Why_is_science_of_spirituality_superior_to_other_sciences s484v

Why is science of spirituality superior to other sciences? By : mandar Rating :

Contents

• 1. The sciences connected with the mind and the science of Spirituality • 2. Amount of the Absolute Truth in other subjects and Spirituality • 3. Physical sciences and the science of Spirituality

1. The sciences connected with the mind and the science of Spirituality

The relationship of the science of Spirituality with reference to various sciences of the mind is given in a tabular form with comparison of various methods of treatment in a patient with high blood pressure induced by anxiety, below: Who Treatment modality A. Intellectual The technique 1. Shavasan is important (corpse posture)

2. Drugs to lower the blood pressure

isters the treatment?

site of action

Yoga teacher

Mainly the body and the conscious mind

Physician

Nerve endings

Special features

Cure The patient is not 10 taught how to face rate Temporary the anxiety % provoking situations. Hence Recovery* the treatment has to be continued. " 30 "

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3. Drugs to reduce anxiety 4. Psychotherapy (discussion , counselling, etc.)

Psychiatrist Brain

"

Psychother- Conscious As the patient is apist mind taught how to face anxiety provoking situations incidentwise, personality does not change completely & treatment has to be continued off & on. 5. Psychoana- PsychoanaAfter some years, lysis lyst personality of Subconscio-some us mind individuals changes markedly and they are able to face most anxiety provoking situations. Consuently , their chances of suffering from high blood pressure again, are reduced.

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30

"

50 For some time

10 Mostly

permanent

6. Hypnother- Subcons- Personality of Mostly Hypnotherapy apist cious mind several 50** individuals improve markedly within a permanent year. Thereafter, they are able to face anxiety provoking situations. As a result, the chances of recurrence of high blood pressure are very low. B. Beyond intellect (spiritual practice): The technique Spiritually is evolved not important, individual but it is the spiritual energy in the one recommending the treatment which is of importance.

A. Subtle and causal bodies B. Raja and tama

A. Within a few years , personality of most individuals changes completely. Thereafter they are components able to face (are anxiety reduced) provoking situations. Hence, the chances of recurrence of high blood pressure are very rare. B. Factors beyond intellect are also evaluated.

2**

* Temporary (as long as treatment continues) / for sometime / permanently.

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Permanent

** Though these modalities of treatment are good, the number of those who recover is very less because often the patient discontinues treatment / spiritual practice midway. The difference between psychotherapy devoid of divine consciousness (chaitanya) and Spirituality endowing divine consciousness will be illustrated by the following examples. • A. A girl was in love with a boy. Rationally, theirs was a mismatch. After treating her with hypnotherapy for a year she finally abandoned the idea of marrying him. Here the Vaikhari mode of speech was used to convince the girl. In May 1993, a boy who was in love with a girl secretly got engaged and then informed his family about it. After contemplating upon it from the spiritual angle, Dr. Athavale felt that this marriage would not last. Hence, the same was conveyed to the boy through someone and that he would receive the appropriate answer within three days. Till then he was not supposed to give it a thought. The three day period was meant to prevent him from taking a decision under the influence of emotions. On the third day he informed that he had broken off the engagement. No resolve (sankalpa) so that he should break off the engagement had been made. It had occurred solely through the Madhyama mode of speech. • B. A person rejected the girl whose marriage proposal his brother had received as he did not like the girl. People questioned him as to how he had refused such a good proposal. Thereafter he felt very guilty. If he had really committed a mistake, then according to psychology he would have to be told for a few months that everyone makes mistakes and that he should forget the past, etc. On the other hand, if he were correct then he would have to be given suggestions to reassure him about the same. Only spiritual progress helps one to determine whether a decision made is right or wrong. Dr. Athavale perceived spiritually that if the boy had married that girl then they would have got happiness as in an average marriage. On the other hand, the happiness which would be derived from the marriage proposal due to come six months later would endow double this amount of happiness. The moment the person was told this he overcame his repentance. • C. A patient constantly feared that he would die of a heart attack. The moment he was told that he would live for another 35 years his fear vanished. Otherwise to cure him through hypnotherapy it would take at least eight to nine months.

2. Amount of the Absolute Truth in other subjects and Spirituality

The table below will illustrate why Spirituality is called paravidya (meaning supreme science) and the other sciences are called aparavidya (inferior sciences). Amount of the Absolute Truth %

Subject 1. Stories, novels, poetry, etc. 2. Physical sciences 3. Classical dance, classical music, sculpture, etc. 3. Spirituality

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1 2 100

3. Physical sciences and the science of Spirituality

‘Science has varied meanings such as specific knowledge, scientific knowledge philosophical knowledge, direct knowledge and knowledge of Brahman. However generally the knowledge which is acquired through the sense organs by analysis and experimentation of gross substances and natural phenomena following a specific order and procedure is called science (vidnyan). In this context, Prof. K.V. Belsare gives the following explanation - the role of science is to study the properties of physical substances, their interactions with one another, the general principles therein and to derive a system with logical explanation from them. The four steps in the methodology used in science are careful observation, classification, framing a hypothesis and deriving inferences from them. Once the properties of substances are studied, their actions can be controlled. Thus, man can control energies such as electricity, heat, light, sound, water, air, etc. and use them to gain mastery over place, time, speed, disease, etc. Among all the rules in the behaviour of substances in the universe, the rule of cause and effect is common to all. Hence, in science more emphasis is laid on determining the cause and effect relationship between substances. From the scientific point of view all events in the universe are entirely dependent on rules. Nothing in Nature is mysterious or miraculous. Events which appear perplexing, appear so only until one realises the cause and effect relationship between them. With the help of this knowledge, man has invented

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extraordinary appliances such as the train, the aeroplane, electric lamps, the radio, the telephone, etc. which have dramatically changed his quality of life. Though with the help of science, man has acquired external prosperity, internally he does not derive the feeling of contentment. Ancient Indian scholars have made attempts to provide society with both external and internal happiness because eventually without internal happiness, external happiness proves to be futile. After the 10th century A.D. the progress of our country came to a standstill because we began to concentrate only on internal spiritual practice. Plenty of discussions in the spheres of devotion and Righteousness ( Dharma) continued, but we neglected the field of physical sciences. To add to this we even forgot the knowledge compiled by our ancient sages.’(1) Today science claims, ‘After visiting Mars we will have crossed a great milestone in the annals of science and will know if there is existence of life there, etc.’ In Spirituality, visiting Mars by the subtle body and returning to the earth is only a ‘snake-charmer’s game’ or simply ‘purification of the mind (chitta)’. ‘If devices to record such subtle events are invented then at the most they will be useful for documentation and not for endowing the actual experience. Whereas, it is important to actually experience them. If scientists discover the blue dot with the aid of scientific devices, they will accept its existence, contemplate on it for several years, hold discussions and write theses on it. But it is more important to meditate and get introverted so as to actually experience the blue dot than to do all this. You will undergo a total tranformation due to this experience. Internally one will be endowed with Bliss, will be able to hear divine music and will be able to acquire supernatural powers such as divine vision, hearing heavenly messages, etc. There will be a flow of divine nectar (amrut) from the absolute ether (akash) element within.’ (2) It is for this alone that physical sciences is the first step in the learning process while Spirituality is the final one. ‘People complain that faith (shraddha) has declined due to modern science. Despite that curiosity about Spirituality has increased. What does decline in faith actually mean? Or what exactly is faith? Can blind and naive belief be considered as faith? Here, it becomes necessary to explore into the basic nature of faith, as described in the Nirukta holy texts. The author, Vachaspati has defined faith as ‘the strength to the truth’. If one understands this concept, then the distinction between faith and rationalism will be destroyed. Today, when one says that curiosity about Spirituality has increased it is as if faith itself has been augmented. The intellect aroused by curiosity ‘grasps’ knowledge and faith strengthens that knowledge. There is faith where there is curiosity about Spirituality and knowledge. Curiosity about Spirituality (jidnyasa) and a desire for the Final Liberation ( mumuksha) are both complementary to each other in all aspects.’ (3) According to the holy text, Shri Dasbodh the meaning of science (vidnyan) is as follows:

साकॕषतॕ‍व वृतॕतीचें कारण । उनॕ‍मनी ते निवृतॕति जाण । जेथें विरे जाणपण । विजॕञान तें ।। à¥-.४.५० जेथें अजॕञान सरे । जॕञान तेंहि नॕरे । विजॕञानवृतॕति मॕरे । परबॕरहॕमीं ।। à¥-.४.५१ Meaning: The stance of a spectator is the action of the subconscious mind (chitta). Going beyond the mind ( unmani), that is beyond the stance of the spectator is non-action (nivrutti). Where the awareness [absolute ego (ahambhav)] that I am the knower dissolves, is pure knowledge (vidnyan). - 7.4.5

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At the level of Parabrahman both ignorance and knowledge disappear. Even the pure knowledge (vidnyan) dissolves. [Only non-duality (advait) persists.] - 7.4.51 Why the science of Spirituality and not the physical sciences are useful for making spiritual progress will be clear from the following table.

1. Origin 2. What is it called? 3. What is that which perceives the information/ spiritual knowledge called? 4. What is the information / spiritual knowledge about? 5. From where is the information/ spiritual knowledge obtained? 6. Medium of obtaining information / spiritual knowledge 7. Difference in meaning

Physical sciences Western countries Information Experiences Embodied soul (jiva)

Spirituality Eastern countries Spiritual knowledge Spiritual experiences Inferior spiritual knowledge - Embodied soul undertaking spiritual practice (jivatma) Superior spiritual knowledge - God realised soul (Shivatma)*

Gross things such as the word, touch, form, taste, odour, emotion, thought, etc.

Initially - Subtle fragrance, subtle sound, etc. so also subtle things such as aura, frequencies, etc. Finally - The soul (atma) Initially from the Guru and later from within. The embodied soul undertaking spiritual practice and the God realised soul acquire spiritual knowledge from within, that is from the soul. Knowledge is realised with the sixth sense organ that is the embodied soul undertaking spiritual practice and the God realised soul. May be present, for instance the implied meaning is interpreted differently by individuals at different spiritual levels.

Externally. The five sense organs, mind and intellect too are external with respect to the embodied soul.

Information is acquired externally through the five senses and internally through the mind and intellect. Absent

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8. What are they connected with?

9. Objective 10. Methodology

11. State in which information / spiritual knowledge is acquired 12. New creation

A. Great Illusion (Maya)**

Brahman (God principle), the soul (atma) Spiritual knowledge Objects beyond the three components (trigunatit)

B. Ignorance C. Objects containing the three components (trigun) D. As Brahman exists in unlimited forms in the Great Illusion, e.g. in food, speech, sound, etc. the subjects are endless. E. Gross F. Entire creation G. Things which undergo dissolution H. Psychology is one of the branches of science in which the subconscious mind is studied with the objective of eliminating unhappiness. Achieving temporary happiness A. Understanding the difference between various objects B. Relative to an object: Relative to place, time and object. Hence it has limitations of place and time. C. Dependent on the object (place, time and the object are required) Waking state

The sole subject is the eternal and infinite Brahman.

Subtle The Creator of everything The eternal Brahman The universal mind, Brahman is studied in order to attain Bliss.

Attaining eternal Bliss Perceiving the similarities or oneness between various objects. Unrelative to an object: Not relative to place, time and object as everything is nothing but Brahman (God principle). Independent of the object (place, time and the object are not required) A. Superconscious state (samadhi) B. Natural state of communion with God (sahajavastha) C. Liberation when still embodied (sadeha mukti) Possible

Impossible. Highlighting what already exists or changing it.

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13. Awareness Present of the body (dehabuddhi) 14. Duality / There is duality non-duality between intellect and information 15. Happiness Science can give a lot and of happiness to man unhappiness but cannot always save him from unhappiness, e.g. a television set, air conditioner, etc. give happiness but when they break down man becomes unhappy. 16. Duration of A. Short the experience/ spiritual experience B. Whatever is learnt through experience in this birth has to be learnt again in the next, for example, writing, reading, etc. 17. Quality Inferior*** 18. Extent Limited*** 19. Complete / The ‘truth’ in science incomplete constantly undergoes and changes. Hence, editions truth / untruth of books require improvisation. In brief, science is incomplete and untrue. 20. Additions There are additions to scientific information. 21. End Occurs, e.g. when it is discovered that all types of energies are created from a single energy, it will be the end of physics. After the discovery of that basic element from which all elements are created, it will be the culmination of chemistry.

Absent

Since the one in pursuit of Brahman merges into It, there is non-duality (advait) Spirituality never gives unhappiness. One gets worldly happiness from spiritual practice done with expectation (sakam sadhana) whereas one can attain supreme happiness (Bliss) with spiritual practice done without expectation (nishkam sadhana). Depends upon the duration of the superconscious state, continuous in the natural state of communioun with God and eternal in Liberation (Mukti) Whatever is learnt through spiritual experiences in this birth is carried forward to the next one.

Supreme Unlimited The knowledge of the soul principle never changes. The truth found in Spirituality is eternal and beyond time. Hence, the Vedas, Upanishads, etc. have reprints but no revised editions. Spiritual knowledge does not have additions. Does not occur

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22. Boredom 23. Contentment

24. Definition

25. Fame

26. Relation with other subjects

May occur Temporary, as after realising one ‘truth’ one feels like knowing the next.

Does not occur Present. After one acquires the ultimate spiritual experience of Self-realisation, nothing more is left to be experienced. Hence, one experiences the Bliss of contentment. ‘विगतं ‘सा विदॕया जॕञानं या यसॕ‍मातॕ‌ विमॕकॕ‍तये ततॕ‌ ।’ ।’ means, that from which means only that which knowledge (dnyan) has liberates is called spiritual departed is science knowledge (vidya / dnyan). (vidnyan), is how the word This spiritual knowledge is science can be humorously acquired only through the but meaningfully defined. science of Spirituality. Occurs fast, as it is useful Occurs slowly, as there is in day-to-day life. hardly any connection with day-to-day life. Absent All subjects including the physical sciences are a part of Spirituality.

* The embodied soul undertaking spiritual practice (jivatma) is one which has experienced a little of the soul principle (atmatattva) to some extent. Rather it is the embodied soul (jiva) which has got inferior type of spiritual experiences. Inferior spiritual experiences are related to the five subtle sense organs, mind and the intellect e.g. experiencing fragrance in the absence of an incense stick, knowing the answer to a query. The God realised soul (Shivatma) is one which has almost blended with God (Shiva) that is, the embodied soul which has got superior type of spiritual experiences. Superior spiritual experiences are in relation to higher supernatural powers (siddhi), Bliss (Anand) and Serenity (Shanti). For information on supernatural powers so also on superior and inferior spiritual experiences refer ‘Science of Spirituality : Chapter 41 - Spiritual Progress and Chapter 42 - The Spiritually Evolved’.

** Hence this is like running after a mirage. The truth is never found in it.

*** ‘The physical sciences are incomplete in one sense as at any given point of time some of its questions remain unanswered. If ever they are solved then new questions arise.’ - Mr. Jayant Naralikar, Maharashtra Times, 24th March 1991.

The difference between the physical sciences and Spirituality can be explained in simple language thus The physical sciences cannot explain how to attain Bliss (Anand) which only the science of Spirituality can. It is only the science of Spirituality which teaches one to observe the problems in day-to-day life and unhappy events, e.g. a loss in business, death of a near one, etc. with the stance of a spectator (sakshibhav) and attain Bliss, something which none of the modern sciences can do.

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Reference:

‘Spirituality’, published by Sanatan Sanstha. Bharatiya Sanskrutikosh. Publisher :Pandit Mahadevshastri Joshi, Secretary, Bharatiya Sanskrutikosh Mandal, 410 Shanivar Peth, Pune 411 030. First edition : Vol. 3 to 10 1. Vol. 9, pg. 11-13 Kalpavrukshatali (Swami Muktanandanchya Sahavasat). First edition 1986. Gurudev Siddhapith, Ganeshpuri, Thane district 401206. 2. Pg. 133 Dhaval-Giri. Second edition, dated 12th January 1964, Author: Justice D.G. Vinod. Publisher : Siddhashram, Shanti Mandir, Vijayanagar Colony, 2100 Sadashiv Peth, Pune 411 022. 3. Pg. 41

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