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Lehrende: Dr. Nicolás Novoa Artigas
Veranstaltungsart:
Seminar
Anzeige im Stundenplan:
DM.B-MA-2 (MW)
Unterrichtssprache:
Englisch
Min. | Max. Teilnehmerzahl:
5 | -
Veranstaltungsname:
Contemporary Indian non-dualism II
Veranstaltungsbeschreibung:
*This seminar does not require participation in the first part of the seminar as a prerequisite.
The philosophical and spiritual tradition of India is widely recognised as one of the richest in the history of humankind, and the interest that it has aroused in the West has grown through the last centuries. Within this tradition, there is a recurring core, already present in the ancient Upanishads, which represents, for some interpreters, not only a particular school within Hinduism, but the very heart of Indian spiritual and philosophical teachings: non-dualism (Advaita). Its last great expression – now a classic –, and perhaps one of the clearest, is found in Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (1897-1981).
This seminar will provide a deep and comprehensive reading of the fundamental text of the Hindu sage, namely, I am that (1973). This seminar is characterized by its eminently practical approach, placing greater emphasis on both how we can understand Maharaj's teachings in the context of our own lives and how we can integrate them. We will not try, therefore, to adopt a purely academic attitude by approaching the text as an object of theoretical interest alone, but as individuals concerned with spirituality and with our own spiritual development. To this end, we will read an important portion of a long and dense text in terms of the complexity of the spiritual, ontological, epistemological, axiological and vital visions expressed in it. The text will be read and commented on during each session, exploring fundamental questions such as: the nature of reality and consciousness, the role of the intellectual mind in the spiritual path, the paths of wisdom (jnana) and devotion (bhakt) as different but valid accesses to non-dual truth, the identification of concrete spiritual exercises aimed at realization of our true nature, the importance of fear and desire as elements of work and indicators for the spiritual path, etc. As a very important complement to this, we will also engage in some practical exercises, as instructed by Maharaj himself, with the aim of having an experiential approach to his teachings and not only an intellectual one.
Zusätzliche Informationen:
Given the non-linear or non-systematic nature of the work, it will not be necessary for the students of this semester to have assisted to the first part of the seminar as a prerequisite to attend it. The syllabus with a detailed list of the chosen texts will be provided in the first session.
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