What Is Self?

This extraordinary philosophical treatise on the nature of the self and God follows on the author’s now-classic book, The Experience of No-Self. A renowned contemporary mystic, Bernadette Roberts takes us to the ultimate consciousness that transcends the self and experience. The book includes fascinating chronicles of her own spiritual journey.

In What Is Self? Ms. Roberts explains her insights into ego, self, and the revelations of the contemplative life. Her remarkable ability to give clear expression to the mystic experience makes this book a landmark in spiritual literature. This is a critical work for spiritual inquirers who want to study the experience of no-self and beyond.

"Our contemplative maps of the journey come to an end with the discovery of the true self and its oneness with the divine. This unitive state—known by various terms in different traditions—follows the falling away or transcendence of the ego (self-center) and entails a radical change or transformation of consciousness. Beyond this, however, our maps don’t go. But this unitive or transcendental state is not the end of the journey. It may be the end of the ego-self, but by no means is it the end of the self—either the true self or the phenomenal self. For this, we have much further to go."

— excerpt from What Is Self?

Praise for What Is Self?

Ms. Roberts' special gift as a spiritual writer is her capacity to articulate the ineffable.

—Thomas Keating, author of Open Mind, Open Heart