Tag: Unity of Existence

The Self and No-Self

Unraveling the Boundaries of Existence

If all that exists is what we call the Self, where does that leave us in understanding its true nature? The common impulse is to label, define, and separate — creating distinctions to grasp what cannot be fully grasped. But in contemplating the nature of the Self as the all-encompassing reality, we’re drawn into a profound paradox: if the Self is indeed everything, without any boundary, how can it even be considered a “Self”?

The word “Self” implies some form of individuation, a presence that stands distinct from others, yet here lies the core of the paradox. In the absence of an “other,” any idea of a distinct Self dissolves, leaving only the mystery of the No-Self.

For a Self to be recognizable as such, it would require something to stand apart from. But in the context of ultimate unity, where nothing exists outside or beyond, there is only what is — an undivided totality that transcends any dualistic notion of “Self” and “other.” This is where the very term “Self” falls away, as there can be no contrast, no relational identity. What we are left with is not a Self in any ordinary sense but rather pure awareness, the ground of being that defies description and categorization.

When looked at from this perspective, the idea of the Self takes on a radically different dimension. It becomes the No-Self, not in the sense of an absence but rather as an absolute presence that simply is. The No-Self, then, is not the lack of being but the absence of individualization within being itself. It invites us to move beyond personal identity and to experience consciousness as boundless and indivisible, an endless ocean with no separate waves.

In moving toward an experiential understanding of this paradox, the concept of “I” transforms. We begin to see that this “I” — the egoic self we identify with — is a localized point in the vast field of undivided awareness. What we call “myself” is, in reality, an expression within the infinite whole, a momentary manifestation of something that transcends all individuality.

Such an insight does not negate our individual lives or diminish the importance of each unique expression. Rather, it invites a shift in perception. It calls us to recognize that beneath our individuality lies a vastness, a timeless ground that is beyond any single label or limitation.

As we touch on this insight, we find that the paradox of Self and No-Self begins to dissolve. We see that they are not separate but interwoven, expressions of the same reality, which is beyond both. In embracing the No-Self, we open ourselves to a greater depth, where the boundaries of identity soften, and the beauty of unity comes alive in ways beyond conceptual thought.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Divine Soil of Atman

Understanding the Unity of Existence

Atman is identical to Brahman, fundamentally the same. While Atman is often viewed as the individualized aspect of Brahman, it retains its essence as Brahman. Brahman is the ground of all being, and Atman is but a speck of this divine soil. This soil, sharing the same substance as the ground, emphasizes their intrinsic unity.

Atman itself has no location, shape, or form, yet the physical body—the gross body—does. This physical body is also Atman but has shape and form, making it localized and subject to polarity. The physical body, dense and tangible, includes everything that constitutes it: vibrating strings, subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, and cells. Each of these elements, in their individual form, is Atman.


All the subtle bodies are also Atman, spanning from the most subtle to the gross physical body. When the physical body dies, the soul doesn’t leave the body because it is non-local. The soul, as Atman, remains ever-present. Atman offers a more sophisticated explanation of the soul. Remember, Atman doesn’t leave the body because there’s nothing there to leave. This nothing or nothingness is Atman, the empty witness.

The opposite of all shapes and form is indeed all shape and form. Nothingness is non-local, omnipresent, and ubiquitous. In its absolute state, nothingness manifests as everything. This empty witness manifests its individual reality. Every event that occurs from its individual perspective is Atman. Everything that happens, from all perspectives, is Brahman. Atman and Brahman are the same, transcending the ego and the sense of self.


Transcending the ego is an act, part of the cosmic play that Atman/Brahman engages in. The same Atman/Brahman that doesn’t exist yet does. Everything and nothing are the same, merely imagined from two different perspectives.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The First Glimpse

Awakening to the Marvel of Being

In the boundless journey of spiritual exploration, there exists a moment that stands out with luminous clarity—a moment of awakening. This awakening can be likened to the profound innocence and wonder of a baby discovering its own two feet for the first time. It is a moment of pure astonishment, where the familiar suddenly becomes an ocean of mystery, inviting us to dive deeper into the essence of our very existence.

Awakening, in its essence, is not merely an accumulation of knowledge or an expansion of our cognitive boundaries. Rather, it is an experiential revelation, a direct encounter with the raw fabric of reality itself. Just as a baby gazes upon its feet with awe, recognizing them as extensions of its being, so too does the spiritual seeker come to realize the interconnectedness of all things. This realization is not conceptual but deeply visceral, a knowing that permeates every cell of our being.


This moment of awakening brings with it a profound shift in perception. The world no longer appears as a mere backdrop to our dramas but as a vibrant, living mosaic of which we are an integral part. Everything, from the mundane to the magnificent, is imbued with a sacred significance. The dichotomy between the self and the other begins to dissolve, revealing the underlying unity that is the foundation of all existence.

However, this awakening is not the final destination but the beginning of a profound journey. Like the baby who has just discovered its feet, we are called to explore, to learn, and to grow. Each step is an act of discovery, a chance to deepen our understanding of the self and the universe. The path is not linear but a spiral, where each cycle brings us closer to the core of our being, to the heart of existence.


The challenge, then, is to remain open and receptive, to cultivate a beginner’s mind in the face of the known and the unknown. It requires us to let go of our preconceived notions and embrace the uncertainty that comes with genuine exploration. This journey is not one of seeking external validation but of internal revelation, where each insight illuminates the path a little more.

In essence, the awakening is a call to adventure, an invitation to embark on the most significant exploration of all—the exploration of the self. It beckons us to engage with life’s profound mysteries, to uncover the layers of meaning and existence that lie beneath the surface of everyday reality.


As we navigate this journey, we discover that awakening is not a singular event but a series of moments, each revealing a deeper layer of understanding. Like the baby who delights in each discovery, we too can find joy in the continual unfolding of our spiritual journey, ever deepening our connection to the marvel of being.

Morgan O. Smith

Yinnergy Meditation, Spiritual Life Coaching & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith

The Infinite Self

Time Travel and the Nondualistic Journey Within

In the silence that stretches between thoughts, in the space that houses the cosmos, there exists a philosophy that stretches the bounds of conventional understanding—nondualism. It’s an ancient perspective that posits a simple, yet profound truth: all of existence, the myriad forms and vacuous voids, the dance of particles and the march of time, are expressions of a singular, unified reality. You are not a mere participant in the universe; you are the universe itself, experiencing itself endlessly.

Consider the concept of time travel, a staple of science fiction and a tantalizing possibility for the human imagination. Time, from a nondual standpoint, is not a river that flows from past to future, nor a serpent that eats its tail in an eternal loop. It is a dimension of existence that is inseparable from you. You are time, as much as you are matter, energy, thought, and consciousness. If you could traverse the temporal plane, to cavort in the gardens of Babylon or witness the birth of a star eons from now, would you be visiting foreign lands or would you be exploring the contours of your boundless self?

By recognizing time as an aspect of the self, the idea of time travel takes on a new dimension. It becomes a metaphor for self-exploration and self-understanding. Each journey back to the past can be viewed as an introspective dive into our collective memory, our shared history, and the unconscious mind. Moving forward, then, is an imaginative leap into potential futures, the realm of dreams, hopes, and the unmanifested aspects of the self.

This perspective invites a radical shift in consciousness. The anxieties of the past and the uncertainties of the future are not separate from the present moment; they are all-encompassing and present within the now that is perpetually experienced. Every moment is an act of creation, a reconfiguration of the universe, a reinterpretation of the self. Through the lens of nondualism, time travel becomes a poetic expression of the human desire to know the self fully, to experience all facets of being, and to embrace the ultimate unity of existence.

If we can see ourselves in the stars and the stones, in the ebbs and flows of civilizations and the silent growth of a seedling, then perhaps the ultimate journey does not require us to break the physical bonds of time but to transcend the psychological barriers that prevent us from seeing the unity of all things. In doing so, we might find that every step we take, every choice we make, and every path we walk or leave untrodden, is an exploration of the infinite self.

As you ponder this unity, this grand tapestry of existence where you are both the weaver and the thread, the observer and the observed, consider what destinations you might seek within the boundless realms of your being. What would you discover in the recesses of millennia past, and what futures could you paint with the brush of your current intentions and actions? The voyage of time is but a journey within, and every moment is a destination waiting to be understood.

Morgan O.  Smith

Yinnergy Meditation & My Book, Bodhi in the Brain…Available Now!

https://linktr.ee/morganosmith