Spiritual Forum

Science and spirituality are totally compatible. The purpose of both is pursuit and realisation of truth, though the methodology may be different. Spirituality is perfectly logical, rational and scientific. Modern science is only two or three hundred years old. It is still evolving.

Whether validated by the very limited modern science or not, spiritual truths and processes have been, and will continue to be, true and valid. As science progresses, it will discover methodologies of scientifically validating many spiritual truths, practices and attainments like meditation and different yogic practices. Science only has proved that the universe is one whole and various planets, including earth and human beings, like millions of other life forms, emanated from the same supreme Source.

Successful experiments are going on in many parts of the world to verify and establish paranormal phenomena.

Truly spiritual people have scientific temperament. Great scientists have been spiritually inclined. At a conference on science and spirituality at the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore), renowned scientist Charles H. Townes, who received the Nobel Prize four decades ago for discovering the phenomenon of maser, told me that the deeper a scientist goes, the more spiritual he becomes.
- D.R. Kaarthikeyan, President,
Life Positive, New Delhi

Common Quest
Both science and spirituality seek truth, encourage individual experimentation, and engage with the reality of creation. The search for truth demands clarity of thought and discrimination. The realms that open up through spiritual experimentation and experiences are largely uncharted and require a vigilant mind. But, also, there is a discrimination that is beyond mental logic and rationality and is much more effective - a discrimination arising from the faculties that are beyond the mind. These open up through spiritual discipline and are more reliable and in touch with truth than the mind. But till that happens, it is good to rely on the mind. Scientific temper, that is the discipline of observing, experimenting, verifying, concluding, is very important as well.

The collaboration of science and spirituality essentially should be in learning from each other - science to break out of its superstitions and limitations and expand its means to include subtler ranges of consciousness (other than the physical), and spirituality to integrate scientific methods in its communication of inner reality.
- Anuradha, Gnostic Center, New Delhi

Partners in Seeking
True spirituality is very much compatible with science as both complement one another in the quest for truth. Physicist Fritjof Capra writes in Uncommon Wisdom how Werner Heisenberg could understand the abstract tenets of modern physics better in the worldly sense after his discussion with Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. His Holiness the Dalai Lama told American astrophysicist Carl Sagan that if science could prove reincarnation wrong, he would have no reason to continue with his own belief in it, as the objective of Buddhism is the same as that of modern science - the search for truth.

True spirituality begins with logic, rationality and scientific temper. Faith and intuition only give us direction toward which we ought to move in our search for truth. Spirituality without its roots in logic, rationality and scientific temper is dangerously superstitious and counterproductive.

Scientific validation, if available, reinforces our own subjective evidence. It helps us check if our experiences are not purely the result of wishful thinking or ego-driven. It helps us if we keep challenging and checking our assumptions by comparing them with views available from various other possible windows (including the window of scientific evidence). Faith that survives this challenge is not only stronger but also of superior quality.

I think finding proof of God or understanding consciousness through scientific methods may not help humanity. Many dacoits and criminals believe in and worship God everyday. Bin Laden is a strong believer in God. Belief in God does not make anyone a better person. Often our beliefs are only skin-deep and belief should not be checked by one's words but by one's actions. Many self-proclaimed theists are not aware that they do not believe in God at all - their actions prove this.

The best area for science and spirituality to join forces would be a study on the mind-body connection. The Dalai Lama has done a pioneering job in this direction by bringing together social scientists, physicists and experts on Buddhism to explore the correlation between our mental software and physical processes in the brain (and body). Another area which is important is exploring how inner harmony can be achieved among our beliefs, thoughts, speech, imagination, emotions, motives and attitude.
- Anil Bhatnagar, New Delhi

Need for Justification
Though the basis of science and spirituality is the same, their common understanding and practice seem divorced from each other. Spirituality needs some sort of justification or basis for faith that can be only provided by scientific temper, rationality and logic. Every system of belief needs justification for it to sustain itself.

http://www.lifepositive.com/Spirit/Science_and_spirituality/Towards_Truth12006.asp#

PROFOUND SPIRITUAL LOGIC

Reading metaphysical books and studying the erudite authors past and present is a passion of mine. To say that it's fuel for the soul is a vast understatement.

You've heard the expression about "finding your niche in life" this is what occurred a couple of decades ago when the discovery of the power of books manifest itself. Certainly, it's not wise to believe, or take literally, everything you read, but coupled with life's experiences, divine guidance, and intuition, it's not difficult at all to separate the "wheat from the chaff." It's not difficult to take from the material exactly what you need at any given moment.

The more you read, the more your spirit will be directed along the right path. Please, by all means, do not limit your reading to the circuitous, and myriad "Holy Books" abound in our society. For doing so, keeps you in that same box that you were placed in when you were born by your parents, relatives, culture, and society at large. Reading opens the mind, heart, and spirit, and allows you to extricate yourself from the "religious container" and releases the soul before you make your physical transition from this plane to the next.

What you'll see, hear, and read in this lens are passages, videos, poems, and messages that nurture the soul. Non-fictional, concise instruction that will assist you in finding the spiritual direction that will allow you to navigate your way through this tough terrain known as Earth.

Of course you're going to read books that are in the non-fiction, metaphysical, spiritual, and poetic genre. No offense to the Twilight's and Terry McMillan's of the literary world, and it's certainly nothing wrong with reading fiction and the like, but it's just a little more difficult to get spiritual direction from prevarication. It can happen, but it's tantamount to embarking on a 5000 mile trek to a store that's one block away; you might find it but more than likely you'll get lost along the way, and not find your way back.

The beauty of embarking on your spiritual journey through reading is that it's FUN. It's EXCITING! You'll begin to spend a great deal of time at the book store. This happens because the instruction that you have begun to receive regarding your spirit is resonating with your soul. That's where the excitement comes from because it all begins to make sense. Our mission becomes more clear and we begin to understand the purpose of our Being; the purpose of our sojourn to this particular dimension called Earth. All the "scary stories" that we heard as children regarding "fire and brimstone" are obliterated from the psyche and you begin to realize that those stories are about as real as the "Tooth Fairy" or "Santa Claus."

http://www.squidoo.com/profound-spiritual-logic