The Western psychoanalytic traditions and the Buddhist traditions each have a range of complex theories regarding the functioning of the mind/psyche. Those theories include sophisticated concepts describing the nature and significance of the self, as well as the potential consequences, or benefits, of having "no self". In Buddhism the self is commonly identified as being an obstacle to the optimum goal of development, namely enlightenment. In contrast, psychoanalytic theory, views the capacity to sustain an intact sense of self as a prerequisite to leading a healthy and meaningful life. Kohut emphasized that the experiences of continuity and cohesion are fundamental to the development and maintenance of a healthy self. In this project continuity and cohesion will be used in an effort to focus and facilitate the exploration of the similarities and differences between Buddhist and self psychological theories of the self. The author will begin with a personal narrative which will describe the evolution of the author's interest in Buddhism and psychoanalytic self psychology. An overview of Kohut's self psychology and the theory of psychoanalytic intersubjectivity are presented. A general introduction is provided to the broad principles of Buddhism and the Buddhist world view. The evolution of the theory of no-self (anatman) is traced as it is presented in three major schools. A review of the literature is followed by the author's own attempts to integrate these diverse theories. Similarities and differences between Buddhist and self psychological theories are identified. This study asserts that a recognition of the role of continuity and cohesion, as concepts which point toward fundamental needs of the mind/psyche, makes the Buddhist theory of anatman more accessible, clarifies that it is not a nihilistic theory, and explicates the mechanisms which support the transition from being constrained by the limitations of the self to freedom from those constraints. That then opens the door to a broader and richer integration of Buddhist theory with Western psychology.
