Human life is characterized by duality, which defines our distinct nature. Our spiritual heritage, particularly the Biblical narrative of “tasting the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” places us firmly within the realm of mental opposites. While it may be impossible to completely transcend this duality, through spiritual insight and intuition, we can rise above it and begin to perceive the true Oneness of existence. This Oneness is our essential nature, and it can only be experienced through transcending the limitations of the human mind and engaging with the spiritual dimension.
From a personal perspective, I find the term “God” problematic. Not only is it a deeply loaded word—since each person holds their own conception of what God represents—but it also reinforces the dualistic framework. Once something is named, it is distinguished from everything else, which brings into question how something infinite, omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient can be separate from anything else. If God is truly infinite, there can be no “other” to distinguish it from.
That said, as human beings, we can still use our dualistic thinking as a bridge to Oneness. In fact, aside from pure inspiration or intuition, this may be the only practical method available to us for experiencing that Oneness. Thought, in this context, can indeed lead us to a state of no thought, just as the ego can guide us to the moment of ego death. Personally, I have found that meditating on the word “God” can, at times, lead me beyond the word itself to a direct experience of Being. In these instances, the name has served as a useful pointer, guiding me to a deeper state of awareness.
In some cases, I have discovered that different names for the same “Being” enhance my understanding or experience of it in various ways. Below is a list of terms I consider synonymous, each pointing to the same ultimate reality:
- God
- Life
- Consciousness
- Awareness
- Being
- Is-ness
- Energy
- Truth
- Tao
- Knowing
- Experiencing
- Christ
- Now
- I Am
- Infinite Invisible
There are undoubtedly other names that could belong to this list, and you may have your own preferences. For example, while Jesus frequently referred to God as “Father,” I find that this term doesn’t hold the same level of ambiguity and universality for me, though it may be meaningful for others. The essential point is that when contemplating Truth and Being, switching from one name to another can sometimes deepen our meditation and understanding.
For instance, someone who does not identify with religious language may find the phrase “I am one with God” challenging, but may resonate more with “I am one with Life” or “I am one with Energy.” The meaning remains the same, but altering the language can open the mind to a fuller experience of Truth.
I recommend creating a mental repository of synonymous terms that you can draw upon when you find it difficult to connect with a particular concept of Being or Reality. Experimenting with these variations might reveal the key to unlocking a deeper understanding and a richer experience of your own spiritual truth.
Human life is shaped by opposites. We move through the world constantly sorting experience into categories such as good and bad, right and wrong, sacred and ordinary. Much of our spiritual inheritance reflects this. The Biblical story of tasting the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for example, places human awareness squarely inside this realm of mental division.
Because of this, it can feel difficult—if not impossible—to step outside of dualistic thinking altogether. And yet, through moments of insight or intuition, many people sense something deeper: a wholeness beneath the opposites. This sense of Oneness doesn’t erase human experience, but it seems to underlie it. It feels less like something we achieve and more like something we notice when the mind loosens its grip.
This is where language becomes both helpful and problematic.
From a personal perspective, I find the word God difficult. It carries a great deal of emotional and cultural weight, and everyone brings their own understanding to it. More importantly, the act of naming tends to reinforce separation. Once something is named, it stands apart from everything else. That raises an obvious question: how can something infinite, omnipresent, and all-encompassing be separate from anything at all?
If God is truly infinite, there can be no “other” to distinguish it from.
And yet, as human beings, we still think in language and symbols. We can’t simply discard that. Instead, we often use dualistic thinking as a kind of bridge. Thought, paradoxically, can lead us to a place where thought falls quiet. The ego itself can carry us to the edge of its own dissolution.
In my own practice, I’ve found that meditating on the word God can sometimes lead beyond the word itself. When this happens, the name no longer points to an idea or belief, but drops away into a direct sense of Being. In those moments, the word has done its job—it has served as a pointer rather than a definition.
At other times, different words seem to open different doors. Over the years, I’ve noticed that certain names can resonate more clearly depending on the moment or the person using them. Below are some of the names I’ve found myself returning to, each just a pointer, in its own way, to the same underlying reality:
God
Life
Consciousness
Awareness
Being
Is-ness
Energy
Truth
Tao
Knowing
Experiencing
Christ
Now
I Am
Infinite Invisible
None of these words is complete, and none of them is required. They are not explanations. They are gestures. Attempts to indicate something that can’t be contained by language.
Because of this, changing the language we use can sometimes soften resistance. Someone who struggles with the phrase “I am one with God” may find the same meaning accessible through “I am one with Life” or “I am one with Being.” The words differ, but what they point toward remains unchanged.
For this reason, it can be helpful to hold language lightly. Rather than clinging to a single term, we can allow ourselves to experiment, to notice how different words affect our openness or attention. What matters isn’t the correctness of the language, but whether it helps us relax into a deeper sense of presence.
Ultimately, words don’t bring us to Truth. At best, they guide us to the place where words are no longer needed and where experience speaks for itself.
Summary:
This article explores the concept of duality in human experience and how spiritual insight can help us transcend it to perceive the Oneness of existence. I examine the limitations of the term “God,” noting that naming something inherently creates distinction, which contradicts the infinite nature of true Being. However, dualistic thinking can still serve as a bridge to Oneness, and different names for the same ultimate reality can aid in deepening meditation and spiritual understanding. The article encourages experimenting with various terms—such as Consciousness, Life, or Energy—to find what resonates most and enhances one’s spiritual experience.
Main Points:
- Human experience is rooted in duality, but spiritual insight can help us perceive Oneness.
- The term “God” can be limiting due to its dualistic implications, yet different names for the same Being can serve as useful pointers.
- Using synonymous terms in meditation and contemplation can enhance one’s connection to Truth and deepen spiritual awareness.
Key Questions:
- How does duality shape human experience, and can we transcend it?
- Why might the term “God” be problematic in a spiritual context?
- How can different names for the same ultimate reality help deepen spiritual understanding?
- What are some alternative terms for God or Being that may resonate with different individuals?
- How can language be used as a tool to unlock deeper spiritual awareness?
