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The Experience of No-Self: A Contemplative Journey
"One of the most significant spiritual books of our day. One of the best books on this subject since St. John of the Cross. An amazing book, it clarifies the higher regions of the spiritual path." -- Father Thomas Keating
Within the traditional framework, the Christian notion of loss-of-self is generally regarded as the transformation or loss of the ego (lower self) as it attains to the higher or true self in its union with God. Thus, because self at its deepest center is a run-on with the divine, I had never found any true self apart from God, for to find the One is to find the other.
Because this was the limit of my expectations, I was all the more surprised and bewildered when many years later I came upon a permanent state in which there was no self, no higher self, true self, or anything that could be called a self. Clearly, I had fallen outside my own, as well as the traditional frame of reference, when I came upon a path that seemed to begin where the writers on the contemplative life had left off. But with the clear certitude of the self's disappearance, there automatically arose the question of what had fallen away--what was the self? What, exactly, had it been? Then too, there was the all-important what remained in its absence? This journey was the gradual revelation of the answers to these questions, answers that had to be derived solely from personal experience since no outside explanation was forthcoming.
"I must re-emphasize that the following experiences do not belong to the first contemplative movement or the soul's establishment in a state of union with God. I have written elsewhere of this first journey and feel that enough has been said of it already, since this movement is inevitably the exclusive concern of contemplative writers. Thus it is only where these writers leave off that I propose to begin. Here now, begins the journey beyond union, beyond self and God, a journey into the silent and still regions of the Unknown." -- Bernadette Roberts, from the Introduction
Within the traditional framework, the Christian notion of loss-of-self is generally regarded as the transformation or loss of the ego (lower self) as it attains to the higher or true self in its union with God. Thus, because self at its deepest center is a run-on with the divine, I had never found any true self apart from God, for to find the One is to find the other.
Because this was the limit of my expectations, I was all the more surprised and bewildered when many years later I came upon a permanent state in which there was no self, no higher self, true self, or anything that could be called a self. Clearly, I had fallen outside my own, as well as the traditional frame of reference, when I came upon a path that seemed to begin where the writers on the contemplative life had left off. But with the clear certitude of the self's disappearance, there automatically arose the question of what had fallen away--what was the self? What, exactly, had it been? Then too, there was the all-important what remained in its absence? This journey was the gradual revelation of the answers to these questions, answers that had to be derived solely from personal experience since no outside explanation was forthcoming.
"I must re-emphasize that the following experiences do not belong to the first contemplative movement or the soul's establishment in a state of union with God. I have written elsewhere of this first journey and feel that enough has been said of it already, since this movement is inevitably the exclusive concern of contemplative writers. Thus it is only where these writers leave off that I propose to begin. Here now, begins the journey beyond union, beyond self and God, a journey into the silent and still regions of the Unknown." -- Bernadette Roberts, from the Introduction
213 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 25, 2020
It is no secret to my friends and family my almost-obsession with reading and learning about Buddhism. There's an unlimited joy in lifelong learning, especially when the topic of learning is so profitable in its returns to your quality of life.
Last autumn I read Living Buddha, Living Christ. At the end of this book, Thich Nhat Hanh writes
The book itself opened up a new perspective towards Christianity that I found difficult to digest in light of the Christianity of my youth, one that was/is distinctly Cartesian, distinctly violent, and distinctly like a myth or fairy tale. Sure I had heard from and read from different perspectives on Christianity but they all had fundamental flaws that made me discount them.
This book was the introduction to a unique branch of Christian thought. In it, Roberts (a former discalced nun) describes her experience of losing her sense of self and how she came to reconcile and understand it. After this, she spends some time on questions and criticisms, and delves into a bit of analysis and philosophy about what the Self is, where it comes from, how it perpetuates itself, and posits it's loss as a desired positive stage in human development.
Though Roberts clearly has a misunderstanding of Buddhism, I marked her experience as one many a Buddhist meditator would recognize. I imagine it's like comparing Tycho Brahe and Copernicus - both describe the same phenomena but with different language, terms, conceptual perspectives, and models.
Roberts is truly an original thinker, though she is at times repetitive, redundant, and contradictory. This is certainly a book only for those specifically interested in the subject matter, as the jargon and perspectives may come off as too esoteric or confusing to a casual reader (as it even did for me 3 or 4 times through the text). She assumes the reader has a working knowledge of her own works and of Christian mysticism.
However, I'm glad I read this book as a springboard into this topic. I am excited to read her book The Real Christ, as the one excerpt I've read sounds downright confrontational to other Christians but still a tour de force of thought and perspective.
Last autumn I read Living Buddha, Living Christ. At the end of this book, Thich Nhat Hanh writes
During the last fifteen years while sharing the Buddha’s Dharma in the West, I always urged my Western friends to go back to their own traditions and rediscover the values that are there, those values they have not been able to touch before. The practice of Buddhist meditation can help them do so, and many have succeeded. Buddhism is made of non-Buddhist elements. Buddhism has no separate self. When you are a truly happy Christian, you are also a Buddhist. And vice versa.
The book itself opened up a new perspective towards Christianity that I found difficult to digest in light of the Christianity of my youth, one that was/is distinctly Cartesian, distinctly violent, and distinctly like a myth or fairy tale. Sure I had heard from and read from different perspectives on Christianity but they all had fundamental flaws that made me discount them.
This book was the introduction to a unique branch of Christian thought. In it, Roberts (a former discalced nun) describes her experience of losing her sense of self and how she came to reconcile and understand it. After this, she spends some time on questions and criticisms, and delves into a bit of analysis and philosophy about what the Self is, where it comes from, how it perpetuates itself, and posits it's loss as a desired positive stage in human development.
Though Roberts clearly has a misunderstanding of Buddhism, I marked her experience as one many a Buddhist meditator would recognize. I imagine it's like comparing Tycho Brahe and Copernicus - both describe the same phenomena but with different language, terms, conceptual perspectives, and models.
Roberts is truly an original thinker, though she is at times repetitive, redundant, and contradictory. This is certainly a book only for those specifically interested in the subject matter, as the jargon and perspectives may come off as too esoteric or confusing to a casual reader (as it even did for me 3 or 4 times through the text). She assumes the reader has a working knowledge of her own works and of Christian mysticism.
However, I'm glad I read this book as a springboard into this topic. I am excited to read her book The Real Christ, as the one excerpt I've read sounds downright confrontational to other Christians but still a tour de force of thought and perspective.
May 30, 2017
Just as it was not easy to write this book, I found myself standing outside her words/world looking in. I'm not sure I understand all that she wrote for I have not experienced No Self and found it hard to wrap my mind around. She gave me much to think about, hence the 4 star rating. Her writing will probably continue to resonate for years to come and I'm not sure it's meant to ever stop resonating.
May 9, 2017
Oh. Well. This is one of those books. I shall have to read it again, later, to glean more from it. I'm left with a profound sense of something that I can't explain. A peace and certainty that I rarely experience (though it's frequent at the end of a yoga class).
I don't agree with everything that Roberts says, mostly because she's a Christian (presumably Catholic, since Wikipedia tells me she used to be a Carmelite nun) and I am (mostly) atheist. She does not appear to be one of those rabid Christians that believe theirs is the only way, in fact she says a number of things that I imagine orthodox Christians (probably particularly if they're Catholic) would consider heresy. I do, however, consider myself contemplative, as she does, though not in the strict Christian tradition of contemplation. This book talks about (what appears to be) the final journey of the contemplative, using her Christian belief as an explanatory framework. Had I had her experience (and I'm, presumably, working on that as a contemplative) and written on it, I would have written the same basic things, but from an atheistic viewpoint.
Of course, I do wonder if I can be truly contemplative and an atheist at the same time. The fact is, I have no choice. I am an atheist. I've never come across a single religious thing that I can actually believe. I can pretend to believe, but only for a short time. The pretence consumes to much energy for me to keep it going. At the same time, I do yoga, I meditate I read all these religious texts. I'm searching for something to believe. I don't think I'll find it, but I will find myself (or my no-self) and the truth while I'm looking.
The reading of this book is an experience in and of itself. This is a book that should be read time and time again as one progresses through the various stages of life. I do not recommend it for anyone that isn't contemplative.
I don't agree with everything that Roberts says, mostly because she's a Christian (presumably Catholic, since Wikipedia tells me she used to be a Carmelite nun) and I am (mostly) atheist. She does not appear to be one of those rabid Christians that believe theirs is the only way, in fact she says a number of things that I imagine orthodox Christians (probably particularly if they're Catholic) would consider heresy. I do, however, consider myself contemplative, as she does, though not in the strict Christian tradition of contemplation. This book talks about (what appears to be) the final journey of the contemplative, using her Christian belief as an explanatory framework. Had I had her experience (and I'm, presumably, working on that as a contemplative) and written on it, I would have written the same basic things, but from an atheistic viewpoint.
Of course, I do wonder if I can be truly contemplative and an atheist at the same time. The fact is, I have no choice. I am an atheist. I've never come across a single religious thing that I can actually believe. I can pretend to believe, but only for a short time. The pretence consumes to much energy for me to keep it going. At the same time, I do yoga, I meditate I read all these religious texts. I'm searching for something to believe. I don't think I'll find it, but I will find myself (or my no-self) and the truth while I'm looking.
The reading of this book is an experience in and of itself. This is a book that should be read time and time again as one progresses through the various stages of life. I do not recommend it for anyone that isn't contemplative.
June 19, 2025
Time to plan a trip to Big Sur.
June 15, 2013
This wast second time reading this book. The first time, I rushed through the book overnight to get a decent understanding of her point of view prior to meeting her the next day when she visited Austin, TX. ( I drove 2.5 hours on very little sleep.) I can't say I got everything I could have from that particular state of consciousness I was in, but I can say that something about the relentless energy of her presence/presentation left an indelible mark on my psyche. Now, many years later, so much water under the bridge, the spiritual journey, I'm convinced that this is the most important testimony of the completion of the Christian contemplative path that I've ever read. By the time Christians take what she's sharing to heart, this will be a very different world.
June 19, 2021
No self ... no words.
Highly recommend all books or writings by Bernadette Roberts. Finally, a modern day mystic who has gone beyond union and had the courage to leave behind truth. Thank you, precious, brave one. Of course those steeped in dogma won't like what you experienced and wrote about, because their dogma came from a self. Eventually all must surrender to Spirit and the Silence. Resistence is futile... ;)
Highly recommend all books or writings by Bernadette Roberts. Finally, a modern day mystic who has gone beyond union and had the courage to leave behind truth. Thank you, precious, brave one. Of course those steeped in dogma won't like what you experienced and wrote about, because their dogma came from a self. Eventually all must surrender to Spirit and the Silence. Resistence is futile... ;)
June 6, 2017
"The Experience of No- Self" is the author's spiritual experiences of "No Self" which she describes as the final stage of the "Contemplative Life". The author states that there has been much written of the initial stages of contemplation which may be described as the integration of the finding of self and the movement toward union with God. This may be called the "Unitive Stage" that most contemplatives including St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa; however, the author describes this stage as only a midpoint to the final stage of "No Self". In this "Unitive Stage" the individual maintains some semblance of self-consciousness; however, in the "No Self Stage", all self-consciousness, ego, personality and sense of individuality is annihilated. The author describes this final journey as a time of transition and revelation but, also describes it, as an arduous journey devoid of love and bliss which conversely characterizes the "Unitive Stage" of contemplation. The only mystic the author could find who spoke of this stage beyond union, beyond self and God was Meister Eckhart. Other Christian Mystics such as St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa may not have written about this stage of contemplation in fear of possible retribution of the Church.
In closing, "The Experience of No-Self" is a chronicle of the author's spiritual experiences and journey dating back to her early childhood, through her eight and half years as a Carmelite Nun and finally leading to her "self-realization". This clearly is not "a how to do book" and the author's level of spirituality and experiences are far beyond the comprehension and experiences of most people; however, this is a very hopeful book and engaging story that adds to the discussion of the "Contemplative Life". I would highly recommend it.
In closing, "The Experience of No-Self" is a chronicle of the author's spiritual experiences and journey dating back to her early childhood, through her eight and half years as a Carmelite Nun and finally leading to her "self-realization". This clearly is not "a how to do book" and the author's level of spirituality and experiences are far beyond the comprehension and experiences of most people; however, this is a very hopeful book and engaging story that adds to the discussion of the "Contemplative Life". I would highly recommend it.
September 27, 2024
A rare chronicle of a Christian contemplative's struggles to comprehend her movement beyond the better documented mystical marriage or unitive state with God (meaning there is still an "I" and a "Thou"), into a complete loss of self while navigating day-to-day living (with teenagers no less). Having begun to experience a similar "summons" so to speak in my own decades-old contemplative practice, I opened to this book sensing its truth more in the space between the words. And wordy it was - the author's earnestness in trying to convey and contrast her odyssey with the theological, philosophical and psychological became overwhelming for me. I confess to skimming the last few chapters as I felt the book had lost its focus (can't we all in the inner realm?!) and become redundant. Nonetheless, I appreciate her courage in recounting this season of her life, as there is meager writing or commentary on the Christian experience of no-self. I will no doubt attempt it again after some time...
February 10, 2015
This is an account of the experiences of a Christian contemplative who spent nine years as a cloistered Carmelite nun. She describes in great detail the events leading up to the experience of the disintegration of her sense of personal self. In many ways the story is fantastic and difficult to believe, yet I found her descriptions of the phenomenon she experienced highly credible. The book is unique in the depth and detail it unveils of the entire process she went through. She is articulate, thoughtful, and inspiring.
Her story is analogous to enlightenment tales from other religious traditions; it is unique in its specifically Christian perspective, and also unique in the detail and quality of her analysis of the experience.
The story is quite compelling; I enjoyed the learning experience, and will look forward to reading her other books.
Her story is analogous to enlightenment tales from other religious traditions; it is unique in its specifically Christian perspective, and also unique in the detail and quality of her analysis of the experience.
The story is quite compelling; I enjoyed the learning experience, and will look forward to reading her other books.
January 27, 2022
Fascinating account of the spiritual journey for which all of us are destined to traverse. Bernadette Roberts was an amazing person and unique in that her journey began when she was quite young and continued with unrelenting intensity for the rest of her life. The journey to No-Self...I am so interested in reading everything I can about this experience; recently read "The Journey to No-Self" by Patrick Drysdale. Another page-turning account of this phenomenon. Some of her account is hard to understand (at least it was for me) but nevertheless I understood enough to keep my interest. Her account reminds me, at times, of Byron Katie's experience.
March 26, 2024
I perceive Bernadette as a deceptive figure. She uses her personal sense of emptiness and personal experiences to undermine the longstanding traditions of Saints and the Church, which differ from her own perspective.
For those considering reading her writings, despite certain descriptions suggesting otherwise, it's clear she cannot be categorized as a Catholic writer. She outright rejects Jesus' divinity and launches bold criticisms against Him and the concept of the Trinity.
I'm confused as to why she chose to delve into the topic of Christianity when she appears so opposed to it. Wouldn't it be more fitting for her to remain within the realms of agnosticism or Buddhism?
For those considering reading her writings, despite certain descriptions suggesting otherwise, it's clear she cannot be categorized as a Catholic writer. She outright rejects Jesus' divinity and launches bold criticisms against Him and the concept of the Trinity.
I'm confused as to why she chose to delve into the topic of Christianity when she appears so opposed to it. Wouldn't it be more fitting for her to remain within the realms of agnosticism or Buddhism?
October 15, 2024
If you have read the works of Jed McKenna and UG Krishnamurthy, you'll see that they do not go deeper into the details of their transition phase. Ofcourse, their books are more focused towards helping people wake up from their ego driven spirituality.
Bernadette comes to your rescue here. In the book she goes into minute details about her experience with overcoming the Self. If you are about to take this path or have already done so, this book will give you an overview of whats coming.
Such books are rare indeed.
Bernadette comes to your rescue here. In the book she goes into minute details about her experience with overcoming the Self. If you are about to take this path or have already done so, this book will give you an overview of whats coming.
Such books are rare indeed.
June 14, 2021
Hard to describe. Not for the faint of heart. I probably read it too soon, but still.... The testimony of a contemplative who’s journeyed well beyond where I am, beyond the traditional signposts and ways of understanding the movements of contemplative reality. Shattering, difficult, esoteric, but breaking into goodness.
“For us to give our self to God is, as [Meister] Eckhart says, to give [God] absolutely nothing; but for God to take the self is for [God] to take absolutely everything.”
“For us to give our self to God is, as [Meister] Eckhart says, to give [God] absolutely nothing; but for God to take the self is for [God] to take absolutely everything.”
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July 24, 2025Somehow deleted my review.
Oh, well.
It was an interesting, difficult, somewhat contradictory read for a pretty niche subject. I got something out of reading it, but I can't say I'd recommend it for a wide audience. My more nuanced thoughts are now lost in the ether. I'll leave the quote I highlighted.
"Love for others is a strong will not to hurt them as well as desiring for them the same good we desire for ourselves."
Oh, well.
It was an interesting, difficult, somewhat contradictory read for a pretty niche subject. I got something out of reading it, but I can't say I'd recommend it for a wide audience. My more nuanced thoughts are now lost in the ether. I'll leave the quote I highlighted.
"Love for others is a strong will not to hurt them as well as desiring for them the same good we desire for ourselves."
February 19, 2024
I think I picked up this book too soon. Bernadette's account is fascinating - but mostly confusing. It simply doesn't read all too well unless you're approaching the later stage realizations she's describing and can somehow relate and make some sense of it. This is rather an advanced read best saved for later.
February 10, 2025
This book was read for a spiritual book club. I could read it for about 20 minutes at a time and then needed time to process what I'd read. I was still in the dark at the end, but it sure made me think.
September 13, 2018
A must read for contemplatives
June 25, 2025
I believe this is the greatest book ever written.
June 30, 2025
Def need to read again. Unique view into god, completeness, and self.
June 26, 2012
Bernadette Roberts' books are not easy reading but are unique and important to those interested in the path to God. She says her experience goes beyond the unitive state, such as John of the Cross wrote about.
July 2, 2007
Incredible relation of no-mind and its effect on a 'normal' life - the original way to be lost and found - dissolution.
April 5, 2016
This is a woman's recollections of her contemplative experience and closer walk with God. It is intense and beautiful.
Currently reading
July 2, 2012Very dry book, but very interesting. I've been reading it slowly and carefully marking it up. I'll update the review when I get further into it.
December 14, 2013
A disturbing but challenging account of a former nun's attempt to transcend her ego. Not for the psychologically fragile.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews