Non Duality: the GREAT RISK!
Updated: Nov 7, 2024
Investigating the Nature of Ourselves: A Non-Duality Approach
Exploring the nature of ourselves and the deeper aspects of life can often feel like an overwhelming quest. Driven by the need for a greater understanding of reality and a sense of purpose beyond the mundane, we are often led to investigate the nature of our minds and the world around us. Yet, with so many paths and explanations available, the challenge lies in discerning which direction to take.
In my personal journey, I’ve found the most transformative and effective approach to be that of non-duality, a perspective that sees no separation between the subject (ourselves) and life itself. This viewpoint, unlike others, holds that the distinction between observer and observed is an illusion—a central tenet found in many spiritual traditions.
Three Major Explanations of Reality
In our search for answers, we encounter different frameworks for understanding life. These can generally be categorized into three main approaches:
Theological Explanation: This view posits that reality is created by an external entity (a God, or a higher power) and that everything in the universe has a specific, divine purpose. It offers a clear narrative of creation and destiny.
Materialistic Explanation: Here, reality is seen as the product of chance, governed by the laws of physics and coincidence. It emphasizes a purely physical and scientific understanding of the universe, often devoid of spiritual or metaphysical considerations.
Non-Dual Explanation: Rooted in authentic spiritual traditions, this view holds that the “object” (the world around us) cannot be separated from the “subject” (the self or observer). Non-duality sees the observer and the observed as one—there is no true separation between us and the universe. It invites us to experience life not as something external but as a unified whole.
The Pitfalls of Intellectualizing Non-Duality
Having explored non-duality through various lenses—such as Buddhism, self-inquiry, and the teachings of spiritual luminaries like Rupert Spira, Mooji, and Alan Watts—I’ve come to realize that intellectual investigations into non-duality can sometimes be misleading.
The biggest danger in engaging with non-duality on an intellectual level is that we can end up simply acquiring new beliefs rather than engaging in true transformation.
The Risk of "Spiritual Enlightenment" as a Belief System
The risk here is that we might substitute our old belief system with a new, more “enlightened” version. We begin to see ourselves and life through the lens of someone who has attained spiritual enlightenment. While this new perspective may feel more elevated, it still comes from a place of conceptualization and attachment to an idealized version of ourselves.
In truth, enlightenment is not something that can be conceptualized or held as an intellectual understanding. The very search for it, in a sense, prevents us from truly experiencing it. Enlightenment, when sought after as a goal, becomes part of the problem itself. As long as we are searching for it, we remain trapped in the illusion of separation between who we are and who we believe we need to be.
The Paradox of the Spiritual Journey
From my experience, particularly during my time in a Sangha (spiritual community), it’s clear that the path of non-duality is fraught with paradoxes. We must accept that the spiritual journey itself is an illusion created by the mind. The very search for enlightenment becomes an attachment, preventing the full realization of the oneness that we seek.
It’s important to remember that the mind cannot solve the problem it creates. No intellectual understanding can fully resolve the inner conflict or paradox of spiritual searching. In fact, the greatest risk is remaining trapped in intellectualizations about enlightenment, instead of experiencing the world and ourselves directly.
The Real Work: Moving Beyond Intellectualization
The true work lies in moving beyond intellectual investigations and concepts. Non-duality, at its core, is about direct experience—about seeing that there is no “other,” no separation between ourselves and the world around us. It is a practice of deepening awareness, not accumulating new beliefs.
In this video, I reflect on the risks of getting caught in intellectualizing non-duality, based on my personal experiences and observations in spiritual communities. We must be cautious not to use non-duality as a new belief system, but instead as a tool for awakening to the truth of who we really are.
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