Atman, Aporia, and Atomism (Tom Pepper Critiques Alan Wallace)

He Who Shall Not Be Named shared this essay on FB today.  I've just read the intro so far, but it looks interesting and thought it worthy of sharing here, especially since I recently posted something by Alan Wallace (the subject of the essay) in the video section recently.

Feast, Interrrupted

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You can read Integral Spirituality (Integral Books, 2006) free at Scribd. We reference this one frequently. And another Scribd copy in an easier to read format but the pagination is not like the book for citations.

Actually just jump ahead to Appendix II, Integral Postmetaphysics, to get the jist. If you're so inclined you can read the rest of it.

Hi Dial. Thanks for your interest in the speculative non-buddhism blog. You make a couple of comments that I want to address. On Feb 14: you say that I seem:

"to be performing exactly as the object of [my[ own critique, – a default hyper-reflexivity to a ‘Non-Buddhism – rather than ‘Buddhism’ -’ that clatters around within the same small container of moves without really seeming to take us anywhere much."

I do want the theory itself to remain a small container, like those five-gram glass vials that hash oil comes in. In other words: not much in there, but enough to radically fuck with your perspective--in a fun way! Still, I'd like to hear more of what prompted your comment. Relatedly, you say here that you suspect that "SNB is far more doctrinaire than it imagines itself to be." What do you mean?Are you referring to the heuristic? I am indeed trying to create a method that others can use--can hold up to the x-buddhist data. That part is probably doctrinaire-ish in that it's a prescribed method. Is that what you're referring to?

Thanks.



Dial said:

 Yes, maybe, although, I'd like to think that Pepper has a much more nuanced position on post-modernism than evidenced in that quote. I imagine he's critiquing one predominant aspect rather than dismissing all 'post-modernism'.

Although, I'm not quite on-board with 'non-buddhism' I still always enjoy the site a great deal. And Wallis's descriptions of his method of theorizing is in line with how I imagine a theoretical practice might be aligned with a spiritual practice. He actually attempts to place each inside the other...

...I just spent a good 10 mins searching the site for something I'd read previously about the place his group accords silence and thought in interaction. Couldn't find it, but found out they offer post-grad credits in Applied Buddhism, and Wallis used to be in Philly band Ruin. There you go.

I have this sneaking suspicion that SNB is far more doctrinaire than it imagines itself to be.  Still, I like their work and ambitions. 

Glenn and Tom: You might appreciate this thread on Batchelor, wherein you will find many similar themes and criticisms.

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