No Self, No Problem is about how to realize the ultimate meaning of life in each moment by dissolving all notions of ego identity. It asks that spiritual seekers wake up to their true nature, which is already enlightened. Based on the Buddhist wisdom tradition, this easy-to-read book discusses in simple but profound and inspiring language how we can live a life full of love, satisfaction, and happiness.
Anam Thubten, an accomplished Tibetan Buddhist meditation teacher, speaks with clarity, humor, and refreshing honesty as he shares his own spiritual journey. With profound knowledge and insight into the human condition, he illuminates the path to enlightenment for those willing to go to the heart of the matter. In his words,
“True freedom is emancipation from our concepts, from the psychological veil that is distorting our view of the way things are. When such freedom is attained, we begin to see that life is inherently perfect, just as it is, and we end up swimming effortlessly in an abundance of joy and love. But there is a universal tendency to believe that we will find what we are searching for somewhere else. Many people look for freedom through accumulating either material possessions or spiritual knowledge. These searches amount to nothing more than a donkey chasing after a dangled carrot. When we wake up to that truth in this very moment we realize that what we were seeking was already here. The question is, “Can we wake up to this truth?” It might be much easier than we think. Remember, great ancient masters often said that we don’t realize the truth because it is too simple and too close to us. When we finally realize it, we will be shocked by two things: how much time we wasted searching and how easy it was after all.”
Anam Thubten was born in Golok, eastern Tibet, and undertook Buddhist training in the Nyingma tradition at an early age. He has been teaching in the West since the 1990s and is the spiritual advisor and Dharma teacher for the Dharmata Foundation.
Sharon Roe is completing a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Religion at the California Institute of Integral Studies.
REVIEWS
“Author Anam Thubten, who was born in Eastern Tibet, undertook Buddhist training in the Nyingma tradition at an early age and has been teaching in the West since the 1990s. His teachings are unpretentious and sometimes outright humorous, but they are also profound. No Self, No Problem is about how to let go of our notions of ego identity in order to discover our true nature and achieve real liberation. ‘We are perfect as we are,’ says Anam Thubten. ‘When we realize this, we are perfect. When we don’t realize this, we are also perfect.’ There is a glossary of terms at the back of No Self, No Problem that those new to Buddhist concepts will find useful.”—Shambhala Sun
“Anam Thubten goes to the heart of the matter in this easy-to-read, yet profound, book written in an accessible contemporary style”—Mandala “Editor’s Choice”
“The author, through discussions on meditation, inner contentment or detachment, awareness, acceptance, compassion, ultimate awakening and transcendent wisdom, enables us to realize and grasp that all the wealth is within us and in our control”—East and West Series
“A winsome winner. Each short chapter shows us the instant accessibility of our true nature…. Anam Thubten’s main teaching is that ‘enlightenment can happen right now in a single instant’. His book is exemplary in pointing out how to accomplish this…. The boon of this book is that his words are so vivid, clear, and comprehensible, they pierce through our doubt and resistance like a laser”—Bohemian Buddhist Review
“Whether you are new to the Dharma or a long-time practitioner, you will certainly find some helpful advice here.”—Khandro
“Simply written but not simplistic, No Self No Problem tackles one of the greatest challenges of being a Buddhist: eliminating the sense of the separate self (the ego) as a means to accomplish enlightenment. Thubten’s writing is straightforward and easily read, encouraging the reader towards the understanding that anyone and everyone can lose their attachment to ego, but he never comes across as patronizing: ‘It’s easy…I did it and you can do it, too!’
“At the same time, Thubten points out that the way to enlightenment is far easier than we think it is: it simply comes down to losing attachments. Thubten acknowledges that failure can, does, and will happen along the way; accepting that truth will make things easier, although failure does not give excuse for not trying. His style is warm and inviting, and he sprinkles a good bit of humor throughout, keeping the text from becoming overly dry and boring. No Self No Problem should sit on the bookshelf of everyone interested in letting go of their ego.”—Elephant Journal
“In lucid, accessible language, [Anam Thubten] guides the reader to the realization of this infinite possibility”—Eastern Horizon
“Despite the seemingly simplistic message of the book’s title, which significantly is all in lower case, he is both familiar with and sensitive to the psychological difficulties that can complicate spiritual practice. He approaches the core feature of Buddhist philosophy, ‘No-Self’, in a direct, humorous, no-nonsense way that is softened by tender and compassionate insights…. Accessible and contemporary, [Thubten] frequently uses lively imagery to underline his points…. Provides not only a clear, engaging introduction to the Buddhist path but also inspiration and salutary warnings for more experienced practitioners.”—Asya Chorley, The Middle Way
“What a fine, lovely entertaining work about the art of cultivating pure consciousness and contentment…. Put simply, it is impossible not to become attached to Anam Thubten’s book, illusions notwithstanding”—Thomas Peter von Bahr, New Age Retailer
“Anam Thubten lays the groundwork for an enlightened life in a simplistic way that not only a long time practitioner can understand, but those new to the path as well…. With clarity and a sense of soft spokenness, Thubten gives us the foundation to work from”—Nate DeMontigny, Precious Metal
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.