Christianity and the Doctrine of Non-Dualism [Paperback]

Monk of the West (Author), Alvin Moore Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0900588829 | ISBN-13: 978-0900588822 | Edition: 1st English Ed

How is the Supreme Identity of Hinduism related to the hypostatic union of Christianity? Does the "pure" spirituality of the East complement the "practical" spirituality of the West? What is the relationship between Oriental quietism and Christian deliverance? The anonymous author of this work, a Cistercian monk, wrote these short but profound reflections out of an earnest desire to bring aspects of the Hindu tradition to the attention of a Western readership. With a subtle care for detail, he clarifies the relationship between the hypostatic union embodied in the person of Christ and the Supreme Identity of Atma and Brahma, two distinct notions seemingly opposed in certain respects but curiously compatible in unexpected ways. With characteristic humility, the author writes: 'We will say unequivocally that after more than forty years of intellectual reflection on this doctrine, we have found nothing that has seemed incompatible with our full and complete faith in the Christian Revelation.' Given the attraction Indian thought exercises on contemporary Western spirituality, these pages offer the Christian a welcome deepening of access to the spirit of the Hindu perspective. The radical disparity that seemingly exists between the phrase 'I am Brahma' and the sacred formula of the Eucharistic consecration 'This is my Body' melts away, allowing these separate worlds to shed new meaning on each other. The author outlines conditions leading to a doctrinal accord between the Advaita Vedanta and orthodox Christian doctrine. He writes at one point that although these two traditional perspectives 'do not pertain to the same order of Reality, hypostatic union and Supreme Identity are not in themselves metaphysically incompatible. . . . What order links them together, because all that is real must be integrated in one way or another into the universal order?" For Western readers, this work offers a better understanding of Hinduism in light of the Christian experience and suggests a better application of Christian principles within our modern lives in light of the profound spirituality of the Eastern tradition. Concerned with a more accurate interpretation of non-duality in the light of Christian philosophy and experience, the author creates the right conditions in which East meets West through an interpretation and analysis of their respective spiritual philosophies, how they differ and how they can become an expression of the perennial philosophy that unites these two distinct traditions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: Sophia Perennis; 1st English Ed edition (September 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0900588829
• ISBN-13: 978-0900588822
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,630,244 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Christian Tradition According to the Vedanta, December 12, 2009

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SBS (Northern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christianity and the Doctrine of Non-Dualism (Paperback)

There is great merit in this work as a support in facilitating once again the expression of non-dualism (advaita) within the Christian milieu as this doctrine once did in the West. This book could also broaden the current understanding and outlook of the Christian tradition which has become more and more eclipsed in the present era due to modernity and post-modernity's indefinite trend toward "progress" and secularization that radically contrasts from earlier epochs that were firmly rooted in the sacred. Such a perspective is polarized either to discredit the Christian tradition altogether believing that it has somehow failed the terrestrial masses or to provoke fundamentalism asserting a pseudo monopoly on truth itself--blinded by the assumption that the only authentic religion is Christianity ipso facto negating the possibility of all other spiritual traditions as 'paths that lead to the same summit'. Beyond such polarities the reader will be pleased to find that this book fosters religious pluralism, tolerance, inquiry and dialogue from a non-reductionistic point of view and yet simultaneously acknowledges the 'transcendent unity of religions.'

6 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Dense, May 29, 2008

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Muse (Sedona, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christianity and the Doctrine of Non-Dualism (Paperback)

Even coming from a strong interest in Vedanta, I found this book extremely dense, seemingly arguing details of Christian theology in long, complicated sentences full of jargon and untranslated Latin. Moreover, the book takes great pain to be "politically correct" against Catholic theology and dogma, leaving the impression that without this there is no possiblity of Truth. This prejudice colors my perception the the text. All this is not to say that there are not a few diamonds in the all details, but as might be said in a business setting, there is a great deal of paralysis by analysis here.