Eastern Philosophical Perspectives on the Self

Eastern Perspectives

-Islam

-Japanese Culture

-Hindu Philosophy

-Taoism

-Confucianism (Tu Wei Ming)

-Buddhism

Buddhism

Anatta – “no self”

The concept of a self is an illusion. There is no permanent concept of the self. All things are not
permanent.

Confucianism( Tu Wei Ming)

2 Aspects of the self

1. The self as the center of relationships

2. The self as dynamic process of spiritual development

Taoism

• Finding your identity

• Inner Nature

• Simplicity

• Knowledge and Relativity

Taoist

• Te

• Tzu Jan
 • Wu Wei

• T’ai Chi Ch’uan

• Yin and Yang

• Chi or Qi

Hindu Philosophy

Six Philosophies” (ṣad-darśana)

• Nyaya

• Vaisheshika

• Samkhya

• Yoga

• Mimamsa

• Vedanta
Japanese Culture by de Vos

• 2 Dimensions

1. “etic” – conformity and cohesion (loyalty to the group and country)

2. “emic”- concept of the self through interaction with others

• To be obedient and to have high achievement

Islam

Sufism

1. COMMANDING SELF

2. REGRETFUL SELF

3. INSPIRED SELF

4. PLEASED SELF

5. Self-Pleasing to God
 6. Pure Self

Common Threads

•Inner Life (vs Outer Life)

“He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty.” – Lao Tzu

Outer life:

- Progress, industrial development (basis of success, satisfaction) Search for truth

– Looking at the external world

Inner life:

- Being at peace with oneself

- Happiness, success is achieved by understanding oneself.

•Intuition (vs Sensation)

Intuitions
 - Messages from the soul, promptings from a perspective of a greater comprehension being
aware of your feelings and honoring cleansing.

•Wholeness (vs Rationality)

Rationality – seeing one object as separate from another. There is a sense of separation within
ourselves.

Wholeness

a. Wholeness of the universe inter-connectedness, collective existence.

b. Wholeness within is forging harmony between our thoughts, feelings, desires, actions involving
every part of our being in what we do

•Spirituality (vs Materialism)

Man is not a mere body. The soul transcends death.

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived.” (Marcel). Genuine fulfillment is in the
attainment of Nirvana.

Spirituality We are one with nature. We are only in relation to others.

Concept of EMPTINESS Empty – when one is separated

•Harmony with Nature (vs Dominion over Nature)

INTERNAL POWER

- Power that loves life in every form (power that perceives meaningfulness and purpose in
smallest details upon the Earth) rooted in the deepest source of our BEING

REVERENCE an attitude of honoring Life, of accepting that all Life is of value

Reverence is not respect.

“It is possible to respect one person and not respect another, but it is not possible to revere one person
without revering every person.”(Zucav)

Ecology: The natural distribution of energy between kingdoms, between life-forms.

Concept of WU-WEI (doing nothing) – letting the natural course of things to take place