The Secret To True Happiness = Seeing That The Self Is An Illusion (Here's Why)

The surprising secret to realizing true, unconditional happiness is seeing that the sense of self we have is actually an illusion.
In this video, mindfulness speaker, trainer, and coach, Matt Tenney offers simple instructions for how to apply mindfulness to see through the illusion of the self, understand the causes of suffering (dependent origination), and realize happiness that does not depend on external conditions.
If you'd like to see more videos on mindfulness meditation, please subscribe to this channel.
Also, if you'd like free sample chapters of Matt's mindfulness book, The Mindfulness Edge, please visit - themindfulnessedge.com/.

[@harrybellingham98]

I don't know why, but it is so hard to find any speaker of buddhism, non-duality etc. really go into depth about the illusion of self. They often go off topic and bring in all these other aspects or leave it to one or two sentences. Thanks for going in-depth.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

My pleasure. Thanks for your kind words.

[@drodsou]

The best explanation I've seen so far after hearing countless pompous non-dual teachers. My favourite pointer is when you have any emotional tension, ask "what is aware of it?", and then ask how that part that is aware is feeling right now. Is it in discomfort? This both helps you find that there is no monolithic "I" being angry or sad, but just a part, and that there always is another part that is not in that state. Another is when you detect a emotionally charged thought like "that's disgusting" or "that's offesive". Ask "for whom?" where is the one inside me that is disgusted or offended. You'll see that is never "all of you", is just a part of the body-mind that contracts. For someone dealing with many emotional issues I'd suggest to look for a therapist on Internal Family Systems, that had made a therapy using this concept.

[@hoykoya3382]

Who are these pompous non-dual teachers so we can avoid them?

[@gauravkumarverma8154]

J Krishnamurti said the same thing long before..Observer is the observed, experiencer is the experience,thinker is the thought...

[@jimblackstone9522]

Then i guess he is wrong cause an observer changes everything .... remember the quantum double slit experiment

[@eddielopez2373]

@@jimblackstone9522great word association. You’re practically doing science.

[@jimblackstone9522]

@@eddielopez2373 i m just trying to contruct a bridge using science

[@radix9629]

@@jimblackstone9522How can you change everything when everything is already changing

[@TheSubpremeState]

Check the double split experiment again. I think it was misinterpreted. I just heard some physicist talking about. I haven't checked the science of it yet but I could answer it myself going on what I've been through. Hard to explain it with this faulty language of ours. Krishnamurthi was one of the many gurus who didn't know what he was talking about. Or else he couldn't explain it well. Nisargadatta was the real deal. So was Ramana maharshi. People could feel his energy and without saying a word people could sense it. That was how he was discovered​@@jimblackstone9522

[@rotorblade9508]

the mind blowing thing is even death is just the physical destruction of the brain which ceases to produce awareness but the self disappears every day and when you go to sleep there are moments when the self doesn’t exist for long periods. When you wake up you are not the same self it’s like a different person wakes up, but the present you doesn’t realise because it is created based on what’s in the brain so includes memories, basically previous awareness states recorded

[@Loved_evolved]

Individual self is an illusion. The self is one ❤

[@birdlady700]

I’ve been misunderstanding this whole concept and getting confused about it for so long, but I must say that the way it was explained in this video helped me to totally understand it in a much clearer way I never had, and I’m so grateful!

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

So glad to hear this. Thanks for sharing.

[@backwardthoughts1022]

the goal is not denial of 'me' of persons. this guy is confused and teaching nihilism, a denial of persons

[@annereiner8951]

@@backwardthoughts1022 yeah, because western people think the solution to all their problems is to become a monk adhering to eastern philosophy 🤣🤣

[@dreamerwl8458]

​@@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631thanks for the clear explanation. Very glateful to you.

[@bluemeaford]

@@backwardthoughts1022 Have you looked up the definition of nihilism and actually read it? He is explaining that everyone has the ability to remove the illusion of self, which acts as the middle person, or middle layer, separating the body from fully experiencing the world without judgement, a narrative or mental distractions. Just being present. Fully. Very freeing.

[@authamofficial]

Very akin to both Buddhism and Stoicism. I believe contentment is important for mental health, though if detachment is taken to the extreme, it will lead to passivity and poor health. Sometimes it's also auspicious to pay attention!

[@ucchinhtran5301]

Even Mahayana Buddhism today cannot be direct, clear and comprehensible like this, thank you for this teaching

[@Homer62001]

I’m starting to understand that the self is like a noisy filter between the external world and me as an entity moving through the world.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@anteroserotes5846]

How you explained this broke down this wall I've had regarding this concept that was holding me back and falling into these repeated self destructive patterns. The way you conveyed it was like this key unlocking this door. I really feel it was this missing piece preventing me from really being able to break through all this suffering... this dark night of the soul I've been in the past year has led me to this moment and making the choice to watch this video. thanks for all you do! 🙏

[@revenzo3]

I've been trying to understand nonduality for 2ish years now... This is by far the best I've ever seen it explained. Thanks for this Matt!

[@cvan7681]

May I also suggest you read John Ralston's book, "The Book of Nothing"?

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for sharing that. I'm glad this was helpful.

[@gerrym-cat7119]

The only thing I know for sure without a doubt is that I AM. That's the only truth.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Or perhaps even more precisely, "There is this."

[@ellie698]

define "I" define "am"

[@-Boundless-]

@@ellie698 I = Aware Am = Being I Am = Aware Being / Awareness “I Am” is subjective language. “It Is” is objective language. Same referent. Ultimately, what is being spoken of is neither subjectivity nor objectivity. Even to say “I Am” or “It Is” is too much.

[@paulmallon7713]

I always appreciated Alan Watts' take on this. You aren't something that is in the universe, you something that the universe is doing. You are a verb, not a noun. As an apple tree 'apples', the universe 'peoples'.

[@skittleiggyluv]

Fabulous Dharma talk!!!! When you spoke about us being in paradise I realized that even when I am staying in the moment (or I think I am) I am able to put away all the stuff you spoke about BUT I just realized that the reason I don't REALLY see it as Paradise is because I am wishing it would last forever and I am sad because it will will end....UMMMMMM DUH, impermanence is a thing LOL. I just never realized that I was still grasping and clinging in those moments until listening to this.

[@sanjeevkumar-lu9hp]

It is true that self is a illusion but to experience that in every moment one must do practice mindfulness everyday whether u like it or not to get some degree of concentration to recognize thought as thought

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

That's true. Consistent practice is very important.

[@clodhopper-dodo]

Once you catch the thought as thought, you are liberated. You automatically become curious to extrapolate this direct observation. As you directly see memory's response as insult, insecurity, you begin to experience direct liberation. I am getting suddenly expert in this. Then nothing matters like frightening news, death, plans to evade something imagined.

[@renierlindeque9387]

My ADHD brain: Look at the cars in the background 🥸

[@williamburts5495]

You said, " all there is is awareness " yes, I agree, but to realize that is to personally realize it and know it and it is this knowing that you know that gives you selfhood.

[@williamburts5495]

@@-Boundless- You said, " awareness " knows " that it is aware simply by being what it is- awareness itself" I agree, to be aware is to know that you are aware and to me that makes awareness to be self-awareness.

[@motivate2mind]

you are God walking on the planet. Thank you giving us ur hand when we need the most! 🪷🪷🪷

[@walterkeane3380]

Thank you. Grateful 🙏.

[@TindakanOrganization]

How you broke this down is amazing!

[@DrawingAndPaintingMeditations]

Beautiful. Thank you for your clear, concise, no jargon words.

[@kimulm0619]

Thank you for this.❤

[@adelinedelriego2294]

What a beautiful explanation of awareness! It's such a gift you are giving us! Infinite gratitude, Matt 🙏🌻

[@bpotter9769]

Excellent! Straightforward... Natural! 🙏👍🤗

[@joestevewalter4698]

Amazing explanation.Thank You so much :)

[@drm54321]

So Very profound! This really is one of the best explanations of non-self that I've ever heard. Thank you very much, Matt.

[@hammausman_]

Thank you for this 🤝🏼

[@krsomasundr]

Thank u so much..

[@kathyashby6019]

Absolutely Brilliant!!! You made it so clear!! Thank YOU so much!

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

You're very welcome!

[@gideonwaxfarb]

I've come to understand the illusion of self. It answered many questions for me, but it didn't make getting up and going to a soul-crushing job every day any easier. (Heck, maybe I was stupid for thinking it would.)

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

What brings peace is letting go of mental activity (letting mental activity be as it is without getting involved). That won't make a bad job "enjoyable," necessarily, but it can allow you to drop suffering on demand.

[@luisantoniomoran7085]

Thanks for the light man! You’re awesome 😎!

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@kobalt77]

Wonderful, you have a lovely relaxed way of getting the message across without unnecessary mysticism or complication. Thank you Matt .

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for your kind words.

[@twoline2924]

For the longest time I have been trying to get out of self as self. Ty for this insight :)

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Ahh, yes. That would be tricky.

[@pasp002]

Thank you for posting this video. I was listening to Sam Harris trying to explain the illusion of the self and was struggling to understand it and your explanation has helped. I particularly enjoyed the example of the itch - I kept noticing areas on my body get itchy during your talk and had never been able to resist a quick scratch or repositioning of my body before but found the exercise of noticing and acknowledging the desire really useful. I didn’t scratch once :) As I continue to practice meditation and mindfulness I’m still looking to learn more about the illusion of the self and this video has been really encouraging Thanks again :)

[@susanamos6237]

Thank you 🙏

[@keefblues]

Spacious Awareness. I have read many books on these topics and while the ideas resonate with me, it never really "clicked" at a visceral guttural level. I want to thank you so much for this talk and how you present these ideas with such ease, simplicity and clarity. For the very first time I actually get it and it has lifted so much weight from my psyche that I actually breathe easier because of it. This talk is amazing.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks so much for sharing that, David. That made my day.

[@JMT34237]

You have explained this much better then most. Thank you.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for your kind words, Jason.

[@elliestafford7714]

Yes, it is ME that is feeling it!

[@jackrode6105]

So well explained, loved this

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Glad it helped!

[@I_agree_with_you]

Brilliant...thank you :)

[@md-tc7tw]

U. G. Krishnamurti talks about this a lot and it's finally making sense. We are an illusion but the human body is not. The knowledge that your organism has gathered throughout life has created you, in order to better function in this world.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Glad to hear this is becoming clearer. Taking time to practice being awareness will gradually make this all crystal clear.

[@philipkolyos8230]

I understand it totally intellectually (or maybe i dont) but cannott feel it and am still in a 30 year severe depression. Id love your advice. Many thanks...

[@Carlos44]

While the individual, seemingly separate sensing self might not exist, this doesn't negate the possibility that the subjective experience of being aware might belong to a transcendent Self, an absolute "I" within which each human being's awareness is participating. The experience of intersubjective awareness, the sense of "we" or non-separation from another that we feel in intimate relations points to the possibility of individual awareness participating in a transcendent subjectivity within which all forms of being live and move and have their being.

[@metwalymagdy264]

I liked how clear and simple your articulati9n is but attuning to the true self here and there is different than awakening aka recognition of the true self where it's no longer experiences here and there but fully living with that recognition every moment. That's the awakening as our birthright. The practices are stepping stones not the ultimate goal.

[@saravaccaro613]

Thank you!

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Happy to help.

[@sr2665yt]

The logic makes sense. In the case of feeling of pain and whether it could be mindfully control, it is possible but I think there is another force that will work against it. It’s complicated to explain but to give an rough idea I like to point out the self unfolding power imbued in a zygote that creates a human being from a single cell. The power demonstrated by it may still linger in a human being influencing not only in the decisions we make but in all life affairs. Considering it’s overpowering influence geared to propagate our life species we may not be able to resort to mind control in all painful situation, but to take prompt physical remedies. Ex. take your hand away from a red hot object when touched.

[@pedestrian_0]

Your flow of consciousness really kept me interested, that was a really fun journey!

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for sharing that!

[@lieromarchesi9180]

Thank you so much for this! There was some fear and desire throughout the day but the more I question the self that is fearful desire full the illusion of me seems to be seen more and more as non existent and then there’s just this openness of being aware that’s it thank you!

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing this Liero. When the "me" isn't there, perfection is. You might want to pay attention to the natural tendency to want to replicate what was experienced. It's very natural for the ego to want that. If you can just notice that happening, allow it be there, and resume simply "being" without trying to do or get anything, I'm confident there will be more and more moments of freedom.

[@utkarshroy254]

@@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631 hello sir I have thoughts in my mind and whatever comes it feels in the body like I am this or this will be happen with me or I am not gud than this and other like comparisons and all And then I literally feel it in my body like it is real in form of sensations as I have now understood that it is all an illusion what should I do to get rid of it at the time when it comes

[@shubhamgaud4248]

One of the best videos on No I

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for your kind words.

[@rezfgjj9194]

Awesome

[@letsgoforit88]

Thanks dear. Wonderful wonderful video. It completely changed my view about me. Now I know why I have so much trivial suffering, problem, uneasiness in my everyday life. Are you still working on this? You don't have any more video since 4 years ago.

[@jaylo2022]

amazing

[@carlosmorthera5504]

Excellent. Many thanks! Greetings from Cancun Mexico

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for your kind words, Carlos.

[@Pimp-Master]

I was a student of Shinzen Young, an LA mindfulness coach, but made lots more progress once I started having mental suffering through a specific group of roommates. I actually owe them my progress!

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for sharing! The best teacher is definitely the mind / body and its reactions to difficult situations and people (like your roommates). You're very wise to be grateful for those who cause you difficulty. They are gifts in disguise!

[@williamburts5495]

The statement " I am this body " translates too " I am conscious of this body " therefore whenever we make a statement about identity we invoke consciousness and it is this self-awareness that is the self. The root cause of suffering is our experience of the body and world but if there is no self how can there be a concept of suffering!

[@phoenix-wc5vx]

Agreed... And I wanted to add that anything real cannot be harmed... We are pure awareness in empty space...(body)

[@williamburts5495]

@@phoenix-wc5vx In truth, there is no suffering in awareness ( consciousness ) the suffering is experienced via the mind and body connection but not in consciousness itself.

[@eyeeye7356]

@@williamburts5495 consciousness is a dream. there is just life happening, and nothing in it that is being aware or conscious of it.

[@williamburts5495]

@@eyeeye7356 Isn't a dream something we were conscious of having or experiencing once we wake up?

[@jgarciajr82]

Biology in the body?! There's something beyond the mind and it's the body. 🙏🤯

[@martinberger629]

Hahaha! I was in Hawaii when I listened to this.

[@InertiaEffect]

Highlights are blown.

[@mindfulkayaker7737]

Very scientific and practical approach to what mindfulness really is. Only one detail I learned from Francis Lucille that the expression “resting in awareness” is not so so fortunate because give us the idea that there is and “l” that rest in something different which is “awareness” For me the expression “abide as awareness” express much better the concept of “awareness”

[@alexhickling666]

Such a crystal clear communication 🔹, was a beautiful thing to listen to while having a coffee 😊☕

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks so much for your kind words Alex.

[@nainwalgaurav]

Your speech is so clear. It's an indication of real insights you've had through your practice. I salute you 🙏🙏 Best wishes from India (still trying to let go of the identifications!)

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks Gaurav.

[@Zen-sible]

@@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631 Comping Gaurav here, but also to say when you where talking about flow states and musicians or athletes, "i had an immediate identification to that with drumming and darts". Could not hold on to that though, but it led to what is called kundalini rising or experience with it's infinite nuances... I wanted to say also when Buddhist says no-Self and "Brahmins" The Self, they are meaning a same thing, only perhaps from a slightly different point of view or angle to focus on. Wannabe Neuro-Scientist commonly refer to Buddhist focus of no-self, like illusions in general. But what remains is awareness and what is actively refer to as Self among the "Brahmins" and only that is, or when hypothesizing with it and to imagine if there were no awareness at all, which amount to nothing.

[@Jdman5000]

Hey man your teaching is so clear . Thank you!

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks so much for your kind words! I makes me very happy to know that this video was helpful.

[@paulbrandon422]

@@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631 ....Whose the “me” that’s made very happy Matt? 😉

[@BT-yd9wh]

Love these kind of discussions. There are so many things that can be revealed as illusions or wishful thinking when properly scrutinised. Typically people will give reasons for why we are ourselves and qualify as a person. The question is what a person really is. Would a machine sometime in the future qualify as a person? I think so actually. Reasons given are typically: I can see the world, I can sense my sourroundings, I'm capable of love, I can make decisions (which we actually can't, our brain makes them for us). All of these are to a certain extent variants of: "Cogito ergo sum". The realisation that they are most likely just another way of fooling ourselves is kind of liberating. This makes it easier to show compassion and foregiveness. Also it might have tremendous political impact if humankind finally abandon the doctrine of "deserving" things, good or bad. Life is good luck, bad luck and coincidences.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@clodhopper-dodo]

Rightly put very nicely.

[@bigengine74]

You've explained this better than Sam Harris(for me at least)

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks Nick. That's very kind of you.

[@badandy880]

I came here for the same reason - I just could not grasp the concept Sam tries to illustrate about the illusion of self. I'd be lying if I said I fully understand it now, but the alternative explanation certainly helps. Maybe I'm a few reincarnations away from getting this one.

[@themunki]

Fully agree. Theres also an unfortunate irony in that it’s almost like you have to get it first before you can really get it. So after years of Sam Harris, this seems refreshingly simple to understand 😅 Not sure i would’ve gotten it so easily at the start of my journey 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@WW11110]

Sam is gross.

[@danielregan711]

And God will be closer to you than hands and feet and nearer to you than breathing.

[@ehza]

Thanks

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

You're very welcome.

[@quemanikhaans3396]

Great video. Explain the concept in a lot simpler way than tons of videos out there. Please carry on making these videos, and keep the language and terminology simpler as you have done here. Really enjoyed listening to your video,still have questions though. I understood that there is no self, and no experiencer but if there is no self than why certain pain only my body feels and not others. I have a chronic condition and suffer considerably on daily basis, and from moment to moment. There is no self , then what feels the pain. If it just awareness, why would it want to be aware of the pain.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for your kind words. The nervous system creates the sensation of pain. Suffering arises when we resist pain. It is possible to experience pain and be at peace.

[@manualslr]

So who's there to realise this and who's eventually truly happy??

[@jameslucena1020]

Doesn't matter

[@mahsinify]

I had this realisation sometime ago. I am not saying I am enlightened but i had a glimpse of it for a brief moment in time and since then , my perception of life has changed completely. I highly recommend sam harris's "waking up".

[@SorrySonny]

I have practiced this long ago, I have been holding onto this itch for 20years. It.has.never.been.scratched!! I am perfectly at peace, though if someone was to come along and offer me a little scratch to relieve me of this itchy burden. That’s so selfish. I would not feel at peace anymore with this. I would keep asking myself why she scratched my itch!!

[@fr57ujf]

We need to distinguish between bodily pain and psychic pain. Our illusion of self can create psychic pain and can magnify physical pain, but it cannot rid us of pain and physical suffering. Ironically, this magnifies our suffering because it is yet another goal we must reach. The idea of a life without suffering is unrealistic because it is a life without goals, and a life without goals is no life at all.

[@bfinera]

Outstanding.. thank you much for distilling this

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for your kind words.

[@souadage7932]

Thanks...greetings from Morocco...Actually, I find it so hard to apply this. I don't know why

[@JMT34237]

After investigation I realize all of life is one big flow state. The illusion is a self touching it. Its all just going. A continuous flux.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

That's it! There are simply things happening.

[@primatejames]

Relax folks.You in fact ARE there!

[@moopius]

A thought experiment that proves the illusory sense of "me" is to imagine your eyeballs coming out of the skull and looking back at the body, the "me" seems to be behind the eyes looking at the body... but we know that behind the eyes is empty space.

[@phoenix-wc5vx]

Exactly, once you see that duality is an illusion then personal identity is an illusion because we're all reflections of the one being

[@j03150315]

For those who feel pain if someone wack a chair with a stick, just remember: pain doesn’t equal suffering. Suffering is a subjective experience, while pain is a physical reaction, an objective existence. The most difficult part is how we can maintain compassionate while maintaining peaceful.

[@williamburts5495]

Yes, pain is a subjective experience of a mind-body connection but their is no pain experienced in awareness itself.so our awareness seems to be aloof from the body-mind.

[@brianwhaley9162]

Matt, Happy Sunday! Last night, after a feeling of experiential dread, I finally realized that my sense of self was merely an elusive and often debilitating social construct. What a relief! Then I searched for a video on the same subject and chose this one without even knowing that "I" was in the room the day you recorded this ; ). Only, "I" didn't fully comprehend your message then. Isn't it funny how our journey leads us full circle? Anyway, thank you for planting the seed of liberation... It feels amazing to be free from the incessant rumination of thought.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Hi Brian. So glad to hear this! It will be normal to identify with the self again (sometimes alot) out of habit. Taking time to just be will allow your insight to become more and more stable in daily life.

[@rentalsnake6542]

Did you achieve any consistency with your lack of identification with the self Brian?

[@gebuikersnaam]

i liked this video as number 777. i hope there will be a few another sevens. some real peace is right here.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks!

[@m_b_lmackenzie4510]

Love the video. Is there a book or lesson do you recommend me?

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks! People have said that my book is helpful. It's called The Mindfulness Edge. This might be of help to you, but I'm not sure.

[@dvdmon]

I've never heard this being referred to as "mindfulness." Usually "mindfulness" is just thrown around as a general term of being a bit more present so you can reduce stress and reactivity. It's almost become a marketing term. What this guy is talking about is much deeper, something akin to Zen's kensho, or "first awakening" - a shift in identity on a nonconceptual level. He presents it as something that you can just make happen if you practice "mindfulness" enough, but it's not quite that easy, or there would be millions of people with this realization. People can and do work for decades to "achieve" this realization, but some people happen to have it out of the blue without any practice, or with very little, so it's really random, and from what I've heard "you" aren't in control of it, so all you can do is be open to it and let it happen essentially. Or so I hear. I've been trying to get to this place, but the various methods I've heard that can help (Headless Way, self inquiry, one-pointed approachc) have yet to bare any fruit, at least as far as I can tell. But I did like his talk, just with it was more practical with more suggestions on HOW to get there...

[@allenmorgan4309]

I don't think I've ever had that dichotomy? I've always considered my body as being identical with what I call me. When we say, "my body, or my hand is just a convention of language. I've never thought of myself as being someone inside my body. It doesn't sound very pleasant.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Nice.

[@lieromarchesi9180]

In following Mooji’s advice in not identifying with anything. I’ve noticing thinking has almost stopped and it doesn’t feel like my sense of self is inside my head. The perception has changed of the world not really feeling outside anymore. Little discombobulated, is this the right track? Don’t no if there’s really a goal in mind lol. But not identifying with anything has helped so much even with this fear of the world not feeling so much outside. Just would like peace/happines

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Hi Leiro. It definitely sounds like you're on the right track. The trick now will be to let go of any expectations for anything special to happen. If you can just be content in simply "being", allowing things to be exactly as they are, your body/mind will more and more reflect the perfect peace that is our true nature. Also, it might be helpful to remember that joy / "happiness" is not the immediate fruit of dwelling in our true nature. The immediate fruit is peace and contentment, a deep sense that there is nothing lacking. If you can be okay with that, the joy / "happiness" will, in due time, permeate more and more of life.

[@lieromarchesi9180]

@@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631 okay thank you Matt. So just keep not identifying with anything and just not expect anything?

[@scotttully8572]

Great video. We miss heaven because we're addicted to identity, and identity is based on conflict and change. 🤦

[@Joyabulthuis]

Hi Matt I really enjoyed all of this.. so clear.. and yes there is no self to be found if I really look for it.. its a relieve..nothing to get and nothing to do in the end.. but who is the one that needs to practice? can you tell me that?

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for your comment Joke. The more time the body / mind you usually refer to as your "self" spends existing with the absence of the false sense of "me," the more that body / mind tends to reflect our true nature. Thus, that body / mind is more at peace in more circumstances, and more kind to others. On the conventional level of reality - the level of people and objects and such - developing oneself to be more often kind and at peace seems to me to be the most important activity we can undertake.

[@Joyabulthuis]

@@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631 Thanks again Matt, its so caring that you respond every single message. And its true..in the body/mind experience it is nice to be able to help and be kind to others!

[@SRCreativeStudios]

This has to be the best explanation for awareness I've heard in a long time. Thank you for bringing this back into my life.

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for your kind words Sam. Glad it was helpful.

[@rotorblade9508]

the self is an illusion to who? an illusion means something that is not what it seems to be, so if we feel self as self but is not what we think it is then the self doesn’t exist because it’s something else so then who is feeling the illusion? anyway, very interesting

[@ecologiesofmindfulness564]

Psychologist Susan Blackmore makes the point that the word ‘illusion’ does not mean that it does not exist - rather, an illusion is not what it seems. We all certainly experience some form of self, but what we experience is a powerful depiction generated by our brains for our own benefit.

[@kir395]

Thanks Matt for the video. My question is , when the itch is present and one is perfectly at peace with it ( no desire to get rid of it ) at that moment are we resting as awareness? Is the experience of peace a quality of awareness?

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Hi Kiran. Yes, the moment that you know what's happening, you are "resting as awareness," and peace is the fruit of letting mental activity be.

[@cleb5117]

Great video! Helped me understand this idea very well. I do have one question, do I still exist as something if there is no self?

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Hi Caleb. The practical way to guide you to discovering the answer to this question is this - when any questions that involve the word / concept "I" come up, just ask silently in the mind "Who is it that is asking this question?" and then do absolutely nothing. Just let everything be exactly as it is. The conceptual answer to this - which is what the ego is looking for but won't be of much help to you in terms of being free - is this... Something exists, but it's not a thing. Sometimes, when conditions are right (like when a living being that has a nervous system forms out of this "no-thing" ) a sense of an "I" that is experiencing this "no-thing-ness" through it's sense organs is created. But it's an illusion. It's like if a wave formed on the ocean and somehow developed and nervous system and sense organs and created the idea of being separate from the ocean. It's just an idea. The wave is never separate from the ocean. The practice, ultimately, is about spending time "being" without the illusory "I" being present. The more time spent "being" with no "I" present, the more the body/mind reflect the inherent peace that is our true nature.

[@cleb5117]

the mindfulness edge - with matt tenney I see. I’m starting to grasp the concept that my identity is simply a fictional narrative, but at the same time I am scared to keep going. I’m not sure how I would go on with the belief that I don’t exist, it feels depressing to me(or to the ego haha).

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

@@cleb5117 That's right. To the ego, this sound horrible. The reality is that experience with no ego present is perfect peace, and the more time we spend being with no ego present the more healthy the body / mind / personality become.

[@travisbickle8008]

​@@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631 matt thank you su much .. I have a question too which I hope will help us all, I guess :) and the question is this: cutting through an illusion of the self, is it possible only in the present moment?

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

@@travisbickle8008 Hi Travis. The present moment is all there is.

[@metanoia9786]

this made me laugh and cheer up in 1:25

[@themindfulnessedge-withmat2631]

Thanks for sharing. I makes me smile to know this video brought you happiness.

[@rentalsnake6542]

Is it possible to learn this power?

[@clodhopper-dodo]

Vey well described. JK has already said but few understood it.

[@ky4894]

Great presentation and thank you for the insights! one question though, if suffering doesn't arise without "me", what about happiness? is the illusory sense of self the root cause of happiness too?

[@williamburts5495]

Another question would be, What is it that seeks happiness?

[@ky4894]

William Burts the same mind and body who experiences suffering. We as biological organisms are programmed to seek happiness and avoid suffering. Self or no self these biological tendencies will always be there

[@ky4894]

Do mindfulness techniques only attenuate negative experiences, but not the positive ones? If so, why not? Are we applying selective mindfulness here?

[@williamburts5495]

@@ky4894 The only way the body could experience suffering would be if it were an entity that " knows " experiences but since the statement " I am this body " translates too " I am aware of this body " makes the conscious self the actual entity. Being not an experiencer of happiness or distress I don't think the body could be programmed for such tendencies. I believe these tendencies have a more subtle origin than physical one.

[@ky4894]

So are you saying the ‘self’ actually exists, as opposed to what this video is suggesting?

[@alanc3134]

I have question that you could perhaps help me with ; I am staring at a financial crisis which is a cause of suffering for me. If I can’t find more work my lifestyle and family will suffer; certainly we will experience hardship and change. This is something I feel I need to fix; I can’t just sit back and “take my hands off the wheel “. Any advice?

[@petermiesler9452]

50:00 No, no, no. This "me looking out" is in actually the inside reflection of my body/brain processing life in real time (see Drs. Solms, Damasio and others for details).*You are you, because of the body you inhabit, not because of the conversation going on within your head.* Consciousness is the reflection of the body communicating with itself. We can't begin to understand complex human consciousness without first having a through understanding of the evolution of consciousness from the earliest Eukaryote cells, through the amazing progression of biological complexity that unfolded upon this Earth through the eons. Only then can you attain the depth to appreciation the Body Soul conflicts, along with the transitory "self" that we are - and that is the human condition. Key thought: "Transitory doesn't equal Illusion"

[@ceoaleostm2146]

🔥

[@bitkurd]

Is this some sort if materialism? Cuz Im solipsist I feel like everyone else is reading off of a script

[@awaking_]

That's a practice which is called as = vipasana

[@primatejames]

If your knee hurts bad enough, then it f'n hurts.

[@lefthookouchmcarm4520]

Whats the evolutionary advantage of having a self?