"A New Vision of Reality : Western Science, Eastern Mysticism and Christian Faith" (Paperback)

by Bede Griffiths (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Templegate Publishers (May 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0872431800
• ISBN-13: 978-0872431805
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #102,774 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rethinking Catholicism in the Light of Science and Vedanta, September 19, 2005

By	Stephen Triesch (Shoreline/Seattle USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Early Christian doctrines were forged in the crucible of Greek philosophical thought. Although grounded in the Bible, Christian theology has always sought to express itself in the intellectual language of its day. Fundamentalists may oppose this tendency, but others regard it as essential to express Christian truth in a manner that is intelligible to people in changing times and places. Indeed, this process of interperetation is found even in the Bible itself, as when Paul takes the Christian message to the Greeks.

The late Fr. Bede Griffiths was a British Roman Catholic monk who lived for many years in a small "ashram" (hermitage/monastery) in India, and who was deeply influenced by the religion of India as expressed in the foundational writings of the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagasvad Gita, as well as the Vedantist writings that gave philosophical expression to those religious ideas. Far from being a New Age dabbler, Fr. Griffiths internalized these teachings and lived them on a daily basis, adopting the garb and lifestyle of an Indian "sanyassin" even as he remained true to his Catholicism.

Well, MOSTLY true, for there are some areas in which Fr. Griffiths orthodoxy will seem a bit shaky to traditionalists, as when he seems to deny the traditional Catholic understanding of the Incarnation of Jesus. (Despite this, Fr. Griffiths was never - to my knowledge - publicly criticized or censured by the Catholic hierarchy. Perhaps this is because Griffiths was a saintly man, not an agitator or egomaniacal rabble-rouser.)

Griffiths thus applies his understanding of Indian thought to traditional Catholic teachings, finding both commonalities and points of divergence. Unlike many New Age thinkers, he does not say that all religions are the same or make glib generalizations of equality where real differences exist.

Griffiths also takes note of various trends in modern science and physics to see what bearing they have on religion and the philosophy of religion. His thinking here is perhaps less original, relying largely upon observations from others who are more trained in the hard sciences.

I believe that Fr. Griffiths is on to something, that the marriage of Christianity and Vedanta presents exciting and fruitful possibilities for a revival of Christian theology, philosophy, and monasticism. This is not crass syncretism, but thoughtful, organic development. I hope that Fr. Griffiths' influence continues to grow, both among his fellow Benedictines and in the church as a whole.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hold on, It's Going to a Enlightening Journey, July 24, 2005

By	Pegathae (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

Eastern mysticism, Christianity spirituality and the new physics intersect in this work by modern Christian mystic, Bede Griffiths.

Science is following down the mystical path and finding "God" in the equations of advance quantum physics and string theory. Einstein's statement that "God does not play with dice" was more than even he had thought. As modern Christian thought becomes more scientific with biblical archeology and early Christian history, advanced science is becoming more spiritually mystical.

An intreging and most readable book. Especially when you enjoy coming out of a reading experience with more questions than answers.