Meditation in Sankara's (Shankaracharya's) Vedanta

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Meditation is now attracting a great deal of attention in both popular and scholarly circles. But there is still much uncertainty about the nature of meditation. This study seeks to clarify some of the misconceptions which cloud our understanding of the subject. The book examines meditation primarily in the context of the Indian tradition of yoga. For meditation is the very heart of yoga practice. The work is written from the vantage point of Sankara's Vedanta. Sankara is well known as one of the foremost interpreters of Hindu tradition. Yet there are many problems involved with studying this thought. The author reviews critically the ways in which Sankara has been approached.

The publication in 1952 of a commentary on the Yogasutra, attributed to Sankara, has prompted re-evaluation of Sankara's thought. In an influential article, a leading Indologist argued that Sankara was first a follower of yoga doctrines, and then turned to Advaita. This thesis is called into question here. The author disputes the assumption that Advaita is opposed to Yoga and meditation. The book clearly defines the role of meditation in Sankara's Vedanta. Sankara's attitude to yoga is also closely analysed.

About the Author:

The author has taught in the Indian Studies Department at Melbourne University. He is presently at the Australian National University (in the Faculty of Asian Studies), where he teaches part-time, and is working on a study of the traditional accounts of Sankara's life.

Of Related Interest:

Life of Shankaracharya - The Adventures of a Poet Philosopher

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