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I'm optimistic - there has been a lot of good work done in that direction, but I think one has to dig around for it - some more recent textbooks on mythology look quite good in terms of open-minded, comparative, spiritual outlooks - there's Thomas McEvilley -2002,The Shape of Ancient Thought: Comparative Studies in Greek and Indian Philosophieswhich boldly takes up the ancient notion of the oriential origin of Greek wisdon theory again.
I think post-modernism has helped to get away from the rigid materialistic modernist outlook, so people are willing to look at ancient sources with a more open mind. So there's a lot of good things being done out there... although is some respects, the comparative approach is not as good as it was back then...
What encouraging words. You obviously know how to find silver linings. Thank you for this.
Here's an interesting book:
Science of the cosmos, science of the soul : the pertinence of Islamic cosmology in the modern world - William C Chittick - Oxford : Oneworld, 2007. Here's what the intro states:
Islamic Intellectualism is dead: or so argues William Chittick in this new book. Whilst many may say that Islamic studies thrives as a subject, Chittick points to the words of one of his former Professors when describing young colleagues: they know everything one can possibly know about a text, except what it says. Indeed, Chittick states that it is impossible to understand ancient Islamic texts without the years of contemplative study that are anathema to the modern education system. While modern intellectuals with faith often treat their studies and faith in two separate spheres, Chittick argues that it is essential to return to the ways of the ancient Sufis, who viewed knowledge of the soul, the world, and God as an extension of the same thing.
Have European and Western Scholars over the past 125 years by in large been a help or a hindrance in getting the teachings of the Secret Doctrine taken seriously in the West?