Understanding the Buddhist concept of anatta (non-self) can be quite challenging, and it’s normal to feel confused by it. Many people automatically think that “someone” must be in control, leading them to believe they have a self that they need to somehow lose. This notion brings up fears, such as losing control if the self disappears, or not being able to make choices without a self. Essentially, they struggle to comprehend how anyone can exist without a self.
The Buddha didn’t actually teach that there is no self outright. When teachers say “there’s no self,” it simplifies the idea that the self we think we have doesn’t really exist. The concept of self we imagine—a unified entity managing all our experiences and actions, being fully conscious—is an illusion. Thus, you don’t actually have a self to lose, and life goes on just fine without it. The challenge comes from this illusion of a self making life harder because we constantly question our happiness and compare ourselves to others.
A critical part of the illusory self is the assumption that it acts consciously. Common beliefs suggest we make decisions consciously (like deciding to lift an arm) and some unconsciously (like being influenced to buy a certain cereal brand without realizing why). However, even decisions we think we make consciously are actually decided unconsciously. Ben Libet’s research in the 1980s showed brain activity initiating actions happens before we become aware of the decisions. More recent fMRI studies have confirmed that our brains decide about six seconds before we become aware of these decisions. This means what we think of as conscious decision-making doesn’t really exist; we don’t actually make decisions consciously.
Many people think this is a problem because they equate consciousness with the self. However, once we see through the illusion of self, this becomes easier to accept. If still caught up in the delusion, people often find this hard to process, dismiss it, or acknowledge the problem but still hold on to a fragmented belief in self.
One way to better understand this is through teaching methods like “direct pointing.” This practice encourages looking beyond delusions to see reality and realizing the inadequacy of our illusions. The evidence for non-self is everywhere, but we often ignore it.
Let’s use a metaphor to make this clearer: Think of your mind as a building with a central atrium surrounded by rooms. The atrium is empty, symbolizing conscious awareness, while the rooms represent different unconscious parts of your mind, where decisions and discussions occur.
In these rooms, various “boys in the basement” (a term borrowed from Stephen King to describe unconscious creative forces) are at work. These boys represent different parts of your unconscious mind, each with its own perspective and agenda. Some boys might be emotional and impulsive, while others are rational and considerate. Communication between the rooms often happens without passing through the atrium, meaning many decisions are made unconsciously and only later become part of our conscious awareness.
In this model, there is no central self—just a community of parts that interact and decide the course of action. For instance, when faced with conflict, you might feel hurt because an unconscious part interprets a threat, triggering reactions in different parts of your mind. A debate ensues among these parts, and a resolution is reached without a central, conscious self being in control.
Experiencing our mind this way reveals that what we perceive as a conscious self making decisions is an illusion. One part of us—let’s call it “The Plagiarist”—observes thoughts and actions passing through the atrium and falsely claims responsibility for them, thinking, “I did that.” This plagiarist gives us the illusion of a conscious self in charge, but it doesn’t actually make decisions or take actions.
To see through this illusion, you can try several experiments:
1. Notice how your thoughts appear. Sit quietly and ask yourself what your next thought will be. Observe how it comes up without you consciously creating it.
2. Pay attention to how you speak during a conversation. Notice how you hear your own speech at the same time as others do, without pre-planning what to say.
3. Watch your body in action, like while typing or driving. Observe that you don’t consciously instruct your hands or feet; they move on their own.
These exercises help you recognize that conscious decision-making is an illusion, and all decisions originate unconsciously.
Free will still exists, albeit not as we usually think of it. Our choices are influenced by unconscious processes and habits, and “the boys in the basement” debate and decide on actions. While our ability to choose is limited, practicing mindfulness can expand our “wiggle-room,” making us more aware of our unconscious decisions, leading to better outcomes.
In conclusion, enlightenment involves recognizing the illusion of the conscious self, improving our unconscious patterns through practices like mindfulness, and realizing that while we have limited control, we still have the power to shape our actions and lives.