Embracing Anatta: The Wonderful Reality of Non-Self
I got an email the other day, with A very concise question:
‘Hi Roger, what do you think of the Buddhist idea of non-self?’
So it occurred to me that, even though I’ve posted about this before, maybe I should write about this subject some more.
In the vast tapestry of the Theravada Buddhist canon, Anatta, the doctrine of non-self is a core principle – and it is probably the most profound, and revolutionary concept ever proposed by any philosophical or religious view in history.
This principle states that there is no enduring, intrinsic essence that we can label as ‘self’ or ‘soul ’in anything – whether it be ourselves, or any other creature or entity in the universe. Anatta proposes that the entity we call by our name is simply a vehicle we use to contain what is actually an ever-changing, interconnected community of interdependent things – each of which is, in turn, also an interconnected community of things – worlds within worlds. This evokes Thich Naht Hahn’s idea of ‘inter-being’ – in which the entire universe, from the largest to the smallest, is a vast, infinitely layered inter-being, in constant, infinite evolution.
Thing is though – no-one can deny that each of us has a profound sense of self – of who we are, and what we are, separate from all other things. And Anatta doesn’t deny this. Rather it proposes this seeming fact as a ‘relative truth’ – that is, while not being ultimately true, it is indeed true relative to our perceptions and needs.
Nevertheless, I think it is essential, as a part of meditation and mindfulness practice, that as hard as Anatta is to comprehend, we should try to keep reminding ourself of this ultimate reality, because it will help us in a number of ways:
- It Helps Us Let Go of the Illusion of Permanence: Anatta challenges the deeply rooted human inclination to perceive our self and the stuff of our life as unchanging – that we’re stuck in our habits and ways, and imprisoned in unchanging circumstances. In recognizing the reality that, as an everchanging community of ‘things’ we and our life are able to be channelled in whatever direction we choose, simply by the way we act.
- It Helps Us Cultivate Compassion: The realization of non-self inevitably draws forth compassion and understanding, both for our ‘self’, as well as everything around us. When we understand that our own well-being is intricately linked to everyone and everything else, a sense of empathy and altruism naturally appears.
- It Weakens the Walls of our Ego: The illusion of our ego, driven by a sense of self-importance and self-preservation as it is, if given too much emphasis and energy, it will ultimately lead to all kinds of suffering. A recognition of Anatta as an ultimate reality in our life pierces the destructive walls of our egoistic fortress, such that we’re not so lost in pride and competitiveness. It also weakens the sense of loneliness that many people feel, because we become more aware of our connection with everything and everyone around us.
A lot of people ignorantly see the doctrine of ‘non-self’ as a rather depressing notion. They’re fearful of it, largely because they think it will sap them of individual endeavour – creating a sense of ‘well I don’t exist, so what’s the use of anything’.
But actually, in encouraging us to let go of fixed notions of self, and entertain the ultimate truth that our sense of being, our body and our surroundings are all intimately interconnected and fluid, Anatta fosters a more flexible and inclusive approach to ourselves and our life. In emphasizing the fluidity and continuous change of what we are, it gives us an ongoing opportunity to change what we are – and where things cannot be changed in that moment, to accept things as they seem to be.
In its most potent form, Anatta ameliorates the effects of fear in our lives – fear of loss, fear of failure … and ultimately, fear of death. As such, we are able to live life as a magnificent adventure, because after all, what do we have to lose? Nothing is here in any essential form, so nothing is ever lost. All there is, is an exquisite awareness of the ever changing NOW – an awareness which existed before, and during … and will go on existing forever after.
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Roger’s book, ‘BEING STILL – MEDITATION THAT MAKES SENSE’ is available now. Just click on the links below:
AUDIOBOOK (including ebook & MP3 exercises) – AUD $25.00
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