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Summary of Topics 6.1 and 6.2

Chinmaya International Foundation > Summary of Topics 6.1 and 6.2
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    • February 29, 2024 at 5:33 pm #615639
      Mahua
      Member

      6.1 Science and Religion

       

      Human evolution has four distinct stages that culminate into spiritual perfection.

       

      • Stage 1: Being led by instincts and impulses. The Age of Gazing. Nature is no more than a series of phenomena to be gazed at. There was no analysis involved, nor any efforts to improve the situation.
      • Stage 2: Questioning why and thus starts the cause-hunting of humans. The intellect is somewhat involved. The Age of Observation. Start of the cause-effect relationship, that was most times erroneous. These gave rise to superstitions.We call these stages primitive. But, are they still relevant today? Do we see the reflections of these in us? In our society?
      • Stage 3: Age of Scientific Enquiry, during which humans attempted to discover the scientific cause of all natural phenomena. Collection of data, analysis and then coming to rational conclusion and systematising the knowledge.Slowly understanding and harnessing various powers of nature, various scientists and professionals started to contribute to the welfare of the Society. That, as we know, is our attempts to improve the external world.
      • Stage 4: Age of Contemplation. Some humans then evolved to wonder at the Law-maker at whose command this intelligent universe is working perfectly. Objective enquiry of a scientist evolved into the subjective contemplation of a philosopher. This is the age of contemplation.

      Gross intellect is that enquires into the gross world. Gross does not mean dull or inferior here, because this intellect needs to be quite sharp to probe into the material world, the hidden laws of nature. The grossness can be compared to an axe in relation to the subtleness of a needle.

      The subtle intellect is that which understands the difference between eternal and ephemeral, the changing and the changeless, the Real and the unreal. Only when an individual’s evolution takes them to enquire beyond the laws to the lawmaker, they get entry to the realm of contemplation.

      6.2 What is Religion?

      Religion has two limbs:

      • Path of enquiry (philosophy) – the theoretical aspect that connects life with the Ultimate Reality.
      • Path of devotion (rituals) – practical aspects dealing with spiritual practices.

      The two together bring out the true significance of religion. We make the mistake of not integrating the two with each other. When these two are blended together perfectly, religion gets its true meaning and significance.

      Any science subject requires both the knowledge of theory and its practical applications. We cannot learn it properly just by doing one. Religion is nothing short of that. Philosophy/knowledge is gained through perceptions, thoughts, convictions etc. These are collected through the organs of perception. The application of this knowledge is performed through our action organs. But, there is another aspect of ritual that is completely through our minds, i.e., prayers and devotion as contemplation is through our intellect. Therefore an ideal religious person will always be, through all levels of personality devoted to religion.

      At the beginning of practising religion consciously, naturally, the mind may rebel against being directed by the intellect. Therefore, abrupt cessation of life, as it was lived before will result in problems. Blindly following the rituals will cause mental suppression, resulting in bitterness, frustration and cynicism.

      On the other hand, if one chooses only to live for sense pleasures, the senses, which are a strong force, will pull the individual increasingly downward. At a point they have to abandon spiritual life.Solutions offered by the masters:

      • Regulation of sense enjoyments
      • Based on understanding of the philosophy
      • No forced denial

       

      Result – an intellectual understanding of the higher values of life. So, there will be a proportional effort to lead a restrained life.

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