The Buddha's teaching is not a doctrine of "no self," but a strategy for abandoning things that cause suffering. The problem, as the American Buddhist teacher Thanissaro Bhikkhu describes, arises when people try to use the "no self" view to deny responsibility:

The mantra "Halfway up the mountain" resonates with anyone who proclaims too soon their spiritual awakening or enlightenment. Such a claim is premature because one could argue who exactly has crossed the threshold, who has truly arrived. Even if the "I" claims to be awake, it's hard to deny that other lingering aspects of self seem to still sleep. A shift in perception might have occurred – perhaps a haunting glimpse into the nothingness of all phenomena and a flickering stilling of restless thought. But until one commingles completely with every aspect of existence as oneself, as something eternal – until every crag and valley of the mountain is absorbed, leaving nary a rock un-turned – there's still a long way to go.

Claiming to offer Satsang or holding a completed basket of wakefulness borders on intellectual dishonesty, breeding an in-transformation identity not rooted entirely in truth. To me, this is not just a hindrance but an outright danger. I should make it clear that I aim to not malign teachers whose devotion encourages seekers with utter sincerity and selflessness, despite their admissions of limitations.

Still, it rings like thunder indeed when experienced awoken individuals become mired in the muck of an immature yet pervasive comprehension of non-dualism within the opening decadal passages following that pivotal moment of enlightenment. To become entangled hereabouts over too extended a period of time brings forth an uncertain mix of stagnation, confusion, and dogmatic entrenchment that can blight ones’ trajectory.

The trap of spiritual bypassing is also very real at this stage. It is tempting to use spiritual ideas and practices to avoid dealing with painful feelings, unresolved wounds, and developmental needs. The premature embrace of emptiness can easily become a convenient way to sidestep the messy, complex, and often uncomfortable work of personal growth and emotional maturity. One might use the concept of non-duality to invalidate the very real suffering of oneself or others, or to justify harmful behaviour under the guise of everything being "just an illusion."

Furthermore, the allure of spiritual grandiosity can be particularly strong after an initial awakening experience. The ego, far from being dissolved, can cleverly co-opt spiritual insights to inflate its sense of self-importance. This can manifest as a feeling of being special, chosen, or more advanced than others, leading to arrogance, spiritual pride, and a subtle but pervasive sense of superiority. The path of true awakening, however, is not about transcending the ego in order to create a bigger and better one, but about seeing through its illusions and dismantling its structures of self-deception.

I do deeply believe it is crucial to remember that spiritual awakening is not an end in itself, but rather a beginning. It is the opening of a door, the unveiling of a possibility. The real work begins after the initial glimpse, in the long and often arduous process of integrating these insights into the fabric of our daily lives. This requires patience, humility, self-compassion, and a willingness to confront our own shadow aspects with honesty and courage. It also requires a healthy dose of scepticism towards our own self-proclaimed enlightenment and a commitment to ongoing learning and growth.

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