⬡ Forms of Consciousness
ॐ ☸ 道 ☯ ✶
Non-Monotheistic Belief Systems · A Theological Continuum

Beyond the Abrahamic Traditions
Hindu · Buddhist · Taoist · Stoic · Jain · Sikh · Shinto · Perennial · New Age · Religious Science · Scientology · Secular · Atheist

Fifteen major non-monotheistic belief systems mapped from experiential mysticism to rational atheism. Click any tradition to explore.

⚠ Scope note: This continuum covers traditions that are either non-theistic, polytheistic, pantheistic, non-personal in their conception of the divine, or entirely secular — distinct from the monotheistic Abrahamic traditions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism) covered in separate continuums. The axis runs from mystical / experiential / non-dual on the left to rational / secular / materialist on the right. Several traditions (Sikhism, some forms of Hinduism) overlap with monotheistic categories — they appear here for comparative completeness.
← Doctrinal · Literalist · Materialist Mystical · Non-dual · Experiential →
Sort by:
🧠 Hawkins Consciousness Calibration — approximate per tradition What is this? →
20 Shame175 Pride200 ★ Courage 350 Acceptance500 ★ Love700 Enlightenment1000
Heterodox / Disputed
Atheist / Naturalist
Secular / Humanist
New Age / Syncretic
Philosophical / Ethical
Ritual / Folk
Devotional / Theistic
Contemplative
Non-Dual Mysticism
🔬
Self & Ultimate Reality
Thetan — immortal spiritHumans are immortal beings suppressed by engrams; auditing recovers native infinite capability
No metaphysical selfSelf is entirely natural; consciousness is biological; no soul or survival beyond death
Mind as Universal MindIndividual mind is expression of Universal Mind (God); consciousness is primary substance
Higher power / SpiritSelf connected to universal spirit, guides, energies; syncretic personal cosmology
Universal Mind / PrincipleIndividual consciousness participates in Infinite Intelligence; thought is creative
Kami / Spirit in natureSacred beings in nature, places, ancestors; the world is alive with spirit
Rational soul / virtueThe self aligned with Logos / Dharma / ethical principle; reason as the highest faculty
Self in relation to TaoThe self flows within the Tao; harmony through non-striving (wu wei)
Higher power / SpiritSelf surrendered to God (Waheguru); devotion dissolves ego; service as spiritual path
Shakti / divine feminineConsciousness as cosmic feminine power; non-dual Tantra: everything is Shakti
Krishna / Vishnu / divine loveThe self in loving relationship with personal God; bhakti as the highest path
No permanent selfAnatman: self is a process; liberation from attachment; nirvana as cessation of suffering
Buddha-nature / emptinessAll beings possess Buddha-nature; emptiness (sunyata) is the nature of all phenomena
Rigpa / Buddha-natureThe nature of mind is primordially pure; Tantra uses all experience as path to liberation
Rigpa / Buddha-natureThe nature of mind is primordially pure; Tantra uses all experience as path to liberation
Atman = BrahmanIndividual self is identical with ultimate reality; non-duality; liberation is realising this
📿
Practice
Auditing / coursesE-meter sessions; Bridge to Total Freedom; mandatory paid courses; secret OT levels
Rational inquiry / activismScience, critical thinking, secular ethics, humanist community; social contribution
Affirmative prayer / treatmentSpiritual Mind Treatment; meditation; study of Holmes' Science of Mind
Personal resonance / healingMeditation, crystals, channelling, affirmations, workshops, energy work
Meditation / contemplationSilent sitting; inquiry; cross-traditional study; integral practice
Ceremony / seasonal ritualRites connecting to nature, ancestors, seasons, community; embodied practice
Ethical practice / virtueDaily application of principles: non-harm, equanimity, discernment, service, Sewa
Wu wei / Tai Chi / ritualNon-action, flow, breath, movement, ancestor veneration, seasonal ceremony
Seva / Naam / KirtanSelfless service, sacred chanting, congregation (sangat), scripture recitation
Tantra / puja / mantraRitual worship of goddess, mantra, yantra, initiation by guru; embodied practice
Puja / kirtan / pilgrimageDevotional worship, sacred song, temple pilgrimage; the heart as primary instrument
Meditation / mindfulnessVipassanā, walking meditation; direct observation without commentary
Zazen / koan / workSeated meditation, paradoxical questions, everyday mind; sudden enlightenment
Ngondro / deity yoga / dzogchenFoundational practices, visualisation, direct recognition of mind's nature
Ngondro / deity yoga / dzogchenFoundational practices, visualisation, direct recognition of mind's nature
Meditation / yoga / samadhiDirect experience of the absolute through interior practice; guru relationship central
🌍
Afterlife & Cosmos
Past lives / OT levelsThetans live across trillions of years; whole track memory; space opera cosmology
No afterlife; this life onlyDeath is the end; meaning found in relationships, contribution, experience
Mind is cause; demonstrationConsciousness creates reality; affirmative prayer demonstrates metaphysical law
Synchronicity / past livesUniverse is responsive to consciousness; karma, guides, cycles of growth
Perennial: all paths convergeAll traditions describe the same ultimate reality; levels of development are universal
Nature / ancestral / kamiSpirits in nature, places, ancestors; cyclical seasons; immanent sacred world
Logos / natural order / TianThe universe governed by rational principle or natural harmony; no personal afterlife
Tao / yin-yang / immortalityCyclical cosmos; harmony with natural order; some traditions seek physical immortality
Waheguru / Ik OnkarOne God beyond form; creation as divine expression; karma and reincarnation until mukti
Shakti / cycles / liberationUniverse as play of divine feminine; cyclical creation and dissolution; moksha as union
Vishnu / Lila / VaikunthaUniverse as divine play (Lila); devotees reach Vaikuntha (Vishnu's realm) after liberation
Karma / rebirth / nirvanaEthical actions shape future lives; nirvana as cessation of the cycle of suffering
Sunyata / interdependenceAll phenomena empty of inherent existence; vast compassionate cosmos of Bodhisattvas
Buddha-fields / liberationPure lands accessible through practice; Bodhisattvas guide beings through many realms
Buddha-fields / liberationPure lands accessible through practice; Bodhisattvas guide beings through many realms
Moksha / liberationEnd of rebirth through union with Brahman; or nirvana: cessation of suffering
Select any tradition above to explore its beliefs, key figures, and demographic data
Sources: Pew Research Center — Global Religious Landscape (2020, 2025); Our World in Data — Religion (2026); Britannica — List of Religious Populations;
Wikipedia — Hindu denominations, Schools of Buddhism, Taoism, Stoicism, Jainism, Sikhism, Shinto, New Age; Hinduism Today — Four Denominations;
World Population Review (2024); Population Education — World Population by Religion.