
Advaita Vedanta and Zen Buddhism : Deconstructive Modes of Spiritual Inquiry.
Title:
Advaita Vedanta and Zen Buddhism : Deconstructive Modes of Spiritual Inquiry.
Author:
Davis, Leesa S.
ISBN:
9781441105868
Personal Author:
Edition:
1st ed.
Physical Description:
1 online resource (245 pages)
Series:
Continuum Studies in Eastern Philosophies
Contents:
Contents -- Acknowledgements -- Abbreviations -- Introduction: Experiential Deconstructive Inquiry -- Part One: Foundational Philosophies and Spiritual Methods -- 1. Non-duality in Advaita Vedanta and Zen Buddhism -- Ontological differences and non-duality -- Meditative inquiry, questioning, and dialoguing as a means to spiritual insight -- The 'undoing' or deconstruction of dualistic conceptions -- 2. Advaita Vedanta: Philosophical Foundations and Deconstructive Strategies -- Sources of the tradition -- Modern and contemporary masters -- Advaita Vedanta summary: 'Nothing ever happens' -- 3. Zen Buddhism: Philosophical Foundations and Deconstructive Strategies -- Sources of the tradition -- Contemporary masters -- Zen Buddhism summary: 'Neither being nor non-being is to be taken hold of' -- Part Two: Deconstructive Techniques and Dynamics of Experiential Undoing -- 4. Four Deconstructive Techniques Common to Both Traditions -- The teacher-student dynamic -- Four key deconstructive techniques -- 5. Dynamics of Experiential Undoing -- Non-dual experiential 'space' -- Experiential mapping: Practitioners in the space -- Conclusion: Deconstruction of Reified Awareness -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Y -- Z.
Abstract:
This fascinating and innovative book 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.
Local Note:
Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2017. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.
Genre:
Electronic Access:
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