What is Non-Duality and Non-Dual Meditation?
A Beginner’s Guide to Awakening to Clarity
Summary Non-dual meditation is a profound practice rooted in self-inquiry and the teachings of sages like Ramana Maharishi. Learn what non-duality means, explore its foundation, and discover 10 powerful questions to guide your practice.
Introduction
This newsletter explains non-duality and how it forms the foundation of a transformative meditation practice.
Non-dual meditation offers a path to transcend mental noise and awaken to the clarity of thinking.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand the essence of non-duality and walk away with 10 transformative questions to guide your practice.
The TLDR on Non-duality meditation
The mind is constantly chattering away. It likes tasks and thinking. Non-dual questions don't have an immediate answer—they essentially outwit the mind into silence.
As soon as the mind realizes it cannot answer a question, it momentarily is stunned into silence.
This silence bubbles up to the surface, bringing a sense of peace.
The Meaning of Non-Duality
Non-duality, or Advaita, means “not two.” I think of this as one of the peaks in Hindu philosophy.
It’s the recognition that the apparent separation between self and the world, or between subject and object, is an illusion. Non-duality teaches that all existence arises from a single, indivisible reality. In essence, it’s the realization that the “I” observing life and the life being observed are the same.
This recognition is the foundation of non-dual meditation.
Ramana Maharishi’s Teachings on Non-Duality
Ramana Maharishi, one of the most revered teachers of non-duality, emphasized the practice of self-inquiry.
He asked seekers to investigate the nature of the self by asking a single, profound question: “Who am I?”
According to Ramana Maharishi, the ego—a construct of thoughts and emotions—is the root of our suffering. By turning attention inward and dissolving identification with the ego, we awaken to the truth of our being: pure awareness.
The mind will subside only through the inquiry, ‘Who am I?’
— Ramana Maharishi
Plenty of variations on the "Who am I?" question help your mind recognize the world and you as non-dual. You choose the question that most resonates with you.
13 Transformative Non-Dual Questions for Mental Clarity and Silence
Non-dual meditation often begins with inquiry, which gently dismantles the illusion of separation.
Here are 12 powerful questions to guide your practice:
What is my next thought?
Who am I?
Where am I?
When am I?
What is it that is aware of this moment?
What is it that is aware?
Who am I beyond my thoughts and emotions?
Can I observe the observer?
What remains when all thoughts subside?
Where does the sense of “I” arise from?
Is there a boundary between myself and the world?
Who experiences this experience?
If there is no self, who is asking this question?
These questions serve as doorways to discovering the essence of non-duality.
Why Non-Duality Matters
Non-duality isn’t just a concept; it’s a transformative way of experiencing life.
By dissolving the illusion of separation, you release the grip of ego-driven thoughts and discover profound peace. Non-dual meditation connects you to the present moment and frees you from the cycle of mental chatter, allowing clarity and awareness to emerge naturally. It’s not about becoming someone new—it’s about realizing who you’ve always been.
This realization is the essence of liberation.
Conclusion
Non-dual meditation is a path to clarity, peace, and self-realization.
Rooted in the teachings of Ramana Maharishi and practices like self-inquiry, it helps dissolve the illusion of separation and reconnects you with the truth of your being. With the questions provided, you can begin your journey into non-duality and explore the transformative potential of this practice.
Key takeaways:
Non-duality teaches that there is no separation between self and the world—there is only one reality.
Ramana Maharishi’s practice of self-inquiry is a cornerstone of non-dual meditation.
Asking transformative questions helps you dismantle ego-based thinking and awaken to clarity.
Start your journey today—begin with the question, “Who am I?”