Monism vs Non-dualism

[Guest guest]

Further to the question raised by Sri Bagchi on the use of the word

'monism' instead of 'non-dualism' by Swami Vivekananda the

following response came from Sister Gayatriprana :-

(in reference to the book " Swami Vivekananda on the Vedas "

at http://www.vivekananda.co.uk/veda.htm

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~response~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Dear Sri Bagchi,

 

Jay has forwarded your letter to me. Thank you for your kind words and

appreciation. I hope you find benefit and inspiration from Swamiji's words.

 

You raise the issue of monism vs. advaita, which is a valuable contribution,

I feel. There is no doubt a difference in meaning between them, which I do

not feel competent to answer on my own authority.

 

There is no doubt, however, that Swami Vivekananda used the word

monism quite a lot - nearly a third of the time he was discussing the

subject of non-dualism. My own studies of Swamiji's use of language

has been than he oftentimes uses words in his own, unique way.

Many times he deviates from the accepted norms; and, as I have

understood what he is doing, for some definite reason of his own.

Usually, when he uses unusual words, he is trying to convey some

subtle or different point in philosophy. I have worked this out for a

few striking words, but not for monism.

 

Your inquiry, however, has stimulated my own curiousity. Why

did Swamiji use the word monism so much? Over the next few

days I plan to look into this question and see if I can arrive at an

explanation. I feel sure we shall learn something quite interesting.

I shall share my findings with you. This may help resolve the question

in your mind.

 

I appreciate your interest and am grateful to you for giving me this

opportunity to look into Swamiji's way of thinking about non-dualism.

 

Yours sincerely,

Sister Gayatriprana

[Guest Jack]

^{Dear Sister Gayatriprana
Did you ever find an aswer to the question about monism vs non-duality?}

^regards