--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am Not, but the Universe is my Self." description: "\"“I am Not, but the Universe is my Self.”\" — Shih-t'ou" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a8/shih-t-ou-277985_advaita_i-am-not-but-the-universe-is-my-self-149_1495840.jpg" --- # I am Not, but the Universe is my Self. ![“I am Not, but the Universe is my Self.” quote by Shih-t'ou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a8/shih-t-ou-277985_advaita_i-am-not-but-the-universe-is-my-self-149_1495840.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a8/shih-t-ou-277985_advaita_i-am-not-but-the-universe-is-my-self-149_1495840.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a8/shih-t-ou-277985_advaita_i-am-not-but-the-universe-is-my-self-149_1495840.jpg) > ““I am Not, but the Universe is my Self.”” [Shih-t'ou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shih-t-ou/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The self is not separate; it is the universe itself, reflecting non-dual awareness **In simple terms:** Self and universe are one, beyond duality Key Takeaway Recognize unity with the cosmos Themes Spirituality Philosophy Non-Duality Awareness Mindfulness Mood tranquil inspired reflective Type Advaita:1 Awakening:1 Awareness:1 Bliss:0 Buddism:0 Consciousness:1 Contemporary:0 Empowerment:0 Enlightenment:1 Experience:0 Gift:0 Happiness:0 Identity:1 Illustrated:0 Illustration:0 Inspiration:0 Inspirational:0 Inspire:0 Inspiring:0 Meditation:1 Mind:1 Mind and soul:0 Mind body and soul:0 Mindfulness:1 Motivation:0 Motivational:0 Non-duality:1 Non fiction:0 Nonduality:1 Nonfiction:0 Oneness:1 Peace:0 Philosophy:1 Power of now:0 Pure-awareness:0 Read:0 Real:0 Relaxation:0 Self:1 Self help:0 Self improvement:0 Spiritual:1 Spiritual growth:0 Spirituality:1 Tao:0 Tao te ching:0 Transcendence:0 Transformation:0 Truth:0 Universe:1 Upanishads:0 Visionary:0 Wellbeing:0 Wellness:0 Wisdom:0 Zen:0 Universe Self:1 When to use this quote - meditation - philosophical study - spiritual retreats - creative inspiration Key Concepts Advaita Consciousness Enlightenment Oneness Mysticism Questions to Reflect On - How does seeing yourself as the universe change behavior? - What practices deepen this awareness? A Different Perspective Non-dual insight can be abstract and hard to apply ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advaita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advaita/) [Awakening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awakening/) [Awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awareness/) [Bliss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bliss/) [Buddism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddism/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Contemporary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemporary/) [Empowerment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empowerment/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experience/) [Gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Illustrated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illustrated/) [Illustration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illustration/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Inspire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspire/) [Inspiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiring/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind and soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-and-soul/) [Mind body and soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-body-and-soul/) [Mindfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindfulness/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) [Non fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-fiction/) [Non-duality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-duality/) [Nonduality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonduality/) [Nonfiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonfiction/) [Oneness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oneness/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Power of now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-of-now/) [Pure-awareness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pure-awareness-151477/) [Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Relaxation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relaxation/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-help/) [Self improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-improvement/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Spiritual growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-growth/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao/) [Tao te ching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao-te-ching/) [Transcendence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transcendence/) [Transformation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transformation/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Universe Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe-self-855388/) [Upanishads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upanishads/) [Visionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/visionary/) [Wellbeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellbeing/) [Wellness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellness/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Zen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zen/) ## Related quotes > [“Om is the things, Om is the ingredient, Om is the container and the content of this universe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banani-ray/om-is-the-things-om-is-the-ingredient-om-is-the-container-and-the/) [Banani Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banani-ray/) > [“Om is that God of love. Like a loving mother Om cleans us of our clutters collected through many incarnations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banani-ray/om-is-that-god-of-love-like-a-loving-mother-om-cleans-us-of-our/) [Banani Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banani-ray/) > [“Brahman is the ultimate reality; it is simultaneously Saguna and Nirguna; divisions are due to ignorance. Mind and intellect can never catch hold of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/brahman-is-the-ultimate-reality-it-is-simultaneously-saguna-and/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [“You come into the natural state by letting go of control by letting go of effort and resting in a state of vividness. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/you-come-into-the-natural-state-by-letting-go-of-control-by-letting/) [Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/) > [“You are pure awareness at center, human in appearance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-craig-clark/you-are-pure-awareness-at-center-human-in-appearance/) [Robin Craig Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-craig-clark/) > [“It’s important that meditation is not seen as something that only happens when you are seated in a quiet place. Otherwise spirituality and our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/it-s-important-that-meditation-is-not-seen-as-something-that-only/) [Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/) > [By this the Earth it self, which lyes so near us, under our feet, shews quite a new thing to us, and in every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hooke/by-this-the-earth-it-self-which-lyes-so-near-us-under-our-feet-shews/) [Robert Hooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hooke/) > [“We have sealed ourselves away behind our money, growing inward, generating a seamless universe of self.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/we-have-sealed-ourselves-away-behind-our-money-growing-inward/) [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) > [“In Christianity, man was concentrated only on himself, he unlinked himself from the chain of sequences in the system of the universe, he made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-feuerbach/in-christianity-man-was-concentrated-only-on-himself-he-unlinked/) [Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-feuerbach/) > [Clearly, there is some invisible force that is moving every aspect of reality to its next best expression. And the universe is not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/clearly-there-is-some-invisible-force-that-is-moving-every-aspect-of/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [“The self is also a creation, the principal work of your life, the crafting of which makes everyone an artist. This unfinished work of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/the-self-is-also-a-creation-the-principal-work-of-your-life-the/) [Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/) > [We are creators in the process of our own evolution. In this way, we are gods in our own universe. Self evolving gods, learning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-papian/we-are-creators-in-the-process-of-our-own-evolution-in-this-way-we/) [Ruben Papian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-papian/) > [“Despite our scientific and philosophical knowledge, it is still difficult to accept that we are alone in the Universe and that our self will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-m-musacchio/despite-our-scientific-and-philosophical-knowledge-it-is-still/) [Jose M. Musacchio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-m-musacchio/) > [The universe is a self-organizing, intelligent, creative, trial-and-error learning, participatory, interactive, non-locally interconnected and evolving system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/the-universe-is-a-self-organizing-intelligent-creative-trial-and/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [The universe is not only self-organizing, it is also self-correcting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-universe-is-not-only-self-organizing-it-is-also-self-correcting/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) ## More Advaita quotes > [“Don't place me in the lineage of your tribal white giants, they were cute little smart kids, but that's all, my peers of heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/don-t-place-me-in-the-lineage-of-your-tribal-white-giants-they-were/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“More I try to straighten my life, more I'm overcome with the paradox I am. Once the sea attains its vastness, it is impossible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/more-i-try-to-straighten-my-life-more-i-m-overcome-with-the-paradox-i/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Names Behind Naskar (Sonnet) The world often wonders about my influences, in doing so it often cooks up fake inspiration. So I write this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/names-behind-naskar-sonnet-the-world-often-wonders-about-my/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“The divine is just human at full voltage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-divine-is-just-human-at-full-voltage/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Illegal Immigrant in every state, for I come from a Time beyond tribes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/illegal-immigrant-in-every-state-for-i-come-from-a-time-beyond-tribes/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Stars-n-stripes, union jack, all trivial, for the world is my neighborhood. I got no brotherhood of cult or creed, for the world is my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/stars-n-stripes-union-jack-all-trivial-for-the-world-is-my/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Only Fact is Me (Sonnet 2655) I'm the impulse before the language, I'm the reason before the science, I'm the pulse before the poetry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/only-fact-is-me-sonnet-2655-i-m-the-impulse-before-the-language-i-m/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Om is the things, Om is the ingredient, Om is the container and the content of this universe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banani-ray/om-is-the-things-om-is-the-ingredient-om-is-the-container-and-the/) [Banani Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banani-ray/) > [“The First Human (Sonnet 2632) Apes have lords and ladies, I don't. Apes have kings and queens, I don't. My time is born of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-first-human-sonnet-2632-apes-have-lords-and-ladies-i-don-t-apes/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“After the first ten or so books, I wrote one called "In Search of Divinity", where the shift happened, the tone of that book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/after-the-first-ten-or-so-books-i-wrote-one-called-in-search-of/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“To me faith, science, poetry, all same, many lanes to lift our one humankind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/to-me-faith-science-poetry-all-same-many-lanes-to-lift-our-one/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Substantially advanced spirituality is indistinguishable from science, and substantially advanced science is indistinguishable from spirituality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/substantially-advanced-spirituality-is-indistinguishable-from-science/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Keep struggling, o brave soldier - keep struggling till politicians become an extinct species and politics an extinct profession. The mission is, not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/keep-struggling-o-brave-soldier-keep-struggling-till-politicians/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Love is my homeland, heart is my parliament.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/love-is-my-homeland-heart-is-my-parliament/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“Meditation on the self is the highest form of true method-less meditation, for it brings self-awareness – which is beyond the everyday joy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/meditation-on-the-self-is-the-highest-form-of-true-method-less/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) [Browse all 81 Advaita quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advaita/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I am Not, but the Universe is my Self.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shih-t'ou" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shih-t-ou/i-am-not-but-the-universe-is-my-self/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Advaita" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shih-t-ou/i-am-not-but-the-universe-is-my-self/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a8/shih-t-ou-277985_advaita_i-am-not-but-the-universe-is-my-self-149_1495840.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a8/shih-t-ou-277985_advaita_i-am-not-but-the-universe-is-my-self-149_1495840.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a8/shih-t-ou-277985_advaita_i-am-not-but-the-universe-is-my-self-149_1495840.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am Not, but the Universe is my Self.” — Shih-t'ou", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Shih-t'ou", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shih-t-ou/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I am Not, but the Universe...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shih-t-ou/i-am-not-but-the-universe-is-my-self/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shih-t-ou/i-am-not-but-the-universe-is-my-self/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```