Big Think Ask yourself: Are you a process, or a person? | Annaka Harris
22 snips
Jul 29, 2025 
In a captivating discussion, Annaka Harris, a New York Times bestselling author known for her work on consciousness, challenges our understanding of identity. She delves into the shifting nature of the self, likening it to an ocean wave shaped by interactions with the world. Harris argues that our decisions happen in the brain before we are even aware of them, raising questions about free will. Additionally, she highlights how meditation and deep focus can blur the lines between self and the external world, prompting deeper reflection on personal growth.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Self is a Dynamic Process
- The self is an illusion resembling a dynamic process like an ocean wave, not a static entity like a rock.
- Our brains are ever-changing processes continually interacting with the external world, creating the experience of self.
Free Will Illusion Explained
- Free will and self are illusions reflecting the feeling of separation from cause-effect relationships in the physical world.
- Our decisions stem from interactions within nature's processes rather than a separate self exerting free will.
Pea Tendril Decision Example
- A pea tendril senses and grows towards a branch by decision-like cause-effect processes.
- Such natural examples show decision-making processes without conscious free will.
