Eastern Philosophy and Locus: Non-Duality and Worth

BY NICOLE LAU

Series: Locus × Philosophy - The Metaphysics of Worth (Part 5 of 8)

"Tat tvam asi." (You are That.)

This is the mahavakya (great saying) of Advaita Vedanta. And it points to something profound: You are already whole. You are already Brahman (ultimate reality). Worth is not something to acquire—it is what you are.

Eastern philosophy offers a different framework for understanding worth—one that transcends the conditional/inherent binary and points to non-dual recognition.

This article explores Advaita Vedanta's "you are already whole," Buddhism's anatta (no-self) and its relationship to locus theory, and Taoism's wu wei and inherent worth.

Advaita Vedanta: You Are Already Whole

The Central Teaching

Advaita Vedanta (non-dual Vedanta) is a school of Hindu philosophy that teaches:

Brahman (ultimate reality) and Atman (individual self) are one. There is no separation.

The mahavakyas (great sayings) express this:

• "Tat tvam asi" - You are That (Brahman)
• "Aham Brahmasmi" - I am Brahman
• "Ayam Atma Brahma" - This Self is Brahman
• "Prajnanam Brahma" - Consciousness is Brahman

What This Means for Worth

If you are Brahman, you are already whole, already complete, already perfect.

Worth is not something you lack and must acquire. Worth is not conditional on achievements or external validation.

Worth is your nature. You are That.

Ignorance (Avidya) and the Illusion of Separation

Advaita teaches that suffering comes from avidya (ignorance)—the false belief that you are separate from Brahman.

This ignorance creates:

• Maya (illusion) - The appearance of separation and multiplicity
• Identification with ego - Believing you are the limited individual self
• Seeking fulfillment externally - Looking for worth, happiness, completion outside yourself

This is external locus in Vedantic terms.

You believe you are incomplete, lacking, unworthy. So you seek worth from achievements, relationships, possessions, social approval.

But this is ignorance. You are already Brahman. You are already whole.

Self-Realization (Atma-Jnana)

The path in Advaita is self-realization—recognizing what you already are.

This is not acquiring something new. This is removing ignorance to see what was always true.

When you realize "I am Brahman," you recognize:

• You are not the limited ego
• You are not separate from ultimate reality
• You are already complete
• Worth is your nature, not something to earn

This is internal locus as spiritual realization.

Advaita and Locus Theory

Advaita Vedanta aligns with internal locus but goes deeper:

Locus theory: You have inherent worth. You are valuable simply because you exist.

Advaita: You are worth. You are Brahman. Worth is not a property you have—it is what you are.

This is non-dual worth—transcending the subject/object distinction. You are not a subject who has worth. You are That which is worth itself.

Buddhism: Anatta (No-Self) and Worth

The Teaching of Anatta

Buddhism teaches anatta (no-self)—there is no permanent, unchanging self.

What we call "self" is actually:

• Five aggregates (skandhas) - Form, sensation, perception, mental formations, consciousness
• Impermanent and interdependent - Constantly changing, arising from conditions
• Empty of inherent existence - No fixed essence or nature

The belief in a permanent self is illusion. And clinging to this illusion causes suffering.

The Tension with Locus Theory

This creates an apparent tension:

Locus theory: You have inherent worth. The self is valuable.

Buddhism: There is no self. What is there to have worth?

Is this a contradiction?

The Resolution

No. Buddhism is not denying worth—it is denying attachment to a fixed self-concept.

The problem is not the self. The problem is clinging to a reified self-concept and seeking worth through it.

When you believe "I am this fixed self," you create:

• Ego-grasping - Clinging to self-image
• External locus - Seeking to validate and enhance this self through achievements, approval, possessions
• Suffering - When the self-concept is threatened, you suffer

Buddhism teaches: Let go of the fixed self-concept. Let go of seeking worth through ego.

This is not nihilism. This is freedom from external locus.

Buddha-Nature: Inherent Worth in Buddhism

Mahayana Buddhism teaches Buddha-nature (Tathagatagarbha)—all beings have the potential for awakening.

This is inherent, not earned:

• You do not become Buddha-nature through practice
• You recognize Buddha-nature that was always present
• Practice removes obscurations, revealing what is already there

This is inherent worth in Buddhist form.

You are already Buddha-nature. You are already worthy of liberation. You just need to recognize it.

Buddhism and Locus Theory

Buddhism supports internal locus:

External locus (Buddhist view): Clinging to fixed self-concept, seeking worth through ego-enhancement, attachment to achievements and approval. This is suffering.

Internal locus (Buddhist view): Letting go of fixed self-concept, recognizing Buddha-nature, freedom from seeking worth externally. This is liberation.

Anatta is not denying worth. It is freeing worth from ego-attachment.

Taoism: Wu Wei and Inherent Worth

The Tao

Taoism centers on Tao (the Way)—the fundamental nature of reality, the source and pattern of all existence.

The Tao is:

• Ineffable - Cannot be fully described in words
• Natural - The spontaneous, unforced way things are
• Harmonious - The balance and flow of existence

"The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao." - Tao Te Ching

Wu Wei: Effortless Action

Wu wei (無為) is often translated as "non-action" or "effortless action."

It does not mean doing nothing. It means acting in alignment with the Tao—natural, spontaneous, unforced action.

Wu wei is:

• Not striving or forcing
• Not acting from ego or desire for control
• Flowing with the natural way of things
• Effortless effectiveness

Wu Wei and Worth

Wu wei has profound implications for worth:

External locus (Taoist view): Striving to prove worth through achievement, forcing outcomes, acting from ego, seeking validation. This is yu wei (有為, forced action)—going against the Tao.

Internal locus (Taoist view): Recognizing inherent worth, acting from alignment with Tao, effortless being, no need to prove yourself. This is wu wei—natural action from wholeness.

When you know you are already aligned with Tao, you do not need to strive for worth. Worth is natural, not achieved.

Ziran: Naturalness and Spontaneity

Ziran (自然) means "self-so" or "naturalness"—being what you naturally are without artifice or forcing.

The Tao Te Ching teaches:

"The highest good is like water. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao."

Water does not try to be worthy. It simply is what it is. And in being what it is, it is perfect.

You do not need to strive to be worthy. You are already what you are. That is enough.

Taoism and Locus Theory

Taoism supports internal locus:

• Worth is natural - You do not earn it through striving
• Wu wei - Acting from inherent worth, not seeking to prove it
• Ziran - Being what you naturally are is already perfect
• Alignment with Tao - You are already part of the Tao. Worth is intrinsic to being.

Integration: Eastern Philosophy and Internal Locus

Common Themes

Across Eastern traditions, we see:

1. Worth Is Not Acquired

• Advaita: You are already Brahman
• Buddhism: You already have Buddha-nature
• Taoism: You are already aligned with Tao

Worth is recognized, not earned.

2. Ignorance/Delusion Creates Seeking

• Advaita: Avidya (ignorance) makes you seek externally
• Buddhism: Clinging to self-concept creates suffering
• Taoism: Striving (yu wei) goes against natural worth

External locus is spiritual ignorance.

3. Realization/Liberation Is Letting Go

• Advaita: Remove ignorance to see you are Brahman
• Buddhism: Let go of ego-grasping to recognize Buddha-nature
• Taoism: Stop striving to align with Tao

Internal locus is spiritual realization.

The Non-Dual Insight

Eastern philosophy goes beyond "you have inherent worth" to:

You ARE worth. You are That. Worth is not a property—it is your nature.

This is non-dual internal locus—transcending subject/object, self/worth distinctions.

Practice: Eastern Internal Locus

Reflection Questions

1. Do I believe I am separate from ultimate reality, needing to acquire worth?
2. Am I clinging to a fixed self-concept and seeking to validate it?
3. Am I striving to prove worth instead of recognizing natural worth?
4. Can I recognize that I am already whole?
5. Can I let go of seeking and simply be?

Eastern Practices

1. Advaita: Self-Inquiry (Atma Vichara)

"Who am I? Am I this body? This mind? These thoughts? Or am I the awareness itself? I am That. I am Brahman. I am already whole."

2. Buddhism: Letting Go of Self-Grasping

"I release attachment to fixed self-concept. I let go of seeking worth through ego. I recognize Buddha-nature."

3. Taoism: Wu Wei Practice

"I do not need to strive to be worthy. I align with Tao. I act naturally, effortlessly. I am already what I am."

4. Non-Dual Recognition

"I am not separate from ultimate reality. Worth is not something I have—it is what I am. I am That."

5. Meditation and Presence

"I can be present without seeking. I can rest in being. I am already complete."

What Comes Next

We have explored Eastern philosophy and locus. The next article examines Postmodern Critique: Is Worth Socially Constructed?—Foucault, Butler, social construction, and locus theory's response.

This is where we address the challenge: If worth is socially constructed, can it be inherent?