Waking Up App Review: The Waking Up app, created by neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris, is designed to help users explore mindfulness, meditation, and the deeper aspects of human consciousness. Unlike traditional meditation apps, Waking Up focuses on mindfulness techniques and understanding the nature of the mind. This review covers the app’s key features, pros and cons, and why it might be the right choice for those seeking more than basic meditation practices.
What is the Waking Up App?
Waking Up is a meditation and mindfulness app that offers daily meditations, theoretical lessons, and practical insights into mindfulness and philosophy. The app’s core aim is to help users reduce stress and anxiety and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their consciousness. It includes guided meditations, conversations with experts, and courses on related topics.
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Waking Up App Specifications
| App Name | Waking Up |
| Platform | Android & iOS |
| Category | Mindfulness & Meditation |
| Content-Type | Meditation, Lessons, Conversations |
| Subscription | Free Trial with Paid Subscription Option |
| Key Focus | Consciousness Exploration |
Key Features of the Waking Up App
Let’s see how Waking Up goes beyond traditional meditation apps with transformative features that help deepen mindfulness, expand self-awareness, and explore life’s most profound questions in this Waking Up App Review.
1. Deep Approach to Mindfulness
Waking Up offers a unique and transformative approach to mindfulness that delves far deeper than typical meditation apps. Rather than focusing solely on stress relief, better sleep, or improved concentration, it helps users fundamentally change their perspective on themselves and the world around them.
The app introduces mindfulness as a tool for profound self-awareness, aiming to open the door to a deeper understanding of consciousness and human experience. By exploring mindfulness at its core, users gain insights that can lead to lasting transformation in their daily lives.
2. Step-by-Step Mindfulness Journey
A standout feature of Waking Up is its 28-part Introductory Course, designed to guide users through the essentials of mindfulness in a structured and engaging manner. This course has helped thousands of users who previously struggled to grasp meditation. The step-by-step programme ensures that whether you’re a beginner or an experienced meditator, you’ll dive straight into meaningful practices without wasting time on superficial techniques.
The approach allows users to build a solid foundation in mindfulness, providing clear explanations and practical exercises that make the concepts easy to understand and apply.
3. In-Depth Theory and Practice
Waking Up doesn’t just teach you how to meditate—it explains why these practices matter. The app combines theoretical insights with guided meditation sessions from teachers like Joseph Goldstein, Diana Winston, Adyashanti, Jayasāra, and Henry Shukman. It covers a variety of meditation styles, including Vipassana, Zen, Dzogchen, and Advaita Vedanta, offering users a rich understanding of global contemplative traditions.
This combination of theory and practice ensures that users not only follow guided meditations but also understand the deeper significance and purpose behind them, leading to a more meaningful meditation experience.
4. Timeless Wisdom with a Modern Perspective
Waking Up bridges the gap between ancient spiritual teachings and modern scientific understanding. The app features profound teachings from historical figures like Alan Watts, whose ideas have influenced modern mindfulness practices. At the same time, it incorporates contemporary perspectives from experts such as Oliver Burkeman, Michael Pollan, Laurie Santos, Arthur C. Brooks, and James Clear.
By testing ancient wisdom against modern science, Waking Up ensures that users are presented with practices and ideas that are not only philosophically rich but also empirically grounded. This thoughtful approach helps users explore significant topics like neuroscience, ethics, enlightenment, Stoicism, and the responsible use of psychedelics.
Pros and Cons of the Waking Up App
| Pros | Cons |
| High-quality, diverse content. | No subtitles for audio lessons. |
| User-friendly and calming interface. | The library feels disorganised for beginners. |
| Completely ad-free experience. | Playback issues in older versions. |
| No playback speed control. |
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Final Verdict: Is the Waking Up App Worth It?
The Waking Up app review highlights its deep and thoughtful approach to meditation. The app goes beyond simple mindfulness practices by introducing users to complex philosophical ideas in an accessible manner. For those interested in understanding the mind and exploring consciousness, it offers exceptional value. However, if you are only looking for basic guided meditations, other apps might suffice. Overall, the Waking Up app is ideal for users who want to develop a profound and meaningful meditation practice.
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FAQs: Waking Up App Review
What makes the Waking Up app different from other meditation apps?
Unlike other apps, Waking Up focuses on both meditation practices and understanding consciousness through theory and philosophy.
Is the Waking Up app suitable for beginners?
Yes, the 28-day introductory course is tailored for beginners while also offering advanced content for experienced meditators.
Can I access the Waking Up app for free?
The app offers a free trial period. After the trial, users need to subscribe for full access, though Sam Harris offers free subscriptions to those who can’t afford it.
Who is Sam Harris?
Sam Harris is a neuroscientist, philosopher, and author who has extensively studied mindfulness and meditation, bringing scientific insights to these practices.
Does the Waking Up app include sleep meditations?
Yes, the app includes content specifically designed to aid sleep and relaxation.
