LibraryScenariosWhen meditation teachers and students disagree about no-self practice
Scenario

When meditation teachers and students disagree about no-self practice

My meditation teacher and I have been exploring what 'no-self' actually means and we keep running into this wall where they say I'm still too attached to my personal identity but when I try to let go of it completely I feel like I'm disappearing in a way that doesn't feel healthy. We both want to honor authentic practice but we're interpreting the teachings differently and it's affecting our entire teacher-student dynamic.

Juana
Online
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More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

A fundamental disagreement about how to embody the teaching of anatta is creating tension in a sacred relationship where both people are committed to the dharma but experiencing it differently.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with No-self and identity in Buddhist thought?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.