Non-Self

       Non-Self

       Non-self, or anatta in pali, is a precept stating that one form cannot endure and stay the same form. Non self is a concept central to Buddhism and is also pertinent to reincarnation. Non-self can often be related to selflessness, which is similar but not entirely the same.
 
Not even the trees in the forest can remain the same. They will grow taller, obtain more branches, their leaves will fall, and they will eventually die. This is a cycle that explains the change of nature of this universe, but does this explain our own state of being? This is a mystery that can only be answered from within. Are we like the falling leaves from the tree, or the branches newly grown?

The thoughts of past, present, and future can be linked to the transitionary ideal of non-self. All three states of time coexist side by side, and in all three states we are not the way we were before, which leads to one general idea: we are never the same as we were from one moment to the next, and we are forever in transition. One who understands this is on their way to grasping the precept of non-self.
Misconceptions of Non-Self
Where the self, or ego dies, enlightenment begins. When we can start to accept other beings as equal and our own selves thus as nothing, then the grasp of nirvana is within reach. One must focus on the four sublime states for your own self to fade: love, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity (equanimity: peace of mind.) I am lead to believe that enlightenment is only achievable to those who can completely discard themselves: no pride may exist. To the concept of selflessness you must surrender yourself.

  To address one issue many followers of Buddhism have: the concept has nothing to do with the lack of an eternal soul. A soul, in fact, is a religious concept and therefore has no place to begin with in Buddhism, which is a school of thought. The self also has nothing to do with a soul: this explanation is nothing more than a notion that was grasped by neo buddhists who are looking for something that could replace their already dead, atheistic soul. Accept no imposters, for the self was also never there.

Another incorrect belief is that there is no form for each person. Our mind produces suffering. From our own mind alone. This indicates we have our own mind, which would discard any theories to believe that we have nothing to own. This would indicate everything comes from our mind, which is correct. This I have never been more sure of, as I know the great abilities of a mind, and its creative nature that it possesses. We are on a ledge in life:our mind creates either peace or strife. You are not a product of yourself.

    Conclusion

 You will learn the path to your own peace of mind is within. Non-self will continue to be a radical concept that millions will argue about, but the answer lies within yourself (ha ha, see what I did there?) Only in your meditations you can fathom the answers: only through your own mind can you understand. We do not know fully what we are capable of until we try. The plants around us change in nature, our body ages, and we do not own even the clothes on our back. All of this will disappear with time.