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In this latest Rupert Spira Podcast episode, Rupert has a delightfully philosophical conversation with the Oxford Psychedelic Society that delves into many facets of the concept of oneness as the nature of reality, illustrating how we experience it in our daily lives.

With the understanding that we are all one — the essence of the non-dual understanding which forms the basis of all major spiritual and religious traditions — how do we reconcile the fact that we share the same being with the apparent separateness of everybody and everything? And in a world where we do realise the truth of oneness — or infinite consciousness — what are the implications that has for the way that we structure society?

Covering ethics, metaphysics, infinity and the finite mind, good and evil, suffering, love, self-enquiry, the illusion of ego, panpsychism, consciousness, the universe and the Buddhist notion of emptiness, this in-depth and wonderfully illuminating discussion leads us to the inevitable conclusion that is summed up beautifully by the Indian sage Ramana Maharshi: "Your own Self-Realisation is the greatest service you can render the world."

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Sam Harris speaks with Roland Griffiths about the current state of research on psychedelics. They discuss the historical prohibition against their use; the clinical and scientific promise of psilocybin, mescaline, LSD, DMT, MDMA, and other compounds; the risks associated with these drugs; the role of "set and setting"; the differences between psychedelics and drugs of abuse; MDMA and neurotoxicity; experiences of unity, sacredness, love, and truth; the long-term consequences of psychedelic experiences; synthetic vs natural drugs; the prospects of devising new psychedelics; microdosing; research on psilocybin and long-term meditators; the experience of encountering other apparent beings; psilocybin treatment of addiction; and other topics. In his Afterword, Sam discusses his experience on a large dose of psilocybin—his first psychedelic experience in 25 years.

If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.

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Sam Harris shares an audio essay exploring how psychedelics are, for many, the only way to glimpse "the vast firmament beyond the prison walls" of the "conceptual mind"—and often serve as the gateway to meditation. He also discusses how the very profundity of the psychedelic experience can distract us from the true purpose of mindfulness—the recognition that consciousness is always already free, in every moment. Also included are highlights from the Waking Up app created for a recent Tim Ferriss podcast.

If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.

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.

Ep. 95 - Plumbing the Depths of the Myst...