful meditation that takes Buddhism out of the practice, thus neutering the practice of its most valuable part.
as an atheist and given the recent events of Buddhist extremists oppressing the Rohinga, and the Hindu gurus and Buddhist yoga people oppressing muslims in india and conserving caste system, I resist anyone anointing one thesim above another especially a Western diluted version of what Buddhism is. that being said I really enjoyed Aaron's strong point which can't be overlooked about how its easy for people to prop up mindfulness, and Buddhist or eastern religion's special retreats when and if your rich enough to do it whereas others have to protest and go on strike and risk whatever livelihood they do have because some capitalist jerk offs and other oppressors believe "some animals are more equal then others". that being said I recently read this article in the Australian independent online newsoutlet New Matilda about mindfulness and people should read it. newmatilda.com/2017/08/08/rethinking-mindfulness-putting-the-politics-back-into-mental-health/ and if I can recommend a book or two check out David Edwards a British media critic who co-founded the popular UK media watchdog site Media Lens www.medialens.org subscribe and donate generously check out his two books on politics, the human condition and so fourth Free to be Human and The Compassionate Revolution: Buddhism and Radical Politics.
Wright's underlying contention seems to be that Buddhism lies at loggerheads with the evolutionary process of survival, progress and even procreation. This is absolutely wrong. Buddhism is not a teaching divorced from practical life but meant to be a tool to enhance life in its myriad variety, including progress and procreation. Buddhism is eminently practical, efficient and clear. The student of buddhism seeks to see reality as it is, without delusion or wishful thinking. Seeing things as they are helps one live life, not avoid it. The goal of buddhism is not indifference, apathy and mental/emotional torpor. Buddhism is not meant to be passive but active. The difference is the underlying motivation: love and compassion as opposed to greed/ego. Buddhism does not shun feelings and emotions. What buddhists do is see feelings and emotions, thoughts and ideas, things and objects, for what they really are. Viewed in its proper place and perspective, the buddhist is free to "play" in the "playground of life" with absolute freedom. Unfortunately, the modern Western trend seems to be to reduce buddhism to a kind of yoga for the mind. Meditation is a relaxation/concentration exercise. This is very incomplete, misleading and a gross simplification.
Buddha preached philosophy that was already in existence in Hindu philosophy of bagavat gita, Upanishads and yoga by patanjali rishi and many other monks
Yes 400 yes latter followers of Buddha started a new religion as Buddhism and before there is no such concept as religions in India, because in ancient India, people are free to practice different ways to seek spiritual enlightenment
Octavus5 in ancient India, there is no such thing as Hinduism, that identity is given by people from middle east after crossing the Indus river, called people on other side as such,
The Buddha has zip to do with 'natural selection'. Personal karma, will and volition are far more influential than any scientific construct invented to relieve individuals of personal responsibility. This is a massively wild hip shot as far as man as victim of life (natural selection) is concerned. Mindfulness and meditation bring clarity to that which humans have lost within fears, emotions as deflection from reality and any other _inventions_ this civilization's runaway enthusiasms have promulgated.
Ja Ha yes it is . It is smart and interesting to know a little bit about budhism, because it deals with understanding greed, which I think is the endgoal of this interview
Thank you Aaron for doing this interview.
It is very interesting to approach our modern age with all its flaws and virtues from the perspective of the Buddhist view.
The teachings of the Buddha have never been so valuable as in our current digital age especially since we are seeing a convergence in various aspects between modern science and Buddhism on matters such as psychology, quantum physics and a variety of other topics.
Human evolution will hopefully bring us to a collective comprehension of what awakening from delusion and suffering truly means.
Very happy with the interviewer for asking all the right, relevant and penetrating questions. Thanks for the interview
I've recently read Wright's book "Why Buddhism is True" that explains in detail the concepts & ideas that are summarized in this interview. The information presented in that book is the most clearly described and structured model of how the human mind makes the choices that guide our behavior that I have ever encountered. It is not a religious book as the subtitle suggests. Rather, it offers a view of how the mind functions that is in accord with some of the current views in the fields of, neuroscience, biology’s’s and psychology especially as they relate to beliefs, feelings and suffering. This book offers a clear and forceful description of human reasoning that provides light for his problems and conflicts that humanity faces, both past and present. I am 75 years old and did doctoral work in psychology and sociology.
It's not the destination, it's the journey that enlightens the traveler.
Meditation and Yoga are the best cure for addiction and consumism which are basically same
Or you can also raise your vibration by giving up animal sacrifice. Compassion is the most sure path.
Thank you for mentioning it’s more privileged ppl that have access to time and money for such things as retreats.
Thank you Aaron.
This was a intellectually-stimulating interviewee on 'Waking Up' - Sam Harris podcast
Progress Holistic "Intellectually-stimulating."
Yep, you can tell you're a Harrisbot.
Luke O'Brien For liking Robert Wright? Get over yourself, chump.
Luke O'Brien There aren't many people bridging the gap between evolutionary psychology & ancient thought, that was why it was intellectually stimulating - it had little to do with Sam, other than he knows how to frame questions better than most.
You should probably meditate more often.
It's a bit confusing: Robert Wright writes a book titled, "Why Buddhism Is True," but then guides people toward a type of mindful meditation that takes Buddhism out of the practice, thus neutering the practice of its most valuable part.
aung san suu kyi probably should meditate more; or for that matter, the Buddhist monks in Myanmar.
Interesting interview.
as an atheist and given the recent events of Buddhist extremists oppressing the Rohinga, and the Hindu gurus and Buddhist yoga people oppressing muslims in india and conserving caste system, I resist anyone anointing one thesim above another especially a Western diluted version of what Buddhism is. that being said I really enjoyed Aaron's strong point which can't be overlooked about how its easy for people to prop up mindfulness, and Buddhist or eastern religion's special retreats when and if your rich enough to do it whereas others have to protest and go on strike and risk whatever livelihood they do have because some capitalist jerk offs and other oppressors believe "some animals are more equal then others". that being said I recently read this article in the Australian independent online newsoutlet New Matilda about mindfulness and people should read it. newmatilda.com/2017/08/08/rethinking-mindfulness-putting-the-politics-back-into-mental-health/ and if I can recommend a book or two check out David Edwards a British media critic who co-founded the popular UK media watchdog site Media Lens www.medialens.org subscribe and donate generously check out his two books on politics, the human condition and so fourth Free to be Human and The Compassionate Revolution: Buddhism and Radical Politics.
Wright's underlying contention seems to be that Buddhism lies at loggerheads with the evolutionary process of survival, progress and even procreation. This is absolutely wrong.
Buddhism is not a teaching divorced from practical life but meant to be a tool to enhance life in its myriad variety, including progress and procreation.
Buddhism is eminently practical, efficient and clear. The student of buddhism seeks to see reality as it is, without delusion or wishful thinking. Seeing things as they are helps one live life, not avoid it.
The goal of buddhism is not indifference, apathy and mental/emotional torpor. Buddhism is not meant to be passive but active. The difference is the underlying motivation: love and compassion as opposed to greed/ego.
Buddhism does not shun feelings and emotions. What buddhists do is see feelings and emotions, thoughts and ideas, things and objects, for what they really are. Viewed in its proper place and perspective, the buddhist is free to "play" in the "playground of life" with absolute freedom.
Unfortunately, the modern Western trend seems to be to reduce buddhism to a kind of yoga for the mind. Meditation is a relaxation/concentration exercise. This is very incomplete, misleading and a gross simplification.
Cool! Religious scholars...How about one on Gnosis? Maybe Karen Armstrong talking about Christian Gnosticism?
Buddha preached philosophy that was already in existence in Hindu philosophy of bagavat gita, Upanishads and yoga by patanjali rishi and many other monks
So, Buddhism said nothing new that then HInduism already said?
Yes 400 yes latter followers of Buddha started a new religion as Buddhism and before there is no such concept as religions in India, because in ancient India, people are free to practice different ways to seek spiritual enlightenment
It can't be a new religion if everything in buddhism was already said in Hinduism.
Octavus5 in ancient India, there is no such thing as Hinduism, that identity is given by people from middle east after crossing the Indus river, called people on other side as such,
Octavus5 Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism in India are generally known as dharma religions
Central teaching of buddhism is truth. Four noble truths. That's why buddhism is true. Greetings from sri Lanka.
The Buddha has zip to do with 'natural selection'. Personal karma, will and volition are far more influential than any scientific construct invented to relieve individuals of personal responsibility. This is a massively wild hip shot as far as man as victim of life (natural selection) is concerned. Mindfulness and meditation bring clarity to that which humans have lost within fears, emotions as deflection from reality and any other _inventions_ this civilization's runaway enthusiasms have promulgated.
Like I always tell my 10 year old son that no matter how many new toys he buys he will always want more and never happy, he needs to have inner peace.
Is this really real news?
Ja Ha yes it is . It is smart and interesting to know a little bit about budhism, because it deals with understanding greed, which I think is the endgoal of this interview
Ways to positively influence ourselves and society is news we need more of.
I agree.
This man write but
Not proof .
This convo was as garbled as Buddhism!
Jesus is Lord.
cheezwizz I hoard
Buddhism cannot be compared to any religion. hateful Christian and Muslim busybodies just don't get it.