Scientific Spirituality: The Religion of the Future - 1

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*Dear All,*

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*Scientific Spirituality: The Religion of the Future*

 

 

 

The universe comes out of the union of two fundamental forces: matter

(jada, or 'that which gives shape') and

consciousness<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2003/Mar-Apr/Consciousnes\

sForceInHuman/>(chetan).

These are also respectively known as prakrati (the manifested

form) and purusha (the invisible enlivening spirit). Both have their own

merits when considered in isolation; however, it is the union and

co-operation of these two entities that works wonders. The human body is a

very good example of this fact. Our body is made up of five basic elements –

the panca tatvas1. The body is an integrated form of various organs,

muscles, nerves, arteries, veins etc., and can be used to accomplish any

desired work but is non-functional without consciousness. The

consciousness<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2003/Mar-Apr/Consciousnes\

sForceInHuman/>part

of man (termed " the soul " ) thinks, decides and directs organs towards

a

particular task. The separation of

consciousness<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2003/Mar-Apr/Consciousnes\

sForceInHuman/>from

matter results in death. A dead body is useless since it is not

functional. In the absence of consciousness, it rapidly decays and its

constituting elements eventually dissolve into their cosmic states.

 

In essence, it is the association of matter and

consciousness<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2003/Mar-Apr/Consciousnes\

sForceInHuman/>that

gives rise to functionality. Matter alone, otherwise, is unorganised

and of very little use even though it is present in abundance in the

universe. For example, water is plentiful in oceans but is too salty. The

atmosphere is full of gases, electro-magnetic rays, X-rays etc. but these

components are not useful on their own. It is the human intervention, or

alternatively the intervention of developed consciousness, that organises

matter so as to make it useful. For example, man has developed methods to

process water to make it fit for human consumption. Fire and electricity

were present in the universe since times immemorial, but man's intelligence

organised these entities in a utilisable form. Thus, although the components

of Nature are powerful in their own right, their usefulness has depended on

the inventive skills of human consciousness.

 

*Science and spirituality:*

 

The discovery of the powers of Nature, their organisation and the skills

that make them useful to man is called science. Science can thus be called

the unison of matter and consciousness. Science has made possible the

progress of the human civilisation.

 

It should be noted that the knowledge of the use of matter is not enough;

its righteous use should also be considered. The same criterion also applies

to consciousness. In the absence of their righteous use, matter and

consciousness<http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-Jyoti/2003/Mar-Apr/Consciousnes\

sForceInHuman/>are

open to be abused. The attraction of immediate gains is such that its

long-term effects are not appreciated and this shortsighted judgement

prompts man to misuse power. Ultimately, he creates a web in which he gets

trapped, just like a fish caught in a net. This results in suffering, public

anger and self-destruction, and yet it is a practice generally adopted by

most people. The society and the government rarely succeed in preventing

such practices....

 

Source : www.awgp.org www.akhandjyoti.org

 

 

To be continued ....