Small Self

Mark Eckhardt
Since 1998, Mark Eckhardt has studied Zen Buddhism under the auspices of Bill Yoshin Jordan
Posted: December 2, 2010 08:40 AM

PBS's 'This Emotional Life': The Small Self: How Your Identity Constrains You

So who are "you" anyway?

By "you" I am referring to your identity, or the thoughts, beliefs, ideas and positions that are the basis of your sense of yourself. These are the things that the brain uses to create the experience of being unique, an individual separate from everything and everyone. It is what allows me to say, "I am Mark, and you are you." Zen Buddhists refer to this as the "small self," and understanding it begins with the question, "Who is the 'I' that you refer to?"