Allüksust

Allüksust is a neologistic term used in Estonian-language philosophical and spiritual discussions to denote the idea of the totality of existence and the underlying unity of all beings and phenomena. In this usage, it refers to a holistic principle that transcends individual distinctions while acknowledging their interdependence.

Origins and usage: The term is not part of a formal school or canon; it appears mainly in contemporary online essays, blogs, and marginal texts from the 2010s onward. Etymology is debated, but it is generally treated as a compound constructed from elements meaning “all” and “unity” or “essence” in Estonian, without a standardized definition or lineage.

Conceptual variants: In metaphysical form, allüksust resembles monism or pantheism, positing a single reality that manifests as multiplicity. In experiential form, it appears as a phenomenological realization of unity, often through meditation, contemplation, or spiritual practice. The ethical implication in many treatments is a sense of universal responsibility and a non-dual regard for others and the environment.

Reception and critique: Scholars and critics point to vagueness and a lack of rigorous argumentation, arguing that the term risks conflating subjective spiritual experience with objective metaphysical claims. Because of its loose definition, allüksust has limited influence in mainstream philosophy and theology, though it circulates in niche discourse and speculative literature.

See also: monism, pantheism, holism, universalism.