Nondualism

With contributions by scholars from different religions and specializations, this volume explores the potential of nondualism as a fundamentally unifying concept. In every case, we find that nondualism is universal in its relevance yet distinctive and original in its contribution.

The time has come for nondualism. As a fundamentally unifying concept, nondualism may seem out of place in an age of rising nationalism and bitter deglobalization, but our current debates over tribalism and universalism all grant nondualism an informative relevance. Nondualism rejects both separation and identity, thereby encouraging unity-in-difference. Yet “nondualism” as a word occupies a large semantic field. Nondual theists advocate the unity of humankind and God, while nondual atheists advocate the inseparability of all persons, without reference to a divinity. Ecological nondualism asserts that we are in nature and nature is in us, while monistic nondualists assert that only God exists and all difference is illusion. Edited by Jon Paul Sydnor and Anthony Watson, and guided by scholars from different religions and specializations, Nondualism: An Interreligious Exploration explores the semantic field that nondualism occupies. The collection elicits the expansive potential of the concept, clarifies agreement and disagreement, and considers current applications. In every case, nondualism is universal in its relevance yet always distinctive in its contribution.

Introduction by Jon Paul Sydnor

Part One: What is Nondualism?

Chapter 1. What is Advaita (Not-Two)? by Anantanand Rambachan

Chapter 2. Beyond Binaries: Varieties of Nondualism in Process Thought by Wm. Andrew Schwartz

Chapter 3. The Plurality of Nonduality: Toward a Tripartite Typology by Fabian Völker

Chapter 4. Buddhist Musings on Nondualism by Karma Lekshe Tsomo

Part Two: Re-imagining Our Traditions Through Nondualism

Chapter 5. The Trinity as an Instance of Agapic Nondualism: Re-interpreting the Christian Tradition by Jon Paul Sydnor

Chapter 6. Islam and the Unity of Being by Mukhtar Ali

Chapter 7. Nondual Heresy or Clear Insight? The Imiaslavie Controversy on Athos and Nyingma Buddhological Reflection in Tibet by Thomas Cattoi

Chapter 8. Beyond Reductionism: A Jewish Example of Nondualism and the Convergence of Religion and Ecology by Natan Margalit

Chapter 9. Dealing with Dualism: Catholic Nondualist Approaches by Joyce Ann Konigsburg

Chapter 10. Nondualism and Christian-Jewish Relations: Toward a Nondualist Covenantal Theology by Yujia (Sam) Zhai

Part Three: The Ethical Implications of Nondualism

Chapter 11. When You Reach the Top of the Mountain, You’re Only Halfway There: Reflections on Nonduality in the Teaching of Sri Ramakrishna in Dialogue with Zen by Jeffery D. Long

Chapter 12. Queer Interventions into Othering, Stereotype, and Wealth Inequity by Jennifer Wade

Chapter 13. A Ru (Confucian) Theology of Nondualism in Light of Kongzi and Wang Yangming by Bin Song

Chapter 14. Liberty to the Captives: From Spiritual Renewal in Prison to Oneness with the Infinite by Charles Atkins

Afterword: The High Price of Nondualism by Francis X. Clooney, SJ