Customer Reviews

No Self No Problem

5 star:		(13)
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We are so caught up in our fantasies and illusions that we are blind to them. Most of our spiritual and religious endeavors are just more fantasy. We have mindsets that we are totally oblivious to. Anam Thubten does a simple, straightforward, and unusually effective job at bringing us to a place where all this can actually be sensed, at least momentarily. He presents a fundamental and unembellished challenge to make a real choice: live in fantasy, or live in reality. He brings you to the place where it really is a choice, not just another fantasy. This is a highly recommended book. It is deceptively simple and does require a certain history of inner work to appreciate the depth presented.

The simplicity and kind spirit in which this book is written will remind you of the work of Thich Nhat Hanh. Its elegance and clarity will remind you of the work of HH the Dalai Lama. I will read this book again and again and heartily recommend it. The author is Tibetan with years of monastic and scholastic training, who yet knows Western culture very well (he is fluent in English) and has done what is needed to make the essential teachings of the Buddha accessible to those who haven't had the opportunity to practice intensively in a monastery. His writings are lively and offer pure dharma in a way that is utterly devoid of pretense and also quite humorous. Enjoy!

There are complicated teachings for those with complicated minds and simple teachings for those with simple minds. If you like simple yet profound teachings on the nature of mind, free of jargon and unnecessary elaboration, this book is perfect for you. It is like reading advice from an old friend who knows how to speak so that you will really understand and appreciate what is being said. Frankly, the value of this book far exceeds the cost associated with its purchase. Download a sample of the kindle edition first before purchasing and decide if the format suits you as it is not the best appearance. One of the best books on the subject I have ever read.

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. Without using literary jargon and words that only a scholar could understand, Anam's approach to the teachings here in the book break right through it all and keep things as transparent as possible.


Expounding wisdom such as "when we look into our consciousness and simply ask what is holding us back, we don't really find anything. We don't find a devil with two horns holding us back. I always say that it would be good news if we found such a devil. Then we could all get together and wrestle it," Thubten teaches us to not get wrapped up in thoughts of what is or isn't. Our egoic mind loves to play these tricks with us, and Thubten gives us practical approaches to dispel the ego.

"No Self, No Problem" is a quick read and the knowledge contained within is understandable for those of all levels. Thubten teaches that our enlightened mind is already there, it's up to us to awaken that mind though. With clarity and a sense of soft spokedness, Thubten gives us the foundation to work from, it is up to us to put these practices into play.

im a newcomer to buddhism, and this is the best book i've found so far that seems to cut the extraneous material and tell me exactly what i need to know. most other books are heavy on the history of buddhism and other facts without really explaining anything clearly (and never really giving good examples). well, im not interested in history and facts about rituals - im interested in how to apply buddhist principles to my life, and i want the explanation to be crystal clear and well-argued. well, this is the book for you, if you're like me. if you're absolutely confused on where to start with buddhism, this book should be your starting point.

Anam Thubten explains the Buddhist view of consciousness in clear and poetic language. It is a precious book that transmits understanding with its simplicity and beauty.

Such a nice book filled with real-life analogy, I keep reading this book on and on. It just calms you down out of your stressful life. That's what I experienced, when I read it. I recommend this book to anyone to have beautiful insights of life and real meaning and joy of being no-self.

For the average western person, I think this book ties with Mindfulness in Plain English for the best books on the process of finding a happiness that does not depend on conditions. It is refreshing to read deep wisdom from a Tibetan that is culturally relevant and doesn't ooze dogma. I found that there was nothing in this book that couldn't be taken at face value. As someone well along the path of awakening, I highly recommend this book.

Anam Thubten has written an elegant and profound book exposing the artificial concepts that limit us to the problems of an illusory self. When we examine these concepts and free ourselves from them and the attachment they generate, only openness and compassion remain.

Though born in Tibet and trained in the Nyingma tradition, Thubten writes masterfully in a style reminiscient of modern spiritual teachers such as Eckhart Tolle, Gina Lake and Byron Katie. While remaining true to the Nyingma tradition, Thuben writes in contemporary Western parlance about the 'non-conceptuality of truth,' the importance of avoiding 'spiritual bypassing,' and the snares set for us by the 'egoic mind.' The result? A book of carefully argued, humorously presented spiritual wisdom that never feels like a "Buddhist book" alone.

I come from a Christian perspective that has been informed by Advaita Vedanta and contemporary mystical writings. Although I love reading Buddhist books, sometimes the effort of sifting through culturally specific beliefs to find more universal truths feels overwhelming. "No Self, No Problem" is a powerful and accessible book because Thubten has done the work of cultural translation, making a Western/Eastern hybrid which blends the strengths of both traditions. Thubten makes every effort to support and encourage readers who come from traditions and philosophies other than Buddhism. "No Self, No Problem" should be required reading for anyone interested in meditation, self-help, psychology, and nondual philosophy.

J Jennifer Matthews
author of "Radically Condensed Instructions for Being Just as You Are."

Simply put ... there are very, very few books that do a better job at showing the most direct path to awakening than this one. As a long time practitioner of Buddhism as well as an author in this field, I can say with confidence that like all great works of writing, this book grows over time. I've been drawn to re-read it several times and each time I read it, new gems surface. This is a masterpiece in the field of non-dual, awakened reality. It is a must read if the discovery of your essential self is important to you. And if it isn't, then maybe it should be.Liberation from the Lie: Cutting the Roots of Fear Once and for All