>What exactly is wrong with being a regular person who practices mindfulness
Completely normal.
Sam Harris is a charlatan for preaching it using "his program": https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18774981-waking-up
Spare me this book under 4 stars rating.
> Completely normal
Ok, good to hear. That's not the impression I got from your comment about the LA yoga guy.
> Sam Harris is a charlatan for preaching it using "his program": https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18774981-waking-up
What's wrong with the book? I read it and thought it was, on the whole, interesting and useful. Obviously it isn't perfect.
How specifically is Sam a charlatan? What falsehoods does he claim about himself regarding meditation?
The philosophy I have been exposed to through meditation has helped me better understand how the ego can cause problems. It seems you are rather attached to the idea of a very pure, austere study of meditation and associated philosophies. There are other valid ways of approaching such things that you are unjustifiably disregarding.
Alternatively, you could look at it as someone simply being earlier on their path, and provide encouragement instead of ridicule.