CHAPTER 2 – A brief history of Non-Duality in the West
2.1 Foreword: What this brief history of Non-Duality is not
48. Given the apparent complexity of reality and the many questions it raises, various theories have emerged throughout human history to explain its nature. Typically, “reality” refers to the objective world outside ourselves, perceived as separate from us and experienced through our physical senses.
In Chapter 1, we’ve already established that:
- Duality separates and is conflicting in nature (etymology)
- Duality deals with physical problems
- Duality is ineffective in solving existential or metaphysical problems and leads to unsolvable paradoxes, aporias
- Duality fragments knowledge and therefore, fosters gradual ignorance
- Duality threatens the integrity of Culture (it favors ignorance)
- Duality exposes knowledge conveyors like poets, artists, and philosophers, to failure (also a consequence of the latter).
49. Since we’ve already addressed the nature of duality, this section doesn’t indulge in aimless exploration of duality vs non-duality, or traditional academic debates regarding the equal validity or value of non-duality and duality. Non-duality is the absence of duality, and therefore the absence of the attributes and consequences of duality mentioned above. Duality and Non-duality are not equally valid. They are certainly not of the same value because they yield very different outcomes.
50. This tendency to see things as equally valid contributes to the stagnation of Western philosophy and its disengagement from the public, as it fosters confusion and conflict disguised as complexity. We embrace the French proverb: “What is well conceived is clearly expressed, and the words to express it come easily.” Unfortunately, non-duality is not well conceived in academia today, and this confusion permeates all cultural life. Philosophers are responsible for the ideas that circulate in the city. When they are confused, the public is confused.
Now that we’ve clarified what this brief history of non-duality is not, and established that non-duality is the absence of separation, the absence of conflicts and confusion, and the absence of irresolvable paradoxes that weaken intelligence, foster ignorance, and threaten the integrity of Culture, let’s shift our focus to the essence of non-duality, beginning with Truth. This ends subchapter 2.1. Remain alert and pay attention to the next subchapter on Truth and truths.