Universal non-dual sages
1. **Nisargadatta Maharaj** (1897–1981)
Author of the renowned book *I Am That*, he taught Advaita Vedanta with a focus on direct self-inquiry and the realization of our true nature.
2. **Sri Aurobindo** (1872–1950)
A philosopher, poet, and yogi, he developed an integral vision of spirituality, emphasizing the fundamental unity of existence and the possibility of realizing the divine in daily life.
3. **Jiddu Krishnamurti** (1895–1986)
An independent thinker and spiritual teacher, he encouraged liberation through direct observation and understanding of thought, free from attachment to any specific tradition or religion.
4. **Papaji (H.W.L. Poonja)** (1910–1997)
A disciple of Ramana Maharshi, he taught the immediate realization of the Self through direct inquiry, often saying, "Be still, you are already That."
5. **Adi Shankaracharya** (8th century)
A key philosopher of Advaita Vedanta, he laid the doctrinal foundation of non-duality in India and reconciled spiritual diversity within a unified vision.
6. **Lalla (Lalleshwari)** (1320–1392)
A mystical poet from Kashmir, her verses express a direct love for the divine and a quest for transcendental union, beyond religious boundaries.
7. **Kabir** (1440–1518)
An Indian mystical poet, his songs advocate universal truth and reject dogmatism, encouraging a simple life and direct experience of non-duality.
8. **Meister Eckhart** (1260–1328)
A German Christian mystic, he taught a non-dual vision of union with God, often expressed as the dissolution of the individual "self" into universal divine consciousness.
9. **Rumi** (1207–1273)
A Persian Sufi poet, his works celebrate the unity of divine love, transcending all dualistic forms to reveal a direct experience of the divine.
10. **Abhinavagupta** (10th–11th century)
A philosopher of Kashmiri Shaivism, he explored non-duality through tantric concepts of universal consciousness as the essence of all existence.
These figures span diverse traditions (Hinduism, Sufism, Christianity) and demonstrate the universality of non-duality as both an experience and a teaching.
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