Understanding Non-Duality

The yoga tradition says that all things are manifestations of a single Consciousness, which makes all things, in fact, one.

But when you hear that the universe is One and everything is one thing, you can ask yourself: but I see myself separated from the other, I have a different way of life, different experiences, how is it possible that everything is one thing?

At this point we need to understand that everything that exists, including you, is a manifestation of Consciousness, but such Consciousness also limits itself to be able to experience reality from various perspectives, that is, Consciousness experiences itself through different viewpoints.

The Manifestation in the Dream

To understand this concept, let’s analyze what happens during a dream:

When you dream, you experience an entire dream universe. Let’s assume you dream of being in a coffee shop. The waiter brings you a coffee, you take the cup, take a sip, feel the temperature of the coffee, the taste. So you put the coffee back on the table, get up, walk through the cafeteria door and out into the street. A lost dog comes barking towards you, scares you and suddenly you wake up.

The question is, where did the cup you were using go? Where is the dog that scared you? Where did all the things and people that were in your dream go?

When you dream, the entire dream universe is made of a single substance, Consciousness. However, consciousness itself becomes localized, that is, it limits itself to experiencing itself through the dreamer’s perspective.

There was no such thing as a cup made of something called matter, nor was there a dog separate from you, however, from the dreamer’s perspective such things appeared to be separate, as their own limitation created in their mind the illusory idea of separation.

When the person wakes up, they realize that everything was a dream, just a projection of consciousness. Everything was one thing that became apparent to the dreamer.

This same concept is used to explain the reality we experience. Everything is an expression of Consciousness, however, each individual is a “location” of that Consciousness and thus all experiences are experiences of what happens from that limitation.

This is the great teaching of the entire yoga tradition: you already are what you seek! There is nothing you lack, the feeling of separation is only apparent, a trick of the mind.

You are already full, for you are Divine Consciousness itself.

Om Shanti