Consciousness is a state of wholeness and unity. In contrast, dualism or dualistic views are about us and them, separation and division. As much as I love my Christian upbringing, I am not a fan of religions separating themselves from other religions or viewing themselves or others as separate. On the other hand, "non-duality, means "not two" or "one undivided without a second". Nondualism primarily refers to a mature state of consciousness, in which the dichotomy of I-other is "transcended" . . . ."without dichotomies".” (Wikipedia)
The Yin-Yang symbol of Taoism symbolizes the transcendence of this dualistic way of thinking.
The goal of dualism in our more advanced religions is not to separate people from other people. It is more to separate good from evil as similar to darkness from light. In this way, Christianity might be dualistic, but is Christ really dualistic?
I recognize the role of the “adversary” as creating opposition – but I don’t choose to give power to that opposition. The way we give away our power is through fear. The truths I’ve found in A Course in Miracles support the non-dualist Christian philosophy, where Christ Himself speaks of Love encompassing all, and truth being complete as the reality of God.
He has taught us to love everyone. The issue we often have is projecting our fear of darkness and evil onto others. Anytime we give power to fear rather than to love, we are getting caught in dualism. So how do we love those who don't feel safe to us or allow others to practice lifestyles that shout concerns to our conservative ideals?
That’s when I remember the center line in the Tao – the edge of the black and the edge of the white. Unlike traditional non-dualism, I recognize that center. There is a boundary that distinguishes between black and white – Christ Himself will hold that center for us. Our job is to find Him, whichever side we are on. Imagine others doing the same.
As we gravitate toward that center, we find that we are One.
We are at One - and that is what He always ment
Om.
Author Cristine Ray #EndYourWar
Learn more in my course entitled Ladder of Love - A Conscious Curriculum