Dr Ravi Ravindra

Prof. Emeritus, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

A central idea of the Vedic tradition is that the whole manifested universe emanated from Brahman, which the Upanishads describe as ekam evādvītīyam (one only, without a second).”  Consequently, in the Indian spiritual teachings the emphasis is on oneness of all there is, but in the Abrahamic teachings the emphasis is on the uniqueness of each creature. In the Indian teachings sticking to one’s individuality is a mark of ignorance, whereas in the Abrahamic spirituality an awareness of individuality coveys a sense of responsibility. 

In my presentation I will address the issue of the good as well as the undesirable consequences of an exclusive emphasis either on oneness of all beings or on uniqueness of each creature.