Non-duality—Not Two
Photo by Elijah Hiett
Photo by Miriam Espacio
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Non-duality is the recognition
that underlying the multiplicity
and diversity of experience
there is a single, infinite and indivisible reality,
whose nature is pure consciousness,
from which all objects and selves
derive their apparently independent existence.
The recognition of this reality
is not only the source of lasting happiness
within all people;
it is the foundation of peace
between individuals, communities and nations,
and it must be the basis
for any sustainable relationship
with the environment.¹¹
— Rupert Spira
Non-duality is found at the summit of nearly
every mystical tradition in the world.
Non-duality does not mean we do not exist—
but it does mean we don’t exist as we think we do.¹²
— Jay Michaelson
It is very important to know
that there are not two groups of creation,
but that all things are spiritual.
…the concrete visible expression
of these realities is the spiritual fact
of reality itself,
even though these visible forms
appear as human sight, food,
home, money, or a friend.¹³
— Martha Wilcox
There are not two forms of matter,
the physical and the spiritual.
Rather, to each thing there are two faces,
the more tangible and the more abstract.
Our senses and perception grasp
that which is tangible and we call it "physical."
Our mind's eye is able to grasp
the more abstract, each according to [our] level.¹⁴
— Menachem Mendel Schneerson
I know nothing of two worlds—
All I know is the One—
I seek only One,
I know only One,
I find only One,
And I sing of only One.¹⁵
— Rumi
For the mind in harmony with the Tao
all selfishness disappears.
With not even a trace of self-doubt,
you can trust the universe completely.
All at once you are free,
with nothing left to hold on to.
All is empty, brilliant,
perfect in its own being.
In the world of things as they are
there is no self, no nonself.
If you want to describe its essence
the best you can say is Not-two.
In this Not-two, nothing is separate
and nothing in the world is excluded.
The enlightened of all times and places
have entered into this truth.¹⁶
— Seng-Ts'an
Waves of the Ocean
[1] Dr. Tony Nader, One Unbounded Ocean of Consciousness: Simple Answers to the Big Questions in Life, (Kindle, Aguilar Press, 2021), p. 140 • Photo by Elijah Hiett
[2] Peter J. Bowles, Reconciling Science and Religion: The Debate in Early-Twentieth-Century Britain, (University of Chicago Press, 2001), p. 111 • Photo by Rohan Reddy
[3] Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Vedic Knowledge for Everyone, (Maharishi Vedic University Press, 1994), p. 68
[4] Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, (Christian Science Board of Directors, 1934), p. 468 • Photo by Lauren Barton
[5] Perle Besserman, Teachings of the Jewish Mystics, (Shambhala, 1998). p. 60 / [Divinity] replaces “the Creator” and “Him” / The complete quotation reads:
The Creator is Himself, at one and the same time,
knowledge, the knower, and the known. . .
There exists nothing which is not united to Him
and which He does not find in His own essence.
He is the type of all being, and all things exist in Him
under their most pure and most perfect form.
• Photo by Canva
[6] Yakub Masih, A Comparative Study of Religions, (Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 1990), p. 142 • Photo by Canva
[7] Hebrews 11:3 KJV
[8] II Corinthians 4:18 KJV • Photo by Patrick Szylar
[9] Genesis 1:4
[10] Psalms 33:9 JPS / [Divine Mind] replaces “He” • Photo by Rohan Reddy
[11] Rupert Spira, Introduction to Non-duality, https://rupertspira.com/non-duality/introduction-to-non-duality • 07.02.2023
[12] Jay Michaelson, Everything is God: The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism, (Trumpeter Boulder, 2009), p.1
[13] Martha Wilcox, Association Address of 1935: Scientific Translation, (The Bookmark, 1986), p. 23
[14] Menachem Mendel Schneerson, A Daily Dose of Wisdom from the Rebbe words and condensation by Tzvi Freeman, March 26, 2004 / [our] replaces “his”
[15] Rumi, A Garden Beyond Paradise: The Mystical Poetry of Rumi, (Bantam, 1992), p. 5
[16] Marcia Prager, The Path of Blessing, (Jewish Lights Publishing, 1998), p. 70
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