What is Non-Duality? A Gentle Journey Beyond the Self
/Hello, wonderful being!
Today, we’re diving into a topic that has quietly enchanted me since I was a young 20 year old: nonduality. Also known as nondualism, it might sound like a philosophical riddle or something only monks talk about on mountaintops. But the truth? It’s far simpler—and far more intimate—than most of us realise.
In fact, if you’ve ever paused, taken a breath, and felt like life is just… flowing, you’ve already tasted it.
Let’s begin where my own journey started.
My Introduction to Non-Duality
I was twenty, slightly confused, and sat in a philosophy class that—let’s just say—was more bewildering than a Rubik’s cube at a yoga retreat. But one day, something shifted. The lecturer mentioned a strange but compelling term: “non-duality.” The idea that we are not separate from the world around us.
That class lit a fire in me. Over the years, that spark has flickered, flared, and dimmed again at times—but it never fully went out. And here I am, still gently curious about the mystery of it all.
What Does Nonduality Mean?
Let’s get clear on the basics.
Nonduality, or nondualism, is a translation of the Sanskrit word Advaita, which means “not two.” This doesn’t mean there’s just “one” thing either. It points to something even more subtle: the idea that separation itself is an illusion.
In simple terms, nonduality is the realisation that:
There is no separate “you” watching the world.
There is no thinker behind your thoughts.
Life isn’t happening to you—it’s just happening.
In the same way that a wave isn’t separate from the ocean, you’re not separate from the whole of life. You’re an expression of it.
Where Does the Idea of Nonduality Come From?
The roots of nonduality stretch back thousands of years, particularly in Indian philosophy. It’s central to Advaita Vedanta, one of the classical schools of Hindu thought.
But nonduality also pops up in:
Buddhism, especially Zen and Dzogchen
Taoism, where harmony with the Tao means moving beyond dualistic thinking
Christian mysticism, with phrases like “I live, yet not I” from Saint Paul
Contemporary science and neuroscience, where the idea of a permanent, central “self” is being seriously questioned
So it’s not just Eastern wisdom—it’s universal. From mystics to monks to modern neuroscientists, people keep rediscovering this insight.
Uncomplicating Nonduality: It’s Not Just for Philosophers
Some people think nonduality is too abstract. But really, it’s as close as your next breath.
You don’t have to study scripture or meditate for 40 years to understand it. You’ve likely already experienced glimpses of nonduality:
When you’re in the ‘flow’ and forget yourself
While watching a sunset, where time and thought melt away
In deep laughter or stillness, where no one’s “doing” anything
That moment of freedom? That’s nonduality peeking through.
The kicker is: you don’t need to hold onto that moment. Nonduality isn’t a special state. It’s simply what is, before the mind adds its commentary.
The Illusion of the Separate Self
Here’s something fun to ponder: where exactly is the “you” who is thinking right now?
If you sit with that question, you may notice the “I” you thought was in charge isn’t so solid after all. According to many spiritual traditions—and increasingly, neuroscience—this ‘self’ is a mental construct, a kind of useful fiction.
This doesn’t mean you don’t exist. It just means that the version of “you” that’s in charge, worrying about tomorrow, replaying yesterday… is more of a storyteller than a truth-teller.
And when you see through that story, something beautiful happens: life becomes less personal and more playful.
Sleep, Flow, and the Disappearing Self
Think about this: every night, when you fall into deep sleep, where do you go?
You don’t vanish—you simply stop identifying. The same thing happens when you’re so absorbed in a creative act or moment of wonder that your usual mental chatter fades into the background.
So it’s not that the separate self needs to be destroyed or erased. It’s that we start noticing it’s more like a character in a movie—a role we play, but not who we truly are.
What Do the Teachers Say?
Over the years, I’ve explored the teachings of many wise beings—both ancient sages and modern thinkers.
Ramana Maharshi asked, “Who am I?” and encouraged us to trace that sense of “I” back to its source.
Nisargadatta Maharaj said, “Wisdom is knowing I am nothing. Love is knowing I am everything.”
Sam Harris, through his Waking Up app, offers science-friendly insights and meditations that explore the illusion of self.
Wayne Liquorman, Paul Smit, Ramesh Balsekar, Sailor Bob, Cameron Reilly, John Wheeler, Kat Adamson all remind us that the ego is not in control—and that’s liberating!
Whether poetic or precise, these voices echo the same core truth: you are not what you think you are—and that’s good news.
The Cosmic JokE
Here’s a playful twist: the moment you try to “get” nonduality, you’ve already made it into a thing—something separate from you.
That’s why nonduality is sometimes called the ultimate joke. You’re chasing what’s already here. You’re searching for your glasses… while wearing them.
So what’s the solution?
Stop trying. Or, more accurately, see that the trying is just another happening. Let go into the flow of life, not as a practice or technique, but as a gentle noticing.
How Can Nonduality Help Me in Daily Life?
This might all sound poetic or even impractical. But the implications of nonduality can be deeply grounding:
Less stress – If you’re not the one making life happen, you don’t have to carry the world.
More compassion – When you realise everyone is playing their role, blame softens.
Deeper joy – Ordinary moments shimmer when seen through the lens of non-separation.
Freedom from perfectionism – The idea of needing to “get it right” begins to loosen its grip.
It’s not about escaping life. It’s about fully engaging with it, minus the burden of being the puppeteer behind the curtain.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nonduality
What is nonduality in simple terms?
Nonduality (or nondualism) means there is no fundamental separation between you and the rest of reality. You’re not an isolated observer—you are life itself, happening.
Is nonduality the same as oneness?
Close! Nonduality goes a step further: it doesn’t say, “We are all one,” because even that assumes two things becoming one. It says: there was never two to begin with.
Do I need to meditate to experience nonduality?
Not necessarily. You might glimpse it while walking in nature, laughing with a friend, or sipping tea. Meditation can help—but it’s not mandatory.
Is nonduality religious?
It can be spiritual, but it’s not tied to any one religion. You’ll find versions of it in Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, and even quantum physics!
What’s the difference between duality and nonduality?
Duality sees opposites: self vs. other, good vs. bad. Nonduality sees beyond opposites—into the mysterious unity that holds them both.
You’ve Already Arrived
One of the most beautiful realisations in nonduality is this:
You’re not broken. You don’t need fixing. You don’t need to be more spiritual or more mindful or more anything.
Right now, in this very moment, life is just happening—through you, as you, within you.
In the next blog post, I’ll explore how nondual awareness can support mindfulness, reduce anxiety, and even shift how we relate to the big questions of life and death. But for now, let this land:
You are not just a wave. You are also the ocean.
Final Thought (and a Warm Invitation)
So, my friends, if you’re asking “What is nonduality?” or “What is nondualism?”, perhaps the answer isn’t in more knowledge—but in less resistance.
In letting go, in relaxing into what is, you may find what was never lost.
Warm wishes for your explorations—joyful, curious, and light-hearted.
Shamash Alidina 🙏
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