Waking Up App Review: Is Sam Harris's Approach Worth It?
InnerCalmGuideยทAug 24, 2026ยท3 min read
Waking Up, created by neuroscientist and author Sam Harris, is the meditation app for people who think meditation apps are shallow. While Headspace makes meditation accessible and Calm makes it pleasant, Waking Up makes it deep. Whether that's a selling point or a warning depends entirely on what you want from meditation.
What Makes It Different
Most meditation apps teach you techniques to feel better: less stress, better sleep, more focus. Waking Up teaches you to investigate the nature of consciousness itself. The central question isn't 'how do I relax?' but 'what am I?'
Sam Harris guides you through practices that challenge your basic assumptions about selfhood, free will, and the nature of experience. A typical session might ask you to 'look for the one who is looking' or 'notice that thoughts appear from nowhere and disappear into nowhere.' These aren't relaxation cues โ they're philosophical investigations conducted through direct experience.
The Content
Introductory Course: 28 daily sessions building from basic breath awareness to advanced awareness practices. This is the essential starting point and it's brilliantly structured โ each session introduces a new concept that builds on the previous one.
Daily Meditation: A new 10-minute guided meditation every day. Harris's guidance is precise, direct, and occasionally challenging. He doesn't coddle โ if your mind wandered, he'll point out that you probably weren't doing what he asked. Some find this refreshing; others find it harsh.
Lessons: Short audio talks on consciousness, free will, the illusion of self, death, ethics, and related topics. These are where Harris's background as a philosopher and neuroscientist shines. They're intellectually stimulating and often genuinely paradigm-shifting.
Conversations: Long-form interviews with meditation teachers, philosophers, scientists, and authors. Less accessible than the guided content but deeply rewarding for those interested in contemplative philosophy.
Guest teachers: Sessions from teachers across traditions โ including Tibetan Buddhist, Dzogchen, Advaita Vedanta, and secular mindfulness. This variety exposes you to approaches you'd never encounter in a single-tradition app.
Who It's For
Intellectual meditators: If you want to understand consciousness, not just calm it, Waking Up is the best app available. Harris bridges the gap between ancient contemplative traditions and modern neuroscience more effectively than anyone in the app space.
Experienced practitioners: If you've meditated for months or years and feel plateaued, Waking Up's practices (particularly the Dzogchen-influenced awareness exercises) can reignite your practice by shifting the goal from concentration to recognition.
Sceptics: Harris is an explicit atheist and rationalist. The app contains zero spiritual language, no incense-and-crystal energy, and no claims that can't be verified through direct experience. If mainstream meditation culture puts you off, this might be your entry point.
Who It's Not For
Beginners who just want to relax. Waking Up can be confusing and disorienting if you haven't established a basic meditation practice. Start with Headspace or Balance, then graduate to Waking Up when you want more.
People wanting variety. The app is focused โ meditation and philosophy. No sleep stories, no music, no fitness content. It's a one-thing-done-well product.
People who want warmth. Harris's teaching style is precise and direct. Some find it cold compared to the gentle encouragement of Headspace or the soothing tones of Calm. This is a teacher who respects you enough to challenge you โ not everyone wants that.
Pricing and Access
ยฃ80/year. More expensive than Headspace (ยฃ55) and Calm (ยฃ55). However โ and this deserves emphasis โ if you can't afford it, email the team and they'll give you a free annual subscription, no questions asked. This policy is genuine and consistently honoured. Harris has stated publicly that cost should never prevent access.
The Verdict
Waking Up is the most intellectually rigorous meditation app available. It transforms meditation from a wellness tool into a genuine investigation of consciousness. It's not for everyone โ but for the right person, it's life-changing.
For general information only, not a substitute for professional medical care. In a crisis or severe symptom onset, consult a qualified healthcare provider immediately.
