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Pragmatic Buddhism · March 27 · 37 min

What Does “No Self” Really Mean?

The Buddhist teaching of “no self” can sound confusing or even alarming. Does it mean we don’t exist? That our personality is an illusion? In this talk, Douglas and the St Louis sangha unpack what “no self” actually points to and why it’s considered one of the most liberating insights in Buddhist practice. Rather than denying our experience, this discussion invites us to look closely at how identity forms, solidifies, and creates suffering. By understanding the self as a dynamic process rather than a fixed entity, we open the door to greater flexibility, compassion, and freedom.

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The Buddhist teaching of “no self” can sound confusing or even alarming. Does it mean we don’t exist? That our personality is an illusion? In this talk, Douglas and the St Louis sangha unpack what “no self” actually points to and why it’s considered one of the most liberating insights in Buddhist practice. Rather than denying our experience, this discussion invites us to look closely at how identity forms, solidifies, and creates suffering. By understanding the self as a dynamic process rather than a fixed entity, we open the door to greater flexibility, compassion, and freedom.

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