26. august 2023
The mysterious Self ("I")
We naturally feel like an inner observer, a thinker of thoughts, and an experiencer of sensations. The sense of having a self — an "I" that is the subject of one’s thoughts and experiences — is a fundamental aspect of human consciousness. The self refers to the individual's awareness of their unique identity and existence. The self encompasses thoughts, feelings, consciousness, memories, dreams and the perception of being a distinct entity separate from others and the environment.
Is the self something "real" or is it an illusion?
In essence, we believe that the feeling of being an “I” is a mental construct and process that leads most to the illusion of feeling like a solid self with psychological continuity. Understanding the self as an illusion doesn't mean denying the reality of our experiences, thoughts, or emotions. Instead, it's a shift in perspective that recognizes the self as a useful construct rather than an inherent entity. This shift can lead to a more flexible relationship with our thoughts and feelings and open the door to deeper well-being, compassion for ourselves and others.and enhance well-being
The concept of the "Illusory Self"
Some thinkers in the realms of philosophy, neuroscience, and psychology, argues that the sense of having a cohesive, enduring "self"—an inner narrator or ego that is the central agent of our thoughts and actions—is an illusion. This viewpoint draws on several lines of evidence and reasoning, both from ancient philosophical traditions like Buddhism and from contemporary scientific insights.
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Neuroscientific Perspective: Studies in neuroscience show that the brain operates through a vast network of neurons, with different areas of the brain handling different functions. There is no evidence pointing to a single area responsible for the sense of self; instead, neuroscience suggests that the mental construct of a self emerges from the complex interactions of these networks. The brain constructs narratives about our experiences and stitches them together into a continuous story, which we then interpret as the story of "I."
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Psychological Continuity: Our sense of self relies heavily on memory. However, memories are not always reliable; they can be distorted, forgotten, or even fabricated. Despite this, we create a sense of continuity based on these memories, contributing to the illusion of a persistent self over time.
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Meditative Insights: Meditation, especially practices focused on mindfulness and self-observation, can lead to experiences where the conventional sense of self begins to dissolve. In these states, practitioners report a sense of boundlessness or merging with their surroundings, challenging the usual boundaries between self and other. Such experiences suggest that the solid sense of self we usually operate with is more of a mental construct than an inherent reality.
Drawing from Eastern philosophies, particularly Buddhism, we find a convergence with these scientific insights. Buddhism teaches that the self is an illusion (anatta, or non-self).
Our conscious experience is not as smooth and continuous as it may appear without training in mediation. It's a series of moments, thoughts, sensations, and perceptions that arise and pass away. The self is perceived as the entity experiencing these phenomena, but closer examination reveals that this entity is just another part of the passing show of consciousness.
Implications
The notion that the self is an illusion has significant implications for understanding human psychology and reducing human suffering. If the root of much suffering is attachment to the self (e.g., ego, identity, personal narrative), then seeing through the illusion of the self can lead to greater peace and happiness. This perspective is echoed in various spiritual traditions and is gaining interest in psychology, especially in the context of treating conditions like depression and anxiety.
Understanding the self as an illusion doesn't mean denying the reality of our experiences, thoughts, or emotions. Instead, it's a shift in perspective that recognizes the self as a useful construct rather than an inherent entity. This shift can lead to a more flexible relationship with our thoughts and feelings and open the door to deeper well-being and compassion for ourselves and others.
