Customer Reviews (9)

THE book on non-duality.
This book explains non-duality in an extremely lucid manner, a pure joy to read. I found myself highlighting nearly the entire book. If you are at all interested in non-duality this book is a must have.

Excellent philosophical perspective
Other reviews have already made many salient remarks about this excellent book, written from a philosophical perspective on the non-dualistic 'end' of the Veda.Those who like it will also probably appreciate René Guénon's Man and His Becoming according to the Vedanta (Guenon, Rene. Works.)

Great philosophical view of Vedanta
I've been studying Vedanta in traditional books and classes for some years. Vedanta is not Philosophy, but has quite some philosophical matter. This book, written by a philosopher, grasps very well this philosophical part. It is very clear and easy for people who has not a philosophical background, like myself. It might be as well reachable for those with no Vedanta background, although in not a very traditional way, which means not in the way Vedanta is meant to function, as a self-realization tradition, and not as a thinking tradition. I enjoyed very much the book and really recomend it.

A Classic

E. Deutsch gave the philosophical world a blessing with this masterpiece.He discusses Vedanta's explanations of classical Western philosophical issues and how they can be understood from Western philosophical (and non-religious) perspectives. I would have a hard time imagining a more thorough or concise intellectual explanation of Vedanta. I can now understand how Vedanta is not only a self-consistent explanation of Reality, but an explanation which can hold its own with any explanation yet devised by the human mind. Vedanta is not new-age claptrap, but a rigorous and thorough system.
Furthermore, the work appears to reflect a deep ethical and character understanding of the human spirit.

A rare and unusual book and must have introduction...
I am a personal growth coach who uses an integral approach to psychology to work with clients.This approach places the study of psychology within the larger context of the world's wisdom traditions.I have my graduate education in this area including a lot of sacred psychology and I have been a student of world religions for 25 years.I have also studied philosophy quite deeply as part of my academic education and attended school at a Jesuit University.In addition, I teach meditation including multiple Eastern approaches.It is out of this context that I'm writing this review.

In my opinion, Advaita Vedanta is a remarkable book.In about 115 pages it captures the philosophy and spirit of this complex territory.Every word in this book is carefully chosen and it is a model for good philosophical writing and general writing as well.It manages to both educate and keep the reader's attention very well.

The general approach in this book is to assume a very broad audience.What is truly amazing is that Deutsch succeeds in addressing this audience in an effective, deep and meaningful way.This is not a dead lifeless analysis and contextualization of Eastern concepts.I feel it captures the heart of the tradition, the most important concepts and is successful in presenting these ideas to a Western audience concisely.

I would also like to add that in no way is this book superficial.It is all meat and no fluff.While it's not the type of book you would read at the beach, it isn't inaccessible to the average educated person.The way the ideas are presented, also provides great food for thought on the big existential questions for anyone.

The symbolism and mythology that underlies Hinduism is not emphasized here.What is most important are the ideas and the underlying reality of the ideas.The ontology (study of Being) and epistemology (theory of knowledge) in this worldview is handled very skillfully, which is a must of a Western reader approaching the study of this area from a much different perspective.

Lastly, the author has good credibility.In addition to being a professor of philosophy, he was the editor of the Philosophy East and West journal, authored a book on the Bhagavad Gita and coauthored The Essential Vedanta: A New Source Book of Advaita Vedanta (Treasures of the World's Religions).He also spent some time in India and has an in-depth understanding of both Eastern and Western thought.

At it's core, Advaita Vedanta is about experiencing reality and it's approach is a via negativa (or path of negation) with respect to concepts.This is something that the author understands and conveys very well.Considering he is a philosopher, this is quite an achievement.While he is not a follower of any particular lineage, he handles the topic in the manner of someone with a deep understanding and felt sense of what it's about.

For Westerners, it's hard to imagine a better introduction.This book gets right to the point and untangles the basic tenets and ideas from the symbolism and cultural baggage that can often accompany an in-depth study.At the same time, he respects the cultural mileau out of which the tradition arose and does a good job of giving the reader a sense of this without overwhelming him or her with unnecessary detail.

This is one of the best books in the area of religion that I have read period.It is certainly my top choice for Westerners who want to get started with Advaita Vedanta.From this book, you can branch out to the area which most interest you.If you have no background in religion of philosopy, then I would recommend that you read Huston Smith's The World's Religions: Our Great Wisdom Traditions first.If you want to take both of these and contextualize them for applicability to a modern context, then another good read would be A Brief History of Everything.If you are more of an audio person, then Kosmic Consciousness is an even better place to bring all of your thinking together and integrate it with the modern world, sociology, science, etc. ... Read more

Product Description
The book presents the essentials of Advaita Vedanta in simple language using easy to understand analogies. Advaita Vedanta is the ancient, secretive, esoteric philosophy of India which explains the true nature of Reality, God and the world. Some of the topics it discusses are: the Ultimate Reality called Brahman; Nirguna Brahman and Saguna Brahman (Transcendental Brahman and Personal God); Atman or the individual soul; the relationship between Brahman and Atman; the illusory nature of the world; Maya or the illusive creative power of God; Maya and creation; different theories about creation; Pramanas or sources of valid knowledge; Asti, Bhati & Priya aspects of Brahman; Nama and Rupa (name and form) aspects of this world; the four states of existence-Sushupti (deep sleep state), Swapna (dream state), Jagrat (waking state) & Turiya (the fourth state identical with Transcendental Brahman);the antiquity of Advaita Vedanta and its well-known teachers, etc. It also discusses how to experience the Ultimate Reality by developing a purified mind. A whole chapter is used to explain the meaning of the expression "pure mind." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great companion book for Advaita Vedanta Enthusiasts
The Swami leads the reader systematically through a whole gamut of philosophical concepts, in a clear and comprehensive way. This book is not a substitute for some of the original scriptures like Upanishads and the various Advaita commentaries (by Gaudapada, Shankara etc) on them, but this is definitely a great companion book to refer to, while studying various Advaita scriptures, because of the high quality subject matter description.

While reading Advaita literature of the old or modern, sometimes it is very easy to get lost in the myriad of concepts and viewpoints presented by various scholars. We could easily mistake one concept for another. It is to remove such discrepancies and strengthen our fundamental underatanding of the precepts and concepts of Advaita, I would recommend this book.

Would recommend it for all Advaita Enthusiasts.
... Read more

Product Description
Often associated with the great ninth century sage Shankara, Advaita Vedanta is the most important and most influential of the schools of Indian philosophy; however, unlike Western philosophy, its goal is spiritual liberation in this life. The purpose of this book—the only comprehensive introduction to the tradition, based upon its primary sources—is to make possible a study of Advaita Vedanta in its classical form as it functioned in Indian culture as a living philosophy. Translations from all major Sanskrit writings are included, as well as selections from all of the most important representatives of this central philosophy of India. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A satisfying feast for long contemplation
From the viewpoint of an interested layman, and not an academic, I find this book to be most accessible. While many technical Sanskrit terms are used, their meaning is thoroughly and clearly explained both in the text and the glossary. I had no trouble following the text at all.

Such a comprehensive collection of translations from the primary sources in a single volume is a marvelous achievement. The clarity is wonderful. This volume will provide food for contemplation for many years.

Over the years I have come to trust the quality of the publications of World Wisdom. This excellent translation of the the source works and selections from the teachings of the major advaitic philosophers was no exception.

I especially appreciated the last chapter summary of the basic principles of Advaita Vedanta (metaphysics, meta- psychological, epistemological, and axiological.) In fact, I would recommend that the knowledgeable reader start with this final chapter.

Vedanta in the past and today
Very substantial and objectiv.
Sorry only, that nothing on Neo-Vedantism!
Daniluu ... Read more

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This title explores the relationship between the philosophical underpinnings of Advaita Vedanta, Zen Buddhism and the experiential journey of spiritual practitioners. This fascinating and innovative monograph explores the relationship between the philosophical underpinnings of Advaita Vedanta, Zen Buddhism and the experiential journey of spiritual practitioners. Taking the perspective of the questioning student, the author highlights the experiential deconstructive processes that are ignited when students' 'everyday' dualistic thought structures are challenged by the non-dual nature of these teachings and practices. Although Advaita Vedanta and Zen Buddhism are ontologically different, this unique study shows that in the dynamics of the practice situation they are phenomenologically similar. Distinctive in scope and approach "Advaita Vedanta and Zen Buddhism: Deconstructive Modes of Spiritual Inquiry" examines Advaita and Zen as living practice traditions in which foundational non-dual philosophies are shown 'in action' in contemporary Western practice situations thus linking abstract philosophical tenets to concrete living experience.As such it takes an important step toward bridging the gap between scholarly analysis and the experiential reality of these spiritual practices. "Continuum Studies in Eastern Philosophies" is a new monograph series focusing on research that explores and evaluates the philosophical content and background of Eastern ideas, traditions and practices. Books in the series will seek to develop a critical understanding of the key philosophical and religious ideas of the traditions, challenge Western assumptions about the nature of Eastern thought, and explore and analyse contemporary Western practice of the traditions. ... Read more

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The teaching tradition of Vedanta is as important as even it's vision of oneness.this is so because,the vision is solely dependent on the method of handling the words unfolding the vision. ... Read more

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The Advaita Vedanta is the pinnacle of Indian thought.According to many scholars it is the most logical system of Indian Philosophy,and the Sanskrit texts dealing with Advaiata Vedanta are the crest jewel of Sanskrit literature.What had once been a philosophy known only to the elite in India,was made available to all through out the world when Swami Vivekananda's illuminating lectures in the west on Advaita Vedanta were published.Many non-indian scholars have in recent times been fascinated by the philosophy Advaita Vedanta and have set about studying Sanskrit in earnest,though the Sanskrit language stands as a barrier to many.A Dictionary of Advaita Vedanta is a humble endeavour to help such scholars have easy access to the basic ideas of Advaita Vedanta. The Dictionary is not an encyclopedia but will be handy and should serve as reckoner to those students of Advaita Vedanta who do not know Sanskrit but understand English. This book is the fruit of combined labour of a few competent scholars,headed by the eminent Prof.Niriod Baran Chakraborty ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A dictionary for the more advanced student
A Dictionary of Advaita Vedanta. Compiled by Nirod Baran Chakraborty. Kolkata: Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, 2008 (2003). Hardback, 256 pages. ISBN 8187332190.

A dictionary of Advaita Vedanta which provides full and well-written explanations of technical terms, authors and their publications, and covers the period from the 7th-8th century A.D. to the 16th century A.D.

The author states that he has tried to compile a dictionary that is "free from the defect of over coverage." What this means is that a newcomer to the subject who wants to look up common terms such as citta, guna, manas, indriya, samsara, vasana, vairagya, etc., will not find them here.

Better suited to the needs of the beginning student would be Swami Harshananda's Dictionary of Advaita Vedanta, an excellent booklet of just 100 pages which gives brief and clear definitions of the basic terminology, or, perhaps, John A. Grimes A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy: Sanskrit Terms Defined in English.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Absolute Language
Grimes presents the absolute language of Advaita Vedanta, meaning direct statements about the identity between the individual and the absolute, as well as the theory "that it is more logically consistent to speak of an unqualified absolute than of a qualified theistic deity". He goes into great length while analyzing the logic behind it. Advaita Vedanta is also clearly presented. He says, his book contains a proposed solution to the problems of religous discourse, but sounds very determined about those solutions. The content is propperly based on Advaitic scholasticism and despite it's abstractness pleasant to read. Grimes has a very precise language and keeps the reader busy up to the last page. ... Read more

Product Description
The Vedantic myth differs from the Jungian myth in that there is a point of completion, or a winning of the game, which is not true in Jung's conception. For Jung, the process of individuation is an ongoing process which is never completed. The Vedantin would look at Jung's process of individuation differently, in reference to the meaning of life. The nature of the Self revealed in the Upanisads is limitless, non-dual, and whole. Liberation is knowledge of this Self which equates to the attainment of wholeness, the apparent lack of wholeness being due only to Self-Ignorance. Self-Knowledge is the recognition and differentiation of an already existent wholeness which is both transcendent and imminent to all of one's perceptions. ... Read more

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Do modern science and traditional mysticism have anything in common?Can they be related at all?How do scientific and mystical claims about reality compare and contrast with each other?This philosophical work, originally published by Bucknell University Press in 1986, attempts to provide some answers to these questions.

In Part I, Richard H. Jones sets out those aspects of science and mysticism that become important when the two endeavors are compared.For science, problems concerning understanding, concepts, laws and theories, explanations, models, observations, the acceptance of theories, theory-change, the accuracy of scientific claims are discussed.For mysticism, religious ways of life, mysticism itself, and two types of mystical theories are distinguished. Theravada Buddhism is utilized to illustrate "nature-mysticism" (mystical ways of life in which central importance is given to experiences involving a weakening of the ordinary sense of self and the conceptual structuring of experiences in general).Advaita Vedanta is chosen as the example of "depth-mysticism" (mystical ways of life giving central importance to allegedly cognitive experiences void of all conceptual and sensory content).

Part II contains comparisons of the nature of scientific and mystical claims.First, the basic aims of each endeavor and the general relation of knowledge-claims to cultural phenomena are discussed.Next, under the heading of "reality," a brief discussion of metaphysics is given before specific comparisons are made on the subjects of time, space, and orderliness.A discussion of the nature of what is taken to be "knowledge" in science and in mysticism is followed by a discussion of "experiences" in both enterprises.Finally, the role of language in each is analyzed.Among the topics considered are paradox and metaphoric utterances.

Part III compares and contrasts certain scientific and mystical claims.First of all, possible relationships between science and mystical claims are set forth, with special attention to convergence on abstract levels, complementary ways of knowing, and the general mystical judgment of the status of scientific claims.This is followed by comparisons of specific theories from cosmology and contemporary physics, including one technological advance (holography), with theories of traditional Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta.In the case of physics, the topics discussed are fields and mystical oneness, substance and voidness, interconnections and conditionality, and the submicroscopic versus macroscopic realms.The views of such thinkers as F. S. C. Northrop, Fritjof Capra, and Gary Zukav are also discussed.Finally, a reconciliation of mystical and scientific claims is proposed -- a position that attributes reality both to "being" and to the "structures" in the realm of change, with mysticism being authoritative for the former and science for the latter.

An appendix discussing philosophical implications of scientific (neurophysiological) studies of mystics and meditators is also included.

(Originally published by Bucknell University Press, 1986.) ... Read more

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A systematic and critical study of Advaita thought, focus on nature of mind and psychology, human awareness. Reprint. ... Read more

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Philosophy of religion, as we know it today, emerged in the West and has been shaped by Western philosophical and theological trends, while the philosophical tradition of India flowed along its own course until the late nineteenth century, when active, if tentative, contact was established between the West and the East.This book provides a definite focus to this interaction by investigating issues raised in Western philosophy of religion from the perspective of Advaita Vedanta, the influential school of Indian thought. In promoting the emergence of a cross-cultural philosophy of religion, Arvind Sharma focuses on John H. Hick and his well-known work The Philosophy of Religion as representative of modern Western philosophy of religion, and on Sankara, along with his modern successors such as M. Hiriyanna and S. Radhakrishnan, as representative of Advaita Vedanta. ... Read more

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Liberation (mukti) is a central concern in Hinduism, particularly in Advaita (nondual) Vedanta, perhaps the best known school of Hindu thought. There has been vigorous debate and analysis about the possibility and nature of liberation while living (jivanmukti) in Advaita from the time of Sankara, the school's founder, to the present day. While the general conclusion seems to be that one can achieve living liberation, members of the Advaita tradition also regularly express reservations about, or describe limitations to, full liberation while embodied. Jivanmukti in Transformation examines the development and transformation of the concept of jivanmukti from the Upanisads to the modern era. It gives the most thorough treatment of the scholastic Advaita tradition on liberation while living, makes the novel argument for a distinct "Yogic Advaita" tradition found in the Yogavasistha and Jivanmuktiviveka, and explores the modern "neo-Vedanta" view of jivanmukti, which has been influenced by modern Western concepts like global ecumenism and humanistic social concern for all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This is an exceptional book in Hindu philosophy.
Andrew Fort has done it again! He has come out with yet another fantastic book. I have all his books and I recommend them to everyone of my colleagues. In my Hindu studies class, I suggest to all my students to readthis book to further understand this fascinating topic. there is only oneword to describe this man and his books:

BRILLIANT.

Andrew Fort - the absolute authority of Jivanmukti
Andrew Fort has done it again in his spell-binding journey through Jivanmukti in Transformations.Not only is this work of art informative, but refreshes both the body and soul.5 Stars! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Advaita Vedanta and Modern Science Reconciled
You may recognize the name John Dobson. He is famous for inventing the Dobsonian telescope, an affordable, easy-to-make, portable scope optimized for deep sky viewing. As a popular astronomer and cosmologist, he's been on the Johnny Carson show and he's had a documentary film made about him. But John Dobson is also a monk. And his interest in reconciling Advaita philosophy with the physics of the universe goes back a long way.

In 1955, when John Dobson was living in the Vedanta monastery in San Francisco, Swami Ashokananda assigned him the task of reconciling science and religion. John was sent back to school to finish up his education in the sciences, and by the time he was done, he was well equipped to tackle the job. He's been talking about it ever since.

"We don't have two worlds, one for the mystics and one for the scientists. There's only one of it. And if the mystics are right in their descriptions, and if the scientists are right in theirs, we need only a translator and a dictionary of both languages." John speaks both languages, and his translation is both elegant and exciting.

What John patiently explains, like putting together an intricate jigsaw puzzle, is that the physics of Einstein give all the support needed to back up the Vedantin idea that the universe is apparitional, not actual - that it is a mistake to see the universe as spread out in space and time. Although you have to look at it with new eyes, our science of today validates this ancient mystical knowledge.

Of course, these hidden treasures in the theory of relativity have not been found by most scientists, but that's because their lookers are broken. If you look at the equations freshly, the truth is there; however, if you look at the equations while first assuming the universe is actual, you'll miss the clues that suggest it is not, and this John makes very clear.

Advaita holds, and Einstein backs up: The "first cause" is apparitional. The rest of what appears comes from transformation of what appears with that first cause. But there is not a material universe which arises out of nothing; indeed, there is no material universe, and the universe we see gets "seeable" by a mistake.

In the appearance of the universe, as we see it, the Underlying Existence (Brahman) always shows through, and it shows through in the physics - in gravitation (going towards undividedness), electricity (going towards the infinite), and inertia (going towards changelessness). John suggests that as "beings" in this apparent universe, we are always trying to "return" to the Underlying Existence, and we are always frustrated in that attempt, because it is not possible for the apparitional (us) to become the real.

John makes the point that what drives us is our inner knowing that the Eternal Undividedness is all there is. He says, "...the primary motive which governs our actions is the vision of the real. It's the changeless, the infinite, the undivided (Asti, Bhati, Priya) as seen in this world of time and space that moves whatever moves. And the world itself is that Underlying Existence showing through. There is nothing else."

I won't even begin to try and lay out any of the physics. It's all there and explained in a way a lay person can understand. Just know that it's not a difficult read, and if you like the idea of Truth as it reveals itself in both science and spirituality, you're in for a real treat. ... Read more

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Samkara (c.700 CE) has been regarded by many as the most authoritative Hindu thinker of all time. A great Indian Vedantin brahmin, Samkara was primarily a commentator on the sacred texts of the Vedas and a teacher in the Advaitin teaching line. This book serves as an introduction to Samkara's thought which takes this as a central theme. The author develops an innovative approach based on Samkara's ways of interpreting sacred texts and creatively examines the profound interrelationship between sacred text, content and method in Samkara's thought. The main focus of the book is on Samkara's teaching method. This method is, for Samkara, based on the Upanishads' own; it is to be employed by Advaitin teachers to draw pupils skilfully towards that realisation which is beyond all words. Consequently, this book will be of interest not only to students and scholars of Indian philosophy, but to all those interested in the relation between language and that which is held to transcend it.

Product Description
An attempt has been made to give a systematic presentation of post-Samkara dialectics of the Advaita-Vedanta. The main object of the dialectics as developed by the Neo-Vedantic teachers is to carry though to perfection by a critical examination of the concepts and categories of the opposing sister schools. The present volume comprises eight chapters bearing mainly on the epistemology of post-Samkara thought. Of eight chapters, the first three deal with the nature and validity of knowledge and the next five are concerned mainly with an explanation of appearance and its implication from the standpoint of epistemology. In the first chapter, nature of knowledge has been examined and analysed so as to bring out the problems involved therein. The second chapter deals with the important and unique Indian conception of self-luminosity of knowledge - the problem of self-luminosity being studied from two sides. The third chapter is concerned with the validity of knowledge, and deals mainly with the formidable arguments of the Navya-Nyaya school as represented by Gangesa in his Tattvacintamani and discusses how the Mimamsa and Vedanta schools refute the neo-logicians by their own dialectic. In the fourth chapter, Srihara's famous dialectic in the refutation of the Nyaya-Vaisesika categories has been studed while the fifth and sixth chapters deal with Madhusudana's refutation of Vyasaraja's arguments against the Vedantic conception of the universe as unreal. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

In-depth philosophy
This is the only book I have ever wanted to read twice, and as far as I can rememeber the only one I have read twice. Through intellectual analysis (rather than new-age bs) it changed my view of consciousness.

It begins with a survey of historical sources of sleep (Upanisads, Gita, commentaries by important philosophers such as Sankara, etc), and gradually moves through some very deep and mind-altering explanations of deep sleep to finish with modern interpretations of the state from the very active field of current Indian philosophy. The overall theme of this book is a critique/explanation of why sleep can be used as an (imperfect) model for Brahman-experience. This book is full of Sanskrit terms as well as english philosophical terms and is not for the casual reader, but for those with serious interest in philosophy, consciousness, and/or advaita vedanta, it is an essential read. Any serious and enthusiastic student of this subject will be able to extract many layers of understanding of reality from this well-organized text. ... Read more

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This book provides an in-depth analysis of the doctrines of early Advaita and Buddhism that has important implications for the question of the relationship between Hindu and Buddhist thought. The author examines the central doctrines of the Gaudapadiya-karikain a series of chapters that discuss early Advaita in relation to the Abhidharma, Madhyamaka, and Yogacara schools of Buddhism. The question of the doctrinal diversity of Indian Buddhism is also discussed through an analysis of the concept of 'Buddha-Nature' and its relationship with Vedantic thought. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Early Advaita Vedanta and Buddhism
The origins of the school of thought known as the Advaita Vedanta in medieval India is a subject that is fraught with numerous controversies.This is a very important study on the relationship between the AdvaitaVedanta and Mahayana Buddhism. It is important because it approaches thestudy of Advaita Vedanta from a historico-philosophical perspective, thatis, it situates Advaita Vedanta squarely within thecontext and influenceof Mahayana Buddhism. This is a context that is usually ignored inpresent-day studies. This is an approach that is at once distinctive andpenetrating, for it gives us a deeper insight into how the medieval Indianphilosophers (i.e. Sankara) understood their project, rather then imposingour usualy presuppositions on them. What is the relationship betweenAdvaita Vedanta and MAhayana Buddhism? Is it appropriate to view Sankara asa Buddhist in disguise? What is the philosophical basis of Advaita Vedantaand Mahayana Buddhism? These are but some of the questions that the authorexplores. This is a must-buy for any serious student of Indian thought ingeneral. BE WARNED though, because just as this work is illuminating, itmay also bedeconstructive of our most deeply entrenched beliefs aboutAdvaita Vedanta and MAhayana Buddhism. ... Read more

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Volume 3. This volume summarizes all that we know of early Advatia Just reprinted. 2008.Vedanta up to Samkara's pupils. An analytical introduction by the editor introduces the reader to the concepts utilized by Gaudapada, Samkaracarya and Mandana Misra in expounding and defending the Advaita view. This is followed by summaries of all the authentic Advaita works of these authors, and Padmapada. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

With due respect, Steve didn't get it.
The avowed function of this book is to discuss the Advaita tradition from a *philosophical* perspective. It is not a handbook on meditation but a discussion on the crucial philosophical *arguments* which the Adviatin scholars and sages gave in support of their tradition. So, there is no fault if it does well what it tries to--and it does.

Readers like Steve would be better served by Shambala-type books, which don't get too heavy on the discursive thought, but revel in the OM-yness. This book is for scholars and practitioners who want to go deeper into the philosophical underpinnings of this meditational tradition.

Bad account on Advaita Vedanta
While other volumes deal with largely "philosophically-minded" works (Nyaya-Vaisesika in vol. 2 and 6, Samkhya in vol. 4, Buddhism in vol. 7 and 8), i'm not sure Advaita Vedanta can be dealt with from a philosophical perspective without removing most of its content. Advaita Vedanta is rather spiritual and religious than philosophical in purpose. Advaita is not to be analyzed from a philosophical perspective. This leaves an impression that these scholars have not understood the content of Advaita when reading it (have they really read it ?). If one reads the Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Advaita texts, one will soon realize that the stories they contain have not just a moral purpose. Their intent concerns the reader, not just ontological aspects as in philosophy but consequences on everyone's life. The purpose is not about trying to win arguments by word jugglery, but to provide spiritual insight for the reader. So i think that this volume misses largely its point, by restricting Advaita to what it is not intended to be. Rather read the non-scholarly works available everywhere than this volume. ... Read more

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Study of dreams, dream metaphor in Indian tradition and especially Advaita Vedanta ... Read more