Beyond the Observer: Mindfulness, No-Self, and the Dissolution of Psychological Time

Summary

Mindfulness practice can lead to the dissolution of the duality between the observer and the observed by revealing the constructed nature of experience. Integrating the Buddhist concept of no-self with insights from Jiddu Krishnamurti, it highlights that true mindfulness transcends the illusion of a permanent self and addresses suffering at its root. The paper argues that mindfulness is a holistic approach for investigating one's state of being, fostering individual liberation as well as compassion, clarity, and wisdom.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This paper explores the dynamics of self, time and observation within mindfulness practice, moving beyond conceptual and observer-based frameworks. It revisits the foundational meaning of mindfulness by integrating the early Buddhist doctrine of anattā (no-self) with insights from Jiddu Krishnamurti and related Eastern and Western philosophical views. Through the lens of direct observation, the paper outlines how mindfulness can reveal the constructed nature of experience, leading to the dissolution of duality between the observer and the observed. It further asserts that the essence of mindfulness lies in transcending the illusion of a permanent self and dissolving identification rooted in psychological time. Drawing from primary sources of the Buddhist Pāli canon, the paper highlights the central role played by choiceless awareness in capturing suffering at its root: the self-construct. The paper argues that mindfulness, in its original form, is not a technique or tool, but a holistic approach that can be used to investigate the state of being. The study concludes that mindfulness not only leads to individual liberation but also cultivates compassion, clarity, and wisdom in daily life.

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