How to Attain Enlightenment: The Vision of Non-Duality

This guide presents the wisdom of self-inquiry, an ancient spiritual practice for achieving freedom. James Swartz discusses the purpose of self-inquiry, the search for lasting happiness, questions of identity and transcendence, the role of wisdom and action, and subconscious obstacles to liberation. Swartz refutes the common belief that enlightenment is a unique state of consciousness and addresses various enlightenment myths. He covers topics from Vedantic teachings including yoga, detachment, the ego, karma, dharma, love, and meditation. The book includes methods for purifying the mind, chapters on love, energy transformation, and meditation practice. Swartz traces the spiritual path from beginning to end, systematically explaining the logic of self-inquiry. The book pairs theory with practice, drawing from Vedanta—the original systematized enlightenment teaching—and presents these concepts with clarity.