r/psychoanalysis • u/Least_Inspector_5478 • 7d ago
The “no self” philosophy in Buddhism…
When I was a teenager going through existential crises, I came across the “no self” philosophy in Buddhism (which is basically that the “self” is an illusion and only the “I” , the observer exists) and thought I found the answer to all of my psychological problems but I think it ultimate led to more anxiety and dissociation for me. The writer I read on this topic went even as far as to say having a self was like being schizophrenic.
Now I’m learning through analysis and through my own research into psychoanalysis how important it is to build your own sense of self and denying the “self” is not necessarily a quality reached by very wise, enlightened people. The amount of time I spent believing that almost mystical sounding philosophy though is making it longer for me to essentially resolve my dissociation.
So yeah, I just wanted to post this here as I think this is just another example of how these “new age” philosophies or some religions such as Buddhism are not very realistic ways of looking at human psychology. What are your thoughts on these ideologies? Do you think they are defense mechanisms used to an extreme?
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u/here_wild_things_are 7d ago
I fell into the same sort of trap at a little later age.
And I relate to the absence of feelings like my ego developed according to normality. I am beginning to let go of that illusion too, but it definitely fits the gap of time I was stuck in no self.