To explain concepts like good and evil, us and them, and many other ethical notions that will be discussed in the next chapter, I need to introduce a concept called nonduality. Understanding this concept requires comprehension of all the previous sections. Nonduality is similar to “Advaita” in Budhism and “wahdat al-wujud” in Sufism .
The human brain, through evolution, has been designed to distinguish between various phenomena for better survival. Neuroscience links these distinctions to the division of labor between the brain’s hemispheres: the left hemisphere is mostly dedicated to analysis, categorization, and processing fine details, while the right hemisphere deals more with holistic and intuitive perception of the environment. These two hemispheres, working together, enable us to derive logical understanding from fragmented sensory experiences. In other words, for the brain, it is necessary to recognize opposites: good and bad, ugly and beautiful, friend and foe, familiar and stranger.
However, our view of the world should not be limited to these opposites. Fuzzy logic plays an important role here. Unlike binary logic, which sees everything in terms of zeros and ones, fuzzy logic invites us to accept spectrums and continuities. Just as there are infinite shades of gray between black and white, in the world, absolute concepts like good and evil do not always exist in a purely absolute form; rather, they are intertwined and context-dependent. This is what nonduality reminds us: the world is not dualistic but continuous and fuzzy.
Nonduality, in essence, is about breaking free from these dualistic frameworks and accepting this fuzzy reality. This concept has been deeply examined in many philosophical and spiritual traditions. In Zen Buddhism, nonduality means transcending opposites and experiencing inner unity. In this perspective, there is no distinction between mind and matter, light and darkness, or life and death. Everything flows in a great harmony, and the experience of truth occurs when mental boundaries dissolve.
It is crucial to understand that the reality we humans perceive arises from the intertwining of these dualities. Just as night is meaningless without day and life is incomprehensible without death, in the cosmic reality, these contrasts are relative. The point is, these dualities are shaped from our perspective.
Those who have had mystical experiences, like the ones I described from my own experiences, can easily grasp this concept. For those who have never had such experiences, they must use their imagination a bit, zoom out, and look at the beautiful Milky Way galaxy from the outside! Now, from this vantage point, tell me: do you still see day and night?
In classical methods of meditation or mindfulness, we usually focus on something specific, like the breath, the body, or our thoughts, and become aware of them. In this approach, we act as an observer, observing our breath, body, thoughts, and emotions. In truth, there is a “self” that observes, and everything else, whether inside or outside this self, becomes the subject of our awareness. We even strive to improve this self and elevate it to a better level.
The benefits of classical meditation are numerous. This type of meditation can help reduce stress, increase focus, and improve mental health. However, it also has drawbacks. The notion that we are not good enough and must constantly strive for self-improvement can reinforce feelings of inadequacy and despair. Many people, after some time, give up meditation or personal development efforts because this sense of incompleteness and inadequacy becomes exhausting.
In the nondual approach or Non-Duality, we reach an understanding where there is no separate “self,” “ego,” or “I” as a distinct observer. Rather, everything appears in an infinite, borderless space of awareness. According to the language of this book, there is no unified self or identity as the observer; instead, we encounter a multi-dimensional matrix of mental backgrounds, where content continuously emerges in various patterns.
What we call becoming aware of thoughts, as I explained in previous sections, is actually the spotlight of attention directed by the brain’s top-down mechanisms onto a vague memory of thoughts and emotions.
As I explained in the earlier sections, everything you see with your eyes, hear with your ears, touch with your body, and even your feelings and thoughts, all arise and then disappear in this infinite space of awareness. This means that even the image we have of ourselves and our bodies is part of what appears in this boundless space. In other words, there is no difference between the experience and the experiencer; everything is a kind of experience.
Language, commonly used to convey knowledge and experience, itself creates duality. Every verb and adjective implies duality. For example, if I say, “I experienced oneness with the universe,” several dualities have been created in this sentence, as it implies a separation between “I,” the “experience,” and the “universe”—a separation that contradicts nonduality.
If we are to use language to explain nonduality, we must be very cautious to avoid reinforcing common dualities. Despite the limitations of language, we can approach this concept by referring to experiences that occur in moments of deep presence and awareness. These experiences often occur when mental boundaries and rigid thoughts temporarily dissolve, leaving behind a kind of limitless and indistinguishable harmony.
In this nondual state, experience becomes a form of being and observing, which is what Buddhists and various mystics have often pointed to in their teachings. There is no separate “I” seeking or fleeing anything. Everything simply flows effortlessly, without struggle or opposition.
To understand this concept more deeply, we need to see how our mental beliefs, even those we are not fully aware of, continually cast shadows on our experiences. These beliefs and backgrounds create distinctions and dualities in our perception by default. Therefore, breaking free from these dualities and embracing nonduality requires a certain mental readiness and a release from biases and thought patterns.
From this perspective, nonduality is not a goal to be achieved or something that can be directly experienced through effort. Instead, it is a natural state where everything is accepted as it is, and we let go of resistance and division. This state brings profound peace, as there is no longer a need to battle with oneself or others; everything is in harmony and balance.
As I explain in this part of the book, the nondual approach can lead us to a new and profound understanding of life and truth, where everything is interconnected and one, and the distinctions and dualities we have constructed in our minds gradually fade away.
Critics of nonduality often argue that such a perspective can lead to a kind of denial of reality and worldly responsibilities. From their viewpoint, dualities and distinctions are necessary for normal human functioning and social interaction. In everyday life, we need to distinguish between good and bad, right and wrong, friend and foe, in order to make ethical, practical, and social decisions. They believe that completely abandoning these distinctions and embracing nonduality may cause people to neglect their social responsibilities and become passive or indifferent.
Many of these critics emphasize that an excessive focus on nondual experiences and the constant pursuit of these states can lead to a detachment from the practical aspects of life. As I mentioned in previous sections, living in the human world requires a balance. While nondual experiences can provide us with a profound and encompassing insight into reality, living continuously in such a state can result in neglecting the obligations and responsibilities of everyday life. This issue may lead to dysfunction, particularly when a person struggles to maintain relationships, complete daily tasks, or make practical decisions.
Ultimately, human life necessitates a combination of nondual awareness and the ability to recognize and utilize dualities. As I explained in earlier sections, this balance allows us to benefit from wisdom while effectively navigating the world.
