Waking Up, with Sam Harris
Waking Up is a meditation app created by author and neuroscientist Sam Harris. It provides guided meditations, lessons, and practices focused on mindfulness, consciousness, and self-inquiry. The app aims to help users understand the nature of the mind.
Waking Up — Meditation App by Sam Harris (2026 Review)
Waking Up is a meditation app by Sam Harris combining guided practice with lessons on consciousness, mindfulness science, and philosophy. Includes daily meditations and a free scholarship program.
What is Waking Up, with Sam Harris?
What Is Waking Up?
Waking Up is a meditation and mindfulness app created by neuroscientist and author Sam Harris. Unlike most meditation apps that focus primarily on relaxation, Waking Up takes a more intellectual approach — combining guided meditation practice with lessons on the nature of consciousness, the science of mindfulness, and philosophical inquiry into the self.
Key Features
The app includes an introductory course that teaches meditation fundamentals over 28 days, followed by daily meditations that range from 10 to 30 minutes. Sam Harris guides most sessions himself, with his characteristically direct and no-nonsense teaching style.
Beyond guided meditation, Waking Up offers a library of lessons and conversations covering topics like the neuroscience of meditation, the illusion of the self, stoicism, and contemplative traditions from Buddhism to Advaita Vedanta. This educational component is what sets it apart from apps like Headspace or Calm.
The Theory section includes animated explanations of scientific research on meditation, while the Practice section builds your actual meditation skills progressively. Progress tracking and statistics help you maintain a consistent practice.
Pricing
Waking Up operates on a subscription model with a free trial period. The annual subscription costs approximately 100 dollars per year. Notably, Sam Harris offers a scholarship program — anyone who cannot afford the subscription can request free access, no questions asked.
Who Waking Up Is For
Waking Up appeals to people who want more than just a relaxation tool. It is particularly popular with intellectually curious meditators, skeptics who appreciate the secular and science-based approach, and anyone interested in understanding consciousness and the nature of mind alongside building a meditation practice.
Limitations
The app caters primarily to beginner and intermediate meditators. Advanced practitioners may find the content repetitive over time. The subscription is required for full access, and the content style — while appreciated by many — can feel overly philosophical for users who just want simple guided relaxation.
Waking Up, with Sam Harris Features
Features
- Guided meditations led by Sam Harris
- Lessons explaining key concepts about mindfulness and meditation
- Theory and practice content to build understanding and experience
- Daily meditations and contemplative prompts
- Animated explanations of scientific research on meditation
- Progress tracking and statistics
- Community forum
Pricing
- Freemium
- Subscription-Based
Pros
High-quality, in-depth content created by experts
Focuses on both theory and practice of meditation
Appealing interface and production value
Personalized experience with daily prompts and tracking
Engaging teaching style from Sam Harris
Scientific grounding in benefits of meditation
Cons
Mostly caters to beginner and intermediate meditators
Limited support and interaction with teachers
Can feel repetitive over time
Subscription required for full access
iOS only, no Android or web app
Official Links
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