Individuality vis-a-vis Creativity

[Guest guest]

Namaste

 

Amidst the interesting and scholarly debate that is going on, on

such profound topics as 'subjective idealism' (which I don't

understand) and Brahma-sutra II-2-28 (which I fool myself into

thinking I understand), may I be permitted to open an entirely

new topic, which I think is essentially relevant in the context

of modern times, and which, I would like to submit, is, perhaps

tangentially, relevant to a conviction regarding advaita.

This is the topic of the heading: Individuality vis-a-vis

Creativity. I came into first contact with the western world on

its own soil in 1962. Since then my knowledge of the western

world has been widening. The concept of 'individual freedom'

is well ingrained in the culture of the west, particularly that

of the U.S. I admire and respect the layers of the foundation

for the U.S. Constitution for their laying the right emphasis on

this concept.

Over a period of two centuries, however, I think the concept

has been over-emphasized to such an extent, that, in my opinion,

it is now showing up all its negatives. One example is: You

cannot suggest to a twelve-year old what books are good to read.

I think what was meant to be encouraged originally was the

'Creativity' embedded in the human mind and consequently

'Individuality' was emphasized with the main purpose of

promoting unfettered Creativity in Man in all his spheres of

action and influence.

I would like a discussion on this from the members of the list,

if they wish.

 

In what way is it connected to advaita? This is a legitimate

question on this list. Yes, it is connected. Advaita believes

that the so-called individual entity is actually, in essence,

the universal Cosmic Intelligence and once that merger is seen

or realized, there is no more an individual entity. My humble

submission is: The vAsanA of over-emphasis on 'Individuality'

in the mundane phenomenal world, tends to cloud the mind and is

a serious obstacle to its understanding of advaita. And

therefore, my dear friends, my topic is presented for

discussion on the advaitin list.

praNAms to all advaitins

profvk

 

 

=====

Prof. V. Krishnamurthy

My website on Science and Spirituality is http://www.geocities.com/profvk/

You can access my book on Gems from the Ocean of Hindu Thought Vision and

Practice, and my father R. Visvanatha Sastri's manuscripts from the site.

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

--- "V. Krishnamurthy" wrote:

> One example is: You

> cannot suggest to a twelve-year old what books are good to

read.

> I think what was meant to be encouraged originally was the

> 'Creativity' embedded in the human mind and consequently

> 'Individuality' was emphasized with the main purpose of

> promoting unfettered Creativity in Man in all his spheres

of

> action and influence.

> I would like a discussion on this from the members of the

list,

> if they wish.

 

Dear Professor Krishnamurthy,

 

I do not understand how your twelve-year old example is

related to the issues of Individuality and Creativity.

Please explain.

 

The U.S. Constitution is regarded as a fairly advanced model

of human behavior in developmental psychology, one of my

biases.

> In what way is it connected to advaita? This is a

legitimate

> question on this list. Yes, it is connected. Advaita

believes

> that the so-called individual entity is actually, in

essence,

> the universal Cosmic Intelligence and once that merger is

seen

> or realized, there is no more an individual entity. My

humble

> submission is: The vAsanA of over-emphasis on

'Individuality'

> in the mundane phenomenal world, tends to cloud the mind

and is

> a serious obstacle to its understanding of advaita. And

> therefore, my dear friends, my topic is presented for

> discussion on the advaitin list.

 

Well sure, the unhealthy Western emphasis on

material-as-happiness only strengthens the sense of "me" not

having "something that will make me happy."

 

Writing this reply also forces a "me" to address a "you" so

I think advaita -- the issue of ego -- is a very personal

affair.

 

two cents,

david.