Social Sciences and Humanities Open (Jan 2024)
Non-duality and mental health
Abstract
The study of consciousness has become an essential aspect of multiple disciplines including psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and spiritual traditions. The study of consciousness, the relationship of the observer and observed, has thoroughly influenced general perceptions of reality with significant implications for mental health. The concept of non-dual consciousness is a perspective that has been gaining recent attention.This review will examine existing literature on non-dual consciousness and its implications for mental health, including theoretical terms, evidence, and potential applications in a therapeutic setting. Issues that involve public health (stress, anxiety, depression, and well-being) are central to this review.“Non-duality” is a translation of the Sanskrit word Advaita, which implies “not dual,” i.e., one without a second. It describes a state of consciousness commonly practiced in spiritual traditions, including Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, and Kashmiri Shaivism, where the usual dichotomy between the subject (the observer) and the object (the observed) is diminished, bringing about an experience of oneness or unity with existence.The relationship between non-dual consciousness and mental health is a complex, multidisciplinary subject. It involves the intersection between metaphysics, cognition, and psychology, challenging interpretations of consciousness as simply a function of mechanistic brain activity. The fundamental notion of “the self” as an isolated ego is also directly challenged within this approach.This review intends to 1) discuss the concept of non-dual consciousness within the context of both Eastern spiritual traditions and Western psychology; 2) review empirical evidence relating to the relationship between non-dual consciousness and mental health; 3) explore the potential applications of non-dual consciousness in psychological contexts and its integration with existing therapeutic approaches.The discussion of the role of non-dual consciousness in mental health is a relatively new and growing field of research. The findings presented in this review should be understood as contributions to a growing area of research, not as definitive conclusions. This research review can serve as a foundation for further exploration into how consciousness studies, metaphysics, and mental health can mutually inform one another.
