In the midst of silence...a comparative phenomenological study of Meister Eckhart's Christian mysticism in relation to the Hindu Vedantic mysticisms of Ramanuja and Shankara

• Main Author: Sia, Nehemiah K.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1997
• Subjects: Phenomenalism; Mysticism > Catholic Church; [Orthodox Eastern Church; etc]; Mysticism > Hinduism; Depersonalization > Religious aspects; Psychology > Religious aspects; Vedanta
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/1619
• Institution: De La Salle University

This paper deals with a comparative phenomenological perspective of two major medieval philosophies, namely, the Christian mysticism and the Hindu Vedantic mysticism. It is in this paper that we discuss about the similarities and differences of both philosophies. In the process of this study, we would be using Edmund Husserl's meaning of experience as an instrument in order to shape our understanding and to play a simple harmony as we appreciate further the meaning of mystical experiences in the light of both Medieval philosophies. Moreover, we would place ourselves in the shoes of these mystics to experience what it means to be in Meister Eckhart's description of true obedience to God's will, likewise, what it means to be in Shankara's yoga or his description of contemplating God, and what it means to be in Ramanuja's devotionalism in relation to the created and the creator. In this study, there would also be a brief historical background for both medieval mysticisms that would help us further our observation of these mysticisms. Afterwhich, we can clarify our thoughts for a better understanding of these mysticisms. Also in this text, we come from a viewpoint which gives us different ways of looking at life in the context of the Absolute as well as finding ourselves in a close and meaningful relationship with God. This paper also distinguishes what is mystical experience from everyday experience and what is mystical revelation from everyday revelation. In the light of the writer's interpretation of a phenomenology of religion, we see a paradoxical situation where in the words 'transcendence' and 'immanence' apply very much to our study. In Meister Eckhart's philosophy, we would notice a paradoxical situation as one whole mystical experience. In the same way, we notice another paradoxical situation in the philosophies of Ramanuja and Shankara. By looking at this similarity, we can say that this paper eventually deals with three philosophers that shaped human thought for the past centuries. Likewise, these mystical experiences have also shaped different human lives into One... whole meaningful existence. Thus, we can say that this study deals with the experiences and thoughts of mystics during their time here on earth as they approach the Absolute in their respective ways of mystical realization. Lastly, may the Absolute guide our thoughts as we read through this study.