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The Nature of Man According to the Vedanta Paperback – August 16, 2004

by John Levy (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 17 ratings
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John Levy was a mystic, teacher, and artist who died in 1976. An Englishman, Levy spent many years in India with his guru, Krishna Menon, and brought his knowledge of Advaita Vedanta to the west in an accessible form. In The Nature of Man According to the Vedanta, John Levy makes the classic argument against subject-object duality and concludes that the true Self cannot be known—as to know it would be to objectify it. Oddly enough, this is a liberating discovery; we see that our essence cannot be altered by anything we do or anything that happens to us. This consideration frees us to tackle anything—to jump into the stream of life and enjoy the experience—because there is an untouchable reality at the core of our existence. This book is one of the finest expressions of non-dualist philosophy. A must-have for those seeking deeper insight into the essential nature of the human being.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    128 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Sentient Publications
  4. Publication date
    August 16, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    5.27 x 0.37 x 7.74 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1591810248
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1591810247
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Levy was a wealthy English mystic, teacher, musician, and artist who was an expert in Asian folk music. He had his own radio program about this subject on the BBC. At one point in his life Levy decided to give away his entire fortune and go to live for a time in India with only a loincloth. Levy spent many years there with his guru, Krishna Menon, assisting him with the English translations of his guru’s books Atma Darshan and Atma Niviriti.

He then brought his knowledge of Advaita Vedanta to the West in an accessible form through his teaching work and the publication of his two books. John Levy died in London in 1976.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sentient Publications (August 16, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1591810248
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1591810247
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.27 x 0.37 x 7.74 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 17 ratings

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John Levy

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
17 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Matt J.
5.0 out of 5 stars Clear Overview of Advaita
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2011
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The Nature of Man is a broad, general overview of Advaita Vedanta, an ancient Indian system of non-duality. He starts at the beginning, with our everyday awareness, and leads us step by step the ultimate conclusions of Advaita. Along the way, he touches on basic questions for time, space, and human embodiment.

Using razor sharp logic and clear illustrations, John Levy lays out the Vedanta program that any reasonably intelligent Western reader can easily understand. This is not the vague pointing of Ramana Maharshi, nor the stagnant "there is nothing to do" teaching of modern neo-advaita. This is traditional Advaita represented for a Western audience. I would recommend this book especially for those of an intellectual bent.

The central teaching I got from my initial reading of the book was how one becomes identified with the body, and how this identification leads to all sorts of illusory dualistic conclusions. The book is tightly packed, and I'm sure I will be re-reading this book for years to come.
10 people found this helpful
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Ralph W Wear
5.0 out of 5 stars Where the search ends......
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2015
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If you have been kicking around the spiritual scene for some time, and found yourself nibbling here and there, but unable to find red meat....You have found it. Levy distills the wisdom of Vedanta into small chapter/paragraph nuggets allowing you to unpack the wisdom on your end like a .zip file. This is a short read that can be read time and again for new insight. Highly recommended for those ready for higher wisdom .Along with this book Levy's guru Sri Atmananda (Krishna Menon) "Notes on Spiritual Discourses" are the two most concentrated and fulfilling books on the wisdom of Vedanta I have been able to find. Grab one, or preferably both. If you have been seeking, you won't be disappointed.
7 people found this helpful
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Paul
5.0 out of 5 stars clear exposition of Self
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2017
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A clear exposition of Self in Non-dual Vedanta. It is written from a somewhat western perspective and without the over-mystification or over-simplification of most texts on this topic Rather thorough and accessible. While not exactly easy reading, it's well worth the effort.
2 people found this helpful
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zen_reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2015
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I do love this book. It explains Vedanta in simple but profound language. I am blown away by Mr. Levy's writings on dreaming, both awake and asleep. It's so far the best book I've read on Vedanta. I will re-read it many times.
3 people found this helpful
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shawn
5.0 out of 5 stars Best ever
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2017
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Best book ever in explaining Vedanta! Levy says in a condensed form what others have taken volumes to try and explain. Amazing and the best book ever.
One person found this helpful
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Robert Herrmann
1.0 out of 5 stars If you are a Vedantist this book is a waste of good paper and $$
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2016
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If you are a Vedantist this book is a waste of good paper and $$. Swami Vivekananda and Sri Ramakrishna would be totally ashamed by this man.
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Table_for_5
4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2008
First of all, this book is not to be read casually, as it can be dificult to digest. It might help if the reader has elementary knowledge of non-duality also. That said, the author did a fine job of introducing what is quite possibly the most brilliant philosophy ever conceived to a Western audience. Advaita Vedanta is a philosophy extrapolated from various Hindu texts. Many authors feel the need to use a number of the original Sanskrit terms even when the book is written in English. Thankfully Mr. Levy did not do this. Afterall, the terms are not important; having an understanding of the philosophy of non-duality is.

I highly recommend this book to true aspirants seeking the path to understanding that is within. Now, I have to go start reading this book for the second time, as it will take several reads for me to grasp all of the concepts presented in the text :)
11 people found this helpful
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Steve Ray
5.0 out of 5 stars A Rare View into Eastern Non-Duality
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2004
The Nature of Man According to the Vedanta is a unique and profound book placing ancient eastern wisdom into an easy to digest format. Through years of dedicated study John Levy has boiled down his understanding and placed it in a way as to be understood by a western mind. The wisdom in this book has perennial value for all those lucky enough to come upon it.
19 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Roberto Franchi
5.0 out of 5 stars L'essenza del Vedanta
Reviewed in Italy on October 5, 2019
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Un libro bellissimo
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Cowrie
4.0 out of 5 stars Observation
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2014
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In comparison to the clarity and exquisite English which Wei Wu Wei explains matters, John Levy's book, although excellent in its own right was less compelling.
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Sakshin
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice intro to Krishna Menon and to the Mandukya Upanishad
Reviewed in France on April 15, 2012
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I was told much good about this book, and was eager to read it. Even though it is good, it doesn't quite compare, in my opinion, to the source it was inspired by, namely Atmananda Krishna Menon's two works: Atma Darshan and Atma Nirvritti. Those are in turn developments on the teachings of the Mandukya Upanishad. But if you are looking for something simpler to understand so as to meet Atmananda with a better preparation, this is a good place to start.
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