What is Non-Duality in Yoga? Dualism and Non-Dualism

Written By Emily Light

Non-dualism is the awareness that everything is interconnected, that nothing is separate from anything else. The experience of non-duality is the feeling of wholeness.

NON-DUALITY EXPLAINED

The English term "nonduality" is derived from the Sanskrit word "advaita" (अद्वैत) from the tradition of Advaita Vedanta. The translation is "not-two" or "one without a second," which means that Supreme Reality does not consist of discrete, separate objects, but forms a unified whole which can be experienced as such.

Nondual philosophies include some forms of yoga and Buddhism and exist outside of these specific traditions as well. Because each tradition has its own beliefs, models and language, understanding these concepts of dualism and non-dualism can be confusing.

My intention is to provide some definitions and the basic differences between these two philosophies through the lens of yoga broadly rather than from a specific lineage.

A brown-haired woman is sitting in a straddle with her arms lifted up in front of her face. She's peeking out toward the camera from behind her Eagle arms. She's wearing a bright orange tank top, with black pants, with some black leather jewelry.

WHAT IS DUALITY
AND NON-DUALITY?

Duality is the experience of separateness. Non-duality is the experience of interconnectedness. Duality and non-duality refer to different philosophies regarding the how aspects of life are either separate or interconnected, respectively.

DUALITY VS.
NON-DUALITY

Duality is the experience of separateness. Non-duality is the experience of interconnectedness. Dualism refers to two separate aspects of reality: pure awareness (purusha) and nature (prakriti).

Purusha: pure awareness; consciousness; masculine force

Prakriti: primal nature; phenomenal world; feminine force


The relationship between purusha and prakriti vary depending on the yogic tradition.

NON-DUALITY VS. DUALITY

Dualism is the state where there is a permanent separation. Non-dualism is a state where there is no separation.

 

NON-DUALISM VS. DUALISM

Dual philosophy states that pure awareness and nature are separate entities. In non-dual philosophy there is only Supreme Reality, and there is no separation of pure awareness and nature.

DUALISM VS NON-DUALISM

Dual philosophy states that pure awareness and nature are separate entities. In non-dual philosophy there is only Supreme Reality, and there is no separation of pure awareness and nature.

Dualism recognizes the individual self (atman) as separate from the absolute (brahman), just as purusha is viewed as separate from prakriti.

Non-dualism recognizes the oneness of brahman and atman and the oneness of purusha and prakriti.


Brahman: supreme being; universal principle; supreme existence; absolute reality

Atman: soul; spirit; inner self

Supreme Reality is absolute reality, which most of us are not perceiving most of the time. Our perception of reality is influenced by individual biases, beliefs and the state of the autonomic nervous system. Supreme Reality is the one absolute truth of reality that’s said to be realized in the experience of enlightenment (samadhi). Samadhi is understood to have many stages or levels and we’ve all at least tasted samadhi.

Being completely absorbed in a piece of music, awe-struck at the vast expanse of a mountain top view, or when all of your thoughts and anxieties fall away as you embrace a loved one – these are all experiences of nondual awareness.

Recognizing and cultivating nondual awareness is part of the pathway to enlightenment/samadhi in the nondual traditions of yoga.

Emily Light
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