"Non-Duality & Consciousness: Understanding the Self Beyond Illusion"
In a recent spiritual group gathering, participants came together to explore self-inquiry and the illusion of self, while contemplating the nature of consciousness in non-duality. Led by Terrence Stephens, the conversation unfolded through deeply reflective themes such as non-dual awareness, consciousness and ego, and the lived expression of Advaita Vedanta principles.
The group shared openly, offering personal insight and collective wisdom, deepening into the direct path to enlightenment.
What Is Non-Duality?
Non-duality means “not two.” It points to the essential unity of all that is and reveals that:
There is no true separation between the self and the world
Duality arises through conditioned thought
What we are is not a person, but pure awareness itself
As these insights were shared, participants began to question the assumption of a separate, controlling “I.”
The Illusion of Self and the Nature of Consciousness
A central theme of the dialogue was the relationship between consciousness and ego. Participants reflected on how:
The ego creates a false sense of ownership and control
The mind divides experience into “me” and “other”
The story of the “I” is simply a bundle of thoughts
One participant, Mark, asked, “How do I rest as consciousness?”
Terrence responded:
“Consciousness cannot be owned or grasped. It is not an object. It is what allows all experience to occur. It is already present—before thought, before identity.”
This simple, direct response pointed the group toward non-dual awareness, the recognition that consciousness is not personal, and the thinker is not the doer.
How to Practice Self-Inquiry
The group explored self-inquiry meditation, a powerful method used in Advaita Vedanta to investigate the sense of self.
Foundational Questions:
“Who am I?”
“To whom does this thought arise?”
“Is there a self behind the thought?”
Key Realizations:
Desires arise spontaneously—there is no fixed “owner”
Personal desires are often tied to ego identity
Impersonal desires come and go naturally, without grasping
By observing desire without judgment or resistance, participants experienced a quiet freedom and began to loosen their identification with the egoic self.
Breaking Free from Dualistic Thinking
Another powerful insight arose around letting go of the struggle for control. Terrence invited the group to notice how dualistic thinking causes suffering by:
Clinging to outcomes
Believing the “me” is separate from life
Resisting what is already happening
Instead, participants were encouraged to rest in:
Acceptance over resistance
Trust over manipulation
Presence over thought
“Life doesn’t need to be managed or fixed. It needs to be met, as it is.”
This shift in perspective helped participants see that the deepest peace is found not in change, but in stillness.
Living the Direct Path to Enlightenment
Throughout the session, Advaita Vedanta principles were gently woven into the conversation:
The doer is an illusion
The witness is ever-present
Reality is always whole
Terrence emphasized that the direct path to enlightenment is not a future goal, but a living inquiry into what is already here, now.
By simply turning inward with awareness and honesty, participants began to recognize that their true nature is not something to find—it is something to remember.
A Living Inquiry: Conclusion
As the dialogue drew to a close, participants expressed heartfelt gratitude for the space to explore such profound themes. Together, they had not only questioned the illusion of the self, but had also touched the silent presence beneath it.
This gathering, guided by Terrence Stephens, was more than a discussion—it was a living inquiry into truth.
Whether through meditation, silence, or daily reflection, the invitation remains:
To look within, let go of the false, and rest as what has always been—pure awareness, untouched and free."Dive deep into non-duality, self-inquiry, and consciousness. Learn how to transcend dualistic thinking and experience true self-awareness."
