The Buddha didn't teach Buddhism as a faith-based religion, but rather as empirical instructions: If you do X, you will experience Y. Buddhism contains practices anyone can do, without accepting any unjustified beliefs, to experience insights into the nature of one's own mind. The purpose is to cut through the illusion of the self.
Section: 1, Chapter: 1
The Church of Scientology's Celebrity Centre in Hollywood serves as a magnet for aspiring actors, writers, and artists hoping to make it big in the entertainment industry. With its grand façade and promises of personal and professional success, the Centre draws in wide-eyed newcomers to Los Angeles, offering them a sense of community and purpose in a cutthroat business. However, beneath the glamorous veneer lies a carefully crafted recruitment strategy, where potential members are love-bombed with flattery and subjected to a barrage of personality tests, auditing sessions, and high-pressure sales tactics to keep them in the fold and paying for more.
Section: 3, Chapter: 1
Books about Religion
Psychology
Mindfulness
Spirituality
Religion
Happiness
Waking Up Book Summary
Sam Harris
In "Waking Up," Sam Harris explores the nature of consciousness and the self through the lens of neuroscience, philosophy, and contemplative practice, arguing that true spirituality lies not in religion or dogma but in a direct, experiential understanding of the mind that is available to anyone willing to look closely.
Language
Society
Culture
Cultish Book Summary
Amanda Montell
In "Cultish," Amanda Montell explores the fascinating world of cults and how their persuasive language and techniques permeate our everyday lives, from religious sects to fitness trends to multi-level marketing schemes.
Mindfulness
Religion
Psychology
Science
Philosophy
Happiness
Why Buddhism Is True Book Summary
Robert Wright
Robert Wright explores how Buddhist teachings and meditation practices, particularly from the Vipassana tradition, align with findings from modern psychology and evolutionary theory to diagnose the human condition and provide a path to greater clarity, happiness, and moral progress.
