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No Self, No Problem: How Neuropsychology Is Catching Up to Buddhism
While in grad school in the early 1990s, Chris Niebauer began to notice striking parallels between the latest discoveries in psychology, neuroscience, and the teachings of Buddhism, Taoism, and other schools of Eastern thought. When he presented his findings to a professor, his ideas were quickly dismissed as “pure coincidence, nothing more.” Fast-forward 20 years later and Niebauer is a PhD and a tenured professor, and the Buddhist-neuroscience connection he found as a student is practically its own genre in the bookstore. But according to Niebauer, we are just beginning to understand the link between Eastern philosophy and the latest findings in psychology and neuroscience and what these assimilated ideas mean for the human experience. In this groundbreaking book, Niebauer writes that the latest research in neuropsychology is now confirming a fundamental tenet of Buddhism, what is called Anatta, or the doctrine of “no self.” Niebauer writes that our sense of self, or what we commonly refer to as the ego, is an illusion created entirely by the left side of the brain. Niebauer is quick to point out that this doesn't mean that the self doesn't exist but rather that it does so in the same way that a mirage in the middle of the desert exists, as a thought rather than a thing. His conclusions have significant ramifications for much of modern psychological modalities, which he says are spending much of their time trying to fix something that isn’t there. What makes this book unique is that Niebauer offers a series of exercises to allow the reader to experience this truth for him- or herself, as well as additional tools and practices to use after reading the book, all of which are designed to change the way we experience the world―a way that is based on being rather than thinking.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2019
2005 people are currently reading
7839 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 342 reviews
September 15, 2019
Great book. Covers some really interesting facts about the mind. Of course now I question which side of my brain really liked it.
November 12, 2019
THIS IS THE MOST LIFE CHANGING BOOK OF 2019 FOR ME!
I read this book thanks to Blinkist.
The key message in these blinks:
The brain’s left hemisphere is where language is processed; it’s also responsible for categorizing and interpreting reality, as well as recognizing patterns. Together, these processes create the illusion of a stable, continuous self. In order to reduce the left brain’s constant chatter as well as lessen the mental suffering it causes, we can tap into our right-brain consciousness by engaging in Eastern practices, such as yoga and meditation.
Actionable advice:
Have a complaint-free day.
The opposite of gratitude is complaint. And, unfortunately, in contemporary society, complaining has become a common form of social interaction. If you’ve ever found yourself competing with friends to prove that you had the worst day or that your job is the most stressful, then you’re familiar with this phenomenon. If you’d like to get in the habit of feeling true gratitude, a great way to start is to cease complaining. So why not start now? Try to go a full day without making a single complaint.
What to read next:
Buddha’s Brain, by Rick Hanson.
As you now know, the two hemispheres of the human brain have drastically different ways of processing the world. The left brain is categorical; it interprets the world in words, delivering a constant inner monologue. The right brain is holistic; it sees all aspects of the world as interconnected, and is most active when we’re simply doing rather than consciously thinking.
If you’re intrigued by this neuroscientific insight and how it intersects with Eastern teachings, then we highly recommend the blinks to Buddha’s Brain, by Rick Hanson.
Hanson argues that the individuals we tend to regard as enlightened – people such as the Buddha and Jesus – didn’t possess brains with some special, enlightenment-prone quality; rather, they simply tapped into the right hemisphere’s natural abilities. Drawing on the field of neuroscience, he explains how everyone can discipline their brain to follow their lead, thus achieving greater happiness and inner peace.
I read this book thanks to Blinkist.
The key message in these blinks:
The brain’s left hemisphere is where language is processed; it’s also responsible for categorizing and interpreting reality, as well as recognizing patterns. Together, these processes create the illusion of a stable, continuous self. In order to reduce the left brain’s constant chatter as well as lessen the mental suffering it causes, we can tap into our right-brain consciousness by engaging in Eastern practices, such as yoga and meditation.
Actionable advice:
Have a complaint-free day.
The opposite of gratitude is complaint. And, unfortunately, in contemporary society, complaining has become a common form of social interaction. If you’ve ever found yourself competing with friends to prove that you had the worst day or that your job is the most stressful, then you’re familiar with this phenomenon. If you’d like to get in the habit of feeling true gratitude, a great way to start is to cease complaining. So why not start now? Try to go a full day without making a single complaint.
What to read next:
Buddha’s Brain, by Rick Hanson.
As you now know, the two hemispheres of the human brain have drastically different ways of processing the world. The left brain is categorical; it interprets the world in words, delivering a constant inner monologue. The right brain is holistic; it sees all aspects of the world as interconnected, and is most active when we’re simply doing rather than consciously thinking.
If you’re intrigued by this neuroscientific insight and how it intersects with Eastern teachings, then we highly recommend the blinks to Buddha’s Brain, by Rick Hanson.
Hanson argues that the individuals we tend to regard as enlightened – people such as the Buddha and Jesus – didn’t possess brains with some special, enlightenment-prone quality; rather, they simply tapped into the right hemisphere’s natural abilities. Drawing on the field of neuroscience, he explains how everyone can discipline their brain to follow their lead, thus achieving greater happiness and inner peace.
July 31, 2020
Interesting analysis of the Buddhist concept of no-self from the point of view of neuroscience. I would have given 5 stars if it wasn't for the unnecessary pseudoscientific "speculations" of chapter 7 around consciousness and telepathy, which really undermine the credibility of the rest of the book
December 26, 2024
I really dislike giving books less than a 4/5 star review.
I used to slag on books.
But I try not to do it at all anymore.
Ordinarily.
If I don’t LOVE a book.
I don’t finish it.
And I ABSOLUTELY refuse to review a books I didn’t finish.
The main reason I don’t do negative reviews anymore is.
They end up being harmful.
Particularly if it makes people who liked the book feel bad.
Or if it keeps people from reading something that they may like or find useful.
I also care about the people who (a) take the time to write a book, and (b) whose livelihood depends (in part, or entirely) on book sales.
I have immense respect for people who actually manage to write books (especially considering that I haven’t done that yet, and may never actually get my shit together enough to accomplish such a difficult and often low return feat).
Given all that.
This will be one of the only 3/5 star reviews I will post in 2024.
I actually liked this book.
And I finished it.
And I recommend it to people who are new to the Buddhism, meets Neuroscience (NeuroDharma) universe.
I (unfortunately) read it side by side with Ian McGilcrest’s Ways Of Attending, and that was just plain unfair to this author.
Plus.
I have read (literally hundreds) of books in this space.
And I’m working on a dissertation in this general area.
I’m not bragging.
It’s just true.
So I’m kind of burned out on books like this.
Given all that.
Please please please read this if it looks like something you would enjoy and find interesting and informative.
I liked it.
I didn’t love it.
You might love it.
3/5 ✨
I used to slag on books.
But I try not to do it at all anymore.
Ordinarily.
If I don’t LOVE a book.
I don’t finish it.
And I ABSOLUTELY refuse to review a books I didn’t finish.
The main reason I don’t do negative reviews anymore is.
They end up being harmful.
Particularly if it makes people who liked the book feel bad.
Or if it keeps people from reading something that they may like or find useful.
I also care about the people who (a) take the time to write a book, and (b) whose livelihood depends (in part, or entirely) on book sales.
I have immense respect for people who actually manage to write books (especially considering that I haven’t done that yet, and may never actually get my shit together enough to accomplish such a difficult and often low return feat).
Given all that.
This will be one of the only 3/5 star reviews I will post in 2024.
I actually liked this book.
And I finished it.
And I recommend it to people who are new to the Buddhism, meets Neuroscience (NeuroDharma) universe.
I (unfortunately) read it side by side with Ian McGilcrest’s Ways Of Attending, and that was just plain unfair to this author.
Plus.
I have read (literally hundreds) of books in this space.
And I’m working on a dissertation in this general area.
I’m not bragging.
It’s just true.
So I’m kind of burned out on books like this.
Given all that.
Please please please read this if it looks like something you would enjoy and find interesting and informative.
I liked it.
I didn’t love it.
You might love it.
3/5 ✨
February 10, 2020
Anyone who has been around me the past two weeks has already heard all about this book. It has had a “cult like” effect on me and I can’t stop talking about it. This book is an absolute MUST read for anyone who is on any type of journey of self-improvement.
Once you are converted to this book’s way of understanding what your left brain is doing to you- you will be able to stop gossiping, stop complaining, stop hating yourself, and stop being hurt by the comments of others.
I have been putting some of the practices that I have learned in this book to work the past two weeks and they have already helped to improve my mood, well being, and my relationships with others.
This quote from the book sums up much of what the book sets out to teach; “ Recognizing what the left brain does has immense practical benefits. Simply becoming aware of the interpreter and the endless categories it creates through judgment frees you from being tied to the inevitability of these judgments. That is just say, when you become conscious of the interpreter, you are free to choose to no longer take its interpretation so seriously. In other words when you realize that everyone’s brain is constantly interpreting, in ways that are subjective and often inaccurate or completely incorrect, you might find yourself able to grasp this as “just my opinion “or “the way I see it” rather than “this is the way it is.” You begin to see your judgment as simply a different line in the sand than others. When someone approaches you with a “this is the way it is“ attitude you can appreciate that this person is dominated by the left brain, that they are servant to its master. As a result, there is no need to take their actions or attitudes personally; it’s a biological function that they have not yet recognized. This small perspective shift is enough to change how we live with each other and ourselves.” Page 32
November 7, 2019
The left brain is the enemy
My left brain had a problem accepting the premise of this book; that the story telling part of the brain is responsible for all suffering and delusion. My right brain gave it 4 stars.
My left brain had a problem accepting the premise of this book; that the story telling part of the brain is responsible for all suffering and delusion. My right brain gave it 4 stars.
November 10, 2019
Well documented and easy to read
The premise of "No Self No Problem" is that the human brain is organized in such a way that we carry around a split personality. One of these is vocal and the other is silent. We typically identify with the vocal (left-brain) personality, while the other (right-brain) personality guides our left-brain "self" through our everyday lives in silence. The vocal personality we identify with consists of memories and stories based on language and symbols that are constantly changing, so in effect our left-brain "self" doesn't really exist. This is one of the core tenets of Buddhism, and Dr. Niebauer uses simple thought experiments to show why this belief is factual, plus introducing evidence from the field of neuroscience to further back it up.
At first I thought Dr. Niebauer's thesis was overly simplistic, even though he does provide quite a bit of clinical support for it. Being a neurologist, he naturally places quite a lot of emphasis on the brain itself, initially giving the impression that consciousness emerges strictly from electro-chemical processes, and altering brain chemistry dramatically alters consciousness. This fits right in with the conventional physicalist interpretation of consciousness, and so my initial reaction was, "So what else is new?"
But toward the end of the book, the conversation suddenly shifts toward an idealistic interpretation of reality; namely that consciousness is singular and the idea of separate consciousnesses or selves emerging from individual physical brains is an illusion. Instead, Dr. Niebauer suggests that the brain is a kind of mirror from which universal consciousness sees a reflection of itself based on an illusion of a separate self that exists within and interacts with a defined, limited physical space.
Rupert Sheldrake's animal research and his morphic field concept are also mentioned as possibly explaining how universal consciousness operates. Apparently, lower animals lack the power of language, which is an integral part of the illusion of self, so they operate mostly in the wholistic, silent, right-brain mode, which Sheldrake believes animals do by accessing a field that is attached to their brains. I personally don't care for the morphic field concept because it is an attempt to use a quasi-physical field to explain certain psychic connections between subjects. I suspect any psychic communication by means of a field would be subject to the same limitations that the laws of cause and effect impose on communication using electromagnetic fields, whereas certain psi phenomena appear to bypass those laws.
So here's my opinion: Quantum entanglement offers a better explanation. Different parts of an entangled quantum system, which appear to be separated by space and time, are so highly correlated that there is effectively no spatial or temporal separation at all between them. This is the "spooky action at a distance" that so bothered Albert Einstein, but this was later proven to be real from experiments demonstrating violations of Bell's inequality. Also, experience with the inert gas xenon used as an anesthetic agent suggests that conscious awareness disappears (the brain goes to sleep) when quantum entanglement at the sub-cellular level is disrupted.
Well, that's enough of my opinions. Let me finish by saying I highly recommend this book. It is written in very easy to understand prose. The author completely avoids getting bogged down in highly technical terminology, but if the reader is interested in the scientific research supporting his thesis, he provides ample references for further study. Five stars!
The premise of "No Self No Problem" is that the human brain is organized in such a way that we carry around a split personality. One of these is vocal and the other is silent. We typically identify with the vocal (left-brain) personality, while the other (right-brain) personality guides our left-brain "self" through our everyday lives in silence. The vocal personality we identify with consists of memories and stories based on language and symbols that are constantly changing, so in effect our left-brain "self" doesn't really exist. This is one of the core tenets of Buddhism, and Dr. Niebauer uses simple thought experiments to show why this belief is factual, plus introducing evidence from the field of neuroscience to further back it up.
At first I thought Dr. Niebauer's thesis was overly simplistic, even though he does provide quite a bit of clinical support for it. Being a neurologist, he naturally places quite a lot of emphasis on the brain itself, initially giving the impression that consciousness emerges strictly from electro-chemical processes, and altering brain chemistry dramatically alters consciousness. This fits right in with the conventional physicalist interpretation of consciousness, and so my initial reaction was, "So what else is new?"
But toward the end of the book, the conversation suddenly shifts toward an idealistic interpretation of reality; namely that consciousness is singular and the idea of separate consciousnesses or selves emerging from individual physical brains is an illusion. Instead, Dr. Niebauer suggests that the brain is a kind of mirror from which universal consciousness sees a reflection of itself based on an illusion of a separate self that exists within and interacts with a defined, limited physical space.
Rupert Sheldrake's animal research and his morphic field concept are also mentioned as possibly explaining how universal consciousness operates. Apparently, lower animals lack the power of language, which is an integral part of the illusion of self, so they operate mostly in the wholistic, silent, right-brain mode, which Sheldrake believes animals do by accessing a field that is attached to their brains. I personally don't care for the morphic field concept because it is an attempt to use a quasi-physical field to explain certain psychic connections between subjects. I suspect any psychic communication by means of a field would be subject to the same limitations that the laws of cause and effect impose on communication using electromagnetic fields, whereas certain psi phenomena appear to bypass those laws.
So here's my opinion: Quantum entanglement offers a better explanation. Different parts of an entangled quantum system, which appear to be separated by space and time, are so highly correlated that there is effectively no spatial or temporal separation at all between them. This is the "spooky action at a distance" that so bothered Albert Einstein, but this was later proven to be real from experiments demonstrating violations of Bell's inequality. Also, experience with the inert gas xenon used as an anesthetic agent suggests that conscious awareness disappears (the brain goes to sleep) when quantum entanglement at the sub-cellular level is disrupted.
Well, that's enough of my opinions. Let me finish by saying I highly recommend this book. It is written in very easy to understand prose. The author completely avoids getting bogged down in highly technical terminology, but if the reader is interested in the scientific research supporting his thesis, he provides ample references for further study. Five stars!
November 12, 2019
خود را مبین که رستی
“No self, no problem.”
The brain’s tendency to perceive patterns creates the illusion of the self and can cause mental suffering.
مشکل از خودبینی است: خودبینی نیمکره چپ مغز و رهایی از آن با مدیتیشن نیمکره راست
The brain’s left hemisphere is where language is processed; it’s also responsible for categorizing and interpreting reality, as well as recognizing patterns. Together, these processes create the illusion of a stable, continuous self. In order to reduce the left brain’s constant chatter as well as lessen the mental suffering it causes, we can tap into our right-brain consciousness by engaging in Eastern practices, such as yoga and meditation.
......
من می اندیشم پس هستم-دکارت
پس وقتی خود هست مشکل پابرجاست.
If you’re familiar with one sentence from the annals of Western philosophy, it’s probably this one: Cogito, ergo sum – I think, therefore I am. Formulated by René Descartes in the seventeenth century, these words encapsulate a particular, and particularly Western, worldview – namely, that humankind is defined by thinking.
Descartes would have you believe that there is a stable, continuous “I,” a thinking entity from whom thoughts emanate. And most people – in the West, at least – would agree with him. After all, each of us refers to ourselves as an “I” all the time, and, usually, we’ve got a pretty clear idea who we’re talking about.
But does this “I” really exist? The central argument of Eastern philosophy, as presented by Buddhism, is that there is no “I.” Rather, it is thought that creates the illusion of a continuous self – and that this illusion is at the root of all human suffering.
These book details the ways that neuroscience is substantiating these millennia-old Eastern ideas, showing why Zen Buddhists might have been right when they said, “No self, no problem.”
how yoga and meditation help the right brain;
that pattern recognition isn’t always a good thing; and
what the world looks like when the left brain goes offline.
....
(blinkist summary)
January 12, 2021
I was really hoping to learn and really enjoy this book. The topic is something I am particularly interested in. Maybe it is because we don't have enough scientific evidence. But I felt this book to be a little simplistic - only dividing the brain up to "left" and "right" when it is so much more complex. The central idea of how the left vs right brain functions is very interesting and I do enjoy the thought experiments the book suggests. It is a pretty quick read as well. All in all it feels like it could be a good ted talk instead of a whole book.
October 21, 2020
Amazing analysis of the left and right brain along with great insights on consciousness and Buddhism. Buddhism is forever light years ahead of science and time aha. Great read.
February 18, 2020
Simplistic, but honestly so regarding the dichotomous approach. The arguments weren’t really strong and the final section is an open question, which made me twitch my nose since it somewhat broke the structure. I used to practice RV so I’m not rejecting the hypothesis of a “collective consciousness” (unconscious?) per se, but the reader isn’t provided with a strong enough link to neuroscience (plus: the definitions just ain’t there / are blurry) and is left with the assertion that science doesn’t really know where consciousness lies, given experiences the interpretation of which is debatable (another question is: why should we make it a matter of consciousness?). What if it's a construction of the - as we named that kind of processing - left brain? What would the asymmetry in density of neural connections suggest and why? Aren't some disorders suspected of being rooted in disproportionate connections?
July 18, 2023
Nice wrap-up and mash-up of neuroscience and spirituality, though at times a bit too esoteric tor me.
January 11, 2021
Short and to the point.
I found it really helpful making the connection between my analytical thinking and spiritual quest. The book talks about how the latest neuroscience findings are aligned with East philosophies such as Buddhism, Taoism etc.
And it does this by talking about left and right brain.
At times, the references to East philosophies fall short and too shallow however this is the trade off to have a short book. It is not fair to expect him to get into really deep in those topics. So it's probably better if you already have certain grasp in some of Eastern concepts.
In short, I really liked the book and it gave me the opportunity to make peace between my analytical and spiritual thinking.
I found it really helpful making the connection between my analytical thinking and spiritual quest. The book talks about how the latest neuroscience findings are aligned with East philosophies such as Buddhism, Taoism etc.
And it does this by talking about left and right brain.
At times, the references to East philosophies fall short and too shallow however this is the trade off to have a short book. It is not fair to expect him to get into really deep in those topics. So it's probably better if you already have certain grasp in some of Eastern concepts.
In short, I really liked the book and it gave me the opportunity to make peace between my analytical and spiritual thinking.
June 12, 2020
A must read for anyone interested in how the brain messes with your sense of reality.
December 19, 2023
"Stop thinking, and end your problems. - Lao Tzu"
I wholeheartedly believe in the ideas from this book, but it really doesn’t do that great a job of arguing for itself. So 100% confirmation bias on my end, but I'm still glad I read (listened to) this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"The self that you think you know is not real."
"It is the process of thinking that creates the self, rather than there being a self having any independent existence separate from thought."
“We are the only species that we know of that can believe in ourselves, lie to ourselves, convince ourselves, love or hate ourselves, accept ourselves, push and even pull ourselves.”
“ 'Do you want to know what my secret is?'... 'I don't mind what happens.' "
I wholeheartedly believe in the ideas from this book, but it really doesn’t do that great a job of arguing for itself. So 100% confirmation bias on my end, but I'm still glad I read (listened to) this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"The self that you think you know is not real."
"It is the process of thinking that creates the self, rather than there being a self having any independent existence separate from thought."
“We are the only species that we know of that can believe in ourselves, lie to ourselves, convince ourselves, love or hate ourselves, accept ourselves, push and even pull ourselves.”
“ 'Do you want to know what my secret is?'... 'I don't mind what happens.' "
September 11, 2024
Parcă am recitit „Cartea despre acel tabu care te împiedică să afli cine ești” (Alan W. Watts), doar că de data aceasta dintr-o perspectivă neuropsihologică.
August 24, 2021
One of the most influential books I have read so far.
It makes you question decisions and patterns of thinking you have always made without much contemplation. The ideas presented will definetely bring a lot more awareness into your being and will change the way you perceive your relationships, as well as yourself as individual and as a part of society.
I also enjoyed how the information is structured and the gradual way in which ideas are presented and build on with the advancement of the book. The author combines knowledge of religion and science in a captivating way by also giving fascinating insights from their complementation.
It makes you question decisions and patterns of thinking you have always made without much contemplation. The ideas presented will definetely bring a lot more awareness into your being and will change the way you perceive your relationships, as well as yourself as individual and as a part of society.
I also enjoyed how the information is structured and the gradual way in which ideas are presented and build on with the advancement of the book. The author combines knowledge of religion and science in a captivating way by also giving fascinating insights from their complementation.
April 11, 2020
Wonderful read. It kind of reminded me of ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle but with more science and less “God”.
Read
May 6, 2025This was absolutely insightful and potentially really impactful; I recommend it with a few reservations.
Niebauer explains the the functions of the two hemispheres of the brain and how each contribute to our conscious experience/sense of self. This makes up the first 2/3rds of the book and was pretty great; it was a bit slow towards the end of the 'left brain' part (Niebauer isn't a big fan of the left brain) and then really took off in the 'right brain' part. Irrespective of the neuroscience behind it, being able to recognise the different kinds of thinking that compromise our minds is fantastic for being more mindful (sorry); understanding our reactions and feelings; and why our thought patterns go the way they do. I think reading this book really changed my life for the better in this way.
Niebauer consistently sprinkles in references to Eastern spirituality, I would say particularly in regard to how the non-linguistic right brain can be more effective or ~better than the rational, pattern-finding left brain in many regards. I think there is some real merit to this and I really liked some of the meditation prompts he added, they blend the mysticism and neuroscience excellently and some of his suggestions really added to my own meditations, too.
Towards the end he goes off on one a bit looking at how consciousness might be a 'morphic field' and how clairvoyance and ESP might have a bit more to them than we believe. I am hesitant to totally dismiss this simply because I didn't check out the references (I intend to) but I think this takes things a bit far. Although someone like Sam Harris seemed to me to be a bit dismissive of the 'powers of the unconscious mind' and I have a lot of time for what Niebauer talks about in terms of unconscious, right-brain reasoning, I think there still has to be some sort of computational model behind that which some of what he alludes to seems to lack. On the other hand, speculating about the more divine origin of consciousness provided a lovely and thoughtful bit of writing and I think it's important after a point to remember that we are talking about something that transcends dull rationality so he can stay, I guess. I liked his conclusion about an 'ideal' humanity sitting somewhere between the left-brain rationality and right-brain blissful (but passive) enlightenment.
Left brain bad, right brain good, yeah I'd read this book but take it with a pinch of salt.
Niebauer explains the the functions of the two hemispheres of the brain and how each contribute to our conscious experience/sense of self. This makes up the first 2/3rds of the book and was pretty great; it was a bit slow towards the end of the 'left brain' part (Niebauer isn't a big fan of the left brain) and then really took off in the 'right brain' part. Irrespective of the neuroscience behind it, being able to recognise the different kinds of thinking that compromise our minds is fantastic for being more mindful (sorry); understanding our reactions and feelings; and why our thought patterns go the way they do. I think reading this book really changed my life for the better in this way.
Niebauer consistently sprinkles in references to Eastern spirituality, I would say particularly in regard to how the non-linguistic right brain can be more effective or ~better than the rational, pattern-finding left brain in many regards. I think there is some real merit to this and I really liked some of the meditation prompts he added, they blend the mysticism and neuroscience excellently and some of his suggestions really added to my own meditations, too.
Towards the end he goes off on one a bit looking at how consciousness might be a 'morphic field' and how clairvoyance and ESP might have a bit more to them than we believe. I am hesitant to totally dismiss this simply because I didn't check out the references (I intend to) but I think this takes things a bit far. Although someone like Sam Harris seemed to me to be a bit dismissive of the 'powers of the unconscious mind' and I have a lot of time for what Niebauer talks about in terms of unconscious, right-brain reasoning, I think there still has to be some sort of computational model behind that which some of what he alludes to seems to lack. On the other hand, speculating about the more divine origin of consciousness provided a lovely and thoughtful bit of writing and I think it's important after a point to remember that we are talking about something that transcends dull rationality so he can stay, I guess. I liked his conclusion about an 'ideal' humanity sitting somewhere between the left-brain rationality and right-brain blissful (but passive) enlightenment.
Left brain bad, right brain good, yeah I'd read this book but take it with a pinch of salt.
March 23, 2021
Most profound book of the year. It will change your life.
This book looks at the brain and how the left brain creates an illusion of self. This illusion causes us mental suffering. Individual consciousness and the self are illusions. The left is constantly organizing, categorizing and labeling. Even when it has no idea what is happening, it's just labeling and judging. It's such a jerk! Then we get caught up in our minds stories forgetting they are not reality. The left brain interprets and right brain witnesses. The good news is you can bring yourself into awareness and into the right brain, then you can find a state of balance and less suffering.
Niebauer show us our brain and points to Eastern philosophy. He reveals what Buddhist thought has know for thousands of years. There is no you anywhere doing anything. You are everywhere doing everything.
This book looks at the brain and how the left brain creates an illusion of self. This illusion causes us mental suffering. Individual consciousness and the self are illusions. The left is constantly organizing, categorizing and labeling. Even when it has no idea what is happening, it's just labeling and judging. It's such a jerk! Then we get caught up in our minds stories forgetting they are not reality. The left brain interprets and right brain witnesses. The good news is you can bring yourself into awareness and into the right brain, then you can find a state of balance and less suffering.
Niebauer show us our brain and points to Eastern philosophy. He reveals what Buddhist thought has know for thousands of years. There is no you anywhere doing anything. You are everywhere doing everything.
February 1, 2022
Very interesting approach to self reflection. Buddhism and neurophysiology end up having extremely striking similarities worth contemplating. The book reveals how our mind creates a posteriori stories to justify what is happening to us. These stories are usually not the actual cause of our state and, therefore, being aware of this helps us manage our response to our own thoughts in a more enlightened way.
At times, however, the brain is oversimplified and the author falls into the simplistic and outdated categories of right vs. left brain. Useful metaphor for understanding the topic, but one should not forget that this is not scientifically accurate.
Overall, worth reading. I have discussed with many people about it and it is indeed a paradigm changing book for many; I think in the most positive way.
At times, however, the brain is oversimplified and the author falls into the simplistic and outdated categories of right vs. left brain. Useful metaphor for understanding the topic, but one should not forget that this is not scientifically accurate.
Overall, worth reading. I have discussed with many people about it and it is indeed a paradigm changing book for many; I think in the most positive way.
August 24, 2020
A wonderful book and surely an eye opener. It awakens you to the idea that "we" are constantly dominated by our left brain (the so-called "master"), including the sense of "self". As shown through several scientific experiments conducted on patients, the left brain can indeed be drastically wrong about various aspects of reality. Does that apply to "self" as well ?
March 19, 2021
A great book in many ways:
- Content is relevant
- Easy to read
- Short and straight to the point
The language used in this book is really friendly. Anyone can read and understand the ideas in the book. Anyone trying to understand the idea behind enlightenment, ego, and some other misunderstood concepts will find a clear scientific explanation.
5 stars easy.
- Content is relevant
- Easy to read
- Short and straight to the point
The language used in this book is really friendly. Anyone can read and understand the ideas in the book. Anyone trying to understand the idea behind enlightenment, ego, and some other misunderstood concepts will find a clear scientific explanation.
5 stars easy.
July 13, 2025
More of a Buddhist perspective on science than a scientific perspective on Buddhism. Makes some big jumps here and there but overall thought-provoking and an interesting attempt to bridge knowledge systems. Good as an introduction to Buddhism for those of us who are more familiar with scientific approaches to life!
November 29, 2020
Interesting read with scientific analysis on how our brains operate. I particularly enjoyed the parts that contained links with eastern spirituality and consciousness. 4/5.
June 2, 2024
short book, clearly written. maybe the rational approach helps some. I found the left/right brain distinction, in the context of peace of mind etc, interesting
January 30, 2022
This is the book that you must read over and over again. Dr. Niebauer explains how our brain works, and this knowledge will set you free.
June 19, 2025
I liked a lot in the book but the last part lost me.
March 24, 2024
A very interesting read. Some of what was in here was stuff I already knew, but a lot of it was new info. Plenty of it was even shocking. A good book for anyone looking to understand the human brain a bit more.
September 3, 2021
Interesting ideas, but the linkage to Scientific evidence seemed tenuous in places, and the conclusions went beyond what the argument established.
The book advances two central claims. Firstly that mental suffering is due to our human belief in a ‘self’ (as Buddhism teaches). Secondly that Science now provides evidence to reject a belief in the “self.”
The book doesn’t argue for the first point, it just assumes it. Yes Buddhism insists that people do not have a self (anatta) and yes it provides strategies to avoid mental suffering, but must those beliefs be linked causally as the book assumes?
Stoicism provides strategies to avoid mental suffering by improving thinking. But Stoicism does not take a view on whether people have a ‘self.’ If it is possible to avoid mental suffering using Stoic strategies, then this challenges the idea that avoiding mental suffering requires a renunciation of a belief in the self.
The wider thesis of the book is that “the findings of scientists in the West strongly support… one of the most fundamental insights of the East: that the individual self is more akin to a fictional character than a real thing. (Kindle location 81). But the evidence cited for this claim was not convincing.
The author argues that there is no evidence of a “self” as a “physical thing located in the brain.” (loc 111). But modern belief in a self does not reduce it to a “physical bit” of the brain. So, of course there is no evidence. Equally importantly, absence of evidence never constitutes evidence of absence. So an inability to “find” a self as a region of the brain cannot prove that a self does not exist.
The central argument seems to be that the "fiction" of the self is due to the left brain (hemisphere) imposing its logical reasoning structure of subject-object to create the illusion of a self as the subject of the activity of thinking. The author states that the right brain has “intuition” which gives an alternative non-subject based form of knowledge, thus proving that the ‘self’ is not a necessary feature of thinking, or reality.
This argument rests on a very shaky evidence base. Firstly we are presented with a single case study: Dr Jill Bolte Taylor who suffering a left hemisphere stroke in Dec 1996 (loc 801). She subsequently experienced a non-subject based experience of reality. This is interesting, but can a single person’s experiences really over-write the almost universal human sense of a ‘self?’
Additional evidence is cited of experiments involving left and right eye tasks, to trigger left and right brain responses. But the test subjects do not have “split brains,” so it is unclear whether their responses were indeed entirely specific to left or right brain hemispheres. The author admits “it would be interesting to run the experiments on split brain patients…’ (loc. 1810). Surely its “essential” to run the experiments on split brain patients, not just “interesting;” otherwise the conclusions are going beyond what the evidence justifies.
By the end of the book it felt as if science was being cherry picked and massaged to try and “prove” the religious idea that people do not have a self.
The book advances two central claims. Firstly that mental suffering is due to our human belief in a ‘self’ (as Buddhism teaches). Secondly that Science now provides evidence to reject a belief in the “self.”
The book doesn’t argue for the first point, it just assumes it. Yes Buddhism insists that people do not have a self (anatta) and yes it provides strategies to avoid mental suffering, but must those beliefs be linked causally as the book assumes?
Stoicism provides strategies to avoid mental suffering by improving thinking. But Stoicism does not take a view on whether people have a ‘self.’ If it is possible to avoid mental suffering using Stoic strategies, then this challenges the idea that avoiding mental suffering requires a renunciation of a belief in the self.
The wider thesis of the book is that “the findings of scientists in the West strongly support… one of the most fundamental insights of the East: that the individual self is more akin to a fictional character than a real thing. (Kindle location 81). But the evidence cited for this claim was not convincing.
The author argues that there is no evidence of a “self” as a “physical thing located in the brain.” (loc 111). But modern belief in a self does not reduce it to a “physical bit” of the brain. So, of course there is no evidence. Equally importantly, absence of evidence never constitutes evidence of absence. So an inability to “find” a self as a region of the brain cannot prove that a self does not exist.
The central argument seems to be that the "fiction" of the self is due to the left brain (hemisphere) imposing its logical reasoning structure of subject-object to create the illusion of a self as the subject of the activity of thinking. The author states that the right brain has “intuition” which gives an alternative non-subject based form of knowledge, thus proving that the ‘self’ is not a necessary feature of thinking, or reality.
This argument rests on a very shaky evidence base. Firstly we are presented with a single case study: Dr Jill Bolte Taylor who suffering a left hemisphere stroke in Dec 1996 (loc 801). She subsequently experienced a non-subject based experience of reality. This is interesting, but can a single person’s experiences really over-write the almost universal human sense of a ‘self?’
Additional evidence is cited of experiments involving left and right eye tasks, to trigger left and right brain responses. But the test subjects do not have “split brains,” so it is unclear whether their responses were indeed entirely specific to left or right brain hemispheres. The author admits “it would be interesting to run the experiments on split brain patients…’ (loc. 1810). Surely its “essential” to run the experiments on split brain patients, not just “interesting;” otherwise the conclusions are going beyond what the evidence justifies.
By the end of the book it felt as if science was being cherry picked and massaged to try and “prove” the religious idea that people do not have a self.
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