Science means knowledge. It originates with
the natural quest of human mind to know the
unknown, to decipher the truth. In the early ages
of civilization, science as a type of knowledge was
more closely linked to philosophy than it is now.
Its methods and practices, and hence its domain
have expanded and transformed with human
intellectual civilization. As modern civilization
progressed with understanding, interaction and
use of manifested realms of Nature (i.e. matter
or perceivable facets of Nature), and social or
collective efforts, the disciplines of Science
also emerged accordingly. Today “science” is
predominantly defined or identified as one or
more of the Natural Sciences (e.g. Biological,
Chemical, Geological, Physical Sciences, etc.)
or Social and Applied Sciences (Economics,
Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, etc.,
and Statistics, Engineering Sciences, etc., ). The
“Philosophical” base of science has now got
confined to Abstract Mathematical Sciences,
Logic, etc. Notably, what makes a subject, piece
of knowledge, thought, or method of learning,
as part of “Science”, is the scientific approach to
its discovery, acquisition, and study. ‘Scientific-
ness’ (scientific spirit) is the core of Science.
Indeed, all the worth and predominance of
science is there because it is “Scientific”.
The adjective “Scientific” in truest sense of the
word implies - thorough, and free of prejudices,
irrationalities and biases. It thus ascertains
authenticity, rationality, consistency, and
universality. However, due to narrow interpretation
of “Science” as material based modern science,
the term ‘scientific’ too is widely interpreted as -
systematic, methodical, and in consonance with
prevailing theories/concepts of modern science.
The real complete meaning of ‘Scientific’ is, in
fact, naturally rooted in “Spirituality”. But the
way spirituality is understood and practiced
since the post-medieval times, reflects quite
the contrary. “Scientific Spirituality” deals with
the scientific nature, perennial relevance, and
universal truth of spirituality which is the vital
need of the present times.
Today, many people interpret “Spirituality” as
a field of occult philosophy dealing with spirits
and even confuse it with “Spiritualism”. Many
link it with religious customs, blind faith and
superstitions. For many others, spirituality is
meant only for ascetics; they think that adoption
of spiritual life requires complete renouncement
of worldly activities, etc. However such
interpretations only reflect incomplete and
incorrect information and knowledge. The
real meaning and field of “Spirituality” is as
vast and deep as the existence and experiences
of the Omnipresent Eternal Consciousness-
Force. It pertains to realization of conscience,
enlightenment of inner-self, and evolution of
consciousness-faculties. In simple terms, as
explained by seer-sage and spiritual scientist
of our times, Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya,
spirituality deals with emancipation, progress,
expansion, and illumination of intellect and
emotions that lead to expansion of selfishness
into selflessness, transformation of egotism
into limitless compassion and generosity, and
awakening of divinity indwelling in the inner
self.
Spirituality can’t be adopted through abstract
philosophical thoughts, through lip-service, or by
ostentatious rituals and orthodox customs. One
does not have to renounce the world and go to the
forests or remote mountains to practice it. There is
no place for delusions, blind faith or superstitions
in it. However, in the present times, it will need
the support of science (scientific-spirit) to cast out
the prevailing misconceptions and delusions. It
will have to prove its authenticity and relevance.
Spirituality and science should support, guide and
supplement each other. Realizing this, Acharya
Sharma pioneered renaissance of Scientific
Spirituality in the modern age in a comprehensive
and practical way.
What is Scientific Spirituality?
Acharya
Sharma
envisaged
“Scientific
Spirituality” as the beacon light of golden
future for the world. He, like several visionary
scientists, thinkers and social reformers, realized
that - the convictions and practices of spirituality
weaken their authenticity without scientific spirit
and openness. The philosophy and teachings of
spirituality without having scientific approach
lose their relevance and originality in the smog
of blind-faith and superstitions. Also, every
discipline of science (be that any branch of
natural, physical, mathematical, or, social or
applied science), remains narrow and incomplete
without incorporating spirituality. Material based
science without spirituality has no bonds of
human values and so there is an obvious danger
of its becoming aristocratic and apathetic. (In
practical sense), Scientific Spirituality lies at the
core of mutually complementary, constructive,
and supportive roles of science and spirituality.
We all know that scientific and technological
development may produce wealth, comforts and
prosperity but not the elixir of benevolence, love
and compassion. The so-called social sciences
too remain confined to intellectual domains and
are influenced by predominant thoughts, theories,
models and practices advocated by influential
and celebrity scholars in a given period of time
without any real effect on individual or social
character-building. (For example, research and
studies of the moral sciences, humanities, ideal
theories of socio political systems, etc, continue
to flourish in the present times, but we hardly
see any impact of these in altering the trends of
moral-cultural devolution, declining integrity of
character, human values, and the rising social
disharmony and anarchy).
The light of sagacity and benevolence and the
perpetual power of inner strength essential
for social responsibility, dutifulness, integrity,
and moral ascent originate and expand only
through spiritual enlightenment. But most of us
have somehow ignored even the necessity of
our own spiritual fitness and progress. Or, we
have confused and neglected ‘spirituality’ as an
offshoot of hallucination and emotional whims or
as subject matter only for ascetics. This ‘folly’ of
the wise and ‘progressive’ intellect of today has
put the world on a precipitous edge where even
healthy sustenance of life on the earth has become
doubtful. Scientific spirituality has promising
potential as a crucial remedial and comprehensive
measure/mode towards sustainability, holistic
development and bright and blissful future.
Scientific Spirituality is an evolved science
of mind that illuminates the intellect towards
righteous path and awakens divine sensitivity
in the heart (emotional core). The paradigms of
scientific spirituality may be broadly classified as
follows.
Absolute Knowledge:
The theories and principles of Scientific
Spirituality originate from a universal view that
incorporates both spiritual and physical entities
within the scope of its explanatory framework. In
this way, spiritual entities can be understood to be
“real” or “existing” in the same way as physical
entities. This kind of theoretical continuity
between the physical and spiritual worlds allows
for the understanding of spiritual phenomena as
law governed.
One paradigm of this sort that has been highly
developed within India is the philosophy of
Vedanta. Vedanta is a consciousness-centric
paradigm which views reality as emerging
through each of us from a unified (Omnipresent),
eternal consciousness-force (Brahm) in each
form of existence and each moment of (physical,
mental or transcendental) perception. Like
Vedantic philosophers, the Quantum Physicists
also view the physical world as emerging
from (consciousness) energy. Max Planck, the
founder of Quantum Physics underlines this
similarity explicitly - “I regard consciousness
as fundamental. I regard matter as derivative
from consciousness. We cannot get behind
consciousness. Everything that we talk about,
everything that we regard as existing, postulates
consciousness...” [c.f. Planck’s interview
reported in “The Observer”, January 25, 1931].
By maintaining continuity between material and
spiritual dimensions, the vast domain of Scientific
Spirituality incorporates both (the material
and the consciousness) dimensions within its
explanatory purview. Considering the eternal
existence and fundamental role of consciousness-
force, Scientific Spirituality is an absolute science
that can unfold all secrets of life, can decipher
mind as a material element, can explain the
science of destiny (law of karma), fully elucidate
the manifested as well as transcendent Nature,
everything. All streams of knowledge emanate
from this absolute science.
Key to Holistic Development:
Scientific Spirituality holds that consciousness of
a being is raised up (evolved) not by magic or a
capricious boon granted from super forces, but
rather by forces that can be rationally understood
and perhaps repeated. This idea does not deny
the importance of faith or devotion; these two
are essential factors. Nor does it deny the role of
divine forces in human ascent. Perhaps it does,
however, prioritize human effort and suggest
the importance of diligent spiritual endeavors
(sadhana).
A particularly advanced theoretical system for
understanding the mechanisms of this process
is the theory of a sublime element of primordial
life-force energy that exists at the threshold
between consciousness and matter. Within Vedic
(Hindu) philosophy, this sublime energy is called
praña. Within Chinese traditions, it is known
as Chi. The methods and (sadhana) practices
of Scientific Spirituality deal with gathering,
conserving, raising, constructively using, and
expanding this vital spiritual energy.
Raising of praña results in enhancement of
vigor and vitality (and hence good health of
the physical body); it gives rise to brilliance
and focus of intellectual and other mental
faculties; it generates soothing balance of
emotions with inner contentment, and inspires
benevolent sentiments. In short it is the key to
holistic development of personality. Progress
in this process gradually leads to spiritual
enlightenment and awakening of divine
sensitivity and unalloyed bliss.
Practical Aspects – Implementation in
Scientific Light:
An important facet of Scientific Spirituality
is the use of the scientific method for studying
and validating the effects of different spiritual
practices of raising praña and dissemination and
practical implementation of spiritual knowledge
in scientific light. For example, through
measuring indicators, such as brain waves,
memory retention, stress-level, hormone levels,
etc., the full rigor of the scientific method can
be applied to studying the effects of spiritual
practices such as yoga-kriyas, meditative
rhythmic chanting of Vedic Mantras, etc.
Advanced research studies can also be used to
assess, verify, and demonstrate extrasensory
potentials of spiritually enlightened mind.
This kind of research is necessary for spiritual
practice to be accepted by communities holding
materialistic philosophical commitments.
Scientific Spirituality also pertains to integration
of spirituality and social sciences. The methods
and practices of upasana, sadhanas and
sadhana aim at holistic development of the
individuals as well as the society. Acharya
Sharma regarded scientific spirituality as the key
to holistic management and progress of human
life on personal, professional, familial and
social fronts. He signified positive attitude and
focused, thoughtful and thorough endeavors of
self-refinement and self-development as essential
features of scientific spirituality and guided
feasible, effective methods and training programs
to achieve this. The characteristics of social
service, social transformation, self-restraint,
non-sectarianism, and science integrated in the
comprehensive, grass-rooted approach guided by
him make it authentic and relevant for personal
and social transformation in the current era.
The three paradigms of Scientific Spirituality,
namely viewing consciousness to be law-
governed, thinking within a paradigm that
includes spiritual dimensions, and applying
scientific method to the study and use of
consciousness-science, provide the ground for a
universal spirituality that includes all traditions
by transcending the boundaries of any particular
stream of faith or culture.
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