From self to nonself: The Nonself Theory
Frontiers in Psychology July 4, 2016 Yung-Jong Eshiah 84 citations
A new theoretical framework, the Nonself Theory (NT), proposes that minimizing or extinguishing the sense of self leads to egolessness and authentic happiness, contrasting with Western psychology's emphasis on strengthening the self. The theory uses the Mandala Model of Self (MMS), which describes the well-functioning self across cultures through four concepts: biology, ideal person, knowledge/wisdom, and action. While the ego pursues desire-driven pleasure to reinforce the self, the nonself approach follows a self-cultivation principle of giving up desires, displaying compassion, practicing meditation, and seeking Buddhist wisdom to overcome the illusion of self. The NT accounts for altruism, mindfulness, peak experiences, and moral conduct, and offers clinical applications and directions for future research.