Transcript Spirituality in Scientific Perspective

Importance of Spirituality in Life
Compiled from books written by
Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya
Founder All World Gayatri Pariwar
Outline
Understanding Spirituality
Science versus Spirituality
Is spirituality a curse?
Some misconceptions
What is true spirituality?
Its importance
Basic principles
Successes of Science
An endless list:
Wealth of knowledge, unraveling mysteries
Disaster management
Means of Communication
Means of Conveyance
Means of Comfort
Medicine and surgery
….
Limitations of Science
All aspects of science deal with matter and
physical forms of energy
Cannot answer many questions:
Why do we take birth and why do we die?
What is happiness and what is sorrow?
What are feelings and emotions?
What is the tendency to sacrifice for others?
How to solve social problems?
How to transform an ordinary being to a great
man?
Science is important but not everything
About Science and Spirituality
Two aspects of creation:
matter
consciousness (‘chetana’/soul)
Two methods of study
Science – study of matter, physical
forces/energies that influence matter
Spirituality – study of consciousness and
its evolution/progress
Consciousness is superior to matter …
so spirituality must be superior to science!
Is it really so?
Comparison of Science and Spirituality
Science
Deals with what can
be perceived by sense
organs/physical
instruments
Scientific method:
hypothesis, followed
by experiments for
verification
What is proven by
hard evidence is true
Spirituality
Deals with sublime
unperceivable concepts
like consciousness
Hypotheses cannot be
verified in physical terms
in any laboratory
Truth known only
through self realization!
Comparison of Science and Spirituality
Highly universal:
scientific
statements have
no ambiguity
Science accepted
and used by all
Spiritual concepts
and methods have
huge variations
across different
sects/religions,
even contradictory
Intellectuals have
ignored,
expressed doubts
and ridiculed
spirituality
Comparison of Scientists with “Spiritualists”
Scientists
Earned success:
understood physical
matter and energy and
used them to reap rich
benefits
Earn respect, high
positions and wealth
Contribute to
betterment of society
through technology
development
“Spiritualists”
Most are failures:
flights of fantasy,
magical powers that
they cannot
demonstrate, talk of
concepts that cannot
be proven
Most are poor,
uneducated
untalented
Most are dependent
on society for even
daily needs
Is Spirituality Really Superior?
Or is Spirituality a Curse?
Wastage of time at
religious gatherings
and pilgrimages
Wastage of resources on
grand occasions
Is Spirituality a Curse?
Vices everywhere!
Fundamentalism
Is Spirituality a Curse?
Religious songs and
discourses : a new
very popular mode of
entertainment!
Is Spirituality a Curse? No!!!
Achievements of truly spiritual persons of
past era
Innumerable qualities and great talents.
Supernatural powers
Love and sensitivity for all beings
Blessings could fulfill all wishes
Solutions to all problems of mankind, could
create a perfectly harmonious society
Deciphered the hidden forces of Nature
Understood vital spiritual energy (life force-prana)
Ved Vyas’s Literature
Nagarjuna’s Chemistry, Charak’s Botany,
Sushrut’s Surgery
Yagyavalkya’s research on Yagya
Vishwamitra’s Science of Mantras
Parashuram’s fight for uprooting injustice and vices
Dadhichi’s donation of his bones for the
construction of vajra
Bhagirath’s devout ascetic endeavor
Panini’s Sanskrit Grammar
Patanjali’s Yoga
Vaiseshik’s Atomic Science
Arjun’s mastery in battles
Chanakya’s establishment of Nalanda
Guiding kings like Ram, Chandragupta Maurya,
Rana Pratap, Shivaji.
Shankaracharya, Vivekanand and Dayanand’s
efforts to restore glory
…
Endless Contributions of Indian
Spiritualists:
What is Spirituality ?
It is a pathway from smallness to
greatness
Method to attain happiness and
fulfillment – self, society, world
Its capability and dignity is much
greater than science.
Spirituality: establish best qualities
into every aspect of one’s life
Problems are due to misconceptions
Some Misconceptions That Must be
Removed
God is a fish that can be enticed!
Prayers, offerings, rituals
Lofty desires
Some misconceptions …
Spirituality means run away !
Life in solitude
Some misconceptions …
Holy fire (dhuni)
Ash, beards, attire
Strange weapons
Some misconceptions …
Pilgrimage and holy gatherings
Aim of Spirituality
Understand consciousness (research)
Put the understanding to good use!
Creating happy and contented lives
Discovering hidden talents
Removing pain and sorrow
Solve social problems
Supernatural powers for benefit of all
Importance of Spirituality
Personal level:
Health
Stress
Create harmony with self, family, society
Know purpose of life …
Global level
Materialism and selfishness – creation of
all problems
Spirituality – love, kindness, equality –
solution to all the problems
Very Basic Concepts of
Spirituality
Basic Principle :
Right achievement at the right
price – spiritual achievements are
reserved only for those who have
proven their worth
Promotion
Scholarship
More examples …
More examples …
More examples …
Basic Principle:
Spiritual achievements possible only
when we increase our own worth
Understanding our hidden worth
Refining our personality
Purity in beliefs
Purity in thinking
Purity in actions
Understand who we are:
Amazing human body
Understand who we are:
Five subtle dimensions of consciousness
Kosh
Scientific Name
Spiritual Sadhana
Annamaya
Asan, Bandh
Pranmaya
Hormones &
Enzymes
Bio-electricity
Manomaya
Bio-magnetism
Dhyan, jap sadhana
Vigyanmaya
Neuro-humoral
secretions
Reticular activating
system
Soham, Swar Yog,
Atma chintan
Nad yog, Bindu &
Tatva Sadhana
Anandmaya
Pranayam, Mudra
Understand who we are:
Science understands only 7% of
capabilities of brain
What does the remaining 93 % do?
Contains hidden supernatural powers
– superconscious mind
Refining Personality
Why are these powers hidden?
Evolution of soul
Two steps to a refined personality
Tap (cleansing) & Yog (instilling good qualities)
Tap (cleansing)
Establishing complete control over
self
Tap in modern times
Indriya sanyam (control over senses)
Arth Sanyam (control over finances)
Samay Sanyam (Preventing wastage of
time)
Vichar Sanyam (learning how to restrain
the thinking process)
Yog
Attach oneself to One who represents all
the best human qualities
Sincere effort to awaken within ourselves
qualities like:
Selflessness
Love towards all
Courage
Independence
Determination …
Create a symbol
Become one with that - Upasana
To conclude Science and spirituality – two methods to
search for truth
Religious communities have neglected
spirituality
Spiritual progress means:
Realize we are much more than physical body
Search for ill-tendencies and bad qualities
Remove them with deliberate effort (Tap)
Fill in good qualities (Yog)
Spiritual achievements reserved for those
who become worthy and put sincere efforts
References:
Understanding Spirituality:
What is Spirituality
Meaning, Purpose and Benefits of Worship
Prepare Yourself to Excel
Jivan Sadhana
Human Body
Wonders of Human Bioelectricity
Astonishing Power of Biophysical and Subtle
Energies
Manavi Kaya Kitni Vilakshan
Guru Vandana