P. N. D. D (or: Post Non-Duality Depression)

Because I am so often asked about this, I decided to write about it in today’s BLOG.

There are as many ways about talking about Nonduality as there are names for what it is attempting to describe. When we talk about Nonduality we essentially mean ‘not – two – ness’ so therefore we are talking about Oneness – One. We can also name Oneness, : ‘THIS’ or ‘IT’ (for people who are uncomfortable with the name ‘GOD’) . It is also known as ‘BEING’ or Spirit - the ‘Vastness’ - Truth – Love - Mind - Life – the Way - etc. etc.
So if we are talking about Oneness and not Two-ness then everything is Oneness and included in it and nothing can be outside of it, and we are also constituted and composed of it – hence we are spiritual in substance.

There are no separate beings there is only BEING but in the appearance, Oneness has many ‘faces’ to it - or facets - like the facets reflected in a diamond. One facet of Being could be your dog – another, your chairs and tables, another, your neighbour, and another facet is an apparent ‘you’ etc. And this is the TRUTH of what we are – we are all God – this is our essential BEING. For this reason, it is true that nothing we do, think or say really matters or has any importance, as it cannot change the way things are. And since we are all God whether we realise it or not, it simply doesn’t matter whether this is ‘seen’ or not.

HOWEVER - when some people hear this, they get stuck at the ‘nothing really matters’ bit, and then fall into a pit of depression and even despair in some cases, because they have missed the point entirely. They will often say things like : ‘I use to love music but now I don’t because there’s no point to it.’ - or: ‘ I use to love my work which was helping people, but since there aren’t any people, there’s no point any more’ - or ‘ I’ve become a recluse because I can’t see the point in talking to people because everything they say is so trivial’ , and most commonly: ‘ I can’t talk to my partner any more because they just don’t understand about Nonduality’.

But this is not what is meant in the teaching of Nonduality and is NOT what the teaching is about!

Just the opposite! When we see through the veil of separation and realise the truth of Oneness, there is the most delicious freedom . One sees that because nothing is really important, then we can play with whatsoever arises in the moment. Now, even if it’s not ‘seen’ – even if it’s just a load of intellectual concepts to you, that still doesn’t matter at all. You don’t HAVE to see it , because even just hearing the TRUTH – because it is the Truth - can slowly, over time cause a fundamental change in perspective – in other words – Truth works on you and you don’t have to do anything except be open to it.

It is in the vibrant ALIVENESS of this present moment where your true Being/God, can be glimpsed. And this present moment is comprised of anything at all that’s happening. The glorious present is where the Presence of your Being resides. So the Present can include the joy of helping another apparent individual – it can include a wonderfully trivial conversation with a friend or partner – it can include watching a film on TV - it includes music, laughter, eating spaghetti – ANYTHING. Nothing is ex-cluded - nothing is outside of THIS.
And since Being is everything it also includes seeking and that’s why it doesn’t matter whether you are a seeker or a see-er – it really doesn’t. A seek-er and a see-er are all the same Oneness – how could they not be?

Finally, because God is ‘All-in All’ there is every reason to be joyful. God is the way and illumines the way. Whatever job or hobby you have – it’s there to be enjoyed. This amazing LIFE is here right now to be enjoyed. There is nothing you have to ‘not do’ any more and no people you have to avoid because everything is GOD/LIFE/BEING . It is all part of the wonderful dream of being alive. This is where the JOY lies – in the here and now because that’s all we have and it’s wonderful. All the answers you’ll ever need to any apparent problem that presently arises can all be found by resting back in the Vastness of who you truly are. ‘Be still and know that I am GOD’ . You can refuse to be concerned about anything because all that is ever going on is God, and whether you know this as Truth or not, it doesn’t matter – because the Truth is True and eventually that Truth will melt down all your unconscious barriers till the light of God is truly seen, and all you have to do is to be open to that possibility.