About this episode

Noah Levine explores the concept of self and identity, questioning the solidity of the self and the implications of belief in a soul or meaning.

When you start paying attention, you begin to see that what we call the self isn’t as solid as it feels. There are thoughts, sensations, reactions arising and passing, but no fixed identity behind them. Understanding this directly starts to loosen the grip of clinging and opens the possibility of freedom. What do you believe about your self? Do you believe in a soul or that there’s no soul? Is it all meaningless? Is it liberating?

People in this episode

Host: Noah Levine

Topics covered

• self
• identity
• freedom
• clinging
• soul
• meaning

Keywords

• self
• identity
• freedom
• clinging
• soul
• meaning
• Buddhism
• spirituality

More episodes of Against The Stream

• 32 Parts with Noah Levine · May 8, 2026 · 1h 20m
• Effort with Noah Levine · April 21, 2026 · 1h 29m
• Wise Livelihood with Noah Levine · April 16, 2026 · 1h 29m
• 5 Precepts with Noah Levine · April 6, 2026 · 1h 27m
• Communication with Noah Levine · April 3, 2026 · 1h 27m
• Intention with Noah Levine · April 1, 2026 · 1h 21m

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