The Experience of No-Self

[ButterflyWoman]

First, I recommend reading the book, The Experience of No-Self by Bernadette Roberts, for yourself. I have a copy of it, and every time I read it (which has been about annually for the past three years or so), I find I get more from it and understand more of what she's trying to describe and document regarding spiritual awakening and the state of no-self.

Tonight I happened upon this summary of the book, which is pretty good reading: http://www.nonduality.com/berna.htm (and that's really what I wanted to post, not the book recommendation, though I do recommend pretty much anything by Bernadette Roberts). I thought the website summary was a pretty thorough description of the content of the book and of Bernadette's unique path to the state of no-self (which is always a unique journey for everyone). Might be of interest to one or two people around here, anyway.

I also enjoyed this interview with Bernadette Roberts: http://www.spiritualteachers.org/b_robe ... erview.htm (http://www.spiritualteachers.org/b_roberts_interview.htm)

I thought I'd put this here in the Mysticism forum because that seemed to fit the best, and if there's ongoing discussion, this is probably the best place for that (and I'm not really talking about the book, but about the summary of the book as presented on the website ;)).

[Tutor]

Anatta = not the self or no-self

The one scriptural passage where Gautama is asked by a layperson what the meaning of anatta is as follows: [Samyutta Nikaya] At one time in Savatthi, the venerable Radha seated himself and asked of the Blessed Lord Buddha: “Anatta, anatta I hear said venerable. What pray tell does Anatta mean?” “Just this, Radha, form is not the self (anatta), sensations are not the self (anatta), perceptions are not the self (anatta), assemblages are not the self (anatta), consciousness is not the self (anatta). Seeing thusly, this is the end of birth, the Brahman life has been fulfilled, what must be done has been done.”

tim