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Untangling Self: A Buddhist Investigation of Who We Really Are
Untangling Self invites us to see nonself, interdependence, and mindfulness as rational, real-world solutions to the human condition of suffering.
In psychologically rich essays that equally probe traditional Buddhist thought and contemporary issues, Andrew Olendzki helps us to reconcile ancient Buddhist thought with our day-to-day life. His writing is sophisticated and engaged, filled with memorable imagery and insight drawn from decades of study, reflection, and meditation on Buddhist teachings. Seasoned Buddhist readers and anyone interested in the intellectual heart of Buddhism will find this collection of fascinating essays rewarding.
In psychologically rich essays that equally probe traditional Buddhist thought and contemporary issues, Andrew Olendzki helps us to reconcile ancient Buddhist thought with our day-to-day life. His writing is sophisticated and engaged, filled with memorable imagery and insight drawn from decades of study, reflection, and meditation on Buddhist teachings. Seasoned Buddhist readers and anyone interested in the intellectual heart of Buddhism will find this collection of fascinating essays rewarding.
200 pages, Paperback
Published December 13, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 8, 2018
In this, his second book, the Buddhist scholar Andrew Olendzki has once again gathered a collection of short, previously published articles, grouped them by topic into logically coherent chapters, and framed the entire collection between a pair of longer, newly-written essays that introduce and conclude the book. And once again, he has so skillfully woven everything together into a unified narrative flow that, were it not for his acknowledgements to the various magazines and journals where these essays originally appeared, we would scarcely be aware that the entire book has been carefully stitched together from pieces originally written to stand on their own merits.
Where this new volume differs from – and quite possibly improves upon – its excellent predecessor, Unlimiting Mind, is in its more focused approach. Rather than the broad survey of Buddhist thought that Olendzki treated his readers to in that first book, Untangling Self takes us instead on a deep dive of exploration into one of Buddhism’s most challenging teachings, the concept of “nonself”.
Olendzki begins by helping us to better understand what we mean when we talk about “self”. And this is where the book’s intriguing title comes into play. He describes the self as a continuously created and constantly changing narrative that we make up as we proceed through our lives, driven by our never-ending desire for pleasant events and aversion to unpleasant ones. The reality of our lives gets tangled up, so to speak, in these stories we tell ourselves.
The “self” Olendzki aims to “untangle” for his readers is the grasping, clinging self that each of us constructs out of our day-to-day experiences, and that Buddhism identifies as the root cause of all suffering. One of his key insights about suffering is how it stems not from “what you want, but [from] the very fact that you want.” A world of wisdom is distilled in that tweet-ready phrase.
Another powerful insight comes from Olendzki’s view that self is more properly considered as a verb rather than as a noun. Here’s a brief sample of what he has to say on this topic: “Grasping is not something done by the self; rather, self is something done by grasping. In the moment of trying to hold on to what is continually slipping away or of trying to push away what is relentlessly arising, a self is conjured up. The self can only exist as a fleeting attitude toward experience. [It] arises and passes away as relentlessly as everything else.”
Once we begin to understand self in this manner, we can more readily start to comprehend nonself as a non-grasping approach to experience – one which brings with it the possibility of equanimity, and the promise that Buddhism hold out to all practitioners, the possibility of the cessation of suffering.
That promise may well take a lifetime of practice. Reading this book will almost certainly prove to be the perfect place to start.
Where this new volume differs from – and quite possibly improves upon – its excellent predecessor, Unlimiting Mind, is in its more focused approach. Rather than the broad survey of Buddhist thought that Olendzki treated his readers to in that first book, Untangling Self takes us instead on a deep dive of exploration into one of Buddhism’s most challenging teachings, the concept of “nonself”.
Olendzki begins by helping us to better understand what we mean when we talk about “self”. And this is where the book’s intriguing title comes into play. He describes the self as a continuously created and constantly changing narrative that we make up as we proceed through our lives, driven by our never-ending desire for pleasant events and aversion to unpleasant ones. The reality of our lives gets tangled up, so to speak, in these stories we tell ourselves.
The “self” Olendzki aims to “untangle” for his readers is the grasping, clinging self that each of us constructs out of our day-to-day experiences, and that Buddhism identifies as the root cause of all suffering. One of his key insights about suffering is how it stems not from “what you want, but [from] the very fact that you want.” A world of wisdom is distilled in that tweet-ready phrase.
Another powerful insight comes from Olendzki’s view that self is more properly considered as a verb rather than as a noun. Here’s a brief sample of what he has to say on this topic: “Grasping is not something done by the self; rather, self is something done by grasping. In the moment of trying to hold on to what is continually slipping away or of trying to push away what is relentlessly arising, a self is conjured up. The self can only exist as a fleeting attitude toward experience. [It] arises and passes away as relentlessly as everything else.”
Once we begin to understand self in this manner, we can more readily start to comprehend nonself as a non-grasping approach to experience – one which brings with it the possibility of equanimity, and the promise that Buddhism hold out to all practitioners, the possibility of the cessation of suffering.
That promise may well take a lifetime of practice. Reading this book will almost certainly prove to be the perfect place to start.
September 8, 2023
I feel this is a must read non fiction for everyone, no matter which gender, religion, or other identity you identify with. Its such an eye opening read that brings you immense peace. It helps you understand Buddhist teachings in the more authentic and realistic way. Talks about things you can actually practice to navigate through a world that is largely filled with negativity, hate and anxiety.
In short, whenever I felt distressed and I was like I don't think any religion can answer this question, this book gave me the peace, and some answers too. It ensured that things can be still controlled if we just understand ourselves better.
In short, whenever I felt distressed and I was like I don't think any religion can answer this question, this book gave me the peace, and some answers too. It ensured that things can be still controlled if we just understand ourselves better.
November 6, 2017
Buddhist philosophy has been my favorite reading topic for a while now, and Untangling Self by Andrew Olendzki is another awesome read. It is definitely on the analytical end of the spectrum of Buddhist books, and that's my favorite end of the spectrum.
January 8, 2017
I think, if you stop trying to find the exact point in this book and hold it to that standard, it suddenly seems very useful. This book might be about untangling self, but for many who have not yet divined what they believe self is, it can be awfully confusing. Still, if you take a look at this book as a whole, it has a lot of very good advice for looking at the world through a Buddhist lens.
If you can come into this book with an open mind and relax when you read it, the advice becomes much clearer. Once I was fully engaged with this book, I felt like I learned a lot from the examples that the author gave.
Over all, I thought this was a helpful book with a lot to offer the reader.
This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
If you can come into this book with an open mind and relax when you read it, the advice becomes much clearer. Once I was fully engaged with this book, I felt like I learned a lot from the examples that the author gave.
Over all, I thought this was a helpful book with a lot to offer the reader.
This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
September 3, 2019
Bounced into reading this as it was quoted favourably in Anneka Harris’ ‘Conscious’. Unfortunately only the introduction and conclusion are worth reading. These offer an interesting expression of the concept of ‘nonself’ in way which aligns with what we know from
neuroscience and psychology. The rest is somewhat dire: while I can read some Buddhist philosophy/psychology I can only hold interest while it remains tethered to empirical observation, even if that is only through introspection. But when arguments rest on the authority of differing interpretations of pali words or texts I feel like I am being invited to do something similar to speculating on the of angel-bearing capacity of a pinhead! If Buddhism has anything to offer it is because a (admittedly special) individual hit upon, through extraordinary introspection, some truth about human nature, and about reality. If it really is true then it remains so under
contemporary observation, and it seems quite silly picking over ancient texts expecting ever more granular detail to be revelatory. Not for me.
neuroscience and psychology. The rest is somewhat dire: while I can read some Buddhist philosophy/psychology I can only hold interest while it remains tethered to empirical observation, even if that is only through introspection. But when arguments rest on the authority of differing interpretations of pali words or texts I feel like I am being invited to do something similar to speculating on the of angel-bearing capacity of a pinhead! If Buddhism has anything to offer it is because a (admittedly special) individual hit upon, through extraordinary introspection, some truth about human nature, and about reality. If it really is true then it remains so under
contemporary observation, and it seems quite silly picking over ancient texts expecting ever more granular detail to be revelatory. Not for me.
September 25, 2023
Lots of great insights & wisdom about the ubiquitous illusion of self that the human mind generates & the liberation that comes from embracing the antidote of nonself, which purifies the phenomenological experience of consciousness.
However, I thought the structuring of the book, even its chapters, felt cobbled together & not quite constructed in an extremely satisfying way. The ideas were extremely compelling, but something about how they were constructed & presented felt wanting.
Regardless, this is a solid primer on Buddhist perspectives of no self & I’m grateful to have read it.
However, I thought the structuring of the book, even its chapters, felt cobbled together & not quite constructed in an extremely satisfying way. The ideas were extremely compelling, but something about how they were constructed & presented felt wanting.
Regardless, this is a solid primer on Buddhist perspectives of no self & I’m grateful to have read it.
May 5, 2018
Fantastically well, and clearly, written collection of essays for such a complex topic. Would recommend having some familiarity with Buddhist thought before reading though.
September 12, 2024
This book attempts to untangle self. I think it probably succeed. The degree to which it succeeds for me will depend on how much I understand!
March 5, 2023
A fantastic exploration of the self with many references to original Buddhist texts. It’s amazing that modern neuroscience on consciousness takes nothing away from the ancient texts, but only adds to our understanding.
Understanding Self did the best job of exactly that for me.
Understanding Self did the best job of exactly that for me.
February 18, 2017
A challenging read. Unfortunately, I didn't make it through to the end.
November 19, 2016
Though I tried to follow the thought process expressed by Andrew Olendzki in Untangling Self, I just couldn't seem to catch on. Admittedly, I was attempting to read this during a difficult week, and my mind was seeking rest. I'll give it another try at a later date to see if it makes a difference, but as of right now, this book just wasn't for me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Wisdom Publications for allowing me to read and review this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Wisdom Publications for allowing me to read and review this book.
February 8, 2017
A wonderful book that in clear language extrapolates the Buddha's teaching on non-self. Andy uses poet express and simple language to deconstruct the teachings making them easily accessible and understandable. It is inspiring to read and experience the moment-to-moment path of awakening in this finely crafted work.
October 13, 2016
As a committed and rather western Christian, I'm not sure the author achieved his goal of 'untangling self'; the discussions of mental states, attitudes, etc., seem to me to presume a self...but I'll keep studying.
March 24, 2017
So introspective as to be useless
I loved Olendzki's first book. However if one attempted to live a life based on the convoluted thinking that is presented here, his/her life would likely grind to a halt with constant, critical self-evaluation.
I loved Olendzki's first book. However if one attempted to live a life based on the convoluted thinking that is presented here, his/her life would likely grind to a halt with constant, critical self-evaluation.
January 22, 2017
Excellent
One of the best books I've read on the topic of mindfulness and non-self. Love it. I'm going to read this book more than once!!
One of the best books I've read on the topic of mindfulness and non-self. Love it. I'm going to read this book more than once!!
April 14, 2017
Buddhism for dummies ...
This book makes the defining principle of Buddhism, that of nonself, more comprehensible than several others I have read. I would recommend it to anyone truly interested in the subject.
This book makes the defining principle of Buddhism, that of nonself, more comprehensible than several others I have read. I would recommend it to anyone truly interested in the subject.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews