1. Pantheism 2. 2002. pantheism. pantheism is a metaphysical and religious position given by Owen (1971 65) who says (3) "pantheism signifies the belief that every existing entity is http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pantheism

version history HOW TO CITE THIS ENTRY Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy A B C D ... Z This document uses XHTML-1/Unicode to format the display. Older browsers and/or operating systems may not display the formatting correctly. last substantive content change DEC Pantheism The book recognized as containing the most complete attempt at explaining and defending pantheism from a philosophical perspective is Spinoza's Ethics , finished in 1675 two years before his death. In 1720 John Toland wrote the Pantheisticon: or The Form of Celebrating the Socratic-Society in Latin. He (possibly) coined the term "pantheist" and used it as a synonym for "Spinozist." However, aside from some interesting pantheistic sounding slogans (like "Every Thing is to All, as All is to Every Thing"), and despite promising "A short Dissertation upon a Two-fold philosophy of the Pantheists" Toland's work has little to do with pantheism. 1. Pantheism and Atheism 2. Is Pantheism Atheistic? 3. Unity 4. Misunderstandings ... Related Entries 1. Pantheism and Theism Where pantheism is considered as an alternative Not all of the problems generated by the theistic notion of God are also problems for pantheism. But given a suitable reformulation, some of them will be. And, as expected, pantheism will also generate some difficulties peculiar to itself. Thus, although evil and creation do not present identical problems for pantheism and the theism, and may even be inherent to theism; it

2. CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Pantheism Explanation of Catholic opposition to pantheism. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11447b.htm

Home Encyclopedia Summa Fathers ... P > Pantheism A B C D ... Z Pantheism (From Greek pan , all; theos , god). The view according to which God and the world are one. The name pantheist was introduced by John Toland (1670-1722) in his "Socinianism truly Stated" (1705), while pantheism was first used by his opponent Fay in "Defensio Religionis" (1709). Toland published his "Pantheisticon" in 1732. The doctrine itself goes back to the early Indian philosophy; it appears during the course of history in a great variety of forms, and it enters into or draws support from so many other systems that, as Professor Flint says ("Antitheistic Theories", 334), "there is probably no pure pantheism". Taken in the strictest sense, i.e. as identifying God and the world, Pantheism is simply Atheism . In any of its forms it involves Monism (q.v.), but the latter is not necessarily pantheistic. Emanationism (q.v.) may easily take on a pantheistic meaning and as pointed out in the Encyclical, "Pascendi dominici gregis" the same is true of the modern doctrine of immanence (q.v.). VARIETIES These agree in the fundamental doctrine that beneath the apparent diversity and multiplicity of things in the universe there is one only being absolutely necessary, eternal, and infinite. Two questions then arise: What is the nature of this being? How are the manifold appearances to be explained? The principal answers are incorporated in such different earlier systems as Brahminism, Stoicism, Neo-Platonism, and

3. Pantheism pantheism. pantheism is the philosophy that everything is God (pan="everything" theos="God") or that the universe but also transcends the Universe. Strict pantheism is not a theism http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/PANTHEISM.html

Pantheism Pantheism is the philosophy that everything is God (pan="everything" theos="God") or that the universe and nature are divine Pantheism is distinguished from panentheism, which holds that God is in everything, but also transcends the Universe. Strict pantheism is not a theism. It does not believe in a transcendent or personal God who is the creator of the universe and the judge of humans. Many pantheists feel the word "God" is too loaded with these connotations and never use the word in their own practice - though they may use it to simplify, or to explain things to theists. Pantheism has often been accused of atheism , and not just because it rejects the idea of a personal creator God. Strict or naturalistic pantheism believes that the Universe either originated itself out of nothing, or has existed forever. Modern scientific pantheism is materialistic. It believes that design in the universe can be fully accounted for by principles of evolution and self-organization . It does not believe in separate spirits or survival of the soul after death. Pantheists concerned about personal immortality seek it in realistic ways - through children, deeds, works, and the memories of the living.

4. Pantheism: FAQs On Pantheism, Panentheism, Paganism Etc. Frequently Asked Questions about pantheism. This page deals with some FAQs and misapprehensions about pantheism and answers some of the most common criticisms. http://members.aol.com/Heraklit1/faqs.htm

Member of GSAnet Banner Swap Frequently Asked Questions about Pantheism by Paul Harrison This page deals with some FAQs and misapprehensions about pantheism and answers some of the most common criticisms. You can print out this page from your browser [File/Print] or save it [File/Save As/(name).txt] CONTENTS. What is the central belief of pantheism? Why do pantheists believe in pantheism? What's the evidence for pantheism? How do you know the universe is divine? If I accept pantheism, what difference would it make? Is pantheism just theism in disguise? Is Pantheism just atheism or humanism in disguise? What is the difference between pantheism and panentheism? Does pantheism have anything to do with pantheon or polytheism? What is the relationship between paganism and pantheism? Has pantheism got anything to do with animism? Does pantheism believe that all things are one? Does pantheism believe that humans are one with nature and the cosmos? If God is everything, then surely all actions are God's actions, and there is no distinction between good and evil? Does pantheism believe that everything is predetermined and there is no free will?

5. Pantheist.Net - Universal Pantheist Society Pantheist.Net an online home for Pantheists, Panentheists and Cosmotheists. Pantheist.Net was founded to provide a coalition, bringing groups dedicated to Pantheist lifeways and philosophy together with individuals practicing or exploring pantheism. http://www.pantheist.net/

We seek renewed reverence for the Earth and a vision of Nature as the ultimate context for human existence. Embrace Universal Pantheism! Welcome to Pantheist.Net! The Internet home of the Universal Pantheist Society Pantheist.Net is is the online home of the Universal Pantheist Society, an organization which since 1975 has provided a network for Pantheists. In Universal Pantheism, there is no creed or requirements to follow any particular belief or practices; rather we seek to provide ways for individuals to promote their own spiritual growth and understanding. Our goal is to provide Pantheism with a unified worldwide presence bringing Pantheists of all varieties together to share in our commonality while providing a continually growing source of information. What is Pantheism? Pantheism holds that the cosmos, taken or conceived of as a whole, is synonymous with the theological principle of God. The Cosmos is divine, and the earth sacred. The Cosmos is divine, all share divinity. Divinity does not transcend reality it surrounds us, and is within.

6. PANTHEISM: Nature, Universe, Science And Religion pantheism. Sacred Nature. The Web s biggest resource on pantheist history, theory and practice. pantheism. Natural pantheism cover2140 http://members.aol.com/Heraklit1/

PANTHEISM Natural Pantheism: a spiritual approach to nature and the cosmos. by Paul Harrison. Revering the Universe, caring for Nature, celebrating life A religion old or new, that stressed the magnificence of the universe as revealed by modern science, might be able to draw forth reserves of reverence and awe hardly tapped by the conventional faiths. Sooner or later, such a religion will emerge. Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot Join our Save Rainforest group at Ecology Fund Meet other Pantheists near you Are You a Pantheist? When you look at the night sky or at the images of the Hubble Space Telescope, are you filled with feelings of awe and wonder at the overwhelming beauty and power of the universe? When you are in the midst of nature, in a forest, by the sea, on a mountain peak - do you ever feel a sense of the sacred, like the feeling of being in a vast cathedral? Do you believe that humans should be a part of Nature, rather than set above it? If you can answer yes to all of these questions, then you have pantheistic leanings. Are you sceptical about a God other than Nature and the Universe?

7. PANTHEISM: The World Pantheist Movement The WPM is a membership organization dedicated to the promotion of natural/scientific pantheism, revering the Universe, caring for Nature, and celebrating life. http://www.pantheism.net/

NEW: Free Pantheism Intro List Join our Save Rainforest group WPM's nature actions WPM's wildlife habitat scheme ... Site Map BELIEFS WPM belief statement Sci-pan site FAQS WPM in a Nutshell Why organize? Your concerns answered What does the WPM ... Pantheism FAQS CHECK US OUT Read our magazine Members' voices Visit our free Web forum Our galleries: ... art, photography, PARTICIPATE Join the WPM Free lists Where members are Get regular WPM updates HELP OUT Tell a friend Get a banner link Help promote the WPM Help in other ways ... Free ways to raise funds ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION Receive our Environmental Action Alerts Join our Save Rainforest group Sign UNESCO's Manifesto for ... Non-Violence Endorse the Earth Charter ORGANIZATION Directors Incorporation, Tax status PRACTICE Calendar Almanac Ethics Seasonal Celebration ... Death and Funerals NEWS environment News about the WPM Bookshop Links Contact us: info@pantheism.net god is not the voice in the whirlwind god is the whirlwind Margaret Atwood Is Nature your spiritual home?

8. Are You A Pantheist? by Bernt Rostrum http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/5110/

Are You a Pantheist? by Bernt Rostrom (C) April 02, 2002. Sometimes people ascribe me to still be a pantheist. Isn't this naturalism still a version of pantheism? Most likely Natural and Scientific Pantheism. this text is mirrored here http://humanists.net/bernt_rostrom/pantheis.htm This is an old text so read the newest here My view on The Brights The old text. My personal Naturalism is an interpretation within naturalism and I do see Natural and Scientific Pantheism as a viable interpretation of naturalism. So that is why its easy to see many similarities. Both are monistic and revering towards the Universe and see our sacred earth as worthy of our thankful rejoyce and celebration. But while Personal Naturalism relates to Life itself as a personified identity within us this then is not pantheistic, they see the Universe as impersonal. So to answer questions like "Are You a Pantheist?" I say: No, I am a Personal Naturalist. What is Natural and Scientific Pantheism then? A Personal Naturalist's view on Natural and Scientific Pantheism "We revere and celebrate the Universe as the totality of being

9. Natuur & Pantheism Uitleg over het panthe¯stische levensgevoel. http://members1.chello.nl/~a.garcia/pantheismef.html

Bent u een Pantheïst? Wat is Pantheïsme? Gevoel van eenvoudig bestaan. Bent u een Pantheïst? Jij bent een Pantheïst wanneer,,, Jij naar de sterren kijkt en je bewust bent van de immensiteit, perfectie en schoonheid van het heelal. Jij je midden in de natuur begeeft, hetzij in het bos, hetzij in de oceaan, hetzij op de top van een berg en je bewust bent dat de aarde heilig is. Jij eens bent met de gedachte dat mensen een deel van de natuur zijn en niet natuur beheerders zijn Jij sceptisch bent aangaande religie in het algemeen. Jij de denkwijze deelt, dat het universum zichzelf heeft gecreëerd en zichzelf beheert zonder tussenkomst van goddelijkheden, aangezien het universum zelf een goddelijkheid is. Top of page Wat is Pantheïsme? Je kunt Pantheïsme zien als een verdiepte inzicht in de theologie van de oude voorchristelijke religies waarbij de natuur en het universum door onze voorouders werd vereerd. Onze basis gedachte is,,, Het universum is in zijn omnipotentie zeer goed in staat om zichzelf te regelen en voor zichzelf te zorgen.

10. Pantheism A Religion For All The Private Albert Einstein. Last updated on 8/16/97 many more links email Mike Trobee CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WORLD S TOP 1000 LIST! pantheism. A religion for http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/6072/pantheism.html

What I cannot understand is how there could possibly be a God who would reward or punish his subjects or who could induce us to develop our will in our daily life. I cannot then believe in this concept of an anthropomorphic God who has the powers of interfering with these natural laws. [The Private Albert Einstein] Last updated on 8/16/97 many more links email Mike Trobee Pantheism A religion for all Writings of Pantheism Einstein's Pantheism Questions You May Have Pantheism Defined ... View Our Guestbook Are you a Pantheist? 1. Are you Inspired by the beauty of the universe? 2. Do you believe in a God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with the fates and actions of human beings. 3. Do you believe in logic? 4. Do you believe in nature rather than faith and hope? 5. Do you believe that all ( literally everything) is a part of God. 6. Do you have strong morals and seek to do good. 7. Do you believe that humans are part of Nature, rather than set above it? 8. When you are in the midst of nature, in a forest, by the sea, on a mountain peak do you ever feel a sense of the sacred, like the feeling of being in a vast cathedral?

11. Pantheism By Pantheists For Pantheism By Pantheists For Pantheism By Pantheists Presenting pantheism to a needful world, restoring hope in the natural order of things, taking responsibility for our wellbeing and the consequences of our http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Thebes/5310/

Pantheism ... a way of viewing ourselves, our world, and our universe. "Is not the sky a father and the earth a mother, and are not all living things with feet or wings or roots their children? And this hide upon the mouthpiece here, which should be bison hide, is for the earth, from whence we came and at whose breast we suck as babies all our lives, along with all the animals and birds and trees and grasses. And because it means all this, and more than any man can understand, the pipe is holy." Black Elk Speaks - John G. Neihardt Pantheism is an ancient religion that holds everything in the universe sacred. All of nature's creations are divine, interconnected and each is a god. The whole is also what we call a god, not a supernatural entity but a living, throbbing mass of gods. The whole cannot be divine if each of its counterparts are not also sacred. Most Pantheists believe in the duality of nature: positive/negative, good/bad, yin/yang ... and aim for balance in their lives. Because there are many paths to enlightenment and unity with the divine universe, there are also many companion beliefs and practices associated with Pantheism via its followers. As in many other religions, all things are permissable but not all things are beneficial. Again, balance is the key concept by which we guide our lives. Equally important is the need for each of us to accept total responsability for our actions and the condition of our universe. Doing the right thing when it needs to be done, defending those who cannot defend themselves, and caring for our earth as if she were sacred ... being responsible and aware, balanced and in harmony with nature, reverent of all the other gods who share our universe.

12. Definition Of Pantheism Definition of pantheism. pantheism. Taken in the strictest sense, ie as identifying God and the world, pantheism is simply Atheism. http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/dissent/defpanth.htm

Definition of Pantheism Pantheism [This concept has been resurrected in New Age thought (From Greek pan , all; theos , god). The view according to which God and the world are one. The name pantheist was introduced by John Toland (1670-1722) in his "Socinianism truly Stated" (1705), while pantheism was first used by his opponent Fay in "Defensio Religionis" (1709). Toland published his "Pantheisticon" in 1732. The doctrine itself goes back to the early Indian philosophy; it appears during the course of history in a great variety of forms, and it enters into or draws support from so many other systems that, as Professor Flint says ("Antitheistic Theories", 334), "there is probably no pure pantheism". Taken in the strictest sense, i.e. as identifying God and the world, Pantheism is simply Atheism. In any of its forms it involves Monism (q.v.), but the latter is not necessarily pantheistic. Emanationism (q.v.) may easily take on a pantheistic meaning and as pointed out in the Encyclical, "Pascendi dominici gregis" the same is true of the modern doctrine of immanence (q.v.). VARIETIES These agree in the fundamental doctrine that beneath the apparent diversity and multiplicity of things in the universe there is one only being absolutely necessary, eternal, and infinite. Two questions then arise: What is the nature of this being? How are the manifold appearances to be explained? The principal answers are incorporated in such different earlier systems as Brahminism, Stoicism, Neo-Platonism, and Gnosticism, and in the later systems of Scotus Eriugena and Giordano Bruno (qq.v.).

13. -- Beliefnet.com pantheism It s Everywhere Seeing the universe as a profound unity, pantheists turn to nature for spiritual inspiration. By Mary Jacobs. http://www.beliefnet.com/story/135/story_13536_1.html

Home Community Religions Spirituality ... More Explore Beliefnet Beliefnet Home Buddhism Christianity Catholic Eastern Orthodox Mormon Protestant Hinduism Islam Judaism Earth-Based More Religions General Spirituality Other Topics (Alphabetical) Apocalypse Astrology Atheism Bible Books Celebrations Christian Inspiration Culture Dating Discussions Family Giving Humor Inspiration Jesus Marriage Memorials Money Morality Music News Parenting Politics Prayer Circles Prayer of the Day Quizzes Relationships Science Sexuality Spirituality Teens Travel Volunteering Welcome What's your spiritual type? Belief-O-Matic Join now for free About Beliefnet Tools Quizzes Meditations Prayer Circles Prayer Finder ... Celebration Albums Daily Offerings The Dalai Lama Prayer of the Day Spiritual Parenting Inspiration More Bible Buddhist Hindu Muslim Torah Find Search Beliefnet drawSearch('search_for') Dictionary drawdictionary('entry') Sacred Texts Columnists Houses of Worship Site Map Home News More Religion News Click here to go back Today's Top Picks Pantheism: It's Everywhere Seeing the universe as a profound unity, pantheists turn to nature for spiritual inspiration.

14. Pantheism Graphics by. pantheism. pantheism is often confused with polytheismthe belief in many Gods-but in fact, pantheism is neither a theism nor an atheism but is a belief that God is everything. http://www.geocities.com/smhs_ap/pantheism.html

15. Christian Science Versus Pantheism versus. pantheism. by. Printed in the United States of America. Christian Science versus pantheism. 1, PASTOR S MESSAGE TO THE MOTHER CHURCH, ON THE OCCASION OF THE. http://www.mbeinstitute.org/Prose_Works/CSvsPantheism.html

Christian Science versus Pantheism by Mary Baker Eddy Pastor Emeritus of The First Church of Christ, Scientist Boston, and Author of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Published by the Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker G. Eddy Boston, U.S.A. By Mary Baker G. Eddy Printed in the United States of America Christian Science versus Pantheism PASTOR'S MESSAGE TO THE MOTHER CHURCH, ON THE OCCASION OF THE JUNE COMMUNION, 1898 SUBJECT: Not Pantheism, but Christian Science BELOVED brethren, since last you gathered at the feast of our Passover, the winter winds have come and gone; the rushing winds of March have shrieked and hummed their hymns; the frown and smile of April, the laugh of May, have fled; and the roseate blush of joyous June is here and ours. In unctuous unison with nature, mortals are hoping and working, putting off outgrown, wornout, or soiled gar- ments - the pleasures and pains of sensation and the sackcloth of waiting - for the springtide of Soul. For what a man seeth he hopeth not for, but hopeth for what

16. Pantheism William Blake. pantheism is the belief that everything is god, and that god is everything. Authors who have inspired my pantheism over the years . http://www3.sympatico.ca/harrytm/pantheism.html

Home E-Mail "I wish there was one person in my life I could show. One instinctive, absolutely unbrisk person I could take to Greece, and stand in front of certain shrines and sacred streams and say, 'Look! Life is only comprehensive through a thousand local gods. And not just the old dead ones with names like Zeus - no, but living Geniuses of Place and Person! And not just Greece but modern England! Spirits of certain trees, certain curves of brick wall, certain chip shops, if you like, and slate roofs - just as of certain frowns in people and slouches' ...I'd say to them - 'Worship as many gods as you can see - and more will appear!' ...If I had a son, I bet you he'd come out exactly like his mother. Utterly worshipless." - from Equus by Peter Shaffer, 1973 (Act 1:18) For all that lives is holy. - William Blake Pantheism is the belief that everything is god, and that god is everything. I have trouble explaining this clearly to people, especially in writing. One friend thinks I worship stones - and I do, but not in the sense that implies. Another friend described me as worshipping Pan, and that isn't the point either. It's a misleading pun. Let me try to explain.... The true essence of divinity is ineffable - which means it can't be explained in words. All religions have this situation, and they overcome it by using words and ideas to get as close as they can to the meanings they intend. No one can describe the indescribable, not even mystics and seers. But they try.

17. Mereological Ontological Arguments And Pantheism Philosophical disagreement with pantheism. Based on the Pantheist definition of God. http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/graham_oppy/panth.html

PAID ADVERTISEMENTS Library Modern Documents Graham Oppy : Mereological Ontological Arguments and Pantheism Mereological Ontological Arguments and Pantheism (19) Graham Oppy Mereological ontological arguments areas the name suggestsontological arguments which draw on the resources of mereology, i.e. the theory of the part-whole relation. An instance of arguments of this kind is the following: 1. I exist. (Premise, contingent a priori 2. (Hence) Somei.e. least onething exists. (From 1) 3. Whenever some things exist, there is some thing of which they are all parts. (Premise, from mereology) 4. (Hence) There is exactly one thing of which every thing is a part. (From 2, 3) 5. The unique thing of which every thing is a part is God. (Definition, pantheism) 6. (Hence) God exists. (From 4, 5) The status of premise 1 is controversial: friends of two-dimensional modal logic (and others) will be reluctant to grant that the proposition that I exist is both contingent and knowable a priori (even by me). Instead, they will insist that all that I know

18. Pantheism More results from plato.stanford.edu pantheism the World Pantheist Movement statement), not our name. For convenience, we use the name pantheism because it has a long and venerable history. But almost all http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2002/entries/pantheism

This is a file in the archives of the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy how to cite this entry CITATION INFO Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy A B C D ... Z content revised DEC Pantheism The book recognized as containing the most complete attempt at explaining and defending pantheism from a philosophical perspective is Spinoza's Ethics , finished in 1675 two years before his death. In 1720 John Toland wrote the Pantheisticon: or The Form of Celebrating the Socratic-Society in Latin. He (possibly) coined the term "pantheist" and used it as a synonym for "Spinozist." However, aside from some interesting pantheistic sounding slogans (like "Every Thing is to All, as All is to Every Thing"), and despite promising "A short Dissertation upon a Two-fold philosophy of the Pantheists" Toland's work has little to do with pantheism. Pantheism and Atheism Is Pantheism Atheistic? Unity Misunderstandings ... Related Entries Pantheism and Theism Where pantheism is considered as an alternative Not all of the problems generated by the theistic notion of God are also problems for pantheism. But given a suitable reformulation, some of them will be. And, as expected, pantheism will also generate some difficulties peculiar to itself. Thus, although evil and creation do not present identical problems for pantheism and the theism, and may even be inherent to theism; it may also be possible to reformulate them in a way that makes them applicable to pantheism. There may be pantheistic counterparts to the problem of evil and other classical theistic problems, and perhaps they can be resolved by pantheism.

19. Apologetics In The New Age: A Christian Critique Of Pantheism Book Review Apologetics in the New Age A Christian Critique of pantheism. http://www.csj.org/pub_csj/csjbookreview/csjbkrev92apologetics.htm

NEW! Conference: Understanding Cults and Other Charismatic Groups Perspectives of Researchers, Professionals, Former, Members, and Families June 11-12, 2004 - Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). Workshop for families of group members June 10, 2004 - Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) Workshop for former group members June 10, 2004 - Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) ... Donate AFF resources about psychological manipulation, cult groups, sects, and new religious movements. Cultic Studies Journal Apologetics in the New Age: A christian Critique of Pantheism Psychological Manipulation and Society Cultic Studies Journal Psychological Manipulation and Society Vol. 9, No. 2, 1992 Apologetics in the New Age: A Christian Critique of Pantheism David K. Clark and Norman L. Geisler. Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1990, 254 pages. Reviewer: The Rev. Richard L. Dowhower The truth claims of new religious movements and psychotechnologies have been essentially ignored in public by the anti-cult movement in its initial decade and a half. Persons of varied theologies and shared goodwill aimed their counterattacks at the human-rights-violating practices of the cults. Fraud, deception, denial of informed consent, ritual abuse, involuntary servitude, economic exploitation, sexual abuse, mistreatment of children, and other forms of religious malpractice provided the focus. But in the privacy of deprogramming and exit counseling sessions, the incongruities and self-contradictions of cult truth claims played an important role in the discrediting of the groups and their gurus. Truth claims were a potent issue.

20. World Religions: Comparative Analysis Surveys some basic inconsistencies in pantheism. http://www.comparativereligion.com/pantheism.html

Critical considerations regarding pantheist religions and philosophies We will now proceed to evaluate how the first three criteria mentioned in the previous file are fulfilled by a pantheistic view of life. The classic example of pantheist philosophy was stated by the Upanishads (7th to 5th century BC) and then developed by the Hindu philosopher Shankara to become the well-known Advaita Vedanta philosophy. 1) Internal consistency of Hindu pantheism As mentioned in a previous file on the Vedantic view on liberation , it is claimed that the unity atman -Brahman is perfectly attained during the last level of meditation, called turiya . The Mandukya Upanishad (12), considered by Shankara to express the quintessence of Vedanta philosophy, ends with the following verse: The fourth state has cognizance of neither what is inside nor what is outside, nor of both together: it is not a mass of wisdom, it is not wise nor yet unwise. It is unseen; there can be no commerce with it; it is impalpable, has no characteristics, unthinkable; it cannot be designated. Its essence is its firm conviction of the oneness of itself; it causes the phenomenal world to cease; it is tranquil and mild, devoid of duality. Such do they consider this fourth to be. He is the Self; he it is who should be known. (Translated by R.C. Zaehner, in Mysticism - Sacred and Profane, p. 154) This passage emphasizes the necessity for transcending any duality in order to know Brahman (the Self). However, there is a logical contradiction between these two elements. When transcending any duality, nothing can be known anymore, because the elementary duality between knower (subject) and known (object) is obliterated. Duality is essential for any type of epistemological process. When the subject is

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