There are a number of nondual schools. One continuous lineage is Dzogchen, which some say predates Buddhism in Tibet. Today it is considered a subset of Tibetan Buddhism. Certain schools of Zen could also fall into the nondual category described on this website. Advaita Vedanta, which is often associated with Ramana Maharshi and the question "Who am I," has been particularly fruitful in producing awakening. Written material implies that nondual teachings also existed in Greece around the time of Socrates.
All nondual teachings are based on the premise that the true nature of a human being is consciousness. This consciousness, also called 'the Self' in some of these traditions, is not limited to any state or form. It encompasses all states and all forms. To realize this is called Awakening, Self Realization, Freedom and/or Enlightenment.
Awakening has nothing to do with mental understanding. It is a complete shift in perception that happens in its own way and at its own time. However, being in the presence of a teacher who has awakened is considered to be a catalyst for awakening to occur. In the Advaita Vedanta tradition, self-inquiry is also utilized to facilitate awakening as it leads to a direct experience of the Self.
There is no dogma in these teachings. All of them point you to an experience of the natural state rather than telling you what is true. There are no practices required such as meditation, chanting, prayers, special diets, etc.. Nondual teachings are about realizing what you already are, not about searching for spiritual experiences or states. States like samadhi, which is a goal of many meditators, can be measured by looking at brain waves. This is very specific. Nondual awareness is not about states, for the natural state encompasses all states of awareness, including samadhi.
The natural state is characterized by the lack of a personal identity. One who has awakened has no desires, no attachments and no identification with thoughts. Some call this 'no mind.'
4 comments:
Some may say that the release of the ego is all that is required for awareness or enlightenment, and that the intellect is not needed...could this also be true?
This is in reply to the comments of Anon.
In Advaitic tradition, there are instances when cows, spiders, and elephants gain enlightenment. Were they supported by dogma or belief in this?
I agree, "if you take awakening as real, you have to admit intellect is key," but it is the key in that its operations come to cessation through stillness.
Intellect is a burden. Its only use is that it is available to be put away. The fact that a burden can be dropped does not mean it has any utilitarian value. I feel the same with thought and intellect.
Regards,
Earth-Entity has answered it better than me. The release of the ego is all that is required for awareness or enlightenment
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