Living Nonduality – Enlightenment Teachings of Self-Realization by Robert Wolfe

Living Nonduality – Enlightenment Teachings of Self-Realization – is a major modern work on Nondualism by Robert Wolfe. The book is release under a Creative Commons Attribute. See Robert Wolfes website here. From the intro:

“The teachings of nonduality have begun to come of age in the West, recognized at last as the central essence of Zen, Dzogchen, Tao, Vedanta, Sufism, and of Christians such as Meister Eckhart. In particular, the recorded teachings of sages (such as Ramana Maharshi and Nisargadatta Maharaj) have paved the way for at contemporary generation of illuminating speakers and writers.”

Download the work here (469 pages):

Living Nonduality

What is nonduality?

Non-duality is a philosophical and spiritual concept that emphasizes the idea of fundamental oneness. It suggests that the distinctions we perceive between ourselves and the world around us are artificial or illusory. This concept is central to various Eastern religions and spiritual traditions, including Advaita Vedanta in Hinduism and certain schools of Buddhism.

Key Points about Non-duality:

1. Oneness: Non-duality posits that there is no fundamental division between the self and the universe, mind and matter, or any other perceived dualities. Everything is seen as part of one undifferentiated whole.
2. Illusion of Separateness: In non-dual traditions, the sense of a separate, individual self (often referred to as ego) is considered an illusion. Realization or enlightenment involves seeing through this illusion to recognize the underlying oneness.
3. Advaita Vedanta: This is a school of Hindu philosophy where non-duality is a central concept. It teaches that the true self (Atman) is identical to the ultimate reality (Brahman), and the realization of this identity is the goal of spiritual practice.
4. Buddhism: While not all forms of Buddhism explicitly teach non-duality in the same way as Advaita Vedanta, many Buddhist teachings emphasize the interconnectedness of all things and the emptiness of inherent existence. Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, for example, often explore non-dual perspectives.
5. Practical Implications: Embracing non-duality can lead to a profound shift in how one experiences the world. It often results in reduced personal suffering, increased compassion, and a sense of peace, stemming from the realization that the separations between oneself and others are not fundamentally real.

Non-duality challenges conventional ways of thinking and perceiving the world and can be quite transformative, leading to deep insights into the nature of reality and one’s place within it.