Non-Duality: 3 Fatal Flaws You Need to Know (Advaita Vedanta)

Welcome to American Krishna, a sacred space where we reject physicalism and stand on the personalist belief-based on scientific evidence-that consciousness is 100% spiritual and 100% individual.
In this video, Cyril Wohrer (Chandrashekhara)-a public intellectual and Bhakti yoga teacher with a Master’s in Religion from Oxford-explains three major flaws in non-dualism (Advaita Vedanta) and why a personalist spiritual approach is superior. He also offers a bonus comparison with Christian mysticism, showing why it aligns more closely with a meaningful spiritual life.
1️⃣ Non-Dualism Destroys Individuality
Advaita Vedanta teaches that individuality is an illusion created by ego. According to this view:
You are not truly a person.
Your personal relationships and emotions are meaningless illusions.
The ultimate goal is to merge into oneness and dissolve the sense of self.
But what if individuality is eternal and real?
In Bhagavad Gita (2.12), Krishna tells Arjuna:
“Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.”
This directly contradicts Advaita Vedanta. Krishna states that individuality exists eternally-even after liberation.
Scientific studies on near-death experiences, past-life memories (especially in children), and paranormal research suggest that consciousness not only survives death but remains individual. If consciousness were merely a temporary illusion, these experiences would be impossible to explain.
2️⃣ Non-Dualism Leads to Spiritual Suicide
By denying individuality, non-dualism also denies the foundation of love, relationships, and devotion.
Love requires two persons-a lover and the beloved.
If individuality is an illusion, then love itself is meaningless.
Your love for your family, friends, or even God is just a temporary misunderstanding.
Many Bhakti saints call this "spiritual suicide." By erasing individuality, non-dualists destroy the very thing that makes life and spirituality meaningful.
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada often warned that merging with God is not the highest goal. Instead, the highest realization is to engage in a loving, personal relationship with the Divine.
3️⃣ Logical Contradiction: If We Are God, Why Are We in Illusion?
Advaita Vedanta teaches:
✅ We are all God.
✅ We are under illusion (Maya).
But this makes no sense. If we are God, then how did God fall into illusion?
By definition, God is always transcendental. God cannot be ignorant. Yet, according to non-dualism, we-who are supposedly God-have fallen into ignorance. This is a contradiction.
When pressed, non-dualists often say:
“It’s just a divine play (Lila).”
“God chooses to experience illusion.”
But why would God choose to suffer? Why would God “play” at being a murder victim, a child suffering from abuse, or a starving person? These explanations fall apart when faced with real-world suffering.
And when challenged further, the final answer is always:
“Language cannot explain spiritual reality.”
But if language is meaningless, then why are non-dualists even speaking? Why do they write books, give lectures, and argue for their philosophy?
Bonus: Why Christian Mysticism is Better Than Non-Dualism
Unlike non-dualism, Christian mysticism (whether Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant) is based on a loving, personal relationship with God.
Vaishnavism (Krishna Bhakti) teaches that Krishna is a Supremely Personal Being who:
Loves each individual soul eternally.
Engages in personal relationships with us.
Is always distinct from us, yet intimately connected.
Christian mysticism shares this personalist view. Unlike Advaita Vedanta, which seeks to erase individuality, Christian and Bhakti traditions focus on deepening one’s personal relationship with the Divine.
Even if Christianity lacks some of the metaphysical depth of the Vedic tradition (e.g., reincarnation, modes of nature, Vedic cosmology), its devotional essence is far richer than the impersonalism of Advaita Vedanta.
Final Thought: Do You Have to Be a “Hindu” to Follow Krishna Consciousness?
Many wonder: Do I have to call myself a Hindu to practice Bhakti yoga or believe in Krishna?
This is an important question, and Cyril explores it in his next video, where he explains the history of the word “Hinduism” and whether it applies to those who follow Sanatana Dharma. Click the link to watch!
🔗 Recommended Bhagavad Gita Editions:
👉 H.D. Goswami: rb.gy/zfs6eu
👉 Graham M. Schweig, Ph.D: rb.gy/8ik39t
👉 Srila Prabhupada (Free Online): prabhupadagita...
About Cyril Wohrer (Chandrashekhara)
Cyril Wohrer has a B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of California and a Master’s in the Study of Religion from Oxford University. A practicing Bhakti-yogi since 1995, he teaches Krishna Consciousness around the world, both in person and online.
#advaitavedanta #nonduality #consciousnessstudies