Buddhist psychology's insights into mind-body phenomena and non-self align with the pattern theory of self, which describes the self as a dynamic, temporal, and enactive pattern of processes. Although Buddhist concepts do not map directly onto the self-pattern, both frameworks share similarities in explaining experiences of self and non-self through pragmatic, relational processes. This mutual perspective offers implications for well-being and flexibility that reduce anxiety, attachment, craving, and suffering.
A selfless state of consciousness, reported for centuries in wisdom traditions, involves both temporary and lasting conditions. In psychology, the healthy self is typically emphasized, and the idea of selfless modes is sometimes dismissed, hindering empirical progress. This paper offers an interdisciplinary conceptual discussion grounded in the pattern theory of self (PTS), which views the self as a complex pattern of dynamically related processes. It proposes that meditative practices induce a reorganization of the self-pattern, enabling temporary or persistent selfless experience. The authors present a heuristic model, the pattern theory of selflessness (PTSL), with six nonlinear transformations: consolidating and integrating the self-pattern; cultivating concentration and present-moment awareness; cultivating mindful awareness; self-deconstruction states; self-flexibility; and self-liberation as a trait. This integrative view advances understanding of non-self experience and guides empirical research.
Mindfulness meditation is often claimed to reduce egoic functioning, but empirical evidence is mixed. Three studies examined these associations: a cross-sectional survey of 796 people, an experiment with 84 students who practiced mindfulness meditation, and an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program with 165 participants. In the cross-sectional study, most mindfulness facets were positively or not significantly associated with egoic functioning facets. The experiment found that mindfulness meditation lowered self-enhancement of positive traits. In the MBSR intervention, some egoic aspects decreased (e.g., demanding control) while others increased (e.g., refusal to comply), and these changes correlated with shifts in self-reported mindfulness and well-being. Aspects of egoic functioning relate differently to mindfulness and respond differently to brief versus longer interventions.