My partner and I both practice Buddhism but she thinks the no-self teaching means we shouldn't have personal boundaries or individual needs in our relationship. When I try to express my needs she says I'm clinging to ego, and when she merges completely with my emotions I feel suffocated but can't criticize her 'selflessness.'
More people experience this than they realize.
Partners are struggling with how Buddhist concepts of selflessness should apply to maintaining healthy relationship dynamics.
“Where Are You with No-self and identity in Buddhist thought?”
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.