How the Word ‘God’ Is Used in Non-Duality?

How is the word ‘God’ used in non-duality? And how does Rupert use the numerous words, such as consciousness, awareness, being, spirit, Self or I, that describe reality?

Rupert says in the early days, I would speak almost completely of consciousness. More recently, I've used the words being, infinite being or God's being much more. In the Vedantic tradition, the Self is always the Self with a capital ‘S’. It means God's infinite being. In Buddhism, there is no self. They don't mean that there's no awareness, they mean there is no self with a small ‘s’.

But, if you take the word God — don't think about it, just feel what it means to you. Then take the word consciousness and then the word I. All three words mean the same thing but they all have a different quality to them and there's a value to using each of those words in response to a particular question or situation. That's why I use all the words. But if I expressed myself without considering at all who I was talking to I'd use the word God all the time.

*This video is taken from one of Rupert's in-person retreats at Mercy Center, California, 22 to 29 October 2022. To view and book for upcoming retreats (many of which can be attended online via livestream) go to:

Timestamps:

0:00 ‘Awareness’ In Non-Duality
0:24 Are God And Consciousness Synonymous?
3:03 Misunderstandings About God
4:21 Words That Describe God
6:39 Being In Non-Duality
8:17 God In Non-Duality
9:22 ‘Self’ In Non-Duality
10:46 Comparing Words That Describe Reality

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RS23052d

[LenaLena-bjbg]

Rupert has so much love and compassion...
I paused video and cried...
Thank you Rupert ❤

[thewayfarer]

I totally relate to this articulate woman’s comment/question. For me it’s as if, if you don’t use the word God, even though it’s loaded, you are missing a surrendering overwhelming presence.

[db-]

MY GOD ! this is so beautiful! I have felt for a long time non dual teachers avoid using God as the one source, consciousness. So happy this question we asked 🙏🏻♥️🫶🏻. God is so misunderstood , to know self is to know God . ❤️‍🔥

[hoopgal]

It is so moving to hear both of them speak of God/our Self like this ❤ Thank you to both 🙏

[jamesfulmer]

I was not raised Catholic, but I really felt that woman's heart! Walking away from a religious structure that we have built and maintained for many years can be painful to the false self.

[nourishflourishflow]

I've been immersed in non-dual learning and practice for several years now. But it's lacked heart for me. I've come full circle, recently, to God. To be honest, it has called me to it. I didn't walk willingly. I have no religious background, but I'm being called. I don't understand it, but it feels real and alive. This was wonderful to hear 🥰

[nsbdnow]

This really highlights the limits of language and the importance of being clear how one is using and defining specific words.

[gratefulforawareness]

Being is dual and non dual…being is all there is…God or Game Of Duality is just another aspect of that which is non dual…I’m grateful to Rupert for his beautifully poetic insights and explanations…I have learned much from him over the past few weeks 🙏❤️🙏

[Jensterkc]

So so resonate with this kind lady’s situation. Thank you!

[willieluncheonette]

" Lao Tzu never uses the name GOD. He consistently remains with indications, he never uses any direct expressions: the flavorless. God has no flavor, because flavor can exist only in duality. If something is sweet, then something has to be bitter. If something is good, then something else has to be bad. If something is divine, then something else has to be evil. Flavorless means the non dual, what Hindus call ADWAIT: not two. Flavorless is a poetic expression, it just gives a hint, not a direct instruction."

[tom]

Before any word is uttered there is being, and during the usage of all words there is being, and in the silence after the words are all gone there is being.

[juju-vloj]

Just to be clear because he didn’t mention it here but Rupert also used the word KNOWING synonymously with GOD, CONSCIOUSNESS, AWARENESS, BEING or I etc right?
For me, I think the word knowing most often is the best pointing word to the reality of oneness or non duality. As long as the word knowing is referring to the knowing of experience or I AM and not simply knowing of a concept or information.

[bertibear]

I have recently overcome my hesitancy over the word God, in fact I say the Lord’s Prayer daily.I did zen for 20 yrs and Tibetan Buddhism.Then 4 yrs ago after the injection shock I started on anthroposophy.Its quite a journey.
Still do my mediation when I can, enjoy it so much!

[tyamada]

A segment from 'Saved by the Light of the Buddha Within'...
My new understandings of what many call 'God -The Holy Spirit' - resulting from some of the extraordinary ongoing after-effects relating to my NDE...

Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what some scientists are now referring to as the unified field of consciousnesses. In other words, it’s the essence of all existence and non-existence – the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent. All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. Consciousness (enlightenment) is itself the actual creator of everything that exists now, ever existed in the past, or will exist in the future – right down to the minutest particles of dust – each being an individual ripple or wave.
The big difference between chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and most other conventional prayers is that instead of depending on a ‘middleman’ to connect us to our state of inner enlightenment, we’re able to do it ourselves. That’s because chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo allows us to tap directly into our enlightened state by way of this self-produced sound vibration. ‘Who or What Is God?’ If we compare the concept of God being a separate entity that is forever watching down on us, to the teachings of Nichiren, it makes more sense to me that the true omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of what most people perceive to be God, is the fantastic state of enlightenment that exists within each of us. Some say that God is an entity that’s beyond physical matter – I think that the vast amount of information continuously being conveyed via electromagnetic waves in today’s world gives us proof of how an invisible state of God could indeed exist.
For example, it’s now widely known that specific data relayed by way of electromagnetic waves has the potential to help bring about extraordinary and powerful effects – including an instant global awareness of something or a mass emotional reaction. It’s also common knowledge that these invisible waves can easily be used to detonate a bomb or to enable NASA to control the movements of a robot as far away as the Moon or Mars – none of which is possible without a receiver to decode the information that’s being transmitted. Without the receiver, the data would remain impotent. In a very similar way, we need to have our own ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our own life, all other life and what everything else in existence is.
Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach the core of our enlightenment and keep it switched on. That’s because Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what scientists now refer to as the unified field of consciousnesses. To break it down – Myoho represents the Law of manifestation and latency (Nature) and consists of two alternating states. For example, the state of Myo is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists – including our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them – our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re dormant – our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma – and more importantly, our enlightenment.
The other state, ho, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes evident to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory – whenever we experience or express our emotions – or whenever a good or bad cause manifests as an effect from our karma. When anything becomes apparent, it merely means that it’s come out of the state of Myo (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ho (manifestation). It’s the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing.
The second law – Renge – Ren meaning cause and ge meaning effect, governs and controls the functions of Myoho – these two laws of Myoho and Renge, not only function together simultaneously but also underlies all spiritual and physical existence.
The final and third part of the tri-combination – Kyo, is the Law that allows Myoho to integrate with Renge – or vice versa. It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects all Life and matter – as well as the past, present and future. It’s also sometimes termed the Universal Law of Communication – perhaps it could even be compared with the string theory that many scientists now suspect exists.
Just as the cells in our body, our thoughts, feelings and everything else is continually fluctuating within us – all that exists in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux – constantly controlled by these three fundamental laws. In fact, more things are going back and forth between the two states of Myo and ho in a single moment than it would ever be possible to calculate or describe. And it doesn’t matter how big or small, famous or trivial anything or anyone may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of the Laws ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ – the basis of the four fundamental forces, and if they didn’t function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. That’s because all forms of existence, including the seasons, day, night, birth, death and so on, are moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation – rhythmically reverting back and forth between the two fundamental states of Myo and ho in absolute accordance with Renge – and by way of Kyo. Even stars are dying and being reborn under the workings of what the combination ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ represents. Nam, or Namu – which mean the same thing, are vibrational passwords or keys that allow us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’.
On a more personal level, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives – as well as the environment from moment to moment. By facing east, in harmony with the direction that the Earth is spinning, and chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for a minimum of, let’s say, ten minutes daily to start with, any of us can experience actual proof of its positive effects in our lives – even if it only makes us feel good on the inside, there will be a definite positive effect. That’s because we’re able to pierce through the thickest layers of our karma and activate our inherent Buddha Nature (our enlightened state). By so doing, we’re then able to bring forth the wisdom and good fortune that we need to challenge, overcome and change our adverse circumstances – turn them into positive ones – or manifest and gain even greater fulfilment in our daily lives from our accumulated good karma. This also allows us to bring forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that’s preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we indeed are – regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexuality. We’re also able to see and understand our circumstances and the environment far more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. As I’ve already mentioned, everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect – the ‘actual-proof-strength’ resulting from chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo always depends on our determination, sincerity and dedication.
For example, the levels of difference could be compared to making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, producing a great song, and so on. Something else that’s very important to always respect and acknowledge is that the Law (or if you prefer God) is in everyone and everything.

NB: There are frightening and disturbing sounds, and there are tranquil and relaxing sounds. It’s the emotional result of any noise or sound that can trigger off a mood or even instantly change one. When chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day, we are producing a sound vibration that’s the password to our true inner-self – this soon becomes apparent when you start reassessing your views on various things – such as your fears and desires etc. The best way to get the desired result when chanting is not to view things conventionally – rather than reaching out to an external source, we need to reach into our own lives and bring our needs and desires to fruition from within – including the good fortune and strength to achieve any help that we may need. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo also reaches out externally and draws us towards, or draws towards us, what we need to make us happy from our environment. For example, it helps us to be in the right place at the right time – to make better choices and decisions and so forth. We need to think of it as a seed within us that we’re watering and bringing sunshine to for it to grow, blossom and bring forth fruit or flowers. It’s also important to understand that everything we need in life, including the answer to every question and the potential to achieve every dream, already exists within us.

[BlondeManNoName]

In my language the word for "God" is very beautiful. God is That, Being, Love, Self, Bliss.

[mikey]

Awareness is achieved when something experiences something else.
Me being aware of a tree, requires that both me and the tree exist, otherwise that experience could not occur and that awareness could not be achieved.

God is me
God is the tree
God is me experiencing the tree
All this is required in order to achieve consciousness.(complete awareness)
All this is the Omni God, Creating itself.

[TDChandrasekhar]

being awareness presence god consciousness state of samadhi true self all labels ..all plays of the mind.. only the silence knows

[anthonyw]

Loved that exercise in feeling into the word God or Consciousness or I or any other term. They each have a unique experience tied with them that is very different from one person to the next...and that experience is the crap we fight over my friends, or fall in love with :)

[robertlumsden]

Thank you Rupert, and thanks to the questioner. This was rather wonderful.

[onoesmurlocs]

All my words are just to get close to you, what I really want to do is chain myself to you and sing about god for days.