God is Nondual

[Jonaitis]

Okay, what does 'nondual' mean?

Nondual (derived from "not two") refers to a philosophical or spiritual perspective that emphasizes the fundamental unity or indivisibility of all reality. It asserts that the apparent distinctions and dualities we perceive—such as self and other, subject and object, or matter and spirit—are ultimately illusory or relative, and that everything arises from or as a single, undivided whole.

In this view, dualities are seen as constructs of the mind, and the essence of existence transcends such distinctions. Nonduality encourages the direct realization of this unity, often described as a shift in perception where separation dissolves, revealing the inherent interconnectedness of all that is. We find that God, who is the ground of being itself, is described as the nondual principle of existence.

"Do I not fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:24).

God's omnipresence suggests no separation between God and creation.

"In him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28).

Suggests that our existence is inseparable from God.

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." (Psalm 139:7-8)

Asserts that God is present everywhere, leaving no place for separation.

"One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:6)

Speaks to the pervasive presence of God in all aspects of existence.

"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:17)

Emphasizes that creation is sustained and unified within God.

God is seen as the transcendent, manifesting and unifying truth of existence itself. Our union with Christ is a reflection of our union with God as inseparable. Salvation ultimately leads to self-realization of the illusion of God and His creation as dualistic.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

God is seen as the transcendent, manifesting and unifying truth of existence itself. Our union with Christ is a reflection of our union with God as inseparable. Salvation ultimately leads to self-realization of the illusion of God and His creation as dualistic.

Im affraid this sounds like New Age. Jesus Christ of Nazareth lives in the believer. He came as God in the Flesh. He is known as the Everlasting Father. There is no need to make Him a reflection of God. This is not sound . We are One with Him.
Blessings

 

[Aaron112]

This looks wrong as it is. But benefit of the doubt perhaps, even if not needed -
what does this mean and where is it in Scripture ?

Salvation ultimately leads to self-realization of the illusion of God and His creation as dualistic.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

We dwell in a mystery. God is both transcendent as well as immanent. God is in us and in God "we live and move and have our being"", he in us and us in him as Jesus prayed. That is real orthodox non-dualism.

 

[jacks]

When we feel deeply connected to everything around us, we are experiencing the oneness of God/Jesus. This may happen while in prayer or perhaps just hiking in the woods. I don't see this as "new age" it is a fundamental part of experiencing a unity with God. These times are very satisfying and uplifting, a shadow perhaps of when we are wholly with Jesus.

 

[sparow]

lOkay, what does 'nondual' mean?

In this view, dualities are seen as constructs of the mind, and the essence of existence transcends such distinctions. Nonduality encourages the direct realization of this unity, often described as a shift in perception where separation dissolves, revealing the inherent interconnectedness of all that is. We find that God, who is the ground of being itself, is described as the nondual principle of existence.

"Do I not fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:24).

God's omnipresence suggests no separation between God and creation.

"In him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28).

Suggests that our existence is inseparable from God.

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." (Psalm 139:7-8)

Asserts that God is present everywhere, leaving no place for separation.

"One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:6)

Speaks to the pervasive presence of God in all aspects of existence.

"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:17)
;/
Emphasizes that creation is sustained and unified within God.

God is seen as the transcendent, manifesting and unifying truth of existence itself. Our union with Christ is a reflection of our union with God as inseparable. Salvation ultimately leads to self-realization of the illusion of God and His creation as dualistic.

Nondualism as a philosophical concept seems to be something outside of language and rational thought, the definition you provide and question does not recognize these restrictions; such a thing may be the definition of God. Another example that may the proof of a theorem, a proof that cannot be divided or simplified further, is said to be an assumption without proof for itself, but so obviously true no one would dispute it.

I do not see God and creation as a dualism, God and Satan would be a duality. God or Satan individually would be nondual, having no rational definition.


You seem to be sayin that God and His creation are a single entity, and there is a name for this which does not come to mind at the moment but God remains undefined.

 

[Jonaitis]

Im affraid this sounds like New Age. Jesus Christ of Nazareth lives in the believer. He came as God in the Flesh. He is known as the Everlasting Father. There is no need to make Him a reflection of God. This is not sound . We are One with Him.
Blessings

It may sound strange, because it is rarely taught, but it is clearly shown in the Scriptures.

 

[Jonaitis]

This looks wrong as it is. But benefit of the doubt perhaps, even if not needed -
what does this mean and where is it in Scripture ?

It means recognizing our union with the divine, and I have provided some verses in the OP.

 

[Jonaitis]

When we feel deeply connected to everything around us, we are experiencing the oneness of God/Jesus. This may happen while in prayer or perhaps just hiking in the woods. I don't see this as "new age" it is a fundamental part of experiencing a unity with God. These times are very satisfying and uplifting, a shadow perhaps of when we are wholly with Jesus.

It can be profound in many ways. I love hiking and I always found it a great way to connect with God on a deeper level.

I agree, people often associate unfamiliar truth with "new age" because it is out of the norm for them.

 

[Jonaitis]

Nondualism as a philosophical concept seems to be something outside of language and rational thought, the definition you provide and question does not recognize these restrictions; such a thing may be the definition of God. Another example that may the proof of a theorem, a proof that cannot be divided or simplified further, is said to be an assumption without proof for itself, but so obviously true no one would dispute it.

I do not see God and creation as a dualism, God and Satan would be a duality. God or Satan individually would be nondual, having no rational definition.


You seem to be sayin that God and His creation are a single entity, and there is a name for this which does not come to mind at the moment but God remains undefined.

What can be said about God are only pointers, and even though I may describe Him this way or that, it cannot fully capture exactly what we are talking about.

I would prefer the name 'Absolute' as it is beyond conceptualization, limitation, and categorization. When we talk about God, we fall short of actually talking about God, but reflecting on what He is like. We may attribute all shorts of qualities to Him, but these are only reflections and pointers to the deeper, incomprehensible truth that He truly is.

 

[sparow]

What can be said about God are only pointers, and even though I may describe Him this way or that, it cannot fully capture exactly what we are talking about.

I would prefer the name 'Absolute' as it is beyond conceptualization, limitation, and categorization. When we talk about God, we fall short of actually talking about God, but reflecting on what He is like. We may attribute all shorts of qualities to Him, but these are only reflections and pointers to the deeper, incomprehensible truth that He truly is.

The kingdom of God is such that flesh and blood cannot see it or enter into it, but we have the covenant and Jesus's confirmation of it.

 

[keras]

The trinity, or multiple Gods, is confirmed by Genesis 1:26 Let us make human beings in our likeness..... Plural Godhead.
Also when God met Abraham - Genesis 18:2 Abraham looked up and saw three men.........

However this isn't an issue that we need to argue over or even try to resolve. For us earth people, our God is Jesus; ONLY through Him can we receive Salvation. John 3:16-18

 

[David Lamb]

The trinity, or multiple Gods, is confirmed by Genesis 1:26 Let us make human beings in our likeness..... Plural Godhead.
Also when God met Abraham - Genesis 18:2 Abraham looked up and saw three men.........

However this isn't an issue that we need to argue over or even try to resolve. For us earth people, our God is Jesus; ONLY through Him can we receive Salvation. John 3:16-18

Belief in the Trinity is belief in one God in three Persons, not belief in multiple Gods. Concerning the unity of God the Father and God the Son, for instance, Jesus said:

“"I and My Father are one."” (Joh 10:30 NKJV)

He didn't say, "I and my Father are two, and the Holy Spirit is another one, making three of us all together."

 

[sparow]

The trinity, or multiple Gods, is confirmed by Genesis 1:26 Let us make human beings in our likeness..... Plural Godhead.
Also when God met Abraham - Genesis 18:2 Abraham looked up and saw three men.........

However this isn't an issue that we need to argue over or even try to resolve. For us earth people, our God is Jesus; ONLY through Him can we receive Salvation. John 3:16-18

I am not a Trinitarian but my understanding of the doctrine is God is one but is the sum of three components. The Trinity came into existence in the third century after Christ; all the Hebrew words translated "God" are the same words used to refer to Pagan gods. The God of Israel is distinguished as the living god.

The terms dual and nondual are Philosophical. The God of Israel is one in the same way that a mob of sheep is singular; a person would not use "dual or nondual" unless language and concept had not been developed for the purpose to define God.

 

[Mark Quayle]

Im affraid this sounds like New Age. Jesus Christ of Nazareth lives in the believer. He came as God in the Flesh. He is known as the Everlasting Father. There is no need to make Him a reflection of God. This is not sound . We are One with Him.
Blessings

New Age took it quite a bit farther than @Jonaitis has, here in this OP.

I hope this comment is not seen as Off Topic, but it may interest you to consider that most heretical cults (yes, that is redundant) are over-focused and over-developed on that particular notion that is endemic to them. Their names are usually drawn on that notion. And that notion usually is concerned with some ACTUAL truth that the Church in general has neglected in some way or other.

For example, here, New Age is not right --not even close. But the Transcendence of God is something that the Church in general at the time that New Age began their noise, had failed to adequately address. Else New Age should have lost its appeal to the masses.

You may as well have said that it sounded like Pantheism, or Polytheism. After all, even Trinitarians have been characterized as Polytheists.

What's ironic to me is, that both the Transcendence of God and the Immanence of God, that seem nearly polar opposites, have been claimed to represent Pantheism.

 

[Jonaitis]

New Age took it quite a bit farther than @Jonaitis has, here in this OP.

I hope this comment is not seen as Off Topic, but it may interest you to consider that most heretical cults (yes, that is redundant) are over-focused and over-developed on that particular notion that is endemic to them. Their names are usually drawn on that notion. And that notion usually is concerned with some ACTUAL truth that the Church in general has neglected in some way or other.

For example, here, New Age is not right --not even close. But the Transcendence of God is something that the Church in general at the time that New Age began their noise, had failed to adequately address. Else New Age should have lost its appeal to the masses.

You may as well have said that it sounded like Pantheism, or Polytheism. After all, even Trinitarians have been characterized as Polytheists.

What's ironic to me is, that both the Transcendence of God and the Immanence of God, that seem nearly polar opposites, have been claimed to represent Pantheism.

Do you think I am presenting Pantheism, friend?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

New Age took it quite a bit farther than @Jonaitis has, here in this OP.

I hope this comment is not seen as Off Topic, but it may interest you to consider that most heretical cults (yes, that is redundant) are over-focused and over-developed on that particular notion that is endemic to them. Their names are usually drawn on that notion. And that notion usually is concerned with some ACTUAL truth that the Church in general has neglected in some way or other.

For example, here, New Age is not right --not even close. But the Transcendence of God is something that the Church in general at the time that New Age began their noise, had failed to adequately address. Else New Age should have lost its appeal to the masses.

You may as well have said that it sounded like Pantheism, or Polytheism. After all, even Trinitarians have been characterized as Polytheists.

What's ironic to me is, that both the Transcendence of God and the Immanence of God, that seem nearly polar opposites, have been claimed to represent Pantheism.

Oneness with the universe is most certainly the core belief of any New Age practice. I know this because I was once in one in the 80's. The goal was to rid oneself of karma to achieve Nirvana. In case you are not familiar with this state of New Age conscienceness, here is the definition. Thanks for sharing.

New Age Interpretation: New Age thought often interprets Nirvana as a more mystical and experiential state. It's seen as a state of oneness with the universe, a realization of interconnectedness with all beings and the underlying reality of existence.
Key Aspects of New Age Nirvana:
* Oneness with the Universe: This is the core concept. It's the understanding that you are not separate from the universe, but rather an integral part of it. You are a microcosm of the macrocosm, reflecting the same essence as the entire cosmos.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

More to take into consideration:

The concept of non-duality is deeply connected to Nirvana in Buddhism.
Here's how:
* Nirvana as cessation of duality: In some interpretations, Nirvana is seen as the cessation of all dualities. This includes the duality of self and other, subject and object, pleasure and pain, existence and non-existence.
* Beyond conceptual limitations: Nirvana transcends all conceptual frameworks, including the duality of "being" and "non-being." It's often described as beyond words and concepts.
* Unification with reality: In achieving Nirvana, the individual mind merges with the ultimate reality, which is considered to be non-dual in nature.
Important Note:
* The exact nature of Nirvana is a complex and multifaceted concept within Buddhism with various interpretations across different schools of thought.

 

[Jonaitis]

More to take into consideration:

The concept of non-duality is deeply connected to Nirvana in Buddhism.

Well, actually nondualism is a core part of most Buddhist traditions, but it is definitely not limited to Buddhism. It is also a stand alone position found in various traditions, including those that are Abrahamic and New Age. It doesn't belong to any particular label or group (just as theism doesn't only belong to Christianity).

 

[Mark Quayle]

Well, actually nondualism is a core part of most Buddhist traditions, but it is definitely not limited to Buddhism. It is also a stand alone position found in various traditions, including those that are Abrahamic and New Age. It doesn't belong to any particular label or group (just as theism doesn't only belong to Christianity).

It is useless to say that Christianity does (or does not) represent duality (nor non-duality). The question is off point, as far as TRUTH is concerned. What God sees, does and is, is the truth, and all else arranges itself around that --not that, arranging itself to all else.

But that God is the essence of existence, (and other words to that minimal concept), is not a Buddhist nor New Age concept, but a simple expression of the fact that there is no existence apart from God's sustaining of its existence. It is by God's word that very fact is what it is. As you said, In him we live and move and have our being.