Many years ago (or so it seems), I began expressing a sense of existence that was quickly and commonly labelled a nondual perspective. I want to reflect a little on the use of this word.

In my sense of it, nonduality refers to the fact that existence is an undivided, inexplicable, formless dynamic. Every apparent form or expression that seems to exist is actually an unformed, indefinable event. And that includes us.

Whether it’s the Ashtavakra Gita pointing to the inexplicable, formless ocean of existence, or the Buddha declaring that what is is unformed and descriptions don‘t apply, or Jiddhu Krishnamurti saying there is only a movement that can’t be expressed in words, this is what is generally considered the nondual sensibility.

The term nonduality is exact, but in it‘s apparent arising it‘s also quite varied. Although it points to the fact that all is actually unformed, there is the seeming appearance of form and each appearance is unique. Just as there are no two apparent snowflakes that are identical, no two apparent beings with a so-called nondual perspective are ever identical.

There are those apparently awakened individuals who still enjoy ideas, social interactions, refined ways of behaving, and formal ways of living. And there are those with this sensibility who have no interest in thought, society, refined behaviour, or formality of any kind.

Bluntly put, a loving Vimala Thakar working with the homeless, a detached Robert Adams sitting endlessly in his room, and a cranky U.G. Krishnamurti telling everyone to bugger off are all valid expressions of an awakened sensibility.

This can’t move humankind to some collective goal or collective behaviour. It also can’t explain what anything actually is. From a nondual perspective there isn’t any “thingness”. There is simply a vibrant, inexplicable un-form.

This sensibility never offers a chance to direct existence. We obviously don’t create our so-called needs, interests, concerns, or abilities, so we’re not creating anything else. Life is a vibrant, inexplicable event displaying itself. We’re expressions of that. There is only that; no matter what else seems to exist.

If a so-called nondual sensibility arises, what becomes evident is the mysterious, formless dance of this moment. And in that, there is a stillness, a resting, in the realization that it will play out in whatever way it does. There is only this dance.