Science,
as regarded today, is the discovery and reasoned expression of knowledge
pertaining mainly
to the laws and principles of exterior nature. What is justified or proved
within its current theories and principles is supposed to be scientific truth
and acceptable knowledge. But Truth can neither be confined to nor defined by
specific mind-made norms, howsoever vast these may be.
The approach of modern science, which stems from the study of the
material existence and perception
of Nature, is therefore gross and rigid vis-�-vis the limitless, ever new
origin and expansion of knowledge. True knowledge is an unbounded flow in the
hidden as well as sentient domains of consciousness that continues eternally in
Nature, the universe and the infinite realms beyond cosmic depth�. Its
realization by human mind gives an expression to its subliminal
existence. But this expression is only partial as per the narrow or
incomplete evolution of human consciousness. Therefore, much remains unknown,
undiscovered, undeciphered and beyond mental grasp. It is this inexplicable,
sublime, absolute truth of knowledge that was realized by the Vedic rishis in
the state of the absolute silence of trance and was referred by them as � �Satyam
Gyanamanantam Brahm�; �Gyana (pure knowledge) is ultimate truth,
it is infinity, it is an expression of the Brahm�. The approach of
modern science is confined only to the derived or verified �truth� of
knowledge. It does not consider the absoluteness and infinite dimensions of
truth. The definition of truth here also remains confined to the current trends,
developments and conclusions of the specific discipline. What is accepted as
�true� at one point of time by the scientific community is negated or
replaced by some new and even contradictory results later. Thus, the
�scientific truth� or knowledge keeps reshaping and updating, while the
spiritual truth and knowledge is consistent, complete and eternal This is why
the knowledge realized and expressed by the rishis of yore is still
applicable today; it is universal and remains true and does not change or lose
its relevance even in the midst of the gigantic tides of time.
In
their efforts to rationally formalize knowledge, the modern scientists seem to
have enslaved themselves in the narrow confines of intellectual arguments. Their
thinking and conclusions are often driven by the complexities of accepted
theories, principles and recognized (as per the �conventions� of their
times) approaches. Validity of the so-called novel approaches too needs to be
proved under certain norms. In their attempts to be precise, scientifically
correct and logical, they often sidetrack many untouched, unknown aspects of
reality and thus lose more than what they gain in terms of knowledge�.
Influenced by the predominance of their sharp and analytical intellect, learned
mind and specialized expertise, they tend to neglect the basic fact that the
seeds of enlightenment lie dormant and germinate in the depths of the inner
self, in the sublime core of pure emotions (bhava samvedana), that enable
unrestrained linkage with the supreme knowledge of the Truth within. Intellect
vainly tries to arrogate to itself the credit for the hazy reflections of this
knowledge within its reach.
If
there were no inspiration, no quest, no yearning, no spirited inquisitiveness
and imaginations in the inner springs of the heart (source of bhava-samvedana),
what would have nurtured the intellect and motivated it to deal with knowledge?
What �knowledge� it would have then analyzed, formulated and found within
its possession?
In
its early days, the modern science boasted of deciphering the secrets of Nature
and and its basic laws of gross operation. But which truth of Nature has it
really fathomed or been able to encompass completely in its theories? Have they
known its perennial gist, the absolute core element (tatva)? Or gathered
only some waves of its expressive reflections � taranga (e.g. in energy
and matter)? It should be noted that the waves of an ocean are only superficial
and can never measure its grandeur or visualize its depths. Any attempt of
studying its waves to know about the ocean will prove to be ridiculous and
futile.
The
knowledge of the modern scientists, who ignore the need to know the tatva of
Nature and remain preoccupied in researching the mysteries of its superficial
manifestations is wavy and hollow like these waves; the conclusion of one result
is negated or rejected by the other findings. The epochal results established as
scientific truth at some time lose their validity and are proved to be false,
wrong or incomplete by the proceeding investigations. In the post Galleleo phase
of scientific developments, a scientific truth was acceptable only if it were
demonstrated physically by some visible experiment(s). These norms changed in
the post Newtonian era and rigorous mathematical theory became the yardstick of
proving the truth. What was acclaimed as the unshakable principle of scientific
foundation by Newton was disapproved by the greater, more rigorous, scientific
discoveries of Einstein in less than a century. The latter�s theory seems to
be smiling at that of Newton as though pointing: �dear friend, do a little
modification; your law of gravity is fine with our earth but not universally;
that way, even our nearest satellite �uncle moon� does not obey the force of
earth�s gravity�!�. In the modern era of ultra-fast technological
advance ment, the phase, craze, trends and norms and hence the methods of
scientific knowledge are also cropping up and vanishing like bubbles in boiling
water; their foundations are sandy, that could be wiped out with a single splash
of water or a squall of breeze.
There
is no doubt that the scientific research and developments have bestowed enormous
comforts and technological empowerment upon manhood. It has brought magical
changes in the modes of communication, transportation, medical treatment, etc.
At the same time, it has �gifted� dreaded weapons and equipment to destroy
this grand human civilization and the mother earth itself in a matter of
moments. The achievements of science and technology are fascinating and
mindboggling on the one hand, and horrifying and calamitous on the other! There
seems to be everything in the world of science except the unalloyed peace of
truth. We can�t expect anything better from a superficial approach confined to
the �waves� that also has an added compulsion of proving the ultimate
validity of the knowledge gained within their own set norms conceding no scope
for the unlimited breadth and depth of supreme knowledge.
Who
would convince the scientific community that what they know as true knowledge
which keeps changing in the flow of time is not true knowledge. The foundation
of their knowledge shakes and diminishes with the tremors of new investigations
in the uncertainties of time. What has attracted the quest of science so far is
only a tarang � a quivering shadow of the multiple reflections and
manifestations of the tatva of knowledge. It is the nature of a tarang,
a wave to disappear after a while, it is bound to be momentary. Then how could
anything created on the wavy base sustain for long? How could the
�knowledge� gained on such shaky foundations testify to the eternity of
truth? It is only in the infinite ocean of the tatva (the ultimate Truth)
that the grand ships of true knowledge could sail forever�
In
order to reach the depth of tatva, our search will have to cross the
barriers of the gross (physical) existence and the perceivable or the
theoretically derived and defined space of truth. It will have to enter the
subliminal, limitless expansion of consciousness. Several eminent scientists of
our times have begun to realize this fact and envisaged that if science has to
attain true knowledge, it will have to expand the scope of its investigation and
broaden its vision�. Drs. Brooner and Postman have suggested incorporation of
psychological aspects in this context. They argue that the state of mind plays a
pivotal role in any analysis or judgment; therefore all investigations/research
should also encompass the psychological realms of our existence.
Noted
scientific thinker, Dr. J. K. Feebleman has written an unparalleled book in this
regard. In this book entitled �The Scientific Philosophy�, he writes that
the basis of scientific research needs to be expanded to include the
philosophical aspects and feel of the inner realms of pure emotions too.
The
scientific methods and tools of today help in gaining deep and accurate analysis
of gross as well as subtle forms of matter and the laws governing its functions.
But these methods are inapplicable for research in the fields of thoughts or
emotions. Because of its rather �materialistic� foundation and restricted
approach, material science often backtracks from its own �scientific�
propositions or theories and annuls what it once was proud to have achieved.
Many of its conclusions continue to be further researched without any end in
sight and remain incomplete or inconclusive. Thus, despite being known for its
rigor, precision and innovation, the research in scientific disciplines till
date has largely been �conventional� in terms of the contemporary norms and
traditions of science in a particular time period. If it were not so and science
had adopted the non-prejudiced, prudent, comprehensive approach of the rishis,
then the Physica of Aristotle, Almagest of Tolmy, Lavechier�s Chemistry,
Newton�s Principia, Loyel�s Geology, etc would not have faced such great
difficulties and delays in their recognition.
Source
- Mystic India
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