The Nonduality Triangle
January 06, 2025
My tattoo can be understood as expressing aspects of nonduality, particularly through the interplay between wholeness and partness, and convergence and emergence. Nonduality is often described as the recognition that opposites, or apparent dualities, are not separate but rather are aspects of a unified whole. Here's how the elements of the tattoo relate to this concept:
Infinity Symbol: Unity in Nonduality
The infinity symbol (∞) at the top represents ultimate unity, which is a key tenet of nonduality. It signifies the interconnectedness of all things, emphasizing that there is no real separation between any part of existence and the whole. Nonduality suggests that all distinctions are ultimately illusory—what appears to be separate (individuals, objects, ideas) is actually one undivided reality. The infinity symbol encapsulates this idea by symbolizing the ongoing process of becoming, where parts and wholes coexist as expressions of the same fundamental unity.
The "1": Individuality as Part of the Whole
The number "1" represents individuality and the unit of consciousness. While it stands for the singularity of each conscious being, it is still rooted in the context of the greater whole, demonstrating that even apparent individuality is inherently connected to the larger unity. In nonduality, the self or individual is not truly separate from the whole; rather, the individual is a localized expression or manifestation of the one consciousness. The "1" thus acknowledges individuality while pointing toward its inseparable connection to the infinite.
The "2": Duality within Unity
The number "2" symbolizes duality—whole and part, self and other, finite and infinite. In nonduality, dualities are seen not as opposites, but as complementary aspects of a single reality. The "2" reflects the relational nature of existence, where contrasts (such as self and other, subject and object) emerge, but these opposites are not ultimately separate. Instead, they are seen as expressions of the same underlying unity. The "2" represents the dynamic tension that enables the emergence of new wholes while maintaining the awareness of their nondual unity.
The Eye: Consciousness and the Witness
The eye in the center is a reminder that consciousness is the lens through which we experience nonduality. In nondual philosophy, consciousness is often seen as the ultimate witness—neither separate from nor identical to the world it perceives, but intimately connected with it. The eye simply directs attention to the fact that all aspects of the tattoo, and of existence itself, are framed by the awareness of consciousness. This ties into the idea that consciousness is both the observer and the observed, without distinction.
Convergence and Emergence: Nondual Process
The idea of convergence leading to emergence can also be interpreted through a nondual lens. In nonduality, the process of becoming—where diverse parts come together to create new wholes—mirrors the nondual understanding that what appears as fragmentation is simply an aspect of the unfolding of a singular, unified process. The parts do not emerge in isolation; they are always converging back into the whole, and in doing so, the whole is perpetually emerging anew. Emergence in this sense reflects the nondual nature of existence, where the multiplicity of parts is inseparable from the unity of the whole.
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In summary, this tattoo expresses nonduality by showing that wholeness and partness, individuality and unity, duality and oneness are not separate but co-exist in a dynamic, interdependent relationship. The symbols of the infinity, "1," "2," and the eye all work together to remind you that everything is part of the same underlying reality, even as it appears as diverse and separate on the surface.