anikon

Anikon is a term used in the context of religious and spiritual practices, particularly within certain branches of Buddhism and Hinduism, to describe a state of non-duality or non-dual consciousness. It is often translated as "non-dual" or "non-dualistic," and it refers to a state of being where the individual self (atman) and the universal self (Brahman) are seen as one and the same. This concept is central to the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, a school of Hindu philosophy, and is also explored in certain Buddhist traditions.

In Advaita Vedanta, the term "anikon" is used to describe the ultimate reality, which is non-dual and beyond the dualities of subject and object, self and other. This non-dual reality is often referred to as Brahman, the ultimate reality that underlies all phenomena. The concept of anikon challenges the traditional dualistic view of reality, where the self is separate from the world and other beings.

In Buddhist contexts, the concept of anikon can be found in the Mahayana tradition, where it is associated with the idea of emptiness (shunyata) and the interconnectedness of all phenomena. The non-dual state is seen as a realization that transcends the dualities of existence, leading to a state of enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

The practice of meditation and contemplation is often used to cultivate anikon, aiming to transcend the dualistic perceptions of the self and the world. This involves a deep understanding of the nature of reality and the realization that the individual self is not separate from the universal self.

In summary, anikon refers to a state of non-duality or non-dual consciousness, where the individual self and the universal self are seen as one and the same. This concept is central to the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and is also explored in certain Buddhist traditions. It challenges traditional dualistic views of reality and is often cultivated through meditation and contemplation.