Podcast Summary
The illusion of a permanent self: Recognizing we're persons, not selves, leads to interconnection, reduced suffering, and a deeper understanding of happiness.
According to philosopher J. Garfield, humans have an inherent tendency to believe in a permanent, substantial self that stands behind our mind and body. However, this is an illusion, and it's essential to recognize and let go of this belief to live a happier life. Garfield's latest book, "Losing Ourselves," explores this concept in detail. He emphasizes that we do exist, but as persons, not as selves. This realization can lead to many benefits, including interconnection, reduced suffering, and a deeper understanding of happiness. By understanding the difference between a person and a self, we can begin to shed the dangerous illusion of selfhood and live more authentically. Additionally, the 10% Happier podcast and app offer resources for those interested in meditation and mindfulness practices to help cultivate this way of thinking.
The illusion of a fixed self: We're not fixed entities, but constantly transforming sequences of processes. Our existence is more like money than a banknote, filling different roles in life.
Our identity and existence are not fixed and unchanging, but rather constantly transforming sequences of psychophysical processes that interact with the world and other people. This concept can be compared to the nature of money, which has a conventional existence that is instantiated differently at different moments. The illusion is that there is an unchanging, immutable self behind our eyes, separate from the world. However, this is not the truth, as we are more like dollars than banknotes, constantly filling different roles in life. This illusion is almost inescapable, as it is with many other illusions. To illustrate this, try drawing the Mueller-Lyer illusion, where two parallel lines appear different lengths despite being the same. Similarly, even though we know there is no hidden, unchanging "pearl of Dan" behind our eyes, the illusion persists.
Understanding illusions, self-illusion and the Mueller illusion: Understanding illusions, especially the self-illusion and the Mueller illusion, can help us shed them and improve our lives by recognizing they're not always accurate representations of reality
Illusions, including the self-illusion and the Mueller illusion, are natural but not necessarily beneficial aspects of being human. The Mueller illusion, described as two parallel lines with arrows pointing in or out, creates an optical illusion of different lengths. Similarly, our cognitive system creates the illusion of a self, which comes along with our adaptive abilities to monitor our inner states and position in the world. This self-illusion might have been the easiest way for evolution to help us survive, but it may limit our effectiveness, happiness, and success as human beings. Understanding these illusions can help us shed them and improve our lives. The Mueller illusion is an example of a cognitive illusion, a spandrel that came along with adaptive features of our cognitive and perceptual systems. While it may not be a design flaw, it is a consequence of our evolution and a reminder that our perceptions are not always an accurate representation of reality.
The self-illusion and its harmful consequences: Recognizing the self-illusion as an illusion created by our brains can lead to a more ethical, compassionate, and rational way of living by reducing self-alienation, egoism, partiality, and distorted sense of rationality.
The illusion of a fixed, independent self can lead to harmful consequences. Recognizing that our perception and understanding of ourselves and others is an illusion, created by our brains, allows us to be more aware and mindful of our thoughts and actions. The Mueller-Lyer illusion, as an example, can deceive us into seeing things differently than they are, and similarly, the self-illusion can lead to self-alienation, egoism, partiality, and a distorted sense of rationality. This illusion, which puts us at the center of our universe, can result in clannishness, violence, injustice, and conflict. Institutions like consumer capitalism, which encourage individual desires and competition, can reinforce this illusion. Therefore, challenging the self-illusion and recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings can lead to a more ethical, compassionate, and rational way of living.
Recognizing interconnectedness fosters better relationships: Understanding our interconnectedness and external influences can lead to empathy, gratitude, and better relationships. Balancing self-interest with consideration for others fosters mutual growth and understanding.
Our self-illusion, the belief that we are completely independent and causally determined agents, can lead to moral distortions and hinder our ability to connect with others and perform at our best. Instead, recognizing our interconnectedness and the influence of external factors on our actions can foster gratitude, empathy, and better relationships. Additionally, while self-interest is not inherently bad, focusing solely on our own interests at the expense of others can perpetuate the self-illusion and hinder mutual growth and understanding. It's essential to remember that our interests and the interests of others are intertwined, and recognizing this can lead to more harmonious interactions and a more virtuous way of living.
Bargaining in India: More Than Just a Deal: Approaching bargaining as a social interaction leads to positive experiences and better deals, while focusing solely on winning can result in negative outcomes.
While bargaining or haggling can be seen as a means to get the best deal, the way it's approached can greatly impact the outcome. In a bargaining economy like India, the process is often more about social interaction and treating each other as persons, leading to a mutually beneficial and enjoyable experience. Conversely, approaching it as a self-centered, win-at-all-costs game can result in two unhappy parties. The example illustrates how the illusion of selfhood can cloud our judgment and lead to negative outcomes. It's important to remember that every interaction is an opportunity to connect with others and create positive experiences.
Experience the joy of living in the present moment: Practicing presence through meditation, martial arts, music, athletics, and philosophical reflection can lead to a state of flow and help us perform at our best and live a 'virtuoso' life.
Living life in a state of flow, where we are fully immersed in the present moment and experience the world without the artificial duality of self, leads to our most enjoyable, rewarding experiences and allows us to perform at our best. This is a concept that can be found in various philosophical and spiritual practices, including Zen. Spontaneity, or the absence of deliberation, is a key aspect of this state, as it allows us to be fully present and available to the moment. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for achieving this state, there are many practices and disciplines that can help us get there, such as meditation, martial arts, music, athletics, and philosophical reflection. The ultimate goal is to live a "virtuoso" life, where we are not just imitating who we want to be, but truly becoming better and happier versions of ourselves.
Experience mindfulness for greater happiness: Immerse in present moment, appreciate interconnectedness and impermanence, find what works best for you, approach with open mind
Finding ways to lose yourself and experience mindfulness can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment. This can be achieved through various practices, such as contemplative meditation, sports, poetry, or simply enjoying nature. However, it's important to remember that the pursuit of these experiences can be paradoxical – focusing too intently on attaining a particular state can actually hinder the experience. Instead, the goal should be to immerse oneself in the present moment and appreciate the interconnectedness and impermanence of all things. For those interested in analytical meditation on emptiness, this practice involves focusing on a particular phenomenon and asking questions about its nature to gain a deeper understanding of interdependence and essentialness. However, this practice may not be suitable for everyone and may require a significant intellectual and philosophical investment. Ultimately, the key is to find what works best for you and to approach the practice with an open and curious mind.
Understanding Different Meditation Practices and Emotions for Effective Meditation: Different meditation practices suit various personalities and preferences. The Brahma Viharas, or divine states, in Buddhism can help focus on positive emotions, with each state having a 'near enemy' and 'far enemy' for better understanding and cultivation.
Finding the right meditation practice for an individual is crucial for effective meditation. Different approaches work for different people based on their personality and preferences. For instance, an analytical person might find contemplative practices that allow them to analyze thoughts beneficial, while others might prefer practices that discourage analytical thinking. The Brahma Viharas, or divine states, are moral attitudes in Buddhism that can help individuals get out of their heads and focus on positive emotions. These include friendliness (loving-kindness), compassion (care), sympathetic joy, and impartiality (equanimity). Each of these states has a "near enemy" and a "far enemy," which can help practitioners better understand and cultivate these emotions. For example, the near enemy of friendliness is indifference, while the far enemy is hostility. Understanding these concepts can deepen one's meditation practice and promote greater emotional well-being.
Exploring the Immeasurable States of Mind: Brahma Viharas: The Brahma Viharas, or immeasurable states of mind, are ethical practices that prioritize others' wellbeing over our own, leading to greater happiness and benefits for all. Cultivating compassion, empathetic joy, equanimity, and loving-kindness can transform our minds and improve our relationships with others.
The Brahma Viharas, or immeasurable states of mind, offer a unique ethical perspective where we put others' wellbeing before our own. This practice, which includes cultivating compassion (Karuna), empathetic joy (Mudita), equanimity (Upastha), and loving-kindness (Metta), can lead to greater happiness and benefit for all. The difference between the near and far enemies lies in thematizing oneself. The near enemy keeps the self at the center, while the far enemy neglects others. For instance, in the case of compassion, the near enemy is sloppy sympathy, while the far enemy is coldness. Similarly, for empathetic joy, the near enemy is clannishness, and for impartiality, the near enemy is partiality to those close to us. Cultivating the Brahma Viharas allows us to move away from being the center of our moral universe. It has been shown through research to have numerous physiological, psychological, and behavioral benefits, making us not only better ethical agents but also happier individuals. Practicing these skills, such as visualizing all sentient beings as one's mother, may initially feel forced, but the goal is the transformation of our minds, not the visualizations themselves. Research, including studies on loving-kindness meditation, supports the benefits of these practices. By focusing on others' wellbeing, we expand our sources of happiness beyond ourselves, creating a win-win situation for both ourselves and those around us.
Practicing meditation for emotional well-being: Meditation, particularly Brahma Vihara practices, can help us recognize and manage negative emotions, leading to greater compassion and effective responses.
Self-focus and negative emotions like anger, hostility, and greed can hinder our ability to be effective agents in our lives. Practicing meditation, specifically Brahma Vihara practices, can help us recognize and step back from these emotions, allowing us to respond more effectively and with greater compassion towards ourselves and others. The recognition of impermanence and the ability to transform ourselves through our actions is a powerful lesson for personal growth. Additionally, it's important to distinguish between pain and suffering, as suffering is often the result of our reaction to pain, and learning to manage our reactions can lead to true happiness.
Interconnectedness of suffering and freedom: According to Buddhism, true freedom and happiness are interconnected with the well-being of others. Our individual happiness is inseparable from the collective well-being of humanity.
True freedom and happiness are interconnected with the well-being of others. According to Buddhist teachings, suffering is threefold: evident suffering (physical pain), suffering of change (good things turning bad and aging), and suffering of pervasive conditioning (our interconnectedness with the world). The last type of suffering is the hardest to grasp but the most profound. It means that because we're all interdependent, what happens to others can impact our own happiness or suffering. So, nobody is truly free until everyone is free from suffering. This concept challenges us to care for others and recognize the emotional and cognitive dissonance that arises when we don't. In essence, our individual happiness is inseparable from the collective well-being of humanity.
The Illusion of Pursuing Happiness from Fleeting Moments: Real happiness comes from the extinction of suffering, which requires recognizing the primal confusion that leads us to seek insubstantial things as sources of lasting joy. Individuals can reduce suffering and live happier lives by removing aversion from pain and choosing to help others.
Suffering is an inherent part of existence, and the pursuit of fleeting moments of pleasure as a source of lasting happiness is an illusion. Real happiness comes from the extinction of suffering, which requires recognizing the primal confusion that leads us to see insubstantial things as substantial sources of happiness. Pain is not suffering, and pleasure is not happiness. We can learn to reduce suffering by removing aversion from pain, and even in the face of global challenges, individuals can choose to live happier, more helpful lives. However, the vast majority of people may not be committed to this project, and the current state of the world can be disheartening.
The Importance of Striving and Being an Obligation to Ourselves and Others: Recognize the difference between necessary and sufficient efforts, strive for personal growth, and make a positive impact on the world.
Each of us has a responsibility to do our best and shine our lives like lights, but it's important to recognize the difference between what's necessary and what's sufficient. Jay Garfield emphasized the importance of striving and being an obligation to ourselves and others, but also acknowledged the necessity of realism and hope for a better future. He encouraged listeners to engage with his work, including his book "Losing Ourselves: How to be a Person without a Self," and invited them to visit his website jgarfield.org for more information. Overall, Garfield's message was one of hope and the importance of individual effort in making a positive impact on the world.
