A New Way of Being Self-Obsession: Why You Suffer (And How to Stop)
Oct 27, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Tom Davies, a psychotherapist and author of 'Self-Obsession,' explores the roots of suffering linked to our fixation on identity. He shares insights on how attachment to roles and ideals fuels anxiety and grief, and critiques the self-improvement culture that often leads to deeper self-rejection. Blending Eastern spirituality with Western psychology, Tom highlights practices like meditation and self-inquiry to help dissolve the illusion of the separate self, inviting listeners to embrace non-dual awareness.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Self-Obsession Explains Human Suffering
- Human suffering arises from a literal obsession with the objective self and identity.
- Tom Davies calls this universal vulnerability 'self-obsession' which explains anxiety, grief and striving.
Burnout Exit From A&E
- Tom Davies recounts burning out as a medic and walking out of A&E because anxiety became unbearable.
- The career loss then flipped into deep depression, prompting his search beyond Western explanations.
Emptiness Becomes Fullness
- Emptiness initially felt nihilistic but later became a spiritual fullness for Tom.
- Creating space (emptiness) allowed a deeper, more nourishing way of being to emerge.
