What are non-dual states of consciousness?

Non-dual states of consciousness are experiences of profound oneness, where the boundaries between self and the world dissolve, revealing a deep sense of unity and interconnectedness. In these states, we transcend the limitations of the ego, experiencing life from a place of wholeness beyond the individual self. This shift brings a heightened sense of spiritual meaning, deep understanding, compassion, inner peace, and often enhances creativity, intuition, and insight.

In the Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy, non-dual awareness is described as the realization of the ultimate truth of the universe: the unity of the individual self (Atman) with the supreme consciousness or universal self (Brahman). According to Advaita Vedanta, the world we perceive is an illusion (Maya), while the true nature of reality is non-dual—there is no separation between the individual self and the universal self. In this enlightened state, the self understands itself not as separate but as an inseparable part of a greater whole.

The journey to non-dual awareness in Advaita Vedanta involves deep self-inquiry and reflection on the nature of the self and the world. This process reveals that the individual self is not isolated but is, in fact, an expression of the universal consciousness. This awakening, often termed “self-realization” or “enlightenment,” is considered the ultimate purpose of human life.

Achieving a non-dual state of consciousness is viewed as the pinnacle of spiritual awareness, offering liberation from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara) and bringing about the attainment of eternal bliss (Moksha).