Rën

Rën (/ɾen/) is a doctrine of monism or nondualism which professes that all of existence, and in particular, all forms of consciousness, can be traced back to a single undefinable entity from which the philosophy gets its name.
==Texts==
Rën philosophy is primarily contained within a set of poetry.  The text does not have a stated name, though is commonly referred to simply as "Rën", after the ideograph featuring on the cover page. Excluding the titles of its 81 sections, and the opening and closing statement of “Rën”, it is written in 10,000 English words in alliterative dactylic hexameter.
The 81 sections (bës) are each titled with words in the Rën language.  Every one refers to an aspect of Rën, some of which are antonyms of other titles.  The first and final section both have the same title, “Marëga”, meaning “The pasture of Rën” or “Rën is a meadow”.
==Beliefs and teachings==
Rën’s classification as a religion is uncertain, as it does not provide a personal God, and discourages superstition.  However, it explicitly does not exclude followers of other traditions, and welcomes nontheistic interpretations. Adherents believe that their philosophy is compatible with any other belief system, or lack thereof.
It is believed that all religions, as well as modern science, suggest that consciousness is a fluid entity, immanent with or identical to matter, rather than a product of the human brain, or individual soul. The goal of Rën is to understand and internalize this concept to encourage ego death (rezad), in which the individual loses belief in the self as separate from the rest of existence.
==Rën==
The neologism Rën is central to the philosophy, as it represents an array of meanings given context. Firstly, it refers to a form of divinity, in which is represented all consciousness in both animate and inanimate form. In the same way, especially within its constructed language, Rën also may apply to any conscious being.
Rën also refers to the philosophy itself, although adherents refer to themselves equally as "Nameless" or "Rikalma" (lit. “without words”), and it is the common name of the constructed language connected to the philosophy.
==Determinism==
Rën discourages belief in free will, stating that human action does not operate outside of natural laws (hamën), and is therefore guided by the same predictable principles that guide everything else.  Adherents are invited to find a sense of liberation in determinism by examining and addressing the cause of their choices, as opposed to the choices in and of themselves.  Rën poetry makes frequent references to a belief in “ultimate oneness” through metaphor, in which the reader is encouraged to see the world from the perspective of an interested observer.
==Worldly living==
Meditation is suggested as the primary means of achieving ego death, with no particular method prescribed.  However, adherents are also encouraged to “cultivate awe”, called ehër, in their surroundings, and constantly remember the idealism of Rën in day to day life, rather than withdrawing from modern society.
Abstinence from exploitative economic practices is strongly emphasized.  The poetry takes a negative stance towards wage slavery, directed media, and lobbying.  Greed is cited as the source of much suffering and inequality, and humility and charity as the solution.  The “Namelessness” of the Rën philosophy is, in part, a protest against the use of human lives as economic resources.
This emphasis on autonomy extends to family living as well, and it explicitly does not place emphasis upon the sanctity of family, likening these to the ownership or exploitation of children and spouses when abused.  Parenthood is considered to be a sacred task of the parent, as opposed to the mere imperative of the organism.
==Ethics and equality==
Rën ethics are strongly based on its observations and interpretations of nature, especially animal behaviour.  It does not allow for discrimination based on “Skin tone, sexuality, gender, race, or religion”, and discourages the adherents from identification with their gender, race, or culture, citing it as a source of suffering.  It indicates respect for the well-being and gentle treatment of not only fellow human beings, but animals and even inanimate objects.
At the same time, it is acknowledged that death and suffering are part of nature, and that good and evil are “infinitely complicated”.
==Religious inclusivity==
It is believed that all religious paths, or lack thereof, can lead towards understanding and embracing of nonduality, and therefore Rën is not an exclusive faith, but invites adherents to retain their religion while following the philosophy and developing a practice.
==Weapons and articles==
Adherents are encouraged to keep a hidden weapon in order to defend themselves or others from immediate danger.  The weapon is not to be shown to anyone, and should only be brought into action at a time when its wielder is prepared to die.
Rën prescribes keeping hair uncut, and otherwise not removing parts of one’s body unless necessary, although it does not exclude additions such as piercings or tattoos.  Uncut hair is typically kept tied; cleanliness and personal hygiene are considered very important.
==Language==
Language is believed to be simultaneously the most important development separating humans and animals, and the cause of our loss of emotional connection with divine nonduality. For this reason, animals feature regularly within Rën poetry. While humans have developed a method of understanding and communicating complex concepts such as nonduality and ego death, through language we have also developed an identification with the mind, thus removing the innate awe and connection with Rën. The goal therefore of Rën may be said to merge that intellectual understanding with a regained sense of nonattachment and love of existence.
The Rën language (Zëw Rën) is a constructed language used as a meditative tool to limit natural tendencies towards dualistic thought, and to develop a habit of detaching from and evaluating one's thoughts, in relation to Rën nondualism. The language lacks tense-aspect, but has a complex system of grammatical moods arranged according to levels of certainty or contemplation on the statement, and upon the cause for which the statement is made. In addition, the language contains no animate noun except for the word Rën, represented as an ideograph. The remainder of the language is written in a flowing cursive of several layers.
==External links==
*Rën
*Rën Core Text
*Rën: Grammar and Philosophy
Category:New religious movements