– Dualism and Non-Dualism: Vedic or Vedantic

Today, I had a discussion with a friend in the temple. He believe that Vedic philosophy believes in the trinity of God, Being and Nature, while “Vedantic” believes in everything being one. And he was not being able to reconcile between the two. What he thinks is trinity … is what has been called time and again as Maya… and what he thinks is “Vedantic” non-dualism .. is the final stage of a human perception and knowledge. If I were to take his definitions as the basis.. then “Vedic” will be “Vedantic” when it gets spiritually evolved! As simple as that. Dualism – difference between observer and observed – will be gone.. when the observer ceases to be and be one with the God.

Here is a “prayer” from Vasishtha Yoga which actually rejoices in this “illusionary basis of perception”!

Salutations to that reality in which all the elements, and all the animate and inanimate beings shine as if they have an independent existence, and in which they exist for a time and into which they merge.

Salutations to that consciousness which is the source of the apparently distict threefold divisions of knower, knowledge and the known, seer, sight and seen, doer, doing and deed.

Salutations to that bliss absolute (ocean of bliss) which is the life of all beings whose happiness and unfoldment is derived from the shower of spray from that ocean of bliss.