Self is an illusion?

The concept of “me” or “self” is created by our brain. The “self” defines a boundary where human brain can identify as his or her body. That bodily sensation combines with the mind to give the frame of “self". Since ancient times wise people had this question which is “Is there any other version or state of me beyond this primary perception of me?”  

Action of brain in Creating the sense of self  

• The default mode network (DMN) 

This is a group of interconnected brain regions that are more active during periods of rest and quiet wakefulness, and when the brain is not engaged in tasks demanding attention. Our brains can remember things when we don't force on current sensory information's. This action of brain is highly responsible for creation of “Self". Each human has a basic definition about him or herself. That sequence of information's is created by this process of brain. Your mind is not a structure according to modern neuroscience. The thing whatever you experience as your mind is a process. Mind is doing something always. 

• Medial prefrontal cortex 

This area is crucial for self-related memories, self-evaluation, and understanding our own thoughts and feelings. In addition, the anterior precuneus (aPCu) plays a key role in forming our sense of physical self, or "I," by integrating bodily sensations and location.  

• Anterior precuneus 

 It's a hub for integrating information about our body's location, movement, sensations, and muscle/joint positions to create a "mental map" of our body. Disrupting activity in the aPCu can lead to altered perceptions of one's place in the world, including feelings of depersonalization.  

 

Rene Descartes’ philosophy 

Rene Descartes is a French philosopher and a scientist who had given many explanations about mind and self. According to Descartes view the origin of the self-came from the mind. To him, our mind held the essential components of who we are.  

Within our minds, we hold our consciousness, our understandings, and our feelings. René Descartes is most known for his philosophical statement, “I think, therefore I am” (originally in French, but best known by its Latin translation: "Cogito, ergo sum”). 

Descartes believed that the self is primarily defined by its capacity for thought, perception, and reason. He also believed that the mind and body are distinct substances that interact, but the mind's essence is not tied to the physical body and the soul or mind can exist independently of the body.  

Descartes philosophy of, “I think, therefore I am” cannot be explained by neuroscience. 

According to Eastern philosophies which emerged from various regions of the East primarily in China and India; The thinking makes the framework of “self". In addition, they explain that the self or sense of “me” is also a result of this thinking process. Ence of me or self and thinking are not two different processes. According to them both are same. 

Eastern philosophy 

"Things are not as they seem... actions exist, but the doer cannot be found," says the Buddha in the Lanka Tara Sutta. Zen Buddhism points out that there is no contradiction between the self and the "non-self." Paradoxically, the true nature of oneself can only be known through questioning, doubting, and rejecting oneself.  

In Buddhism,” anatma or anatman” means that there is no permanent, unchanging self or essence. The appearance of a fixed, unchanging person is an illusion. There is no self or essence that underlies a person's existence. The self is usually referred to as some essence that is eternal in creation.  

But in Vedantha philosophy believes that the “Existence of self". It suggests that “the Atman” or Soul is understood as the single Self, which is essentially identical to the ultimate reality, Brahman. This concept emphasizes a non-dual view of existence, suggesting that all beings are interconnected and share a common essence. 

The Buddha's philosophy of "non-self" (anattha) and modern science, although seemingly different, share common ground in recognizing the impermanence and interconnectedness of all things. Buddhist teachings emphasize that the sense of self is an illusion, not a fixed entity, and that everything is in constant motion. Modern science, particularly in fields such as physics and neuroscience, has explored the dynamic and interconnected nature of reality and has found some evidence consistent with the Buddhist concept of no-self. 

However, reaching a conclusion is far from current science, and we must look hopefully to the future of science to find satisfaction…!