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2 comments about Self & Non Self.

1. I've been researching Advaita Vedanta for approximately 5 years now and this book is a well constructed exposition on the nature of maya and Being, it points out the relationship between subject/object and their transcendence, and discusses the 4 states of being explicated by the religio-philosophical system of Advaita Vedanta. Raphael makes an interesting analogy between the philosophies of plotinus and paramenades, demonstrating their similarities with Advaita Vedanta. Overall this was an extremely helpful book reguarding the nature of non-duality and how one may go about distinguishing between the being attributed to maya, the jiva, the apparent self of phenomenality....and Being, the absolute, the noumenal, our wholesome and inviolable Self.



2. Raphael says often: "It's very demanding and at the same time very easy." This also applies to this book. It explains the metaphysics of Vedanta, comments on traditional (Sanskrit-)terms: "The Drgdrsyaviveka (Drg = Spectator-observer; drsya = spectacle [the visible; the object of vision or knowledge]; viveka= discernment) is a rational discerning method for distinguishing between the Spectator [the seer; he who sees] and the spectacle (Self and non-self)." (p. 13)
   For me personally it was not continuously easy to follow the text, to 'digest' the condensed knowledge.
   It might be best to start with the last chapter 'Bibliographical Appendix', as there you find valuable hints about purpose und goal of the book as well as to HOW to read it:
   "The only aim ... is to present the Advaita vision to those who are ready 'to spread their wings'. Those who are ready for this experience do not need elaborate or intricate reasonings or erudite treatises. The attentive disciple needs only a 'vision' to meditate upon and contemplate. ... Union and Identity with THAT can not occur upon rational basis or through intellectual knowledge. ... One must grasp the essence of a sutra in order to meditate upon it and then embody it. After which the sutra ... or the text may be thrown away because they have served their purpose as a stepping-stone."
   While reading the book, on the one hand my mind has complained at times: "Uff, this material is really dry." But, on the other hand, when I then (nevertheless!) continued to read on, suddenly (just a few pages further on) it was as if a "wide space" opened up. With an "Aha!" of cognition a section (or sometimes just one sentence) appeared, that absorbed me totally. Here Raphael's hints provide a useful and very concrete(!) support for the practical transfer into life. And in the end - despite some lean times during the reading - I found myself really glad and grateful for having read this book. Important coherences have become clear. Thank you, Raphael!

1 comments about Written in Granite: An Illustrated History of the Ether Monument.

1. This a brilliantly illustrated and written book about the history and resucitation of one of Boston's most important monuments. Buy it. It is a vivid and fascinating and will help support the permanent upkeep of the Ether Monument.

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