The Selfless Mind: Personality, Consciousness and Nirvana in Early Buddhism [Paperback]

Peter Harvey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0700703381 | ISBN-13: 978-0700703388 | Edition: Reissue

This careful analysis of early Buddhist thought opens out a perspective in which no permanent Self is accepted, but a rich analysis of changing and potent mental processes is developed. It explores issues relating to the not-Self teaching: self-development, moral responsibility, the between-lives period, and the 'undetermined questions' on the world, on the 'life principle' and on the liberated one after death. It examines the 'person' as a flowing continuity centred on consciousness or discernment (vinnana) configured in changing minds-sets (cittas). The resting state of this is seen as 'brightly shining' - like the 'Buddha nature' of Mahayana thought - so as to represent the potential for Nirvana. Nirvana is then shown to be a state in which consciousness transcends all objects, and thus participates in a timeless, unconditioned realm.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Anyone interested in Buddhism, psychospiritual/yogic processes, and the phenomenology of meditation/ecstasy will unquestionably find this book a treasure trove.' - www.yrec.info

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; Reissue edition (September 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0700703381
• ISBN-13: 978-0700703388
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #730,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An indispensible guide to the Buddhist view of the mind., August 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Selfless Mind: Personality, Consciousness and Nirvana in Early Buddhism (Hardcover)

This book is gives a clear exposition of what is meant by the "mind" in Buddhism. It has a sound historico-textual basis and an insightful and new way of approaching the subject. It would be perfect though if aspects of Mahayana Buddhist views on the matter are given more attention. It is nevertheless an execellent work in itself since it is concerned with early Buddhism rather than later Buddhism.

18 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clarity on non-self, March 25, 2002

By 

Brian C. Holly "Brian" (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Selfless Mind: Personality, Consciousness and Nirvana in Early Buddhism (Hardcover)

The Buddhist doctrine of anatta, non-self, proclaims that the self does not really exist. This is so contrary to our Western presuppositions -- remember Descartes's claim that nothing was more certain than the existence of the self-- that it can be hard to grasp. Peter Harvey has elucidated this concept with scholarly excellence, and, even more important, with clear and lucid prose. All his books on Buddhism display a talent for exceedingly clear and plain exposition, and this is nowhere needed more. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the philosophical side of Buddhism.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extracts from 2 publishedreviews of The Selfless Mind, February 6, 2009

By 

Dr. B. P. Harvey (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Selfless Mind: Personality, Consciousness and Nirvana in Early Buddhism (Paperback)

"This is a bold, far-reaching study... The book sparkles with illuminating insights and astute discussions. ... In discussing the psychological underpinnings of the non-self doctrine, Harvey makes a brilliant observation... [Chapters 7-9] offer a wealth of original observations on subtle points of doctrine... his reflections are often incisive and illuminating. ... In sum, The Selfless Mind is in many respects a thought-provoking study which glistens with original insights"
(Bhikkhu Bodhi, Buddhist Publication Society, Sri Lanka, Buddhist Studies Review, 14, 1, 1997)
"the most penetrating discussion I know of the non-self doctrine in early Buddhism... the author masterfully elucidates many knotty points of early Buddhist psychology"
(J.S. O'Leary, Sophia University, Japan, Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, 26, 1-2, 1999).
-PS I did not add the stars to rate my own book- I could not delete them. I publish these review extracts as a counterweight to some of the negative reviews on this site.