Waking Up: Guided Meditation for iPhone

Introduction and purpose

Waking Up — Guided Meditation presents itself as a full-featured program for cultivating mindfulness, not merely another app on the shelf. Designed to shift how you relate to your thoughts, emotions, and environment, it offers a structured pathway into contemplative practice that goes beyond basic guided sits.

Who created it and what it teaches

Developed by neuroscientist and author Sam Harris, the program combines contemporary scientific insight with traditional contemplative skills. Lessons move from foundational techniques to more advanced perspectives on awareness, intended to deepen understanding rather than provide only surface-level instruction.

Instructors and perspectives

• Guidance and talks are contributed by well-regarded meditation teachers and scholars, expanding the curriculum beyond a single voice.
• The program emphasizes a secular, evidence-informed approach to contemplative practice, suitable for people from many backgrounds.

Topics covered

• Practical topics include rest and sleep, managing time and attention, and applied ethics as they relate to daily life.
• The course also explores broader themes such as the nature of consciousness and the relationship between insight and wellbeing.

Tools, structure, and library

• The app bundles practical utilities like timers, configurable reminders, and a growing archive of audio lessons and meditations.
• Lessons present both theoretical frameworks and hands-on exercises, balancing explanation with practice.

Accessibility and pricing

• A compassionate pricing model is available: full access can be provided at no cost for users who truly cannot pay.
• For paying subscribers, the app delivers a continuously expanding set of resources and features.

Who will benefit

• Newcomers will find clear, structured guidance to begin a regular practice.
• Experienced practitioners can access deeper theoretical material and talks from seasoned teachers to refine their understanding.