Hello Teacher David,


 I have a question related to the universal truth of Non-self.


 A book that I’d read prior to coming to these Teachings (which I’ve now come to believe was heavily inspired by Buddhist teachings) had a section describing the self or lack thereof. It used similar examples as you did to describe what the self is not. (I.e., you are not your body as your body changes and you continue to exist, etc.)


 It landed on describing the “self” as the Observer. “I am not the body, I Observe the body. I am not the thoughts, I Observe the thoughts. I am not any of the evolving identities or personas, I Observe the body and mind’s activities and behaviors in those personas.”


 Viewing the “self” as the Observer does make sense to me. My question is, in terms of these Teachings and the importance of Right View, is this an appropriate way of understanding the truth of “non-self” or is this a problematic way of conceptualizing this Teaching?


 Thank you for everything you do and for your guidance.

Teacher David:


Hello there…sure, I will help you.


 In what you are describing, it still has the misunderstanding / confusion / misperception of an “I” or a “self” as existing…so this would not lead to the elimination of the fetter/taint/pollution of mind described as “personal existence view” to be able to realize non-self.


 >>>>> Viewing the “self” as the Observer does make sense to me.

Considering that there is anything that can be identified as a “self” (i.e. the observer) is to still be clinging to something as being the “self”. When in reality, there is no self.

There is a body and a mind yet, if one clings to these, then there will be discontentedness. Instead, one needs to get to the point where the mind understands there is a body and a mind but, these are not “you”.

If the self is the observer, then the mind is still attempting to cling or grasp onto something as an identifiable “self”. There is no self but the unEnlightened mind oftentimes has challenges to be able to understand this, see this, and practice this so that one’s mind is no longer clinging to an identifiable “self”.

The provided description would not allow the mind to fully release the fetter/taint/pollution of mind described as “personal existence view”, therefore, one would not be able to experience even the first Stage of Enlightenment or Enlightenment itself.

It is best to get to the point where the mind understands, there is “no self”. There is nothing that can be identified that is “you”, “I”, “me”, etc.

It is just a body and a mind that has come together for this existence and they are impermanent. Ultimately, they have arisen, they will change, and they will fade away…they are impermanent.



There is nothing that is lasting that could be identified as a “self”.