The following points and quotations are taken from three major scriptural works. The first is Christian (the Bible). The second is Yogic (the Bhagavad Gita). And the third is Vedantic (the Ashtavakra Gita).
I’ve edited or paraphrased, in some cases, to emphasize the essential points being made, since they are wordy in the original. But these are the points being made.
I’m not asking anyone to interpret their particular religion in the way I’m presenting it here, but the following statements do exist within these traditions, alongside other, often contradictory, statements. I’ve listed the source references so that you can go to the originals if you wish.
Two things to keep in mind:
First – a non dual perspective eventually states that human beings do not direct anything that is occurring in life.
And second – it also eventually states that the only thing existing is an indefinable, unformed happening. Metaphors such as flowing water, a river, an unformed ocean, or a great spirit are often used, since they illustrate a formless, dynamic presence.
The Bible
(from the New International and King James Versions)
Man’s life is not his own. Man does not direct his own steps. Jeremiah 10:23 A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. Proverbs 20:24
God is spirit. John 4:24 In him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17: 24-27
Whoever lives by the truth .. sees plainly that whatever he has done has been done through God [the Spirit]. John 3:21 … God determines his steps. Psalm 1 6:9
I [Jesus] do nothing on my own. John 8:28 My teaching is not my own. John 7:16 No one can come to me unless the Father draws him. John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him. John 6:65
God … gives all men life and breath and everything else. Acts 17: 24-27
There are different kinds of abilities … different kinds of service … different kinds of working, but the same God directs all of them in all men. Corinthians 12:6 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is God’s purpose that will prevail. Proverbs 19:21
God’s choosing is not the result of your works [your good or bad behaviour] but simply his choice … Romans 9:10-13
Look at the birds and the flowers. What do they do to be what they are or get what they get? Matthew 6:25-33
Scripture says, “I [God] raised you up for only one purpose, to display my power in you …” Romans 9:17 I am the Lord and there is no other. I create light, darkness, peace, and evil. I do all these things. Isaiah 45:7
Whoever believes … streams of living water will flow within him. This means Spirit. John 7:38-39 No one can enter the kingdom of God unless … as water and Spirit. John 3:5
Don’t you know that God’s spirit lives within you? Corinthians 3:16
When you pray do not pray in the churches and stand on street corners … go to your room … close the door … do not babble … Matthew 6:5-8 Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Streams of living water [Spirit] … flow within. John 7:38-39 There is a river … Psalm 46: 4 the river of life … Revelation 22:1-2 Anyone who is thirsty, … let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17
They will see God’s face [Spirit] and his name will be on their foreheads Revelation 22:4
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for it is established upon the waters [Spirit]. Psalm 24:1-2
The Bhagavad Gita
(from the Stephen Mitchell translation)
The true nature of action is profound, and difficult to fathom. 4.17 – 21
People do nothing at all, even when fully engaged in actions. 4.17 – 21
All beings are compelled to act, however unwilling, by Nature, the gunas. 3.3 – 6
One who knows that only the gunas are acting is ready to attain the ultimate freedom. 14.23 – 26
When a person sees clearly that there is no doer besides [Nature] and knows what exists beyond, that person can enter [God’s] state of being. 14.19 – 22
I [Krishna, God] am the source of all things 10.4 – 8
All things are in my infinite [unformed] body. 11.7 – 11
Krishna [the unformed] is all that is. 7.18 – 22
Ashtavakra Gita
(from an online translation by John Richards)
The world appears in the same way a rope might appear to be a snake. It’s only an appearance. 2.9
The knower, the knowing, and every thing known… these do not exist. You are the reality in which they appear to exist. 2.15
There is no cure for this false appearance other than seeing it is unreal. 2.16
I (Ashtavakra) am like the ocean, and the many objects are like the waves. 6.2
In the formless ocean, the world of objects (form) appears to drift here and there. 7.1
Whether things of the world appear to arise and fade away is not important. 7.2
My true nature is not contained in objects, nor does any object exist in it, for it is infinite [without form]. 7.4
Recognising that in reality no action [no movement] is ever committed, I live with whatever “doing” is presenting itself. 13.3
A man free of ideas of “me” and “mine” and of a sense of “doing“, aware that “no object actually exists,” does not act even in acting. 17.19
There is no delusion, world, or liberation. These things are in the realm of imagination. 18.14
Even in seeing this, it is not someone seeing. 18.15
How could it possibly be described? 18.93