Behaviour Is The True Test
While most people believe that happiness is found in the world—through achievements, possessions, relationships, or external circumstances—non-duality teaches that true happiness lies in our essential beingness, regardless of the circumstances. The world, with all its appearances, is but an activity of this beingness, and in it, we are both the observer and the participant. Happiness is not something to be sought externally, but something we uncover by realising that our essence is the source of all that is. Waking down is the natural unfolding that occurs when we see through the illusion of separateness, recognising that we are the vast, impersonal awareness in which the world appears.
Non-duality invites us to move beyond the concepts of good and bad, right and wrong. The pursuit of perfection often creates inner conflict, distancing us from the present moment. It is based on the premise that happiness lies in the world. Instead, it is about doing our best in each moment, without attachment to the outcome. Acting with sincerity and presence allows us to express our true nature, free from the need for external validation. In this way, we can embody our true self, knowing that our worth arises from who we truly are, not from meeting external standards.
In this way, we are freed from the compulsion to chase external validation, because action flows naturally from presence and clarity. There’s no longer the burden of desire for recognition or success—action becomes an effortless expression of the whole. This understanding shifts our relationship with the world, as it becomes an extension of who we truly are. Whether through Buddhism, Sufism, Advaita, or modern non-duality, the conclusion remains the same: life-affirming action arises when we see that everything, including ourselves, is an expression of beingness.
We hear the term "waking up" in non-duality a lot; however, this comes in two directions—we could say colloquially, "up" and "down." Waking up to be aware of our true nature and waking down to see how our daily behaviour and life align with our understanding that consciousness is impersonal. The famous quote from Buddhism emphasises this, as do all the great teachers of non-duality: "The real meaning of the Buddha’s advent in the world lay in his behaviour as a human being." This is not some kind of moral imperative but a helpful barometer that allows us to gauge to what extent we are free of emotional, egoic thought. It is a vital part of the equation and possibly a profound reason the universe exists at all. This naturally opens up the two classic routes to awakening: direct inquiry into awareness and various practices through behaviour. In the end, both complement each other, and we see these two elements appearing in many non-dualistic teachings.
Life-affirming intention emerges when we act with clarity, knowing that every action—no matter how seemingly insignificant—is an expression of the same beingness. The identification with the separate self dissolves, and we begin to engage with the world not for personal gain, but as a means to express the love, wisdom, and understanding that lie within. In moments of discontent or frustration, non-duality invites us to see that our dissatisfaction stems from egoic attachments—the need for outcomes or external validation. We can begin to live authentically, from a place of inner peace. When we transcend the ego’s limitations, we can engage with the world from a place of authenticity and presence, free from the need to control or possess. The ego no longer holds us captive, and we are free to live in alignment with the truth of who we are.
But by transcending these attachments, we do not flee the world; we engage with it as a reflection of our true nature. As the tension of separateness fades, even the work we do becomes a form of authentic expression, and life-affirming intention becomes our guide. It is no longer burdened by fear, because it arises from wholeness and presence.
The teachings across all traditions are clear: actions should be performed without attachment to results. This does not mean performing actions carelessly, but acting without clinging to particular outcomes. When we allow the fruits of our efforts to arise naturally, rather than measuring their value in terms of result, we are freed from the tension that comes with attachment. Action becomes its own reward. In every facet of life—whether at work, in relationships, or in personal goals—we give our best, not because we are attached to success, but because it aligns with our values and expresses the whole. When action arises from this place, it is free from fear and attachment, unfolding naturally in perfect alignment with what is needed in the moment.
As we recognise the divinity in everything, even the most mundane tasks become expressions of this beingness. When we let go of the belief in separateness, we begin to see the interconnectedness of all things. Everything we do, no matter how ordinary, becomes an opportunity to participate in the unfolding of life from a place of unity. There is no longer a distinction between the sacred and the mundane—because everything is sacred. Even the act of earning money or tending to everyday needs becomes a form of service to the world. When the tension of ego dissolves, we recognise that our work is part of a greater whole, an expression of the divine that contributes to the well-being of all. This recognition transforms how we approach our daily tasks: not for personal gain, but as an offering of love and service to the world.
Living in alignment with non-duality brings living with compassion and wisdom. As we realise that we are not separate from the world, we naturally begin to see others as expressions of the same truth. The boundaries of separateness fade, and what remains is a spontaneous, compassionate engagement with life. There is no longer any need for personal gain or recognition; instead, a natural flow of care and compassion arises. This way of living brings integrity and presence to every interaction. Whether in our work or our relationships, we meet the world with the understanding that the joy and suffering of others are our own. Compassion becomes a natural expression of our being—not something forced or contrived, but a spontaneous flow of love.
Material life and inner life are not separate. Non-duality teaches that there is no need to renounce the material world to achieve liberation. When we recognise the unity of all things, we see that the needs of the body are simply expressions of the whole. As the tension of separateness dissolves, we find ourselves engaging with the material world not as something separate, but as a reflection of our true nature. True fulfilment does not arise from excessive consumption, but from balance and harmony with the world around us. The realisation that peace is not dependent on external circumstances allows us to meet material challenges with equanimity. Even in the face of adversity, the peace of our true nature remains untouched. We come to see that the outer world is simply an expression of the same divine reality.
Though no one wishes suffering or seeks to diminish its reality, non-duality does not promise an absence of challenges. Life, with all its unpredictability, will continue to present difficulties. However, when we recognise the underlying unity of all things, we are better equipped to meet these challenges with a sense of calm and clarity. Rather than reacting from a place of fear, attachment, or separation, we can face difficulties as opportunities for deeper understanding. In this way, challenges become part of the unfolding of life, not obstacles to be feared or avoided. They invite us to surrender our attachments to specific outcomes and embrace each moment as it arises, knowing that it is a reflection of the same universal beingness. When we meet challenges from a place of presence and non-identification with the ego, the external situation loses its grip on our peace of mind. We realise that we are not the sum of our circumstances, and that our true nature is untouched by life’s fluctuations.
Presence is the essence of non-duality. It is the practice of being fully engaged in whatever we do, without distraction from thoughts of the past or future. This presence transforms even the most mundane activities—whether washing dishes, commuting, or working—into opportunities for spiritual growth. When we act from presence, each moment becomes imbued with meaning, because it arises from the whole. In the workplace, presence means being fully attentive to the task at hand, free from worry, stress, or ego-driven desires. There is no separation between the task and the self. The action unfolds effortlessly in perfect harmony with what is.
Human relationships and community all find their place within the context of non-duality. When we recognise that all beings are interconnected expressions of the same underlying consciousness, we can see others not as separate individuals, but as manifestations of the same unity. As the illusion of separateness dissolves, we see others with compassion, understanding that the suffering of one is the suffering of all. This recognition of interconnectedness leads us to act with love and wisdom in all our relationships. Whether through Buddhism, Advaita, or Sufism, recognising oneness compels us to engage with the world from a place of compassion and care.
Material wealth, too, is transformed by non-duality. Money is not inherently good or bad, but a tool to serve practical needs. When we let go of our attachment to money, it becomes a means to fulfil our needs, serve others, and contribute to the greater good. True fulfilment lies not in accumulating possessions, but in the realisation of our oneness with all things. When we act from this place, our relationship to wealth becomes one of equanimity and service.
Healing is not about fixing or repairing a fragmented self. Instead, it is the recognition that the wounds we perceive are expressions of the underlying unity we are. Mental health challenges, often seen as personal problems, are expressions of a deeper disconnection from our true nature. As we come to see that our true self is boundless and unchanging, we begin to transcend the illusion of separateness, and true healing naturally arises. The key to healing lies not in suppression, but in recognising thoughts and emotions as temporary fluctuations in the vast ocean of awareness. Healing becomes the natural unfolding of the dissolution of the illusion of the separate self.
With Love,
Freyja