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Experiencing God Directly: The Way of Christian Nonduality
We can know God directly. We can have immediate awareness of oneness with God in the present moment. It is not mediated through a church, a religion, a creed or a spiritual path. This is not theological knowledge about God. It is not a religious experience facilitated by a worship service. It is not a spiritual experience elicited by religious disciplines or practices. It is not a revelation of God mediated through Scripture or communicated by spiritual teachers. This is direct unmediated awareness of God. Jesus called this the Kingdom of God. He experienced it at his baptism, and it was his earliest message. Jesus described it to Nicodemus as being “born of the Spirit.” The apostle Paul referred to it as being “in Christ.” It was Moses’ experience of God as “I AM” at the Burning Bush. It was the experience of Job when he met God in the whirlwind. It produces what the New Testament calls the “fruit of the Spirit” in our lives - qualities like Love, Joy, and Peace. It is “the peace that surpasses all human understanding.” It is sometimes called nondual awareness. This is just another term for union with God. It is the experience of mystics in the Christian tradition, and it is echoed in other spiritual traditions. It is the Way, the Truth, and the Life that is Jesus Christ. This is the heart of Christianity. And it is available now. All we have to do is wake up to this always present awareness of God. That is what this book points to. Marshall Davis interprets nondual awareness in language familiar to Christians. He calls it Christian Nonduality. He explores the teachings of Jesus, the Wisdom literature of the Hebrew Scriptures, and the writings of the apostles in the New Testament. He shows how all these writings communicate this experience of oneness with God. He concludes with practical instruction on how the reader can experience this same awareness now.
113 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2013
232 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 26, 2018
Very Interesting
As a former priest turned humanistic rabbi turned radical nonduality I found the author's story very compelling and his interpretation of Nonduality top notch. Well done and thank you. Highly recommended.
As a former priest turned humanistic rabbi turned radical nonduality I found the author's story very compelling and his interpretation of Nonduality top notch. Well done and thank you. Highly recommended.
November 22, 2020
Clear and on point
Marshall Davis demonstrates a deep and personal understanding of both Christianity and nonduality in this book. He describes nonduality as the basis of the teaching of Jesus in a very reliable and obvious way.
Marshall Davis demonstrates a deep and personal understanding of both Christianity and nonduality in this book. He describes nonduality as the basis of the teaching of Jesus in a very reliable and obvious way.
July 16, 2021
Amazing
Could not put this book down. Usually people try to force the Christianity pill with no water but this....this is different. This actually makes sense. I'm going to have to reread this book like 5 times and explore the Kingdom of God for myself.
Could not put this book down. Usually people try to force the Christianity pill with no water but this....this is different. This actually makes sense. I'm going to have to reread this book like 5 times and explore the Kingdom of God for myself.
January 20, 2025
This was an interesting little book and a quick read. Davis makes some good points, but in such a simplistic way that I was left wishing for more.
In the entire book, the only paragraph that I could find about experiencing God directly was this one. "To experience God directly all we have to do is step outside of ourselves for a moment. One way to do this is to cease thinking for a moment. Try it now. For ten to fifteen seconds, let your mind rest from any thought. That which is present when there are no thoughts is Presence. It is not the presence of self, but the Presence of God." While I agree with this in principle, it's a little like telling someone to hold their breath and then not think about breathing. I know that there's no recipe for experiencing God, but I just expected a little more than this.
In the entire book, the only paragraph that I could find about experiencing God directly was this one. "To experience God directly all we have to do is step outside of ourselves for a moment. One way to do this is to cease thinking for a moment. Try it now. For ten to fifteen seconds, let your mind rest from any thought. That which is present when there are no thoughts is Presence. It is not the presence of self, but the Presence of God." While I agree with this in principle, it's a little like telling someone to hold their breath and then not think about breathing. I know that there's no recipe for experiencing God, but I just expected a little more than this.
March 12, 2025
En väldigt fin bok. Jag gillar den!
April 9, 2025
Advaita Vedanta in Christian Garb
Advaita Vedanta, which means “nonduality” in Sanskrit, is a Hindu philosophy which posits that ultimate reality is a single, non-dual consciousness, Brahman, and that the individual self, Atman, is ultimately identical with Brahman, not separate from it. Author Marshal Davis restates this philosophy using Biblical terminology and calls it “Christian Nonduality,” but it’s really just the same thing. For Davis and his nonduality, everything is the same and everything is one. Everyone and everything is God, and any sensation that we or something else is different than God is a temporary illusion created by our minds.
Says Davis, “Everything is God!” and “The self is nothing more than a mental fabrication of the brain.” (pp. 38, 78.) God is an “impersonal Absolute,” the same as Brahman “which is identical with man’s true nature as impersonal atman.” (p. 60.) The human sensation of an individual self that is other than God is “not real in an absolute sense.” (p 68.) The experience of God is the experience of one's true nature: “The two are one in experiencing. This is nonduality or oneness.” (p. 74.)
Because all is one, there are no categorical distinctions of good/bad, true/false, reality/fantasy. Rather, all dualities and opposites "are resolved in Oneness that transcends reason.” (p. 60.) The absence of categories renders language useless to convey truth or meaning because Oneness incorporates everything and its opposite. Whenever Davis tries to articulate Oneness in words, he feels compelled to follow up one statement with its opposite:
“Nothing one can say about it is true without immediately saying the opposite. Even balancing a statement with its opposite misses the mark, because it makes the truth dualistic, and God is nondual.” (p. 30.)
“I cannot find words to communicate what I want to communicate. I know what I want to say, but I can’t say it. … [The words] contradict each other. As soon as I say one thing, I immediately want to say the opposite in order to clarify the first statement.” (pp. 73-74.)
Davis describes his own experiences of nonduality as his persona unravelling, his psyche crumbling, his self dissolving and “I thought I was losing my mind.” (p. 91.) On the brighter side, Davis claims that in the presence of the impersonal, nondual Absolute there is love, joy and peace. But these are all meaningless terms in the context of Oneness and Nonduality for you might just as well say the opposite: that the experience of the nondual presence produces hate, agony, and discord. All is One. There are no distinctions and there are no categories in the nondual Absolute where all opposites, all antitheses and all paradoxes “are resolved in Oneness that transcends reason.”
Christianity cannot be reconciled with Advaita Vedanta and its nonduality. Christianity has the duality of a personal, creator God and His creation, and this cannot be abided by the nondual Absolute. Christianity also requires antitheses and real categories, and says “woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness” and to “be careful lest the light in you be darkness.” Isaiah 5:20; Luke 11:35.
There is no difference between good and evil, or light and darkness, or love and hate in the Absolute. According to Davis, it misses the mark to even discuss such dualities “because it makes the truth dualistic, and God is nondual.” (p. 30.) But the God of Nonduality is not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 20:37; Ephesians 1:3.
Advaita Vedanta, which means “nonduality” in Sanskrit, is a Hindu philosophy which posits that ultimate reality is a single, non-dual consciousness, Brahman, and that the individual self, Atman, is ultimately identical with Brahman, not separate from it. Author Marshal Davis restates this philosophy using Biblical terminology and calls it “Christian Nonduality,” but it’s really just the same thing. For Davis and his nonduality, everything is the same and everything is one. Everyone and everything is God, and any sensation that we or something else is different than God is a temporary illusion created by our minds.
Says Davis, “Everything is God!” and “The self is nothing more than a mental fabrication of the brain.” (pp. 38, 78.) God is an “impersonal Absolute,” the same as Brahman “which is identical with man’s true nature as impersonal atman.” (p. 60.) The human sensation of an individual self that is other than God is “not real in an absolute sense.” (p 68.) The experience of God is the experience of one's true nature: “The two are one in experiencing. This is nonduality or oneness.” (p. 74.)
Because all is one, there are no categorical distinctions of good/bad, true/false, reality/fantasy. Rather, all dualities and opposites "are resolved in Oneness that transcends reason.” (p. 60.) The absence of categories renders language useless to convey truth or meaning because Oneness incorporates everything and its opposite. Whenever Davis tries to articulate Oneness in words, he feels compelled to follow up one statement with its opposite:
“Nothing one can say about it is true without immediately saying the opposite. Even balancing a statement with its opposite misses the mark, because it makes the truth dualistic, and God is nondual.” (p. 30.)
“I cannot find words to communicate what I want to communicate. I know what I want to say, but I can’t say it. … [The words] contradict each other. As soon as I say one thing, I immediately want to say the opposite in order to clarify the first statement.” (pp. 73-74.)
Davis describes his own experiences of nonduality as his persona unravelling, his psyche crumbling, his self dissolving and “I thought I was losing my mind.” (p. 91.) On the brighter side, Davis claims that in the presence of the impersonal, nondual Absolute there is love, joy and peace. But these are all meaningless terms in the context of Oneness and Nonduality for you might just as well say the opposite: that the experience of the nondual presence produces hate, agony, and discord. All is One. There are no distinctions and there are no categories in the nondual Absolute where all opposites, all antitheses and all paradoxes “are resolved in Oneness that transcends reason.”
Christianity cannot be reconciled with Advaita Vedanta and its nonduality. Christianity has the duality of a personal, creator God and His creation, and this cannot be abided by the nondual Absolute. Christianity also requires antitheses and real categories, and says “woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness” and to “be careful lest the light in you be darkness.” Isaiah 5:20; Luke 11:35.
There is no difference between good and evil, or light and darkness, or love and hate in the Absolute. According to Davis, it misses the mark to even discuss such dualities “because it makes the truth dualistic, and God is nondual.” (p. 30.) But the God of Nonduality is not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 20:37; Ephesians 1:3.
July 5, 2019
A loving discourse on nonduality Christianity. Well written and heart felt. I have always thought Jesus was a Taoist and all the major religions ultimately say the same perennial philosophy. Marshall Davis has added to my understanding of this and made my Christian ideas more clear and resonant. He also gives clear concise directions on how to experience God for yourself. Really do recommend it to anyone interested in this idea.
December 22, 2020
The author says he does not believe in the God atheists do not believe in. He should know, he was an atheist. For Davis, God as an image is a social construct, and most persons worship themselves when they worship in a church, not God.
A good read for anyone interested in how a Baptist pastor arrives at nonduality and remains in his religion, while using the Scriptures he used before his awakening to show Christianity was dualistic and exclusive, now to demonstrate Christianity is nondual and inclusive.
Davis seeks to demonstrate how Christian teaching, like all spiritual wisdom, is one among many fingers pointing to the Moon - the Moon for Davis is God, and Jesus is one like us - one with the Divine.
For Davis, Jesus is the way for Christians to what he calls - in Taoist and Buddhist fashion - the Wayless Way. Davis says Jesus experienced oneness with the Absolute, and we can too, but not through words, only without words. He informs the reader that in the absence of seeking the Divine, the Divine appears. And this same nondual wisdom appears outside of what Davis calls Nondual Christianity.
Davis shares of a progression in his acceptance that he, like everyone, is as to his self a social construct, as is "God." His first sense of the dissolving of his sense-of-self occurred in a Contemplative Christian retreat, during a time of sitting in Silence.
I, having read much from Meister Eckhart, was not surprised that Davis, in trying to make sense of his experience of nondual Presence, studied indepth the great German Dominican. Eckhart's teaching the Catholic church would not tolerate, taking him to trial and charging him with heresy. Likely, Davis also is among a small minority within conservative Christianity in his experience and teaching of what he sees to be true to the first teachings of the Way - non-Christians referred to early Christians was People of the Way.
Davis appears to represent a growing shift in the Church. The shift is toward the inclusive nonduality we find within this book.
Nonduality appears in an absolute fashion, meaning in theistic terms that we and God are one, there is no difference. A second nonduality, and which appears in devotional paths, is we and God are one but we are not God. Sufism is an example of this latter. Davis admits he is not teaching monism, but he writes, "I never really was. There is just God, the Treasure in earthen vessels" - this sounds monistic. Elsewhere and consistently, the author clearly differentiates himself from God. So, is this just the limitations of language? Or does this reflect Davis still cannot untie the ambivalence-knot of the experience that has changed his life so, as his dualistic synapses collides with nonconceptual Truth? Regardless, he informs the reader that his effort to frame his experience of the Divine in words may well come over as dualistic, for after all, language about nonduality is dualistic.
A good read for anyone interested in how a Baptist pastor arrives at nonduality and remains in his religion, while using the Scriptures he used before his awakening to show Christianity was dualistic and exclusive, now to demonstrate Christianity is nondual and inclusive.
Davis seeks to demonstrate how Christian teaching, like all spiritual wisdom, is one among many fingers pointing to the Moon - the Moon for Davis is God, and Jesus is one like us - one with the Divine.
For Davis, Jesus is the way for Christians to what he calls - in Taoist and Buddhist fashion - the Wayless Way. Davis says Jesus experienced oneness with the Absolute, and we can too, but not through words, only without words. He informs the reader that in the absence of seeking the Divine, the Divine appears. And this same nondual wisdom appears outside of what Davis calls Nondual Christianity.
Davis shares of a progression in his acceptance that he, like everyone, is as to his self a social construct, as is "God." His first sense of the dissolving of his sense-of-self occurred in a Contemplative Christian retreat, during a time of sitting in Silence.
I, having read much from Meister Eckhart, was not surprised that Davis, in trying to make sense of his experience of nondual Presence, studied indepth the great German Dominican. Eckhart's teaching the Catholic church would not tolerate, taking him to trial and charging him with heresy. Likely, Davis also is among a small minority within conservative Christianity in his experience and teaching of what he sees to be true to the first teachings of the Way - non-Christians referred to early Christians was People of the Way.
Davis appears to represent a growing shift in the Church. The shift is toward the inclusive nonduality we find within this book.
Nonduality appears in an absolute fashion, meaning in theistic terms that we and God are one, there is no difference. A second nonduality, and which appears in devotional paths, is we and God are one but we are not God. Sufism is an example of this latter. Davis admits he is not teaching monism, but he writes, "I never really was. There is just God, the Treasure in earthen vessels" - this sounds monistic. Elsewhere and consistently, the author clearly differentiates himself from God. So, is this just the limitations of language? Or does this reflect Davis still cannot untie the ambivalence-knot of the experience that has changed his life so, as his dualistic synapses collides with nonconceptual Truth? Regardless, he informs the reader that his effort to frame his experience of the Divine in words may well come over as dualistic, for after all, language about nonduality is dualistic.
May 13, 2024
God is the real
I actually don’t know where to start with this review. I have read many books on Christian mysticism, philosophy, theology; you name it. Marshall Davis managed to summarise the core of all mystical practices: God with us.
And yet I must say that this book was challenging to read. My ego felt offended at times. “What do you mean, I’m not real?”, I felt my ego saying. Yet in the midst of this battle, there’s God: Pure being/awareness/consciousness, wooing me to him. “Stay here. I think you’ll like it”.
As was said by Marshall, words won’t capture experience. So I’ll leave this review at that.
I actually don’t know where to start with this review. I have read many books on Christian mysticism, philosophy, theology; you name it. Marshall Davis managed to summarise the core of all mystical practices: God with us.
And yet I must say that this book was challenging to read. My ego felt offended at times. “What do you mean, I’m not real?”, I felt my ego saying. Yet in the midst of this battle, there’s God: Pure being/awareness/consciousness, wooing me to him. “Stay here. I think you’ll like it”.
As was said by Marshall, words won’t capture experience. So I’ll leave this review at that.
July 28, 2024
Experience of God
A very interesting book, which I finished. The writer undoubtedly makes important points about actually experiencing God rather than philosophizing about him, which I know from personal experience can be exhausting. All this searching for God out there, as something (someone) separate when in fact he is within (there you go, I am philosophizing again). I think paradox can be resolved by language. And I wondered about the resurrection of the body, which didn’t seem to be mentioned. I am curious to read his translations of the Tao Te Ching and Brother Lawrence.
A very interesting book, which I finished. The writer undoubtedly makes important points about actually experiencing God rather than philosophizing about him, which I know from personal experience can be exhausting. All this searching for God out there, as something (someone) separate when in fact he is within (there you go, I am philosophizing again). I think paradox can be resolved by language. And I wondered about the resurrection of the body, which didn’t seem to be mentioned. I am curious to read his translations of the Tao Te Ching and Brother Lawrence.
August 17, 2021
Awsome
I have spent my whole life searching for this one truth. God is one. This author expresses this view eloquently and points it directly at our imminent experience of God in the eternal now. He shows how early followers of Christ viewed their relationship to the Lord. A view, that while clearly non dualistic, was not favored by the Greek minded church fathers and in time suffered at the hands of a more philosophical church. This book is a breath of fresh air. Well done. I think this is my favorite book of all time. I highly recommend it to anyone asking the question, who am I.
I have spent my whole life searching for this one truth. God is one. This author expresses this view eloquently and points it directly at our imminent experience of God in the eternal now. He shows how early followers of Christ viewed their relationship to the Lord. A view, that while clearly non dualistic, was not favored by the Greek minded church fathers and in time suffered at the hands of a more philosophical church. This book is a breath of fresh air. Well done. I think this is my favorite book of all time. I highly recommend it to anyone asking the question, who am I.
November 22, 2021
Great! Sounds Like The Sanatana (Eternal) Dharma...
This book amazed me. I have read a lot on Christian Mysticism. This book seems to have every essential thing on Christian Mysticism in an easy to read, understand way. Just like Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism - He mentions these... It reads exactly like a Modern Science/Mysticism text but easier to read...
This book amazed me. I have read a lot on Christian Mysticism. This book seems to have every essential thing on Christian Mysticism in an easy to read, understand way. Just like Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism - He mentions these... It reads exactly like a Modern Science/Mysticism text but easier to read...
January 14, 2022
Knowing
Thank you Marshall, I call this the golden thread, for the words of God is everything ❤️✨like breaking open a stick of rock you will find God there. In our stories, music, art, designs in nature God is there, infinity (time) and beyond (which is duality). Peace is found in nonduality, the end of conflict there is only wholeness, one 🙏🏻✨
Thank you Marshall, I call this the golden thread, for the words of God is everything ❤️✨like breaking open a stick of rock you will find God there. In our stories, music, art, designs in nature God is there, infinity (time) and beyond (which is duality). Peace is found in nonduality, the end of conflict there is only wholeness, one 🙏🏻✨
April 26, 2022
This is the first book on Christian nonduality I've read, so it took me a bit to get past the sort of Christian infighting in the beginning. But by the middle of the book, he started to explain (as well as it can be explained) what is meant by nonduality, and how he sees it through the lens of his own Christianity.
December 28, 2022
Great for helping those new on the path
I'm glad to have read this, being new on the pathless path and having traditional religious people completely rejecting my transformation, this was very much needed. The author's revelations and teachings are in exact alignment witb what I've been experiencing first hand.
I'm glad to have read this, being new on the pathless path and having traditional religious people completely rejecting my transformation, this was very much needed. The author's revelations and teachings are in exact alignment witb what I've been experiencing first hand.
February 13, 2023
God is One
For those seeking God beyond doctrines, dogma, and competing theologies and spiritual philosophies, this book is a good place to begin your search. One of the things I like about Davis is he doesn't discard his Christianity, but challenges us to look beyond mere orthodox paradigms.
For those seeking God beyond doctrines, dogma, and competing theologies and spiritual philosophies, this book is a good place to begin your search. One of the things I like about Davis is he doesn't discard his Christianity, but challenges us to look beyond mere orthodox paradigms.
August 11, 2022
I have never heard a Baptist like Marshall Davis
Excellent book that re-enforces my journey. I am glad to have obtained this book but I must admit it shocked me from where these words a great guidance came from. I will read more of Mr Davis work.
Excellent book that re-enforces my journey. I am glad to have obtained this book but I must admit it shocked me from where these words a great guidance came from. I will read more of Mr Davis work.
July 26, 2025
Interesting perspective
An interesting way to look at Christianity. Not sure if I completely agree, but there are some points in here that will really edify my Catholic faith and bring me closer to God, which is ultimately the greatest possible gift. Grateful for this book
An interesting way to look at Christianity. Not sure if I completely agree, but there are some points in here that will really edify my Catholic faith and bring me closer to God, which is ultimately the greatest possible gift. Grateful for this book
July 2, 2022
A great read, very informative
Davis takes complex thoughts and dissects them, explains them in a logical manner. Truly a great read and I will read more of this author.
Davis takes complex thoughts and dissects them, explains them in a logical manner. Truly a great read and I will read more of this author.
January 22, 2024
You do not exist, only God does.
Read and see for yourself. Who you think you are and who you actually are are totally different. Experience the truth, which will set you free.
Read and see for yourself. Who you think you are and who you actually are are totally different. Experience the truth, which will set you free.
July 4, 2024
A wonderful book that made me very happy!
June 13, 2025
So powerful and clear.
So powerful and clear. Marshal Davis gets right to the heart of the spiritual quest in a way that is as simple as it is profound.
So powerful and clear. Marshal Davis gets right to the heart of the spiritual quest in a way that is as simple as it is profound.
December 26, 2022
Read it. It may you free.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews