*promote

Self promoting this video and sending it back into the queue for one more try; last queued Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 8:33am PDT - promote requested by original submitter Stonebreaker.

who knew Sam Harris was into Vipasana meditation?? That's what he's teaching after the 30-minute mark, or so...

*promote the mindfulness

Promoting this video back to the front page; last published Sunday, June 3rd, 2012 2:13pm PDT - promote requested by Trancecoach.

I watched the whole thing but I'm still not sure I understand his main point about thinking/brooding/etc.

OMG huge spoiler at 16:40

>> ^eventualentropy:

I watched the whole thing but I'm still not sure I understand his main point about thinking/brooding/etc.


He's telling you to get in touch with the present. That the past is a mock up of memories you collage in your head and the future is wishful thinking made up of stuff that probably won't happen like you think it will because you reliably suck at predicting. Most people are either brooding or anticipating, instead of thinking and feeling about what they are at the present moment, and the present moment is the only reality. The past and future are just predictably inaccurate fake realities in your head that make your life worse if you spend too much time on them.

>> ^Enzoblue:

... The past and future are just predictably inaccurate fake realities in your head that make your life worse if you spend too much time on them.


Thanks, that makes a bit more sense. I can definitely see how brooding about the past or worrying about the future can be unproductive. But obviously it is necessary to plan for the future at some point, and it can also be useful to think about the past to learn from your mistakes. I guess he is just saying that most of us just take these thoughts too far?

>> ^eventualentropy:

>> ^Enzoblue:
... The past and future are just predictably inaccurate fake realities in your head that make your life worse if you spend too much time on them.

Thanks, that makes a bit more sense. I can definitely see how brooding about the past or worrying about the future can be unproductive. But obviously it is necessary to plan for the future at some point, and it can also be useful to think about the past to learn from your mistakes. I guess he is just saying that most of us just take these thoughts too far?


Most of us practically live in those thoughts yeah. Think about one of the most happiest moments in your life. Sheer joy, I know you have one. I'm willing to bet that while you were in that moment, you had nothing to do the next day, no bills to pay or rent due - you had no wrongs to right, nothing nagging at you about something you did earlier. Totally in the moment and thinking about nothing in particular, just being in awe of how happy you are.

The other stuff is necessary, but most people need less of it. It helps me to snap out of my thoughts often throughout the day and just sense my surroundings. Like a mental time out.