Process panentheism, a method of theology, avoids the problems associated with materialistic and classical naturalism. This view bases sensory perception on a nonsensory model and explains God's interplay with the body, mind and God. This view does not include the problems of dualism and superstitionalism.
Hinduism
Hinduism has many distinct types, including henotheistic panentheistic, monotheistic, or henotheistic. A Hindu is someone who believes that one god has multiple roles and qualities. Panentheists are those who believe everything is a part a single entity, or Brahman.
The word panentheistic comes from Greek roots and means "God is in everything." This view is based in part on the Bradaranyaka Upanisad Hindu scripture. This scripture tells the story of a dialogue between a student & a sage.
Neoplatonism
Neoplatonism refers to a panentheistic religion that holds God to be both the transcendent One as well as the World-Soul. The former is immanent in this world. This view carries over the panentheistic theology of Heraclitus, who believed that all is one.
Panentheism can be described as a group of related theologies, which all share some basic affirmations. An in-depth exploration of this group of beliefs will reveal the similarities and differences.
Kashmir Shaivism
Kashmir Shaivism believes that there is only one Creator or Absolute Reality. He exists in all things, and is the source for all knowledge and life. Paramasiva or the creator cannot be fully explained because He's infinite. Accordingly, His infiniteness is impossible to comprehend by any human mind. This is an important aspect Kashmir Shaivism.
Kashmir Shaivism's doctrine of the Absolute is non-dual, as it is theistic. It says that everything is real, but that it is also spiritual. Absolute reality refers to the state of pure Consciousness. The Absolute is divine and joyful. The Absolute has an awareness of all creatures and it is ever aware of them.
Saivite theology
The theology of Saivism is panentheistic, and it proclaims God Siva as the embodiment of love. This love is both immanent and transcendent. God creates this world and through it we evolve to achieve moksha.
The concept of panentheism is a middle ground between traditional monotheism and theism. Traditional monotheism rejects God's immanent existence. Panentheism affirms that God is in fact immanent within all of the universe. This belief encourages an intimacy between God's world and God by allowing God to be transcendent and immanent.
Vaishnavism
There are several sub-denominations to the Hindu pantheon. Each one presents a different view. Northern Vaishnavas view Vishnu, for example, as Krishna while southern Vaishnavas consider him to be Rama. Despite these differences there are five main schools in Vaishnavism. These schools differ in their conception of God and their view of the human relationship. Ramanuja established Shrivaishnavism.
Vaishnavism does believe in a pantheistic divinity but is not monotheistic. Its theology is based on the vedas, which recognize a supreme being in three aspects: the material universe, the spiritual world, and the 'personal' God. God can be seen as both personal and universal in this framework.