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The Path to No-Self: Life at the Center
This book shows how, once we have adjusted to the unitive state, the spiritual journey moves on to yet another more final ending.
In our major religious traditions, the outstanding milestone in the spiritual journey is the permanent, irreversible transcendence of the self center or ego. The fact that a great deal has been written about the journey to this point means that many people have come this far. But what, we might ask, comes next? Looking ahead we see no path; even in the literature there seems to be nothing beyond an abiding awareness of oneness with God. Had this path been mapped in the literature, then at least we would have known that one existed; but where no such account exists, we assume there is no path and that union of self and God is the final goal to be achieved.
The main purpose of The Path to No-Self is to correct this assumption. It verifies that a path beyond union does indeed exist, that the eventual falling away of the unitive state happens as the culmination of a long experiential journey beyond the state. The author shows that a path exists between the transcendence of the ego (self-center), which begins the unitive state, and the later falling away of all self (the true self), which ends the unitive state.
As a first hand account, The Path to No-Self will be of interest to those with similar experiences, or those searching for a better understanding of their own spiritual journey. Since the journey is concerned with the effects of grace on human consciousness, the book will be of interest to those psychologists concerned with the transformational process.
"Ms. Roberts' experiential approach clarifies several important points that have remained obscure in the writings of Christian mystics of the past. Primary among these is her powerful affirmation that the state of Transforming Union is a preparation for a further stage of divine transformation which, for lack of any classical Christian expression, she calls the experience of no self.
"Ms. Roberts' special gift as spiritual writer is her capacity to articulate the ineffable. The clarity and sharpness of her insight and expression, her honesty about herself and her experience, the balance and groundedness of her psychological perceptiveness, and her sure touch in distinguishing accidentals from essentials--the straight and narrow path from dead-ends--make her account unique among the works of spiritual writers." -- Father Thomas Keating
In our major religious traditions, the outstanding milestone in the spiritual journey is the permanent, irreversible transcendence of the self center or ego. The fact that a great deal has been written about the journey to this point means that many people have come this far. But what, we might ask, comes next? Looking ahead we see no path; even in the literature there seems to be nothing beyond an abiding awareness of oneness with God. Had this path been mapped in the literature, then at least we would have known that one existed; but where no such account exists, we assume there is no path and that union of self and God is the final goal to be achieved.
The main purpose of The Path to No-Self is to correct this assumption. It verifies that a path beyond union does indeed exist, that the eventual falling away of the unitive state happens as the culmination of a long experiential journey beyond the state. The author shows that a path exists between the transcendence of the ego (self-center), which begins the unitive state, and the later falling away of all self (the true self), which ends the unitive state.
As a first hand account, The Path to No-Self will be of interest to those with similar experiences, or those searching for a better understanding of their own spiritual journey. Since the journey is concerned with the effects of grace on human consciousness, the book will be of interest to those psychologists concerned with the transformational process.
"Ms. Roberts' experiential approach clarifies several important points that have remained obscure in the writings of Christian mystics of the past. Primary among these is her powerful affirmation that the state of Transforming Union is a preparation for a further stage of divine transformation which, for lack of any classical Christian expression, she calls the experience of no self.
"Ms. Roberts' special gift as spiritual writer is her capacity to articulate the ineffable. The clarity and sharpness of her insight and expression, her honesty about herself and her experience, the balance and groundedness of her psychological perceptiveness, and her sure touch in distinguishing accidentals from essentials--the straight and narrow path from dead-ends--make her account unique among the works of spiritual writers." -- Father Thomas Keating
232 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 19, 2017
I recently sold a copy of this book, and read the last chapter out of curiosity, not expecting to find anything useful, for I am not interested in meditation or piety. To my surprise, I found much to agree with as I read, and I definitely recommend the book to anyone interested in contemplative discipline. "Brian" does a good job of describing the book in his reader comment copied below. What I found unique is the teaching of individual transformation and development beyond the experience of Unity.
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BRIAN:
Profound - beyond anything I've read on the contemplative life and Pure Prayer, for seeing our emergence as beyond Union, or Oneness. Almost always, Oneness is seen as the end point of spiritual evolution. Thankful to see someone speak of infinite emergence, rather than some goal or simply a moving in circles until getting out of the bad karma circle of births. This book will not be appreciated well by persons who have not spent years in the practice of Silence and been growing to that beyond meditation, religion, and spirituality. Likewise, persons who are simply in revolt against religion, will not likely benefit from this book - for the author clarifies exactly why religion and Oneness and beyond-Union are not in conflict. Finally, this is not the oft-sweet-spirituality that appeals to persons who want ecstasy at little cost. Christians can appreciate this work, while persons of other faiths or no religious faith can see in it timeless Truth, as well, for the author writes of Truth, not a version of Truth or truth.
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BRIAN:
Profound - beyond anything I've read on the contemplative life and Pure Prayer, for seeing our emergence as beyond Union, or Oneness. Almost always, Oneness is seen as the end point of spiritual evolution. Thankful to see someone speak of infinite emergence, rather than some goal or simply a moving in circles until getting out of the bad karma circle of births. This book will not be appreciated well by persons who have not spent years in the practice of Silence and been growing to that beyond meditation, religion, and spirituality. Likewise, persons who are simply in revolt against religion, will not likely benefit from this book - for the author clarifies exactly why religion and Oneness and beyond-Union are not in conflict. Finally, this is not the oft-sweet-spirituality that appeals to persons who want ecstasy at little cost. Christians can appreciate this work, while persons of other faiths or no religious faith can see in it timeless Truth, as well, for the author writes of Truth, not a version of Truth or truth.
May 15, 2017
"The Path to No Self" is an account of the author's "Contemplative Journey" into the six stages of Contemplation leading to the final stage of "No Self". The author indicates that the "Unitive Stage is the one that most contemplatives have experienced including St Teresa of Avilla and St John of the Cross; however, it should be noted, that these saints apparently never experienced the final stage of "No Self". The author describes the Unitive Stage as only a midway point in our spiritual development. In the final stage of "No Self", the author speaks of the "self" being totally annihilated and emerged within God where subject and object are "One". In closing, I believe the author's spiritual experiences are far beyond the purview of any intellectual comprehension and far beyond the spiritual experiences of most people; however, this is a very hopeful book especially for those of a Christian background. The book also has many parallels and similarities to Eastern Philosophy of Non Dual Theory and Advaita Vedenta Philosophy. I would highly recommend it.
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.
August 15, 2021
Of the stuff I've read in Western contemplative literature, (probably) literally unique. Profundity pushing well beyond the boundaries of intellectual credulity, but that is, I think, her point as she tries to convey the depths of what she experienced and what she believes God/The Unknown is offering all of us, which is something much more/much less than union.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews