Science and Spirituality

Science and Spirituality

"“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” — Albert Einstein

Modern science based on logical reasoning has made human life a wonderful experience. We have conquered time and space with almost everything that exists within it. Humans should have been the happiest beings, but that is not the case. Something is missing in our pursuit of happiness. We need to take a deep breath and think it over. Spiritualists are the happiest persons. They command both respect and reverence from us. Let us not confuse a spiritualist with an ascetic or a religious practitioner. It is all about the control of the mind where all thoughts originate. Vedic knowledge, the repository for the development of human life, states that the mind is all about consciousness. Consciousness is 'the perception of what passes in mind.' Modern science looks differently at a mind. Though it considers the mind a repository of all consciousness, it only finds the mind as a physical process. There is nothing spiritual about it. That makes the starting point of our search for connecting science with spirituality. The Vedic philosophy is developed around these thoughts. Yoga Sutra, credited to Patanjali, is a repository of yogic practices which recommend creating mental awareness through sense control. At the same time, another tradition called tantra says that the senses have no role in controlling the mind. It provides alternative practices.

How Science and Spirituality Work Together

Science and spirituality make a great partnership. If those engaged in science spend some time in the silence of their selves, inspiration will come and lead them to the answers they seek. Similarly, if those interested in spirituality apply the scientific law of testing hypotheses in the laboratory of their own body and soul, they will find the results.

Power of Meditation

As scientists, we can test the power of meditation for ourselves and see where it leads us. To meditate, we only need to sit in silence. We can sit in any pose most convenient, close our eyes, and look into the middle of darkness. We need to still our minds from thoughts that can distract us and take our attention away from the inner gaze.

Just as we stay focused on looking through a microscope or telescope, we need to keep focused on looking into a still point in front of us. Just as scientists see outer stars, we may be able to catch glimpses of inner lights of any colour, inner stars, moons, and suns.

Scientific pursuits can lead both to the discovery of ways to help make the world a better place and to the answers to the questions burning within us to uncover the greatest truths of all time—God, our soul, and the purpose of our life here on earth. The writer is a spiritual leader with a scientific approach to spirituality.