Traditions

In an Abrahamic prophetic tradition, it is necessary to be neither polytheist nor atheist but monotheist whereas, in an Indian contemplative tradition, it is possible to be polytheist, monotheist or atheist and also to advance from polytheism to monotheism or monism by reinterpreting many gods as appearances of a single personal or impersonal reality.

Thus, prophetic traditions have to be monotheist whereas contemplative traditions can be polytheist, monotheist, atheist or monist.

There is contemplation in some prophetic traditions and monotheism in some contemplative traditions. However, contemplative monotheism can be monistic or transitional to impersonalist monism. 

Prophecy is specific and exclusive whereas contemplation is comprehensive and inclusive. Prophecy and prayer presuppose a deity whereas contemplation presupposes only consciousness and reality and therefore has been expressed through diverse theories of many individual souls, one universal soul and no soul.

I was educated in a prophetic tradition but now practice in a contemplative tradition. My philosophy is monist but materialist, not idealist. Therefore, I accept neither soul pluralist reincarnation nor no-soulist rebirth. Being has become conscious and each psychophysical organism is a distinct individual conscious subject. We can meditate without believing either in supernatural beings or in post-mortem states.