Neurodivergence, Identity, and Dharma with Kynan Tan

Kynan will talk about his recent Autism diagnosis and how this fits within Dharma practice in relation to identity and the sense of self.

Buddhist practitioners often have an uneasy relationship with identity. The teachings of the Buddhist traditions emphasise the practice of anatta or not-self, leading to a way of perceiving that involves less clinging and attachment and therefore less suffering. But seeing everything as not-self at all times may not lead to fulfilment. A nuanced view of the self and identity is required if we are to understand the implications of what it means to be a person in the world.

After experiencing the dilemma of going through multiple periods of burnout while having a life filled with things that he loves to do, Kynan looked to various different sources to understand what exactly was taking place. Through the process of learning about Autism and the involved self-reflection, Kynan found that the way neurodivergence is currently understood provided a different understanding of self and identity that helped greatly with alleviating certain difficulties that were still present after years of practice. While any identifier, such as Autism, is empty, lacking solidity, and not ultimately “real”, it does provide a way to understand the self and find wholeness on a relative level.

There will be a talk, guided practice, and discussion around finding self-attunement and self-understanding that leads to practice being more fully integrated into every aspect of life.