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The No Self, No Problem Workbook: Exercises & Practices from Neuropsychology and Buddhism to Help You Lose Your Mind
“Why are you unhappy? Because 99.9 percent of everything you think, and of everything you do, is for yourself—and there isn’t one.” —Wei Wu Wei
In his bestselling book No Self, No How Neuropsychology Is Catching Up to Buddhism, Professor Chris Niebauer explored the incredible link between Eastern philosophy and recent findings in neuropsychology, which is now confirming a fundamental tenet of anatta, or the doctrine of “no self.”
We are just beginning to understand these parallels and what they mean for the human experience.
Now, Niebauer takes a deeper dive, offering exercises and practices you can do right now to experience the state of “no self” and its benefits. These include being more present, finding inner peace, and seeing the world through the eyes of what Niebauer calls “clear consciousness.” Read this book, do the practices, and begin to disidentify with the false sense of self that is the root cause of almost all the anxiety, depression, and fear we experience as human beings.
In his bestselling book No Self, No How Neuropsychology Is Catching Up to Buddhism, Professor Chris Niebauer explored the incredible link between Eastern philosophy and recent findings in neuropsychology, which is now confirming a fundamental tenet of anatta, or the doctrine of “no self.”
We are just beginning to understand these parallels and what they mean for the human experience.
Now, Niebauer takes a deeper dive, offering exercises and practices you can do right now to experience the state of “no self” and its benefits. These include being more present, finding inner peace, and seeing the world through the eyes of what Niebauer calls “clear consciousness.” Read this book, do the practices, and begin to disidentify with the false sense of self that is the root cause of almost all the anxiety, depression, and fear we experience as human beings.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2023
293 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 28, 2024
This book is filled with exercises and practices to actually help the reader experience the concept of 'No Self' or use the right brain more to live in the present moment and let the left brain handle the analytical stuff. Definitely worth reading and trying out the exercises.
April 6, 2025
Not the book I wanted it to be (which ties directly into what the book does, ironically). Less a workbook with guide-posts and lists of routines to follow, more of a followup with occasional exercises to try sprinkled throughout. Inspiring nonetheless.
February 17, 2023
The No Self, No Problem Workbook is a sequel to Chris Niebauer's No Self, No Problem. You might think of the original book as the theory of no-self and the follow-up workbook as a set of practices for achieving a sense of no-self. However, the first book is not completely theoretical; Dr. Niebauer does sprinkle some suggested activities for achieving a sense of no-self in it, a few of which appear in the workbook. And, as Dr. Niebauer states at the outset of the workbook, you do not need to read the first book to understand and make use of the workbook. Having already read the original book, I recognized the briefest recapitulation of ideas from it in the workbook. In my judgment, Dr. Niebauer is correct in suggesting that reading the original book is not necessary for understanding and making use of the workbook (although I do recommend reading the original simply because it is an excellent book in its own right).
The point of both the original and workbook is that most of us rely so heavily on the left cerebral hemisphere's constant use of language, categorizing, and story-telling that we miss out on experiencing the world through our right cerebral hemisphere, which connects us to our body's movement through the world and our feeling of wholeness and connectedness to everything. Thus, most of us live in an unbalanced state most of the time, our left brain chattering away like a sports commentator, interpreting the world instead of just experiencing and enjoying it. The goal of the exercises in the No Self, No Problem Workbook is not to eliminate the fictions created by the left brain (including the sense of an unchanging self), but simply to understand the limitations of those fictions and to become more open to our silent but important right hemisphere.
The No Self, No Problem Workbook is a bit of a paradox in that a book full of words is intended to get us to stop using our words so much. But it accomplishes this successfully through two main routes. The first to demonstrate the biases and forms of faulty thinking our left hemisphere engages in constantly. These demonstrations will be familiar to anyone like myself who has taught psychology and maybe by students who are lucky enough to have encountered them in an introductory psychology course. The demonstrations illustrate how what seems logical can lead us to incorrect solutions, how beliefs lead to visual illusions, how motives distort thinking, how we use limited information to draw incorrect conclusions, and—to my mind, most importantly—how the left brain tends to create more problems and suffering than it solves. These demonstrations are highly effective for punching holes in the left-brain ego, readying the reader for alternatives to the limited left brain.
The second route for quieting the left brain and bringing out the right brain is a large set of activities that rely by necessity on the right brain. These activities you actually have to do to receive the benefits; reading about them is not enough, as Dr. Niebauer clearly states. Although some of the activities might cause a bit of discomfort (to the left brain), I think you'll find them actually enjoyable. I did. In fact, I was so sold on the idea of spending some time each day barefoot in the grass, that I have been doing this, even in the middle of winter. The right brain is about doing, so if you want benefits from this book, you must do at least some of the exercises.
One thing I must say about the book is that its format did not look at all like I expected. In the positive psychology I taught for many years we used a workbook that briefly described a number of hands-on activities followed by open-ended questions with a lot of blank lines where the reader could write about his or her experiences with the exercises. Our workbook was also organized into chapters on different topics in positive psychology (e.g., compassion, mindfulness, gratitude). No Self, No Problem Workbook is not that kind of workbook. Although some of the exercises can involve writing, there are not spaces for writing in the workbook. Also, there is no organization into chapters on topics. Instead of long chapters, there are very short (a page or two) sections with headings. Some headings describe forthcoming content, while others begin with the label Exercise: or Practice: that ask the reader to do something. I (that is, my left brain) kept looking for some kind of overarching organizational pattern to the book, but I found none. Not that the book is disorganized (far from it), but it seems that Dr. Niebauer didn't want the reader to get caught up in intellectualizing, which would have been contrary to the purpose of the book. The book flows along beautifully and kept my attention from beginning to finish.
A final comment. When I reviewed Dr. Niebauer's first book, I noted a similarity between his ideas and those of don Miguel Ruiz, and I wondered if he had read or even met Ruiz. This question is answered in the No Self No Problem Workbook, as there is one explicit reference to Ruiz. If you are a fan of the books written by Ruiz and his sons (as I am), I am pretty sure that you will love the No Self, No Problem Workbook.
The point of both the original and workbook is that most of us rely so heavily on the left cerebral hemisphere's constant use of language, categorizing, and story-telling that we miss out on experiencing the world through our right cerebral hemisphere, which connects us to our body's movement through the world and our feeling of wholeness and connectedness to everything. Thus, most of us live in an unbalanced state most of the time, our left brain chattering away like a sports commentator, interpreting the world instead of just experiencing and enjoying it. The goal of the exercises in the No Self, No Problem Workbook is not to eliminate the fictions created by the left brain (including the sense of an unchanging self), but simply to understand the limitations of those fictions and to become more open to our silent but important right hemisphere.
The No Self, No Problem Workbook is a bit of a paradox in that a book full of words is intended to get us to stop using our words so much. But it accomplishes this successfully through two main routes. The first to demonstrate the biases and forms of faulty thinking our left hemisphere engages in constantly. These demonstrations will be familiar to anyone like myself who has taught psychology and maybe by students who are lucky enough to have encountered them in an introductory psychology course. The demonstrations illustrate how what seems logical can lead us to incorrect solutions, how beliefs lead to visual illusions, how motives distort thinking, how we use limited information to draw incorrect conclusions, and—to my mind, most importantly—how the left brain tends to create more problems and suffering than it solves. These demonstrations are highly effective for punching holes in the left-brain ego, readying the reader for alternatives to the limited left brain.
The second route for quieting the left brain and bringing out the right brain is a large set of activities that rely by necessity on the right brain. These activities you actually have to do to receive the benefits; reading about them is not enough, as Dr. Niebauer clearly states. Although some of the activities might cause a bit of discomfort (to the left brain), I think you'll find them actually enjoyable. I did. In fact, I was so sold on the idea of spending some time each day barefoot in the grass, that I have been doing this, even in the middle of winter. The right brain is about doing, so if you want benefits from this book, you must do at least some of the exercises.
One thing I must say about the book is that its format did not look at all like I expected. In the positive psychology I taught for many years we used a workbook that briefly described a number of hands-on activities followed by open-ended questions with a lot of blank lines where the reader could write about his or her experiences with the exercises. Our workbook was also organized into chapters on different topics in positive psychology (e.g., compassion, mindfulness, gratitude). No Self, No Problem Workbook is not that kind of workbook. Although some of the exercises can involve writing, there are not spaces for writing in the workbook. Also, there is no organization into chapters on topics. Instead of long chapters, there are very short (a page or two) sections with headings. Some headings describe forthcoming content, while others begin with the label Exercise: or Practice: that ask the reader to do something. I (that is, my left brain) kept looking for some kind of overarching organizational pattern to the book, but I found none. Not that the book is disorganized (far from it), but it seems that Dr. Niebauer didn't want the reader to get caught up in intellectualizing, which would have been contrary to the purpose of the book. The book flows along beautifully and kept my attention from beginning to finish.
A final comment. When I reviewed Dr. Niebauer's first book, I noted a similarity between his ideas and those of don Miguel Ruiz, and I wondered if he had read or even met Ruiz. This question is answered in the No Self No Problem Workbook, as there is one explicit reference to Ruiz. If you are a fan of the books written by Ruiz and his sons (as I am), I am pretty sure that you will love the No Self, No Problem Workbook.
September 4, 2025
The No Self, No Problem Workbook” is a practical follow-up to Chris Niebauer’s earlier book No Self, No Problem. A neuropsychologist, Niebauer blends the scientific understanding of the brain with Buddhist teachings on the illusion of a fixed self. Here, he moves beyond theory to practice: this is a workbook filled with exercises designed to help you “lose your mind” — in the sense of stepping outside the habitual constructs of ego.
The strength of the book lies in its hybridity. It is neither abstract philosophy nor dry science: Niebauer skillfully balances cognitive science experiments with contemplative practices. Through meditations and cognitive drills, readers can directly experience that the “self” is far less solid and monolithic than it appears.
The book is particularly valuable for those seeking a bridge between Western psychology and Eastern spirituality. There is no dogma here: the author writes with accessibility, lightness, and even humor. This makes the material approachable, especially for newcomers encountering the radical idea of the self as an illusion.
Its weakness is that for seasoned Buddhists or experienced meditators, the exercises may feel oversimplified. The science, while present, is presented in a popular style rather than with academic rigor. Yet this accessibility is also its strength: The No Self, No Problem Workbook offers an entry point into transformative experience without overwhelming the reader.
The strength of the book lies in its hybridity. It is neither abstract philosophy nor dry science: Niebauer skillfully balances cognitive science experiments with contemplative practices. Through meditations and cognitive drills, readers can directly experience that the “self” is far less solid and monolithic than it appears.
The book is particularly valuable for those seeking a bridge between Western psychology and Eastern spirituality. There is no dogma here: the author writes with accessibility, lightness, and even humor. This makes the material approachable, especially for newcomers encountering the radical idea of the self as an illusion.
Its weakness is that for seasoned Buddhists or experienced meditators, the exercises may feel oversimplified. The science, while present, is presented in a popular style rather than with academic rigor. Yet this accessibility is also its strength: The No Self, No Problem Workbook offers an entry point into transformative experience without overwhelming the reader.
August 14, 2023
Do the Exercises!
For those of you familiar with the previous book, this version expands upon it by providing exercises to do for gratitude, memory, awareness, forgiveness, and many more exercises that will completely change your perspective on the thinking mind in a positive way.
For those of you not familiar with the previous version, a very short summary is that we love to use the thinking mind for everything, and it is the thinking mind that manifests much of our suffering. By taking each moment as it comes and aspiring towards action rather than thinking, we can help quiet the mind down so it can serve us well rather than try to control everything.
Most of all, DO THE EXERCISES IN THE BOOK! The book is a great read, but doing the exercises really bring to life what the book talks about. The mind follows what you do.
A true masterpiece Chris, thank you so much for this
For those of you familiar with the previous book, this version expands upon it by providing exercises to do for gratitude, memory, awareness, forgiveness, and many more exercises that will completely change your perspective on the thinking mind in a positive way.
For those of you not familiar with the previous version, a very short summary is that we love to use the thinking mind for everything, and it is the thinking mind that manifests much of our suffering. By taking each moment as it comes and aspiring towards action rather than thinking, we can help quiet the mind down so it can serve us well rather than try to control everything.
Most of all, DO THE EXERCISES IN THE BOOK! The book is a great read, but doing the exercises really bring to life what the book talks about. The mind follows what you do.
A true masterpiece Chris, thank you so much for this
April 19, 2023
Learn the state of "No-Self" and be free from all the sufferings.
In this book, I learned about thinking patterns, improving our thinking habits, the function of the right brain and left brain ( and how to use them properly), how to use the brain in our growth, etc.
Exercises and practices were immensely amazing. They helped a lot in understanding the lessons more clearly.
Read this book to learn a new perspective of seeing yourself and the world. Unlearn the false sense of self you have within that is the root cause of all your mental suffering.
In this book, I learned about thinking patterns, improving our thinking habits, the function of the right brain and left brain ( and how to use them properly), how to use the brain in our growth, etc.
Exercises and practices were immensely amazing. They helped a lot in understanding the lessons more clearly.
Read this book to learn a new perspective of seeing yourself and the world. Unlearn the false sense of self you have within that is the root cause of all your mental suffering.
April 18, 2023
The No Self, No Problem Workbook by Chris Niebauer is a remarkable workbook to know our thinking patterns and improve them accordingly. It explains the whole concept of how the right and left brain work. It helped me better understand our thought process.
after reading this book. I can control my thoughts and thinking. Thank you, Chris Niebauer, for writing this book.
This book is a miracle for me
after reading this book. I can control my thoughts and thinking. Thank you, Chris Niebauer, for writing this book.
This book is a miracle for me
April 11, 2023
Highly Recommend! Easy to follow along with the book, allows you to slow things down, digest what you read and apply. Challenging topics, allows good insight for self, and how we look at others or how they may view themselves. In an age where everything is fake understanding yourself first allows more (real) understanding of others as well.
January 2, 2024
An interesting and easy to understand book for anyone wanting to find out more about how the mind works. However, having already read, and loved, 'No self, no problem' I didn't really learn anything new - more of a refresher.
August 5, 2024
Fantastic read, so “mind opening” ha! Or mind separating more like 🤣 it really puts you into different perspective , I’ve read the first one and I’m glad I’ve got that one too as all the practical exercises are super helpful and can get you to state of your “real” self.
August 1, 2025
revealing exercises
Wonderful book and author. The self awareness of what is and isn;t reality is wonderful. Great way to eliminate stress and to recognize your mind for what it really is. Highly recommend
Wonderful book and author. The self awareness of what is and isn;t reality is wonderful. Great way to eliminate stress and to recognize your mind for what it really is. Highly recommend
April 11, 2023
So interesting and thought provoking. A must for anyone who’s interested in mindfulness.
August 14, 2023
incredible
I loved the book from beginning to end. As a matter of fact I wish it would never end. Clearly written with great exercises and tips to truly alleviate suffering.
I loved the book from beginning to end. As a matter of fact I wish it would never end. Clearly written with great exercises and tips to truly alleviate suffering.
October 23, 2023
This one didn’t resonate. Most exercises didn’t make sense or I heard of them before. Can’t see any point n finishing it.
March 15, 2024
Amazing!!!
Makes mindfulness very understandable to the Western mind. Great companion to Deeper Mindfulness by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. Buy it.
Makes mindfulness very understandable to the Western mind. Great companion to Deeper Mindfulness by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. Buy it.
August 16, 2024
Some good bits, but he really does throw the kitchen sink at this, with everything from gratitude journals to walking barefoot stuck onto a little bit of Buddhism.
October 8, 2023
TAKE THE NEW PATH EVERYDAY
This book got a great new understanding of our mind errors, like do the same to keep you safe, but DO NEW EVERYDAY - descover new paths around, expantion, evolution, new joy…
This book got a great new understanding of our mind errors, like do the same to keep you safe, but DO NEW EVERYDAY - descover new paths around, expantion, evolution, new joy…
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews