Apparently, lower animals lack the power of language, which is an integral part of the illusion of self, so they operate mostly in the wholistic, silent, right-brain mode, which Sheldrake believes animals do by accessing a field that is attached to their brains. Specializing in neuropsychology, he offers classes on the differences between the left and right brain, as well as on mindfulness and consciousness. Drawing on the field of neuroscience, he explains how everyone can discipline their brain to follow their lead, thus achieving greater happiness and inner peace. Where Western philosophy explicitly affirms that it does, Eastern philosophy posits that there is no singular sense of self and that al; human suffering can be attributed to the illusion that there is.

In fact, the instant you begin to put words on an experience, you’ve already switched over to left-brain thinking.After all, each of us refers to ourselves as an “I” all the time, and, usually, we’ve got a pretty clear idea who we’re talking about.

This book aims to unpack and explore the thinking mind and move toward our ultimate goal, which is to integrate everything we are (brain, body, emotions, and more) and live in the mystery and wonder of clear consciousness.

The No Self, No Problem Workbook is a bit of a paradox in that a book full of words is intended to get us to stop using our words so much. Scientists were able to determine this by observing that after only ten draws from the first deck, the participants’ palms started sweating in response to the fluctuation of great gain and equally great loss. We also use the left brain when silently talking to ourselves, engaging in the constant interpretation of reality that constitutes conscious thought.