Why the Ego is an Illusion — or the Neuroscience of No Self | Chris Niebauer

Dr. Chris Niebauer is a cognitive neuropsychologist, professor of consciousness at Slippery Rock University, and author of "No Self No Problem" — a book exploring how modern neuropsychology is catching up to what Buddhism has known for centuries about ego dissolution, no self, and the nature of awakening.In this conversation we explore how the left brain creates the ego and what that means for ego dissolution, what neuroscience actually tells us about no self and free will, the profound differences between left and right brain functioning, and how psychedelics affect the brain — and why they don't always lead to lasting transformation.We also get into the paradox of progress, how the right brain is responsible for music, meaning and metaphor, simple practices for rebalancing the brain, and what the meaning crisis looks like through a neuropsychological lens.A fascinating bridge between cutting-edge neuroscience and the world's contemplative traditions — for anyone trying to understand the mind that is doing the understanding.🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES🔗Chris's personal site Chris on YouTube No Self No Problem No Self No Problem Companion Workbook What is the ego? Seeing through the illusion How left brain dominance is causing the emerging meaning crisis The Master and His Emissary — Iain McGilchrist Alan Watts Teachings Ram Dass Teachings The Effect of Earthing on Human Physiology⏱ TIMESTAMPS⏱0:00 - Intro 0:45 - Why Chris got into neuroscience 2:20 - Chris talks about his neurotic past 3:23 - How Alan Watts impacted Chris 5:15 - Comparing "No Self No Problem" and "The Master and His Emissary" 6:55 - How neuropsychology is catching up to Buddhism 11:21 - Does no self mean we have no free will? 15:10 - What is the ego? 25:40 - The main differences between right and left brain functioning 33:26 - How the right brain is responsible for music, meaning, and metaphor 40:55 - What is the meaning of life? 48:35 - Another way to understand right and left brain differences 49:48 - The paradox of progress 51:39 - The best way to understand what the ego is 52:29 - Chris's take on psychedelics 56:58 - How psychedelics affect the brain 1:06:38 - Why psychedelics don't always lead to lasting transformation 1:09:35 - Simple practices for rebalancing the brain 1:18:58 - Preorder the "No Self No Problem" Companion Workbook 1:22:13 - How Ram Dass impacted Chris 1:24:07 - Chris's experience with Deepak Chopra 1:28:07 - What Chris is working on next 1:31:40 - Where you can connect with Chris*Subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch the video versions of the Elevating Consciousness Podcast *Subscribe to the Insighter Substack to get in-depth articles on the theory and practice of human transformation through a post-conventional