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How to escape the concept of self and others?

revolutionary14revolutionary14
edited October 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I have been thinking about the illusion of the self, while keeping with regular meditation. The other day I saw really clearly how it made sense that there is no self but forgot when I woke up in the morning. (haha) And yesterday I noticed it again. I have adhd and walking meditation has been really effective too, and made these ways of thinking more consistent.

But I was wondering why the concept of self is there in the first place, why do I feel like a person, and why do I see the world through being trapped in a body, through the senses?

Also people are different, different brains have different ideas and opinions, how is it all part of one contiousness? If it was wouldnt you also be seeing things through other peoples perspectives?

Comments

  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited October 2010
    People get caught up in concepts. There is neither self nor no-self. Don't think of it in terms like that.
  • beingbeing Veteran
    edited October 2010
    It's just a part of human evolution, I think. At first the mind evolved to help us solve difficult problems to increase our survival chance. Then at one point it got so complicated, that we started identifying ourselves with these thoughts. Now we're on our way beyond it.
    To quote Eckhart Tolle: "[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Your mind is an instrument, a tool. It is there to be used for a specific task, and when the task is completed, you lay it down. As it is, I would say about 80 to 90 percent of most people's thinking is not only repetitive and useless, but because of its dysfunctional and often negative nature, much of it is also harmful. Observe your mind and you will find this to be true. It causes a serious leakage of vital energy."[/FONT]
  • TreeLuvr87TreeLuvr87 Veteran
    edited October 2010
    revolutionary14 wrote: »
    Also people are different, different brains have different ideas and opinions, how is it all part of one contiousness? If it was wouldnt you also be seeing things through other peoples perspectives?

    We've all grown up with unique experiences. Our bodies have different genes. There are lots of reasons why it's so easy to get lost in a sense of self. And yes, the more you learn about these concepts, the more confusing it becomes and the more questions arise. Personally, I try not to overanalyze. As more questions arise, I accept that I do not know the answer and that someday I might, but for now, I'm okay with not knowing. I've found that the more I actively seek answers, the more frustrated I become, however when I can let go and just try to live fully in each moment, answers become revealed on their own.
  • cazcaz Veteran United Kingdom Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Abide in Emptiness my friend and self and other shall cease :)
  • zenmonkeyzenmonkey
    edited October 2010
    TreeLuvr87 wrote: »
    As more questions arise, I accept that I do not know the answer and that someday I might, but for now, I'm okay with not knowing. I've found that the more I actively seek answers, the more frustrated I become, however when I can let go and just try to live fully in each moment, answers become revealed on their own.

    This is how I am finally learning to deal with Buddhism and life itself.
    FoibleFull wrote: »
    When you try to grasp it intellectually/cognitively, it kinda slips away like wet soap, eh?

    It settles on you, unbidden, without the use of intellect ... gradually like mist in the morning. Be patient and continue doing your practice. Don't stop questioning ... this is good. But don't be impatient when answers don't appear in front of you. Part of learning Buddhism is learning to be comfortable with NOT knowing.

    FoibleFull (a poster in a thread I made about the Heart Sutra) said something similar to me and I have taken it to heart.
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    edited October 2010
    OP: I think the problem is memory. With our increased capacity for memory, we keep going back to events that took place before and must associate those with, or place those in possession of, some entity. This creates the schism between "I" and "everyone/everything else", and also creates the illusion that we are that same being; a continuity. Really we're not the same person at all, but why would we have someone else's memories right? :)
  • ThailandTomThailandTom Veteran
    edited October 2010
    We all die and become reborn thousands of times each second, I am not the same being as I was when writing the word 'die'.

    OP, I too really strive to want this concept of non self to stride into my life, like you I suffer from social anxiety and have always thought if I can consider there to be no self, I will not have this anxiety. It is very difficult for me to reach such realization, I think i am clinging and striving too much, I do not know. I keep thinking, 'I am not separate from that table, or that person who has caused me pain, we are all one.' But it doesn't really help lol. So I can deduce from this that I do not fully understand the concept deeply enough. I wish you all the best though :)
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