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Science Needs Non-dualism
By Ryan Castle
Imagine the world as a vast ecosystem, where plants, animals, and elements aren’t just coexisting but are deeply interconnected, each influencing and sustaining the other, none exist separate from the others. This image isn’t just a poetic depiction of nature, it captures the essence of non-dualism, a concept often pigeonholed as abstract philosophy but which holds profound implications for our scientific understanding and practical applications, particularly in health sciences.[1] However, Dr. Chopra has long worked to bring the principles of non-dualism to the forefront of public consciousness, emphasizing its relevance not just in spiritual realms but also in practical, worldly applications.
Non-dualism, often relegated to the realm of abstract thoughts about consciousness, is proving its mettle in tangible areas like information sciences. Research, like that conducted by Abhijit Jain, highlights that non-dualism could be more than just competitive; it might offer a superior framework for interpreting complex data systems.[2] Jain’s work reveals that integrating non-dualism in information systems aligns more naturally with how human cultures process information, suggesting a more universal, holistic approach to technology development.
The potential for applying non-dualistic thinking extends far beyond computer screens. In environmental science, for instance, non-dualism can help us see the symbiotic relationships that maintain ecological balance, emphasizing that human impacts on nature are not external but part of a continuous, interactive cycle. This perspective is crucial for addressing global environmental challenges, where internalizing our participation in these complex interactions can lead to more effective conservation strategies.[3]
In medicine, adopting a non-dualistic approach could revolutionize how we treat illness. Traditional medical practices often focus on symptoms and isolated aspects of disease, missing the broader picture of patient health. Non-dualism encourages us to view the patient holistically—mind, body, environment—as an integrated system. This approach can change everything from diagnosis to treatment, emphasizing preventive care and the role of lifestyle and mental health in physical wellbeing. This is already being recognized in the field of mental health, but extends even deeper.[4] In treating chronic diseases like diabetes or heart conditions, a non-dualistic approach could integrate dietary advice, mental health support, and physical treatments to address all aspects of the patient’s life, reflecting a more complete understanding of health determinants.
The potential benefits of this holistic approach are immense, especially in life sciences, computer sciences, and medicine. In life sciences, non-dualism could lead to more personalized healthcare by recognizing the unique interplay of physiological, environmental, lifestyle, and spiritual factors for each patient. In computer sciences, AI systems could be developed to better learn from the whole of human cognitive processes rather than merely mimicking language, making them more intuitive and effective in applications like healthcare diagnostics and patient management systems.[5]
By embracing the non-dualistic view of our natural world’s interconnectedness in scientific exploration and innovation, we stand at the threshold of a new era. This shift encourages a scientific and technological breakthrough that respects and utilizes the complex web of interactions that define life itself. Let’s carry forward this holistic vision, inspired by nature’s interconnected ecosystem, and apply it to our understanding of reality. This broader perspective promises to bring about solutions as dynamic and integrated as the ecosystem itself, transforming how we approach health and wellness in an increasingly complex world.
References
[1] Ofner, F. (2013). Some Ideas towards a Non-dualism-Compatible Theory of Science. Constructivist Foundations, 8(2).
[2] Jain, A. (2004). Non-dualism and information systems research. Information systems research: Relevant theory and informed practice, 675-680.
[3] Cox, T. (2021). Humans Are Humus: Using Eco-Psychology to Highlight the Language of Dualism and the Promise of the Non-Dual. In Subtle Agroecologies (pp. 59-69). CRC Press.
[4] Mills, P. J., Peterson, C. T., Pung, M. A., Patel, S., Weiss, L., Wilson, K. L., … & Chopra, D. (2018). Change in sense of nondual awareness and spiritual awakening in response to a multidimensional well-being program. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(4), 343-351.
[5] Heylighen, F., & Beigi, S. (2016). Mind outside Brain: a radically non-dualist foundation for distributed cognition. Socially Extended Epistemology. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://pespmc1. vub. ac. be/Papers/Non-dualism. pdf, 54.
