Why ‘Non-Duality’ Rather Than ‘Oneism’?

Why is this understanding termed ‘non-duality’ rather than ‘oneism’ or simply ‘the One’? Rupert says: ‘When we give anything a name, we make a noun out of it. Even the term “awareness” the subtle suggestion is that awareness is some thing, albeit a very subtle thing. So the ancient sages who first formulated this understanding, in order to prevent the mind appropriating awareness and making it into a subtle object, they prefer just to say what awareness is not rather than what it is. But they stop short of saying it was one, because we all know what happens when you reify the absolute and make a god or something out of it. Although I respect that philosophically and completely agree with it, I do sometimes refer to “the One”, because in the devotional traditions they like to have this devotional attitude towards the One.’

From event 06 June - 13 July, 2025 Seven-Day Retreat at The Vedanta, 6–13 June 2025

Subscribe or purchase View event recordings