April 29, 2026 Ordinary beings view things dualistically:
as two, not one.
Awakened beings understand
all phenomena are one, not two.
Viewing circumstances and objects in a dualistic way means seeing them from opposing perspectives. As either one thing or another. We thus categorize everything in contrasting terms, such as pleasing or annoying, superior or inferior. Caught up in such discriminatory thoughts, we go to great lengths to acquire more of what we desire while vigorously avoiding everything we dislike.
Viewing things in dualistic terms causes us endless problems and agitation. For example, when viewing a spoon from different angles, two people can argue over whether it is convex or concave. (That’s viewing things dualistically.)
Awakened beings, on the other hand, understand that all phenomena are one. They regard the spoon as a single object with two aspects. In such a manner, they view all situations and objects non-dualistically, and can act judiciously without any trace of rancor.
