Two streams of thought converge in my personal approach to philosophy and ethics:
- Bhedābheda Vedānta, as articulated by Jīva Goswāmī in his Ṣaṭ Sandarbhas, offers an alternative conception of eternal self-identity (jīvātmā) independent of mind and matter. With this foundation in place, Goswāmī builds a case and a method to pursue pure selfless service (ahaitukī bhakti).
- Gandhian social ethics, which was the interdisciplinary focus of my Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (2014-2019). My research included a critical deconstruction of the underpinnings of the European Enlightenment and (neo)liberal political philosophy utilizing the framework of Jīva Gosvāmī’s Bhedābheda Vedānta philosophy. I concluded with a Gandhian perspective on nonviolent, collaborative social arrangements.
… a Hindu asked Gandhi, “What shall I do? My only son was killed by a Muslim.” Straight came the reply: “Forgive. Adopt a Muslim child as your own. His parents may have been killed by Hindus.”
Mahatma Gandhi, quoted in “What Gandhi Taught Me about Jesus,” by By A. C. Oommen.