Folk Theory of Non-Dual Awareness

The next two posts explore non-dualism from Hindu and Buddhist perspectives. The first is by Jody Radzik, whose slideshare “The Folk Theory of Nondual Enlightenment” looks at both Buddhist/Theravada concepts of ‘non-self’ and Hindu/Mahayana concepts of non-dualism and Advaita Vedanta. Jody reveals with brilliant simplicity the underlying assumptions of each, and why they ultimately fall short as sources of ‘spiritual awakening’. Jody’s work reveals how Buddhist nondualism fits into the matrix of Hindu/Brahamanic belief systems.  It’s also the best critique of non-dualist thinking I have seen so far.

The second article is “The mysticism of wide open eyes” by Michael  Edwards , originally published at opendemocracy.net/Transformation. Edwards’ view of nondualism is based on underlying notions of interdependence and inter-being (although he doesn’t specify that) rather than absolute emptiness or supreme oneness. It is an ecological view of non-dualism that also provides the basis for engaged action.