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Buddhist scholars suggest that the "Self" is an illusion and that awakening to the revelation of "No Self," leads to greater happiness and peace-of-mind. Just what are they talking about?
The idea of No-Self makes more sense to me if I put the idea in the context of the hemisphere hypothesis, the recognition that the two hemispheres of the human brain provide us with two, radically different ways of relating to life. The right hemisphere gives us direct experience in the moment. The left hemisphere creates virtual simulations of life including, importantly, our sense of self, our "ego."
I believe our ego - the story we tell about ourself - is the "Self" that Buddhists feel is illusory. We can be happier, therefore, if we spend less time caught up in the illusory stories about life and more time simply experiencing life.
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If you want to support this work, click above, subscribe to the MINDRAMP Podcast, or sign up for the free Flourish As You Age newsletter for reviews of current research, reflections, updates, and special extras from my book-in-progress
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Comments? Send me a text message.
Buddhist scholars suggest that the "Self" is an illusion and that awakening to the revelation of "No Self," leads to greater happiness and peace-of-mind. Just what are they talking about?
The idea of No-Self makes more sense to me if I put the idea in the context of the hemisphere hypothesis, the recognition that the two hemispheres of the human brain provide us with two, radically different ways of relating to life. The right hemisphere gives us direct experience in the moment. The left hemisphere creates virtual simulations of life including, importantly, our sense of self, our "ego."
I believe our ego - the story we tell about ourself - is the "Self" that Buddhists feel is illusory. We can be happier, therefore, if we spend less time caught up in the illusory stories about life and more time simply experiencing life.
Support the show
If you want to support this work, click above, subscribe to the MINDRAMP Podcast, or sign up for the free Flourish As You Age newsletter for reviews of current research, reflections, updates, and special extras from my book-in-progress