Abstract
For the benefit of those who have not read my book, let me offer a few framing remarks. I begin by noting that my initial working title for the book was Ecstasy and Nonduality, not The Immanent Divine. Although somewhat technical, the earlier title had the virtue of stipulating that my book compares two specific types of divine immanence. I root each sort of immanence in a fundamental scriptural locus within the Christian and Hindu traditions. In the Christian case, the scriptural text is Romans 8:26, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs to deep for words" (NRSV). The King James reads, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." In the Hindu case, the scriptural text is the Upanishadic mahavakya, "Aham Brahmasmi" from Brhadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10. In this Christian scripture, divine immanence is experienced as an ecstatic event accomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit that grasps and prays through us when we know not how to pray. In the Hindu scripture, immanence is given by way of nonduality: one just is Brahman.
Recommended Citation
Thatamanil, John J.
(2009)
"Ecstasy and Nonduality: On Comparing Varieties of Immanence,"
Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies:
Vol. 22, Article 8.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.7825/2164-6279.1435