Non-Duality is a concept that originated in Eastern religion and philosophy. There are many different definitions of this concept. Here are the basics of non-duality. It is the concept that there is no separation of body, mind, and spirit. Non-duality is the opposite of dualism.
Advaita Vedanta
Non-duality is an important concept in Advaita Vedanta. It is a philosophy that says that the entire world is an illusion created by the Brahman, and that everything else is nothing but an illusion of God’s consciousness. This reality is called ‘avarna,’ and the manifestation of God’s consciousness is called ‘viksepa.’ This belief in the indeterminacy of maya also explains why some people have trouble accepting the idea that the world is non-existent.
Advaita Vedanta was originally developed in India. However, its influence is felt throughout the world, and it has been revitalized over the past century. Many Western philosophers have been influenced by it, including Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. In fact, Emerson’s ‘Over-soul’ is essentially the same as Hinduism’s Atman. Other prominent figures in the philosophy include Swami Vivekananda and Ramana Maharshi.
Neo-Advaita
The term Neo-Advaita refers to teachings that do not accept duality or separation. This is in opposition to the egocentric premise that we have to experience duality and separation before we can experience liberation. This way of teaching is based on the fact that there are no separate selves or separate objects.
The concept of non-duality has its roots in the Advaita Vedanta school of Hinduism. In the Advaita tradition, the term “Atman” refers to the essence of the individual, which is often attributed to the concept of soul. The Atman is the ultimate principle and the “first principle” of reality. The idea that the individual is one single entity is a fundamental part of the Advaita philosophy.
Huayan school
Huineng was one of the most influential dharma masters in China, and his influence extended to Buddhism, Chan, and Neo-Confucianism. In fact, each of the “Five Great Masters” studied Chan as a youth. Their records of discussion are reminiscent of the Wumen guan, a traditional Confucian text. Wang Yangming, who is often associated with Huineng, studied Chan as well.
The Huayan school developed a theory of non-duality that states that all phenomena are part of the same total network of reality. Thus, the existence of each phenomenon depends on its relation to other things, which are equally connected and interpenetrated. The Huayan patriarchs used various metaphors to express this view.
Sufism
The doctrine of non-duality is central to Sufism. It explains that all phenomena are aspects of the same reality. Moreover, the Sufis strive to transcend individuality and seek the divine. This understanding is derived from the philosophy of Tawhid. It is a non-dual way of life, which allows us to experience all aspects of life in one.
Various Buddhist traditions have attempted to integrate non-duality in their practice. Tien Tai Buddhism and Hua Yen Buddhism are examples of this. Some practitioners of both traditions have even created poetry with emptiness and void lines.
Buddhism
The teachings of Buddhism emphasize non-duality as a fundamental truth of reality. The non-duality message is a comfort to those who suffer from the dualities of life. It offers a path towards a better life. Non-duality is a universal truth that permeates the world.
Non-duality is the realization that no one has a separate identity, and that there is no ego or self. Buddhists call this concept nirvana, or the “non-self,” or anatta. The Buddha described Non-Duality in verses, and taught that non-duality is the realization that all dual existences are illusions.
Taoism
In Taoism, the concept of non-duality is fundamental to its philosophy. According to this philosophy, all elements in the universe originate from the same source, without duality. In this way, there is no way to distinguish between one object and another. We are a part of that universe, and we are not separate from it.
According to this theory, the universe is a continuous transformation, and changes are not the result of external forces but rather a natural tendency of the Universe. This allows Taoist practitioners to achieve the freedom of mind that comes from transcending distinctions. This freedom from duality allows the practitioner to gain true knowledge of the world, allowing them to fully appreciate both the diversity of life and the infinity of the Universe.