Physical sciences and the science of Spirituality

        One may ask, why in this age of scientific research and progress, are we ignoring the modern physical sciences and going in the supposedly reverse direction to the study of the science of Spirituality? According to the saying ‘Old is gold’, to make spiritual progress it is the eternal science of Spirituality alone and not modern physical sciences which is useful.

1. Meaning of the word science

Science has various meanings such as specific knowledge, scientific knowledge, philosophical knowledge, direct knowledge and knowledge of Brahman (God in His aspect as the Creator of the universe). However, generally knowledge that is acquired through the sense organs by analysis and experimentation of gross substances and natural phenomenon following a specific order and procedure is called Vidnyan (Science).

        According to the Holy text Shri Dasbodh, the meaning of modern science is as follows.

        Sakshittva (A state of an observer) is the act pertaining to vrutti (Basic nature), whereas unmani (Thoughtless state) is nivrutti (Cessation of participation in worldly affairs). Pure science is the point where the awareness that ‘I know’ dissolves. ll 50 ll

        In front of Parabrahman (Supreme God), ignorance dissolves and knowledge disappears. Even the vidnyan-vrutti (Experiences) disappears (Only advait [Non-duality] remains). ll 51 ll

2. Science is a branch of Spirituality

When we say ‘science’, almost always we think of ‘modern science’. Rationalists and average people think that ‘science’ and ‘Spirituality’ are two separate aspects. Spirituality means the knowledge of infinity, that is, knowledge of all subjects ! Then, why would Spirituality not include science ? It can be said that science is a branch of Spirituality.

        Theoretically, Sanatan Hindu Dharma has described two types of sciences: Paravidya and Aparavidya.

• Paravidya means supreme science.

• Aparavidya means inferior sciences.

3. Limitations of physical science

A. Physical Science cannot save us from unhappiness every time and cannot help overcome unhappiness caused by spiritual causes. New inventions of physical science providing happiness are suicidal.

B. There is an increase in man’s unhappiness and downfall of moral values due to physical science

C. Physical Science is incomplete, untrue and transient, whereas Spirituality is complete, true and eternal. The ‘Truth’ in science constantly undergoes changes The ‘Truth’ in Spirituality never undergoes change

D. What a person understands immediately through sadhana (Spiritual practice), it takes several years, enormous funds and huge manpower for physical science to understand

E. Through science, only gross knowledge is obtained; whereas, through Spirituality (Meaning sadhana here) along with the gross, we obtain knowledge of the subtle.

F. Physical sciences are unreliable. On the contrary, science of Spirituality is a complete and reliable science.

G. Physical science fails to go to the root cause of problems and find solutions.

H. Physical science does harmful effects on man’s life.

I. There is no guarantee that scientific knowledge will not be misused, but there is a guarantee that spiritual knowledge will not be misused. The knowledge of Spirituality is received only by the deserving, it is not misused, Only people with faith and sattvikta use spiritual knowledge and mantras for their spiritual progress and for the welfare of the world.

J. The immortality of the Nation is decided by the establishment of Dharma (Righteousness), not by scientific progress.

The difference between physical sciences and Spirituality is understood from the table ahead.

Note 1

• The Jivatma (Individual who has undertaken sadhana) is one which has experienced the Ātmatattva (Soul Principle) to some extent. Rather, it is the individual which has got inferior level of spiritual experiences. Inferior spiritual experiences are related to the five subtle sense organs, mind and the intellect, for example, experiencing fragrance in the absence of an incense-stick, knowing the answer to a query.

• Shivatma is one which has almost blended with Shiv (God Principle), that is, the individual which has got superior level of spiritual experiences. Superior spiritual experiences are in relation to siddhis (Higher supernatural powers), Ānand (Bliss) and Shanti (Peace).

Note 2 – Hence, this is like running after a mirage. By doing so, one never gets the Truth.

Note 3 – Knowledge as understood by the intellect is collected in the cells of the brain. When the cells of the brain start decaying due to old age, many aspects are not remembered. Conversely, as spiritual experiences are experienced by the Jivatma and the Shivatma, they are never forgotten.

Note 4 – Knowledge as understood by the intellect is not useful in the next birth, for example, in all births we have to learn ‘A, B, C, D…’ Conversely, spiritual experiences of the Jivatma and the Shivatma are registered in the next birth also.

Note 5 – ‘Physical sciences are incomplete in one sense since at any given point in time some of its questions remain unanswered. If ever they are solved, new questions arise.’

Note 6 – Gautam Budhha has said that waves of Tama component are18 times subtler than waves of light.

4. It is necessary that modern
science and Spirituality go hand in hand

        The famous scientist Einstein said, ‘Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind’. Inventions made by modern scientists have their seed in the knowledge amassed by our ancient Sages and Seers. This proves that our ancient Sages and Seers had a scientific temperament. Swami Vivekanand also promoted understanding of science. During those times, institutions that respected Swami Vivekanand were told by Him to teach the subject of science in the schools administered by them. The best aspect is that due to modern science our life has easy and it saves time (For example, using a washing machine saves time spent in washing clothes). Hence, one should utilise this time for performing more and more sadhana. In short, while making use of science, one should not move away from the path of sadhana, and should see to it that both go hand in hand.

5. Supporters of science should forego their
rigid stance and personally experience Spirituality

        Supporters of science take a rigid stance that there does not exist anything whose cause-and-effect aspect cannot be proved by intellect (For example, God). The cause-and-effect aspect in all the incidents in the world cannot be understood merely by the intellect. That is why, supporters of science who consider that knowledge obtained with the help of sense organs is only true cannot reach the ultimate Truth. Once knowledge of the soul is obtained with the help of sadhana, one can understand the ultimate Truth.

Reference: Sanatan Sanstha’s Holy Text on ‘Introduction to Spirituality‘ and ‘Spirituality‘