I started meditating consistently because of this app

What I ‘ve learned from the Waking Up app by Sam Harris— and why I think you should try it

App Logo

My introduction to meditation wasn’t exactly noble—I was just trying to copy the habits of people who seemed like they had their lives together. A 10-minute mindfulness session seemed like another smart habit, like journaling or cold plunges. I figured it was something I should do, a productive thing to check off the list.

I used apps like Calm and Headspace for a while, but they always left me wanting more. I heard meditation could be more than just helping me relax or reset—but I didn’t how to get there. Waking Up changed that.

What Made It Different

Waking Up didn’t just guide me through mindfulness exercises—it reshaped the way I understood what meditation is.

Rather than trying to clear the mind or “relax,” the practice was about observing experience as it actually is: thoughts, emotions, sounds, sensations—all arising spontaneously in consciousness. Sam describes awareness as the container in which all these things appear.

One of the most helpful shifts for me was realizing I didn’t have to identify with every thought that passed through. I could see a thought, notice it, and let it go—without getting tangled in it. I’d read about not identifying with all my thoughts in The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, but wasn’t sure how to start practicing this until I started Waking Up’s introductory course and was provided with the necessary tools and structure.

Why I Gave It a Shot

I only downloaded Waking Up because I already trusted the creator Sam Harris. I’d heard him speak about consciousness, psychedelics, free will, and spirituality in ways that felt clear and honest—like he wasn’t selling anything. So when I found out he had a meditation app, I figured it might go deeper than others, and it did.

I especially appreciated Sam’s consistency. He never gave off performative or grandiose vibes during the guided meditations. Just a calm, serious attempt to help people understand their own minds.

Meditation as a Practice

Waking Up helped me move from trying to “do” meditation the right way to simply noticing what’s already here. It made room for curiosity instead of judgment.

It’s the first time a practice like this has felt integrated into my life, rather than something I do in order to get somewhere else. I’d attribute this largely to the app’s combination of daily short meditation tracks, theory lessons, and conversations about the nature of the mind.

This is not at all an ad read—but now, three years after first trying it, Waking Up remains the single most impactful resource I’ve used for inner work. It isn’t perfect—some days I miss a session, and I still struggle with distraction. But the foundation it gave me keeps inviting me back. Every lesson reminds me that meditation isn’t a productivity hack or a shortcut to calm; it’s an invitation to look closely at how my mind actually works. So if you’ve tried other apps and felt like they didn’t lead anywhere deeper, Waking Up might be worth exploring.

Want to Go Deeper?

There are a few parts of Waking Up that were new concepts for me that have made a real impact on how I relate to myself and the world. I’ll be writing more about those soon:

• Metta (Loving-Kindness) Meditation — A shift in how I think about connection and compassion: Read More →

• Buddhist Teachings Made Practical — How Joseph Goldstein brought ancient ideas into my daily life: Read More →

You can check out the app itself here. It’s definitely pricy, but I feel I’ve gotten more than my money’s worth.