In this episode of Deepen Your Yoga Practice, Lauren Leduc explores one of the most important and often misunderstood questions in yoga philosophy:

Does yoga teach that we are separate from the world, or that we are one with it?

This conversation dives into two foundational philosophical frameworks that shape the way yoga has been understood for thousands of years: dualism and non-dualism.

Lauren explores the historical roots of these ideas, how they show up in classical yogic texts, and why modern yoga often blends them together. She also discusses how these philosophies influence the way we relate to our thoughts, our identities, our relationships, and the world around us.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What dualism and non-dualism actually mean

The role of Samkhya philosophy in the Yoga Sutras

The distinction between Purusha (consciousness) and Prakriti (material reality)

The philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and the teaching that Atman and Brahman are one

How teachers like Swami Vivekananda shaped the way yoga philosophy was introduced to the West

Why modern yoga often blends different philosophical traditions

The strengths and limitations of both dualist and non-dualist approaches

How these philosophies show up in meditation, relationships, activism, and asana practice

Rather than asking practitioners to choose between separation and unity, this episode explores how both perspectives can serve our growth and help reduce suffering.

Dualist practices can help us create space between ourselves and our thoughts, emotions, and identities.

Non-dualist perspectives can cultivate compassion, connection, and a sense of shared humanity.

Yoga philosophy invites us not to choose one rigid framework, but to continue asking deeper questions about the nature of reality and the self.

Where do I cling most strongly to identity?

Where do I need stronger boundaries?

Where do I feel deeply interconnected?

Which philosophy resonates more with my temperament: dualism or non-dualism?

Can I hold both perspectives at once?

Ultimately, yoga is not a single unified philosophy but a family of traditions responding to human suffering across time. The inquiry itself may be more important than the answer.