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November 2009 
No-Self
Posted on Mar 8th, 2007
by 
Keith
Keith
This is sort of a follow up the the previous blog Alone, and also a book review. Recently, my friend Scott recommended that I read "The Experience of No-Self" by Bernadette Roberts. I am in the midst of it now, and what a story. It is stunning to read such a personal account of one person's radically impersonal experience of no-self. I highly recommend it for those who are into such things.
A fair bit of warning, though. This account of experiencing the "higher regions of the spiritual path" (see Keating quote below) can be disturbing, because it indicates such a radical surrender of one's self, not only the lower self which we narcissists are willing to leave behind, but even the so-called Higher Self which is sought and coveted by most spiritual seekers. This book describes how it was all stripped away, leaving nothing in its wake at first but a deep emptiness devoid of even the blissful experiences or sense of Oneness that are sought on the path. Though there is a happy ending, sort of, because the Oneness does return, though in a radically untouchable way that defies any identification whatsover. If for you, like there seems to be for me, there is something drawing
you towards this experience of no-self, some sense that the "goal" is
Reality at all costs even if it means dissolution of self and Self,
then this book promises to be a powerful transformational tool. It has allowed in each instance of sitting and reading, a touching on that sense of alone that has been tickling my mind recently. However, if your path is aimed towards realizing your Higher Self and the blissful experiences that may accompany such realization, this is not the book for you.
For fans of Father Thomas Keating, here is a blurb from his review on
the back cover of the book: "One of the most significant spiritual
books of our day. One of the best books o nthis subject since St. John of the Cross. An amazing book, it clarifies the higher regions of the spiritual path."
I also ordered a copy of works of St. John of the Cross. I just can't resist the Amazon free supersaver shipping! ;-)
A fair bit of warning, though. This account of experiencing the "higher regions of the spiritual path" (see Keating quote below) can be disturbing, because it indicates such a radical surrender of one's self, not only the lower self which we narcissists are willing to leave behind, but even the so-called Higher Self which is sought and coveted by most spiritual seekers. This book describes how it was all stripped away, leaving nothing in its wake at first but a deep emptiness devoid of even the blissful experiences or sense of Oneness that are sought on the path. Though there is a happy ending, sort of, because the Oneness does return, though in a radically untouchable way that defies any identification whatsover. If for you, like there seems to be for me, there is something drawing
you towards this experience of no-self, some sense that the "goal" is
Reality at all costs even if it means dissolution of self and Self,
then this book promises to be a powerful transformational tool. It has allowed in each instance of sitting and reading, a touching on that sense of alone that has been tickling my mind recently. However, if your path is aimed towards realizing your Higher Self and the blissful experiences that may accompany such realization, this is not the book for you.
For fans of Father Thomas Keating, here is a blurb from his review on
the back cover of the book: "One of the most significant spiritual
books of our day. One of the best books o nthis subject since St. John of the Cross. An amazing book, it clarifies the higher regions of the spiritual path."
I also ordered a copy of works of St. John of the Cross. I just can't resist the Amazon free supersaver shipping! ;-)
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