How does social contagion differ from biological contagion?

Biological contagion is the spread of viruses, while social contagion is the spread of fear, bad ideas, and emotional states like panic or agitation. In a crisis, both are orders of the day, making mental clarity essential.

Can mindfulness truly help manage anxiety in a crisis?

Yes, mindfulness provides the tools to notice the mechanics of anxiety – the triggering thoughts and emotional cascades. This awareness allows you to let go of unnecessary stress and achieve equanimity, rather than being consumed by fear.

Is meditation only for experienced practitioners during stressful times?

No, the video addresses both experienced meditators struggling with current stress and skeptics. It emphasizes that mental training, like physical training, is a skill that can be learned and is vital for everyone, especially in difficult times.

What is the speaker's perspective on anxiety during the pandemic?

The speaker views anxiety as a useful signal that gets attention but warns against becoming chronically anxious. The goal is not to eliminate anxiety but to learn to let go of it when it's no longer serving a purpose, retaining clarity and equanimity.

How can I access meditation resources like the Waking Up App if I cannot afford it?

The speaker emphasizes that financial barriers should not prevent access. If you cannot afford a subscription to the Waking Up App or Making Sense Podcast, you can email them to receive free access.

Key Moments

Meditation In An Emergency (Episode #193)

Sam Harris

Science & Technology3 min read22 min video

Mar 20, 2020|79,456 views|2,027|232

sam harris sam harris podcast waking up podcast waking up waking up with sam harris sam harris waking up waking up sam harris sam harris jordan peterson sam harris joe rogan author neuroscientist philosopher

Save to Pod

Key Moments

TL;DR

Meditation is crucial in emergencies for mental clarity and to avoid spreading fear and anxiety.

Key Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique emergency where social distancing is paramount.

Meditation and mindfulness are essential 'disaster preparedness' tools for managing anxiety.

Anxiety is a natural signal but chronic anxiety is detrimental and can be harmful to others.

The ability to notice thoughts and emotions is key to achieving equanimity and responding constructively.

In a crisis, we have a choice in how we respond to information and manage our mental state.

The Waking Up app offers resources for mental training, with free access for those unable to afford it.

THE UNIQUE CHALLENGE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC

Recorded in March 2020 during the burgeoning COVID-19 pandemic, this episode emphasizes the unprecedented nature of the crisis. Unlike typical emergencies, this situation forces a global retreat, leading individuals to confront their own minds amid a deluge of information. The primary directive is to stay home unless essential, turning a necessity for social distancing into a significant mental health challenge. This forced solitude requires a conscious effort to manage one's internal state effectively.

MEDITATION AS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Sam Harris posits that mental training, specifically meditation and mindfulness, should be viewed as essential disaster preparedness. Just as physical training prepares the body for physical stress, mental training prepares the mind for emotional and psychological challenges. In moments of extreme stress, such as job loss or the illness or death of a loved one, the mind one has cultivated through practice is the only resource available. This preparedness is particularly crucial now, given the widespread anxiety and uncertainty caused by the pandemic.

UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING ANXIETY

Anxiety, while a natural and often useful signal, can become detrimental when it becomes chronic. The goal is not to eliminate anxiety but to learn to let go of it when it is no longer serving a purpose. This requires noticing the mechanics of one's own mind—recognizing thoughts as distinct from reality and observing emotional cascades without being consumed by them. Developing this awareness allows for a choice in how to respond to triggering information, fostering equanimity rather than reactivity.

THE CONTAGION OF FEAR AND MISINFORMATION

The pandemic is not solely a biological contagion but also a social one, characterized by the spread of fear and misinformation. Our emotional and ethical entanglements mean that our words and actions profoundly impact others. Agitation and unnecessary anxiety are contagious and unhelpful, particularly in close relationships. Mindfulness provides the necessary tool to notice and release one's own stress, preventing the transmission of negative emotional states and allowing for more constructive interactions.

THE PRACTICE OF MINDFULNESS IN DAILY LIFE

Developing the skill to manage one's mind takes training, analogous to learning a physical skill like riding a bike. This involves paying attention to the breath or the nature of the mind, observing thoughts and emotions as they arise without judgment. When confronted with distressing news, such as reports from the front lines of the pandemic, an untrained mind can become overwhelmed. A trained mind, however, can recognize the initial useful response to information while releasing unproductive, chronic anxiety.

RESOURCES FOR MENTAL WELL-BEING

In response to these challenges, Harris highlights the Waking Up app as a comprehensive resource for mental training. He emphasizes that financial barriers should not prevent access to these tools, offering free subscriptions to anyone who cannot afford them. This initiative underscores the importance of collective well-being and ensuring that necessary resources are available to all during a period of widespread economic and emotional stress.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Concepts

Meditating in a Crisis: Dos and Don'ts

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Acknowledge anxiety as a signal, not something to be banished.

Notice your thoughts and emotions without judgment.

Practice mindfulness to gain equanimity with your mental state.

Channel feelings of urgency into solitude and apparent inaction.

Use the available time for mental training and self-awareness.

If you cannot afford meditation apps or resources, reach out for free access.

Avoid This

Think of meditation as a dispensable activity in an emergency.

Succumb to chronic anxiety; differentiate it from acute, useful anxiety.

Ruminate helplessly on frightening scenarios.

Be poor company for yourself or others due to an untrained mind.

Allow financial constraints to prevent access to mental health resources.

Common Questions

During emergencies like a pandemic, meditation is crucial for mental training and disaster preparedness. It helps manage anxiety, differentiate between useful and chronic stress, and allows you to remain a source of comfort rather than agitation for others.

Topics

Meditation Health & Longevity Mental Health & Psychology Mindset & Self-Improvement Emotional Regulation Mindfulness Mental Resilience Anxiety Management Crisis Response

Mentioned in this video

Organizations

New York Times

Mentioned as the source of a podcast ('The Daily') where an interview with an Italian doctor working on the front lines of the pandemic was featured.

Media

Making Sense Podcast

The speaker's podcast, which is now a subscription service. It is mentioned alongside the Waking Up App as a resource, with a policy of providing free access to those unable to pay.

Software & Apps

The Daily

A podcast from The New York Times that featured an interview with an Italian doctor detailing the experiences of working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Waking Up App

A meditation and mindfulness app developed by the speaker, which offers resources for understanding the mind. It is available via subscription but offers free access to those who cannot afford it.

Locations

United States

The speaker notes that the US seemed to be understanding the reality of the pandemic only 48 hours prior to recording, suggesting understanding came too late for optimal response.

Milan

The specific city in Italy mentioned as being hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, where the interviewed Italian doctor was working in an ICU.

Italy

Mentioned as an example of a country severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic, serving as a point of reference for the unfolding situation in other parts of the world.

condition

COVID-19

The illness caused by the coronavirus, discussed in the context of its severe impact on individuals and healthcare systems, as described by an Italian doctor.