Inter-communion of Science and Spirituality

[Guest guest]

Dear Dharma mitra and all,

 

Modern man could not be persuaded to accept the values of life

propagated by ancient Rishis (Sages), until and unless these were

proved to be scientifically viable for the welfare of the individual

and the society. This was indeed a Herculean task, given the trends

of intellectual and scientific evolution over past millennium, and

almost simultaneous deterioration of religion and culture, which had

resulted in a near total neglect of spirituality in the human life,

and the emergence of blind faiths, misconceptions, and prejudices.

 

The Brahmavarchas Research Institute, the research center of

Shantikunj, Haridwar founded by Gurudev, Pandit Shriram Sharma

Acharya in 1979 stands as a living example of how these ideas could

be implemented and researched in the modern laboratories. This centre

is dedicated to the integration of the modern and ancient sciences,

in a practical way, motivated by the noble goal of health and

happiness for all. Innovative scientific research in the ancient

sciences, aimed at grass-root applications, is being conducted here

in collaboration with the relevant modern sciences. Major areas of

research include:

 

Ayurveda (Ancient Indian science of medicine) and Yagyopathy

The Science of Mantra and its Therapeutic Applications

The Philosophy and Science of Yoga

Sadhana, Mantra and Tantra

Science of Spirituality, ...

This center houses well equipped laboratories of Hematology,

Biochemistry, Neurophysiology, Cardiology, Photochemistry,

Psychometry, Yagyopathy, etc.

 

Yoga

 

Yoga is a comprehensive and precisely fine-tuned process of uniting

the individual consciousness with the omnipresent cosmic

consciousness. Understanding the spiritual nature and philosophy of

yoga is certainly more important than its gross applications

pertaining to the physical exercises, postures and breathing

patterns. With their perfection in yoga, the yogis control the agile

activities of the body and the mind by relaxing the body completely

and engrossing the mind in a soothing state of peace.

 

The first phase of yoga-sadhana deals with the practice of aasanas,

praanaayaama and several yoga-kriyaas (yogic postures and practices)

of refinement. The physical exercises and specific postures of the

body practiced through different aasanas, bandhas, and mudraas

harmonize the intra-body and brain functions and help activation of

otherwise dormant vital energy centers. The medicinal effects of

various Yogic practices are illustrated in the following examples.

 

The results of controlled clinical study on the effects of Bhujanga

aasana were presented in 1978 during the "First Conference on the

Application of Yoga in Rehabilitation Therapy". This aasana was found

to reduce stress and normalize the blood pressure.

Cardiologist Dr. Consteniton Butiko from Russia achieved remarkable

success in curing hundreds of patients of different cardiovascular

and chest related problems with the help of yogic asanas and kriyas

alone.

Dr. Consteniton Butiko successfully healed the patients of asthma by

making them practice specific pranayamas rather than using any

medication. Pranayama is basically an exercise of enhancing and

harmonizing the flow of prana (vital energy) within the body through

controlled breathing and concentration. Cleansing the bronchial tube,

increasing the lung-capacity and balancing the inflow of oxygen and

outflow of carbon-dioxide are natural offshoots of its practice as

per the pace and pattern (of breathing) suitable to the patient.

Dr. Butiko also treated several cases of hypertension, epilepsy and

heart ailments through this yoga-therapy.

 

Ayurveda

Ayurveda – the ancient Indian medical science is believed to be the

oldest repository of diagnostic, pharmaceutical and therapeutic

knowledge.

 

This Vedic science draws upon an integral approach to healthcare by

considering the physical, mental and deep emotional well being

simultaneously. It encompasses thorough knowledge of the Adhibhautik

(physical, pertaining to the gross body), Adhidaivik (mental,

emotional and praanic, pertaining to the subtle body) and Adhyaatmik

(spiritual, pertaining to the astral body) aspects of health.

 

This ancient science of medicine enfolds the secrets of youthful

longevity and is therefore also referred as a comprehensive science

of happy and hearty life.

 

The preventive and remedial measures derived under Ayurveda deal with

multidimensional complexities and problems of human life, and provide

solutions in perfect harmony with Nature. It is therefore most

relevant and promising towards achieving total health in the present

times as well.

 

Yagyopathy

 

Yagyopathy (Applications of Yagna for Healing) has been found very

effective in the cure of both physical ailments and psychosomatic

disorders (like anxiety, depression, guilt, insomnia, etc.).

 

Yagna (agnihotra) renews the brain cells, revitalizes the skin,

purifies the blood and prevents growth of pathogenic bacteria.

 

Mental peace, emotional stability and creative development of the

mind are the psychological benefits.

 

Yagna is basically a healing process, as is clear from the following

example.

 

Diabetic Treatment: The urine sugar level of some acute diabetic

patients was found to be totally absent and the level of blood sugar

was reduced to normal just after two to three weeks of daily

agnihotra ("The Integrated Science of Yagna" – book compiled by Dr.

R. R. Joshi, Publisher Yug Nirman Yojana, Mathura, 1999).

 

For more information and literature about scientific spirituality;

 

http://www.awgp.org/gamma/ScientificSpirituality

http://www.awgp.org/gamma/YogaAndAlternateHealing

 

Datta Pandya.