Title: musician

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 “khela” means “prankster.”

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. 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 musician, and teach violin and piano privately.  I also run writing workshops, and teach the classical trivium: grammar, logic/dialectic, and rhetoric.

I have an online site dedicated to science fiction and horror called Cinema Phantasia Speculum, and I plan to have a site dedicated to Indian cooking up some time soon. Eventually, a series of videos of me playing traditional fiddle tunes will appear on YouTube.

Long term book 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

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