Title: hermeneut

Age: 48

Sun Sign: Capricorn

Location: Victoria

In a former life I was an Indologist. In my current incarnation I am exploring my capacities as a musician and transmitter of musical traditions.

As an Indologist, I am a specialist in the Advaita Vedanta of Shankara. My approach to translating the classical works of the Indian tradition has generally been informed by the New Critical method of “close reading.” As for scholars of Vedanta, I respect the work of Paul Hacker, Hajime Nakamura, Wilhelm Halbfass, Sengaku Mayeda, and Phyllis Granoff.

I remain interested in Indian intellectual history and spirituality, though I take a historical-critical and “hermeneutic” approach toward modern Western appropriations of Asian religion, spirituality, and philosophy. For my detailed views on such matters you can check out my web site, Explorations in Neo-Vedanta and Perennialism, as well as my blog here at Gaia.

The term “kelamuni” is from derived from Sanskrit. The term “muni” means “sage,” while the term “kela” means “fool.”

My philosophical views have been shaped by Wittgenstein, Gadamer, Collingwood, and Kant, though I also have an interest in traditional mystical philosophers and exegetes like Nagarjuna and Chandrakirti. A de facto member of the Church of the Toad of Light, my personal views on spirituality can perhaps best be described as anarchic, in the spirit of figures like Asthavakra. 

I studied Philosophy as an undergrad, and Sanskrit at grad school. I have played in various orchestras and ensembles; managed a symphony orchestra for a stint; lived and studied in India; taught Buddhist Studies at a major American university; and helped raise my charming daughter.

I currently free-lance as a classical musician, and teach violin and piano privately.  I also teach, and continue to be interested in, the classical trivium: grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric. Of late, I've taken an interest in traditional Irish music, particularly the fiddle music of county Donegal in northwest Ireland, and for fun and edification I participate in local Irish sessions.

Long term projects include a collection of essays on the nature and development of “non-dualism” (advaya/advaita) in Buddhism and Vedanta; a collection of annotated transcriptions of traditional reels and hornpipes from the Celtic and Old Time fiddle traditions; and a collection of recipes from the Moroccan, Turkish, Persian, and North Indian culinary traditions.

Member Since: Saturday, January 12 2008

Last Visit: Today.

Profile Viewed: 2606 times (last viewed less than a minute ago)