The Philosophy of No-Mind: Experience Without Self

Nishihira Tadashi's no-mind philosophy explores the dynamic complexity of letting go of mind calculations and arising of vibrant consciousness in unity with reality, addressing tensions between negating or affirming self, stillness or activity, and social ethics or religious transcendence. It is explored through philosophy and history of thought in Japan, dialoguing with psychology, ethics, and everyday life, and ending with practical explorations of caring for another and educating from the point of view of no-mind.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 16 May 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Nishihira Tadashi, one of Japan's leading philosophers, introduces the deeply experiential philosophy of no-mind (mushin) in his book. Mushin is a state of being where one loses oneself in the reality of the present and becomes one with it, resulting in one's best performance. However, behind this everyday use is a concept that touches the core of Japanese spirituality. This book explores no-mind in its dynamic complexity, exploring the letting go of the calculations of mind and the arising of a vibrant consciousness in unity with reality. It raises various tensions, such as whether it is about negating or affirming self, whether stillness or activity is more important, and how it relates to social ethics or religious transcendence. It also explores how no-mind can descend into mindlessness. These tensional facets are explored through philosophy and history of thought in Japan, from pre-Buddhist Japanese thought to Zen Buddhism in D.T. Suzuki and Toshihiko Izutsu, to swordsmanship and Noh theater. These historical approaches are brought to the here-and-now, dialoguing with psychology, ethics, and the experiences of everyday life, and ending with two preliminary practical explorations: What does it mean to care for another and to educate from the point of view of no-mind?

Weight: 396g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350233010