Self

by Ward Eilis

This book argues that we have got it wrong in the West with our belief in a ‘self’ that is autonomous and separate from others, exemplified by the entrepreneurial always on, always positive and always self-improving. This is the neoliberal self, a particular creature of late capitalism. However, as argued here, this view is harmful to us. It is the source of much of our suffering. Proposing as an antidote a Zen Buddhist account of the self, the book points to the possibility of true human liberation and a kinder world for all. In Zen, the self is not separate from others and our individual and collective suffering is intimately bound together. The author, a social scientist and long-standing Zen practitioner, draws on both personal experience and scholarly insight to make her case. No prior knowledge of Buddhism or of neoliberal thought is required of the reader – just a willingness to let go of some preconceived ideas and a curiosity about a different way of being.

Genres: Nonfiction

178 pages, Paperback

Published October 29, 2021

Reviews

[Luke Hosford · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightening read that punctured a lot of ideas around the neoliberal self and the current problems with mindfulness. Also a very interesting introduction to Zen and Zen Buddhism. It was kind of depressing to realise that the neoliberal self is a complete construction, at odds with the natural course of human life and is a significant part of the reasons for high levels of depression, anxiety, stress and burnout. The solution to these issues has co-opted mindfulness and Buddhism to individualise the solutions, when their causes are structural. Another one of these books though where people like me, already receptive to these ideas in general, are more likely to read it than those who have maybe never heard anything like this before.