Advaita

[Guest guest]

Dear Jay, I read this comment of yours on what I had written about Swamiji

and Vedanta.

My issue is really with the old school of advaita, which seems not too

bothered with science.

 

Swami Vivekananda can say 'Advaita is in step with science' because with

him comes evolution in the ideas within Advaita. The Advaita that considered

the concept of " Maya meaning illusion " has been superseded by him defining

'Maya as a statement of fact relating to the world.

Definition of Maya is " the world as it is full stop. "

 

This is not a minor or a trivial distinction - this definition of Maya would

suit a scientist. He is encouraged to dig deeper into the nature of this

reality that we experience as the world. (Not by-pass it, as would be

implied with the older concept of illusion).

 

There was nothing wrong with the earlier ideas of Maya as 'illusion' but we

must be on guard. Mankind evolves - the thinking or grasping powers we

possess evolve too. What appeared as the best way to convey the very

important concept 'Maya' has to evolve too. Advaita is constant but the

instruments we use to grasp it have to suit the requirement of the times.

The requirements at the moment is 'be in step with science'. - Swami

Vivekananda has given us better definition of Maya.

 

Maya --- not the world as 'illusion' ----- but 'the world as it is' .

A dramatic shift has taken place - a shift in line with the teachings of

science. When we study physical sciences we are trying to get to grips with

this world as it is.

How wonderful! Reverence to the sincere scientist.

 

I think you have put it very well. This is exactly the point. Swamiji used

his (limited) knowledge of modern science in his own understanding of

Advaita, and gave the latter the interpretation the modern world needs.

Cheers! Yogeshananda