What happens when people try to observe their thoughts without judgment or let them go completely? Is it even possible to detach oneself from the flow of thoughts and think of nothing for a moment?

Rahel Harbig's bachelor thesis deals with the “no mind” state, a mental emptiness that is primarily described and sought after in Zen Buddhism. The theoretical basis draws on sources from psychology, philosophy, and neurobiology and incorporates traditional Zen teachings. At the intersection of science and Buddhism, a new perspective on a state of consciousness such as “no mind” emerges.

The aim of the thesis was to find out how the “no mind” state can be made accessible and experiential. This raised the following questions: Should this state be established in the West? What might this look like outside of a religious framework, and what effects would it have on people?