If you need it all broken down for you analytically and philosophically, I suggest "The Ego Trick", by Julian Baggini. It really helped me get over my existential stuck points.
What is an I? Where is the "thing" that is the stuff of a separate entity somewhere under your skin, behind your eyes?
The reality is that there is no center to one's experience. No separate long-lasting "me" that experiences. Only experience itself. The ego arises out of thought, and a "me" is just a concept that the thinking mind conjures up. No agent means no agency. No chooser.
While on first glance this may sounds either incredibly stupid, confusing or woo-woo. But take a look and see.
If you need it all broken down for you analytically and philosophically, I suggest "The Ego Trick", by Julian Baggini. It really helped me get over my existential stuck points.
Reminds me of this book:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1847082734
We. Me. I.
What is an I? Where is the "thing" that is the stuff of a separate entity somewhere under your skin, behind your eyes?
The reality is that there is no center to one's experience. No separate long-lasting "me" that experiences. Only experience itself. The ego arises out of thought, and a "me" is just a concept that the thinking mind conjures up. No agent means no agency. No chooser.
While on first glance this may sounds either incredibly stupid, confusing or woo-woo. But take a look and see.
I suggest you check out this video by Sam Harris that explores the concept of "illusion of self."
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/wakingup
Or a book by Bruce Hood that scientifically explains this illusion:
http://www.amazon.com/Self-Illusion-Social-Creates-Identity/dp/0199988781
Or others:
http://www.amazon.com/Ego-Tunnel-Science-Mind-Myth/dp/0465020690/ref=pd_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=61R1WPTGL%2BL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR216%2C320_&refRID=0DKBDNE0ZCT2P7423FK2
http://www.amazon.com/Ego-Trick-Julian-Baggini/dp/1847082734/ref=pd_sim_14_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=41AJedx6m9L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR101%2C160_&refRID=1A6QPVE3CNXPPJFX84Z9
Once you break the spell of "self-identity", unity arises.