Dualism, contradictions, opposites and paradoxes Options

At the forefront of our reality, we experience things dualistically. White and black, hot and cold, up and down, you and me. Many philosophers will contest that this dualism is an illusion, and that the paradoxical nature of the world, is actually the truth. Can something truly exist without its opposite? Does that entail, if so, that what seems to be opposed are actually components of the same thing? Does separateness really exist, and weather it does or not, should we think dualistically?

Philosophers of the board, please share your opinion.





ॐ Z ॐ

I got this from Stephen Hoeller: I have a sandwich. To be one with the sandwich, I can't just look at it, or sit with it, I have to eat it. Therefore, I am separate from the sandwich and this implies that there are AT LEAST two things in the Universe, these being me and the sandwich. Or to put it another way: To be one with the soup you must eat it.

Even in Zen there is this idea of "Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water." There is a sense that action is necessary, and why? - because beings are separated from the things that they need, like heat and hydrating fluids. I don't think anything is truly non-dual, and the wise non-dualist recognizes paradox as part of his worldview... a kind of dualism that is required by the brain in all but one or two rare states of consciousness. Then you have some people who are obsessed with the non-dual, but never express anything but a confused dualism.

Dualism is here to stay. Pluralism is a swamp and the non-dual is pretty hard to grasp, when it shouldn't have to be grasped at all!