(The Blog is reverently for all the seekers of truth,
lovers of wisdom and to share the Hindu Dharma with others on the
spiritual path and also this is purely a non-commercial blog)
Why is science of spirituality superior to other sciences?
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:
Treatment
modality |
Who
administers the treatment? |
site of
action |
Special features
|
Cure
rate % |
Recovery*
|
A.
Intellectual
The technique is important |
|
|
|
|
|
1.
Shavasan
(corpse posture) |
Yoga
teacher |
Mainly
the
body and the conscious mind |
The
patient is not
taught how to face the anxiety provoking situations. Hence the treatment has to be continued. |
10
|
Temporary
|
2.
Drugs to
lower the blood pressure |
Physician
|
Nerve
endings |
"
|
30
|
"
|
3.
Drugs to
reduce anxiety |
Psychiatrist
|
Brain
|
"
|
30
|
"
|
4.
Psychothera-
py (discussion , counselling, etc.) |
Psychother-
apist |
Conscious
mind |
As
the patient is tau-
ght how to face anxi- ety provoking situat- ions incidentwise, personality does not change completely & treatment has to be continued off & on. |
50
|
For
some
time |
5.
Psychoana-
lysis |
Psychoana-
lyst |
Subconscio-
us mind |
After
some years,
personality of some 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. |
10
|
Mostly
permanent |
6.
Hypnotherapy
|
Hypnother-
apist |
Subcons-
cious mind |
Personality
of several
individuals improve markedly within a year. Thereafter, they are able to face anxi- ety provoking situati- ons. As a result, the chances of recurrence of high blood pressu- re are very low. |
50**
|
Mostly
permanent |
B.
Beyond
intellect (spiritual practice): |
|
|
|
|
|
The
technique is
not important, but it is the spiritual energy in the one recommending the treatment which is of importance. |
Spiritually
evolved individual |
A.
Subtle
and causal bodies B. Raja and tama components (are reduced) |
A.
Within a few years
, personality of most individuals changes completely. Thereafter they are able to face anxiety provoking situations. Hence, the chances of recurrence of high blood pressure are very rare. B. Factors beyond intellect are also evaluated. |
2**
|
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 members 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).
Subject
|
Amount of the
Absolute Truth % |
1.
Stories, novels, poetry, etc.
|
0
|
2.
Physical sciences
|
1
|
3.
Classical dance, classical music,
sculpture, etc. |
2
|
3.
Spirituality
|
100
|
3. Physical sciences and the science of Spirituality
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 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 support 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:
साक्षत्व वृत्तीचें कारण । उन्मनी ते निवृत्ति जाण ।
जेथें विरे जाणपण । विज्ञान तें ।। ७.४.५०
जेथें अज्ञान सरे । ज्ञान तेंहि नुरे ।
विज्ञानवृत्ति मुरे । परब्रह्मीं ।। ७.४.५१
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
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.
|
Physical sciences
|
Spirituality
|
1.
Origin
|
Western
countries
|
Eastern
countries
|
2.
What is it
called? |
Information
Experiences |
Spiritual
knowledge
Spiritual experiences |
3.
What is that
which perceives the information/ spiritual knowledge called? |
Embodied
soul (jiva)
|
Inferior
spiritual knowledge
- Embodied soul undertaking spiritual practice (jivatma) Superior spiritual knowledge - God realised soul (Shivatma)* |
4.
What is the
information / spiritual knowledge about? |
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) |
5.
From where is
the information/ spiritual knowledge obtained? |
Externally.
The five sense
organs, mind and intellect too are external with respect to the embodied soul. |
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. |
6.
Medium of
obtaining information / spiritual knowledge |
Information
is acquired
externally through the five senses and internally through the mind and intellect. |
Knowledge
is realised with
the sixth sense organ that is the embodied soul underta- king spiritual practice and the God realised soul. |
7.
Difference in
meaning |
Absent
|
May
be present, for instance
the implied meaning is inter- preted differently by indivi- duals at different spiritual levels. |
8.
What are they
connected with? |
A.
Great Illusion (Maya)**
|
Brahman (God principle),
the soul (atma) |
B.
Ignorance
|
Spiritual
knowledge
|
|
C.
Objects containing the
three components (trigun) |
Objects
beyond the three
components (trigunatit) |
|
D.
As Brahman exists
in
unlimited forms in the Great Illusion, e.g. in food, speech, sound, etc. the subjects are endless. |
The sole
subject is the eternal and infinite Brahman. |
|
E.
Gross
|
Subtle
|
|
F.
Entire creation
|
The
Creator of everything
|
|
G.
Things which undergo
dissolution |
The
eternal Brahman
|
|
H.
Psychology is one of
the branches of science in which the subconscious mind is studied with the objective of eliminating unhappiness. |
The
universal mind,
Brahman is studied in order to attain Bliss. |
|
9.
Objective
|
Achieving
temporary
happiness |
Attaining
eternal Bliss
|
10.
Methodology
|
A.
Understanding the
difference between various objects |
Perceiving
the similarities or
oneness between various objects. |
B.
Relative to an object:
Relative to place, time and object. Hence it has limitations of place and time. |
Unrelative
to an object: Not
relative to place, time and object as everything is nothing but Brahman (God principle). |
|
C.
Dependent on the object
(place, time and the object are required) |
Independent
of the object
(place, time and the object are not required) |
|
11.
State in which
information / spiritual knowledge is acquired |
Waking
state
|
A.
Superconscious state
(samadhi) B. Natural state of commun- ion with God (sahajavastha) C. Liberation when still embodied (sadeha mukti) |
12.
New creation
|
Impossible.
Highlighting
what already exists or changing it. |
Possible
|
13.
Awareness of
the body (dehabuddhi) |
Present
|
Absent
|
14.
Duality /
non-duality |
There
is duality
between intellect and information |
Since
the one in pursuit of
Brahman merges into It, there is non-duality (advait) |
15.
Happiness and
unhappiness |
Science
can give a lot
of happiness to man 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. |
Spirituality
never gives unha-
ppiness. One gets worldly happiness from spiritual pra- ctice done with expectation (sakam sadhana) whereas one can attain supreme hap- piness (Bliss) with spiritual practice done without expec- tation (nishkam sadhana). |
16.
Duration of
the experience/ spiritual experience |
A.
Short
|
Depends
upon the duration
of the superconscious state, continuous in the natural state of communioun with God and eternal in Liberation (Mukti) |
B.
Whatever is learnt
through experience in this birth has to be learnt again in the next, for example, writing, reading, etc. |
Whatever
is learnt through
spiritual experiences in this birth is carried forward to the next one. |
|
17.
Quality
|
Inferior***
|
Supreme
|
18.
Extent
|
Limited***
|
Unlimited
|
19.
Complete /
incomplete and truth / untruth |
The
‘truth’ in science
constantly undergoes changes. Hence, editions of books require improvisation. In brief, science is incomplete and untrue. |
The
knowledge of the soul
principle never changes. The truth found in Spirituality is eternal and beyond time. Hence, the Vedas, Upanish- ads, etc. have reprints but no revised editions. |
20.
Additions
|
There
are additions to
scientific information. |
Spiritual
knowledge does not
have additions. |
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. |
Does
not occur
|
22.
Boredom
|
May
occur
|
Does
not occur
|
23.
Contentment
|
Temporary,
as after
realising one ‘truth’ one feels like knowing the next. |
Present.
After one acquires
the ultimate spiritual experie- nce of Self-realisation, nothi- ng more is left to be experie- nced. Hence, one experien- ces the Bliss of contentment. |
24.
Definition
|
‘विगतं ज्ञानं यस्मात् तत् ।’
means, that from which knowledge (dnyan) has departed is science (vidnyan), is how the word science can be humorously but meaningfully defined. |
‘सा विद्या या विमुक्तये ।’
means only that which liberates is called spiritual knowledge (vidya / dnyan). This spiritual knowledge is acquired only through the science of Spirituality. |
25.
Fame
|
Occurs
fast, as it is useful
in day-to-day life. |
Occurs
slowly, as there is
hardly any connection with day-to-day life. |
26.
Relation with
other subjects |
Absent
|
All
subjects including the
physical sciences are a part of Spirituality. |
** 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.
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
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(Continued...)
(My humble
salutations to Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Jagruti for the collection)
(The Blog is reverently for all the seekers of truth,
lovers of wisdom and to share the Hindu Dharma with others on the
spiritual path and also this is purely a non-commercial blog)
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