I just finished reading All Is One, a commentary on the Advaita Vedanta book Ellam Ondre. The book was originally written in Tamil by Sri Vaiyai R. Subramanian. The Commentary is by George Burke (Swami Nirmalananda Giri), Abbott of the Spirit of Life Monastery in New Mexico. I have read a few of Abbott George's books, mainly on what he calls Original Yoga and Original Christianity. This commentary is in that vein, drawing from sources as varied as Jesus of Nazareth, Swami Sevananda, St. Paul, The Buddha Shakyamuni, The Bhagavad Gita, et al.
I found this to be a great little book, especially in light of the current jumble of double-speak, lyrical gymnastics, and bullshit that passes for Advaita these days. Yes, in the end it's all very simple and at the same time contradictory. But that not only doesn't help, it hinders while one is trying to understand and put together the pieces of the pie. By referring to other various sources, Burke helps one to understand the intent of the writing, and by extension, the philosophy of Vedanta.
I am personally grateful for the writings and explications of non-duality, including those by some Advaita teachers. However, on the whole I am not impressed in how many of these new teachers typically handle that philosophy. And I don't think there is a problem with the philosophy itself, but more with contemporary writers and teachers. Abbott George does a real service to the philosophy of non-duality with his commentary on this book. I recommend it.
I found this to be a great little book, especially in light of the current jumble of double-speak, lyrical gymnastics, and bullshit that passes for Advaita these days. Yes, in the end it's all very simple and at the same time contradictory. But that not only doesn't help, it hinders while one is trying to understand and put together the pieces of the pie. By referring to other various sources, Burke helps one to understand the intent of the writing, and by extension, the philosophy of Vedanta.
I am personally grateful for the writings and explications of non-duality, including those by some Advaita teachers. However, on the whole I am not impressed in how many of these new teachers typically handle that philosophy. And I don't think there is a problem with the philosophy itself, but more with contemporary writers and teachers. Abbott George does a real service to the philosophy of non-duality with his commentary on this book. I recommend it.
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