Monism

Monism is the metaphysical view that there is only one principle, essence, substance or energy. Monism is to be distinguished from dualism, which holds that ultimately there are two principles, and from pluralism, which holds that ultimately there are many principles.

Monism in religion

For some, monism may also have religious/spiritual implications. Recognizing this, some inveigh against the 'dangers of monism,' asserting that in order to resolve all things to a single substrate, one dissolves God in the process.

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Others say that the "single substrate" is God. Theological arguments can be made for this within Christianity, for example employing the Roman Catholic doctrine of "divine simplicity" (though a monistic interpretation of that doctrine would not be orthodox), as well as in many other religions (Hinduism, Ayyavazhi and Judaism in particular).

Related Topics:
Substrate - Theological - Arguments - Christianity - Roman Catholic - Divine simplicity - Orthodox - Hinduism - Ayyavazhi - Judaism

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Monotheism combines both Monistic and Dualistic assumptions. One transcendent ineffable God, Monism. Creation out of nothing ex nihilo, Dualism

Related Topics:
Monistic - Dualistic - Monism - Dualism

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Historically, monism has been promoted in spiritual terms on several occasions, notably by Ernst Haeckel. To the dismay of most modern observers, Haeckel's various ideas often had components of social darwinism and scientific racism.

Related Topics:
Ernst Haeckel - Social darwinism - Scientific racism

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Monism in Hinduism

The first religious system in India that clearly explicated Absolute monism was that of Advaita (or nondualist) Vedanta (see Advaita Vedanta) as expounded by Adi Shankaracharya. It is part of the six Hindu systems of philosophy, based on the Upanishads, and posits that the ultimate monad is a formless, ineffable Divine Ground called Brahman. But even outside nondualist Vedanta, Hinduism is monistic, even as far back as the Rig Veda, in which hymnists speak of one being-non-being that 'breathed without breath,' and which singular force self-projected into the cosmic existence. Such monistic thought also extends to other Hindu systems like Yoga and non-dualist Tantra.

Related Topics:
Absolute monism - Advaita - Vedanta - Advaita Vedanta - Adi Shankaracharya - Hindu - Philosophy - Upanishads - Monad - Brahman - Rig Veda - Hymn - Yoga - Tantra

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Another type of monism is qualified monism, the school of Ramanuja or Vishishtadvaita, which admits that the universe is part of God, or Narayana, a type of panentheism, but there is a plurality of souls within this supreme Being. In other words, this type of monism, or Monistic theism is the type of monotheism more prevalent in Hindu culture, (with respect to Dvaita) and includes the concept of a personal God as a universal, omnipotent Supreme Being, panentheism and monism. In monistic theism, God is both Immanent and Transcendent.

Related Topics:
Ramanuja - Vishishtadvaita - Narayana - Panentheism - Dvaita - God - Universal - Omnipotent - Supreme Being - Monism - Immanent - Transcendent

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In some Western monotheistic traditions, God is viewed as transcendent only. Thus the notion of divinity (presence of God) present in all things is absent.

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There is a growing undercurrent of monism in the modern spiritual and philosophical climate, evidenced by increasing Western fascination with Hinduism (including Vedanta and Yoga), Taoism, Buddhism, Pantheism, Surat Shabda Yoga, Zen, and similar systems of thought which explore the mystical and spiritual elements of a monistic philosophy.

Related Topics:
Hinduism - Vedanta - Yoga - Taoism - Buddhism - Pantheism - Surat Shabda Yoga - Zen - Mystical - Spiritual

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Ayyavazhi

Ayyavazhi asserts the concept of Ekam where 'all is one', the concept closer to Nirguna Brahman in Hinduism. And Vaikundar was the incarnation of this Ekam. It accepts almost all different gods in Hinduism. But all of them were unified into Ayya Vaikundar. This is to destroying the evil force Kalimayai by overcomming the boons offered to Kaliyan.

Related Topics:
Ayyavazhi - Ekam - Nirguna Brahman - Vaikundar - Kalimayai - Boons offered to Kaliyan

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