Eastern Mysticism and Science

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Eastern Mysticism and Science

 

In Gita, Lord Krishna reveals to Arjun the Supreme and Divine form which

is described in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, Verse 12:

 

Divi suryashasrasya bhaved yugapad utthitaa

Yado njhaaj sadrso saa syaad bhaasas tasya mahaatmanah

 

Translation: If the light of a thousand suns were to blaze forth all at

once in the sky, that might resemble the splendor of that exalted Being.

Robert Oppenheimer the chief scientist of the atomic experiment, blinded

by the awesome fireball of the first nuclear explosion quotes the above

verse as a comparison. By comparing the dazzling might of the first

atomic blast to the infinite spiritual power witnessed fifty centuries

ago in Bhagavad-gita, Oppenheimer points out the beginning of a new

quest for scientific truth in Eastern Mysticism. Years later,

reflecting on the importance of Eastern thought, he wrote, "The general

notions about human understanding which are illustrated by discoveries

in atomic physics are not wholly unheard of or new. Even in our own

culture they have some history, but in Eastern thought they hold a more

considerable and central place."

 

The central point on which both modern physics and ancient mystics

converge is consciousness. Dr. Reincourt, noted scientist and author,

writes in his best selling book, Eastern Mysticism and Science: "Where

these two sciences are bound to meet is when physics comes close to the

fundamental nature of the universe, that is, consciousness. This meeting

would not have been possible a hundred years ago when physical science

held a far more mechanistic view of the physical universe, which is no

longer appropriate at the microcosmic level where problems of

consciousness intrude unceasingly. It becomes increasingly evident that

both the scientific approach in physics and the Eastern mystical

approach are complementary rather than antagonistic."

 

Interestingly Light and Sound became the two key elements related to

spirituality and religion. The Vedas are known as "Natham (sound)" and

Natham has the potential to silence the intellect. The ringing of bells

whether it is in a church or in a temple signifies Divine presence. The

Gita Verse quoted above shows when the Divine light shines, it

overpowers all the light that the intellect can comprehend! Eastern

mysticism certainly blends spirituality with modern science.

 

Ram Chandran

Burke, VA