Chaitanya Jyothi Museum Opening, 2000

RAMANAM
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.  Amen.

Countrymen,

ORBIS NON SUFFICIT
SOLUS DEUS SUFFICIT

Actually, this is exactly the issue at trial today: is reality independent of my cognizing it?  I am glad the issue is at trial.  Only good can come of this struggle between Yes and No.  Lefties — Nominalists — say, No, only what I say is is.  Everyone else — Realists — says, Yes, reality is whether I say so or not.

The issue is soteriological.  If reality depends on my say so, neither it nor I need care about finitude, contingency, ambiguity or dialectics.  And soteriology is a laughingstock of fools.  If reality is independent of my say so, I and it must address our individual and mutual finitude and unavoidable condition of ambiguity, delusion and estrangement.  And soteriology is the question nearest our beating heart and heated mind.

So let the battle rage.  It cannot be averted in any case.  Lefties always see to that.  I am confident of the Realist outcome and look forward to the period of calm it must entrain.

AUM NAMAH SHIVAYA