Emptiness Speaking

[Guest guest]

RR wrote: #29893

I would argue that meditation must lead to cessation

of all thoughts and not indulge in deep thoughts. If we need a deep

thought to

understand Buddhist metaphysics then

we are better of meditating before applying

the deep thought rather than having the

thought while in deep meditation. Why are

we to be confined only by so called rational

thoughts alone? Is use of our free intellect a bane?

Removing constraints and notions that are

sometimes incorrectly impinged on us in the

name of western scientific rationality serves

as deterrents that one must overcome using

free intellect. Otherwise the resultant of all the

so called rational analysis will serve to lead towards intellectual

emptiness.

Sincerely,

RR

 

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Namaste Rajeshji,

I would agree with what you say

about western scientific rationality which, though

not ultimately true, may represent a level of generality

which is theoretically adequate. The British Empiricists;

Locke, Berkeley and Hume, laid down the standard mind set which pervades

science which can be absorbed

unawares. Locke's scientific realism is especially influential

in psychology viz. we do not know the world directly

but only know its effects on our brains.

Berkeley rightly said that this was in effect

Idealism as who are we to say whether there is a

cause out there when all we ever know are effects.

Hume took that line as well and as is well known

his theory of the self and the momentariness/annica/annata

theory of Buddhism have been likened to each other.

Shankara's criticism of this using the satkaryavada principle as you

pointed

out is a definitive refutation.

 

Neverthless for the purpose of psychological

experimentation the Lockean theory is adequate.

There are levels of upadhis that

get progressively dissolved. For example the

Subject/Object dyad has to go in the end and

there are those that would interpose another level

between it and the ultimate dissolution.

Too complex to go into now.

 

Best Wishes,

Michael.

[Guest guest]

Namastey Michael ji:

 

I would argue that Western Science foundations are inadequate and hollow.

Western science seeks answers for everything from a material research

perspective. What is needed is also a moral perspective and that is completely

missing in the approach of western science. Western science is proceeding in

directions that are sometimes weird and bizarre. As an example neuro-science

now tries to address issues of depression, mental suffering using only drugs.

By producing drugs that will trigger chemical changes in brain to suppress

these depressive feelings. The mind is made to divert attention from the

sensory pain and the suffering is brought down. This is being done by

triggering a chemical change on the brain. This is just suppression so that

the pain is not brought into the attention of mind. This is in my opinion is

an intrusive treatment as depression or mental suffering is only suppressed

and not eliminated. Any treatment that does not attack the source of

the disease is always incomplete. The treatment using drugs to treat mental

depression is only temporary and manifests itself once the drug’s effect tires

down. Unless one develops devotion, performing selfless action, compassion,

sharing and empathy such depressing thoughts are bound to haunt the individual

again and again. Eastern philosophy strives to treat the suffering man non-

intrusively such that the pain causing external experience is altered

internally in the mind by improving the conditioning of the mental being to

accept the experience. Unless good values are inculcated the mind cannot

develop to accept pain and happiness with equanimity. The inculcation starts

with values that we build into ourselves and this is pathetically missing in

western scienctific approach. This was just an example and we can quote more

if needed. Western science revolves around the fascination for anything

material and by missing concept of soul and moral values western

science seemingly offers at this time only a one way ticket to shallow

material wilderness.

 

Sincerely,

RR

 

ombhurbhuva <ombhurbhuva wrote:

 

Namaste Rajeshji,

I would agree with what you say about western scientific rationality which,

though not ultimately true, may represent a level of generality which is

theoretically adequate.

 

 

 

 

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