What If the Self You're Trying to Improve Isn't There?

The podcast series explores a game-changing understanding of the human mind that operates "Before Psychology" — the secret source that exponentially increases peace, performance, and potential for any individual or organisation. What if a huge amount of human stress, striving, and psychological effort comes from trying to fix, improve, and manage a self that isn't actually what we think it is? In this episode, Piers is joined by Katrijn Van Oudheusden to explore her newly republished book, Seeing No Self. At a time when modern culture increasingly promotes self-optimisation, productivity hacks, and constant self-improvement, this conversation questions a deeper assumption behind it all. Through the lens of Direct Inquiry, Katrijn explains why this belief sits at the root of much unnecessary stress, pressure, and psychological effort — and how investigating our experience directly can reveal something very different. Key Takeaways: - The modern self-improvement culture can unintentionally reinforce psychological pressure - The belief in a separate self creates unnecessary stress and identity management - Direct Inquiry offers a practical way to investigate experience rather than adopt beliefs - Seeing through the illusion of the self reveals natural peace, intelligence, and potential