Non-dualism, often referred to as “non-duality,” is a common theme in various philosophical, religious, and spiritual traditions.

It’s often associated with Eastern philosophies and spiritual traditions, whereas dualism has been more prominent in Western philosophy, especially in the history of Western thought.

Non-duality is a philosophical and spiritual concept that suggests there’s no fundamental duality, distinction, or separation in the ultimate nature of our reality.

It states that all apparent distinctions and dualities, such as good and evil or self and other, are ultimately illusory or merely conceptual.

We’re going a bit deeper today, but humbly and honestly speaking, I am a bit of a novice and am just getting a few thoughts out based on some preliminary research.

Let’s discuss and contrast the spiritual concepts of Duality and Non-Duality.

The Concept Of Non-Duality

What Is Non-Dualism In Simple Words?

Non-duality is a translation of the Sanskrit word Advaita, which simply means “not two” and points to the essential oneness of life, a wholeness which exists here and now, prior to any apparent separation.

With Dual philosophy, pure awareness and nature are separate entities, while in non-dual philosophy there is only one Supreme Reality, and there is no separation of pure awareness and nature.

It’s the recognition that underlying the diversity of our experience there is a single, infinite, and indivisible reality, whose nature is pure consciousness, from which all objects and individuals derive their apparent independent existence.

How Is Non-Dualism Expressed In Various Traditions?

Buddhism: Some interpretations of Buddhism, particularly in the Mahayana tradition, emphasize the non-dual nature of reality.

The idea of “emptiness” (shunyata) suggests that all phenomena lack inherent existence and are interdependent, making them ultimately non-dual.

Mystical Christianity: Some Christian mystics have explored non-dualism, emphasizing the union of the individual soul with God.

This is often expressed through concepts like “union with the divine” or “mystical union.”

Advaita Vedanta: In Hindu philosophy, particularly in the Advaita Vedanta school, non-dualism is a central concept.

It teaches that the ultimate reality, often referred to as Brahman, is without attributes, distinctions, or duality.

The individual self (Atman) is believed to be fundamentally identical to Brahman, and the realization of this identity is the goal of human existence.

Mystical and New Age Movements: Non-dualistic ideas have also influenced contemporary spiritual and philosophical movements, including New Age spirituality.

Many proponents emphasize transcending dualities to reach a more profound understanding of reality.

What Is Dualism?

Dualism is a philosophical concept that asserts the existence of two fundamentally distinct principles, substances, or categories in a particular domain.

With Mind-Body Dualism, this form of dualism suggests that the mind and the body are distinct and separate entities.

The mind is often associated with consciousness, thought, and subjective experience, while the body is associated with the physical aspects of a person.

One of the most famous proponents of mind-body dualism is René Descartes, who argued that the mind and body interacted through the pineal gland but remained fundamentally distinct.

Final Thoughts

This has just been meant as a basic post to spark some thought, I’ll try to come back to the topic in more depth in the future.

The interpretation and application of non-dualism can vary widely among different traditions and individuals.

From what I understand, and from what I’ve experienced, the ego within us and even our mind itself, will want to resist the idea of non-duality.

The mind wants us to be separate from each other, it wants to try and solve all of our problems at an intellectual level, whereas many of our solutions to our perceived problems may be found at a more intuitive level.

Thanks for sticking with me on this one, please share a comment or follow the links.

Sources and other reading:

The Many Faces Of Non-Duality

How To Begin A Spiritual Path

A Buddhist View Of Happiness

How To Follow Our Intuition

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