What we can learn from the principle of non-duality
The illusion of the self
When we meditate, we enter into a state of being, rather than thinking or planning or doing. Through connecting to the breath and to the body, we detach from our own minds. This allows us to tap into a field of energy greater than ourselves, an energy whose nature is non-dual. This energy is sometimes called pure consciousness.
We are not only ourselves; we are also each other. On a scientific level, we are literally part of one huge fabric of atoms and molecules. We share the air with the animals and trees around us. We are part of an ecosystem. Chronic overconsumption, urbanisation and climate change threaten the stability of the huge ecological web that is nature. But the system is extraordinarily resilient.
Everything in life balances out, like an algebraic or a chemical equation. What goes up must come down. What goes in must come out. Energy can only be transformed or transferred, not expanded nor reduced. This also reflects the principle of karmic energy. The details of our life tend towards equilibrium, just like nature. It makes total sense that the key to a good life is balance, whether that’s in relation to food, exercise or your ratio of work to leisure.
Recognising the fact of non-duality on a cognitive, intellectual level is one thing, but perhaps more important is experientially tapping into it through some kind of mindful practice. For me, connecting with non-duality means a sense of inner peace and a feeling of energy and aliveness in my body as I meditate. It will be different for everyone, so see where your exploration of oneness and non-duality takes you.
Non-duality also means that everything is interdependent. The meaning of darkness hinges on the existence of light. Flowers can only blossom if bees pollinate. If there is no self, there can be no other, so self and other can be construed as one. There is only one single indivisible reality and we can embrace this on an experiential, meditative level. Cultivating a connection to the world’s oneness in this way reminds us of the fundamental unity and equality of all living beings. Furthermore, it should be at the core of any justification for action on climate change.
Non-duality is not only the nature of the world, but also of ourselves. When we come out of the mind and into the breathing body, we sense the boundary between our bodies and the space we inhabit. This reminds us that all we have in any given moment is raw bodily sensations: a sense of being here and now. When we relax into presence and see our thoughts merely as distractions from the present moment, we can unify with the world. And from a sense of unity, love and compassion for others naturally emerge.
Consciousness is infinite and perhaps of a cyclical nature. When we move away from thinking linearly, we see that existence is centred around cycles, whether that’s reproduction, the circulation of the blood, breathing or the water cycle. The earth turns and different forms of energy circulate continually, sustaining life.
Meanwhile, the dominant paradigm conceives of life as a finite number line. This limits the scope of how we conceptualise reality, reinforcing our separateness as well as ideas like economic growth for growth’s sake. The linear worldview sees each individual as a straight line, keeping within their own lane and competing with others. But if we focus more on the cyclical and web-like elements of life, we find that we are all interconnected and also that we have a huge capacity for love towards other people, the non-human animals we share the planet with, and the earth itself.
This concept of interconnectedness and non-duality can enrich your personal spiritual journey or provide a foundation for a community you are part of. It is a great teaching and a great foundation for love.
