Tag: philosophy
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The Banality Of Evil, Revisited: The Horror of Just ‘Let[ting] Off Some Steam’
When we think of someone spraying bullets through stained glass windows into a Catholic church where young children are observing morning mass, we should feel horrified. In an effort to make sense of our horror, however, we should not resort to psychological categories like “mental illness.” If we do, then, sadly, we’ve failed to reckon…
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The Mystery: Ego Only (Seemingly) When ‘Looking Elsewhere’
The reason our ego disappears when we investigate it in this way is that it does not actually exist even now, but merely seems to exist when we are looking elsewhere instead of at ourself alone. –Michael James, in reference to the teaching of Sri Ramana Maharshi (my emphasis) There’s something very peculiar about the…
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Self-inquiry, Vivarta, And Ajata
Michael James has written a number of excellent long form essays (for example, here and here) about the ajata doctrine, the highest or ultimate nondual teaching according to Gaudapada, Ramana Maharshi, and others. The ajata doctrine states that there is no creation, manifestation, or origination. Being is only being. Period. I’d like to briefly lay…
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How I Found Peace At The Bottom Of A Well
By Alexandra Taggart PART 1: My Mind Is Moving A Very Peculiar Notion Of Interior Decoration Right before I leave my apartment, I have the terrific urge to rearrange the furniture. Not just once but repeatedly over the course of some weeks. Moving a dresser, a side table, a futon. Today the lamp looks better…
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On Violence And Universal Love
In an ABC News interview following the shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, a neighbor, Pat Scallen, recalls how he ran from his house to the scene and sought to help in whatever way he could. Soon, he saw children running out of the building. According to ABC News, Scallen said the girl [who,…
Andrew Taggart, Ph.D. 