Religion, Spirituality & Science

1
Religion, Spirituality Science
2
For science, "reality" is perceivable reality,
while for spirituality, "reality" is ultimate
reality.
3
Religion, Spirituality Science

• Rudyard Kipling has famously said, East is
  east, and west is west, and never shall the twain
  meet. Even today, human society remains
  polarized at large into the extremes of
  Religionists and Science-believers. Most people
  either believe in Religion as a given thing
  without questioning its know-how with its
  know-why, or believe in Science with its
  reductionistic, materialistic approach treating
  all that which cannot be perceived by the senses
  as falsehood, saying that only Seeing is
  believing.
• However, with the coming of New Physics in the
  last 6 decades or so, the prospects of the two
  extreme viewpoints, both seeking Truth,
  coalescing have become bright. What is emerging
  as common ground between the two is
  Spirituality. It may be said that while Religion
  has lost its inner essence, which is
  Spirituality, Science is gradually beginning to
  discover its own mother-essence, which again is
  Spirituality.
• What is emerging as common ground is Quantum
  Consciousness aka God, which posits the unity
  of all being into something that is beyond the
  physical. A personal experience of the divine is
  what formed the very basis behind formation of
  Religions by spiritual teachers that came from
  time to time. Likewise, Spirituality is now being
  perceived as the mother of all Science, to be
  discerned within the true body-temple, within
  which the entire inner cosmos, along with its
  Creator, resides, and of which the physical
  sciences merely form the tip of the iceberg.
• However, even this appears to be
  oversimplification due to the innate limitations
  of the human frame, bound as its Sutratma- soul
  string is to the bottom of the cosmic well. It
  needs a rope in order to exit this prisonhole,
  within which its soul perambulates continuously
  within the cycle of 8.4 mill. life-forms, bound
  by its karma. This rope can only be provided by a
  perfect Master, who Himself is not bound and
  knows the path to the True Divine, the pristine
  Home of the soul, where it needs to return.
• Such a perfect Master alone can give the soul a
  contact with the Creative Power of the Cosmos-
  the inner Light Sound, known as Naam, Holy
  Word, Kalma, Tao and so on, the rope of
  liberation.

4
(No Transcript)
5
Religion Spirituality

• Religion and spirituality are two related yet
  distinct constructs associated with
  faith. Religion denotes "a set of beliefs
  concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the
  universe, usually involving devotional and ritual
  observances and a moral code." In
  contrast, spirituality can be defined an
  experience of the "sacred." The major difference
  between religion and spirituality is one
  of believing versus being. Religion's focus is
  the content of one's belief and the outworking of
  that belief spirituality's focus is the process
  of becoming more attuned to unworldly affairs.
  It's possible to be religious without being
  spiritual and spiritual without being religious.
• Spirituality is the most natural thing there is
  it is simply ones own conscious-self recognizing
  that you are more than just a body, that you are
  a soul with infinite potential. However, people
  tend to think of spirituality as something very
  strange and mysterious. People in modern-day
  society have a lack of knowledge when it comes to
  non-material subjects and have a fear of being
  manipulated.
• Spirituality scores over Religion in various
  ways - Absence of dogma, instead, freedom to
  follow ones own heart - Absence of fear,
  instead, being based on love - Absence of
  dependence, makes one independent - Instead of
  coercion of adhering to concepts such as heavens
  and hells, it speaks of the natural law based on
  Karma - Instead of merely speaking about truth,
  lets one discover it - Instead of creating
  barriers between people, it brings about unity
  between them it brings about genuine peace
  within and without.
• A religious person accepts a certain set of
  beliefs as true and observes a certain set of
  rituals. In contrast, spirituality is the fact of
  being spiritual and is usually evidenced by the
  act of doing spiritual things. Praying,
  meditating, reading Scripture, and giving to a
  charity are all things that a "spiritual" person
  might do. Spirituality is more abstract than
  religion. Religion usually promotes a creed and
  has a defined code of ethics it is tangible.
  Spirituality exists in the nebulous realm of the
  indefinable. Because of this, an increasing
  number of people in postmodern Western culture
  view spirituality as good and religion as bad.
  Ambiguity is "in" today dogmatism is "out."

6
Religion

• Religion must be understood as a "cumulative
  tradition," i.e., as having gone through
  evolutionary stages. Anthropologically, it may
  have had its roots in animism (deification of the
  forces of nature) and magic. Biologically,
  Religion has been a survival mechanism for
  humanity. Sociologically, Religion has social
  origins as it enhances community feeling.
  Psychologically, Religion originates from our
  unconscious mind. Psychologically, Religion
  originates from our unconscious mind.
  Theologically, Religion springs from God. A
  modern view has it that Religion is a product of
  our brain chemistry.
• Religion has 7 dimensions 1. Myths Sacred
  stories (a) historical myths filled with
  hagiography and symbolism, and (b) purely
  symbolic myths. 2. Rituals Activities that
  connect one with the sense of the sacred. 3.
  Experiences Religious experiences of the sacred
  a feeling of the numinous. 4. Doctrines The
  philosophy or belief system. 5. Ethics The moral
  codes of the group. 6. Social Aspect The
  organizational form of the Religion, and 7.
  Material Forms The sacred objects of the
  religion.
• Religions invariably contain mythology.
  Ancient polytheistic religions are usually
  categorized under the heading of mythology.
  Religions of pre-industrial peoples or
  cultures in development are called "myths" in
  the anthropology of Religion. The term "myth" can
  be used pejoratively by both religious and
  non-religious people. By defining another
  person's religious stories and beliefs as
  mythology, one implies that they are less real or
  true than one's own religious stories and
  beliefs. Mythology is often thought of as other
  people's religions, and religion can be defined
  as mis-interpreted mythology.
• In sociology, however, the term myth has a
  non-pejorative meaning. There, myth is defined as
  a story that is important for the group whether
  or not it is objectively or provably true.
  Examples include the death and resurrection of Jes
  us, which, to Christians, explains the means by
  which they are freed from sin and is also
  ostensibly a historical event. But from a
  mythological outlook, whether or not the event
  actually occurred is unimportant. Instead,
  the symbolism of the death of an old "life" and
  the start of a new "life" is what is most
  significant. Religious believers may or may not
  accept such symbolic interpretations.

7
Religion

• Essentially, the term Religion (re
  ligere) means to bind back. The word Yoga
  (from the dhatu- root, Yuj) also means the
  same re-integration of the presently separated
  soul with its source, the Oversoul. There is
  another term in consideration Dharma, which
  essentially seems to convey the meaning, duty
  (as in Bhagwad Geeta), but in mundane terms, it
  pertains to the name of religious institution to
  which one belongswhether Hindu, Moslem,
  Christian etc. However, if one were to realize
  that the essential duty of a human-being is to
  achieve self-realization (khud-shanasi) and
  God-realization (Khudaa-shanasi), then the term
  Dharma acquires the same meaning as Religion or
  Yoga.
• In other words, these terms have a lofty,
  esoteric intent- sadly beyond the ken of the lay
  practitioner. The pearls were not to be cast
  upon the swines. Nevertheless, in order to
  convey something of worth to the people at large,
  the esoteric came to be presented as exoteric
  through the use of allegory. The milk and fruit
  of the coconut thus came to be encased in a hard
  shell that only a few could possibly break open.
  The Upanishads, hence, speak of two types of
  knowledge Para-vidya, the esoteric pertaining
  to the inner space inside the human body-temple
  (dubbed Hari-mandir or Nar-Narayani deha),
  the realm of truth, and Apara-vidya, the
  exoteric pertaining to the outer space, the
  realm of the shadow of truth. The former pertains
  to the spiritual faculty of the human-being,
  while the latter is driven by the mind and its
  sensory organs that garner information from the
  outer world.
• Religion must be understood as a "cumulative
  tradition," i.e., as having gone through
  evolutionary stages. Anthropologically, it may
  have had its roots in animism (deification of the
  forces of nature) and magic. Biologically,
  Religion has been a survival mechanism for
  humanity. Sociologically, Religion has social
  origins as it enhances community feeling.
  Psychologically, Religion originates from our
  unconscious mind. Psychologically, Religion
  originates from our unconscious mind.
  Theologically, Religion springs from God. A
  modern view has it that Religion is a product of
  our brain chemistry.

8
Religion

• The Seven Dimensions of Religion are 1. Myths
  Sacred stories of two kinds (a) historical myths
  filled with hagiography and symbolism and (b)
  purely symbolic myths. 2. Rituals Activities
  (usually repeated) that connect one with the
  sense of the sacred. 3. Experiences Religious
  experiences of the sacred a feeling of the
  numinous. 4. Doctrines The philosophy or belief
  system of the religion. 5. Ethics The moral
  codes of the group. 6. Social Aspect The
  organizational form of the religion, and 7.
  Material Forms The sacred objects of the
  religion.
• Religions invariably contain mythology.
  Ancient polytheistic religions are usually
  categorized under the heading of mythology.
  Religions of pre-industrial peoples, or
  cultures in development, are similarly called
  "myths" in the anthropology of religion. The term
  "myth" can be used pejoratively by both religious
  and non-religious people. By defining another
  person's religious stories and beliefs as
  mythology, one implies that they are less real or
  true than one's own religious stories and
  beliefs. Joseph Campbell has remarked, "Mythology
  is often thought of as other people's religions,
  and religion can be defined as mis-interpreted
  mythology."
• In sociology, however, myth is defined
  non-pejoratively as a story that is important for
  the group whether or not it is objectively or
  provably true e.g. the death and resurrection of J
  esus, which, to Christians, explains the means by
  which they are freed from sin and is also
  ostensibly a historical event. But from a
  mythological outlook, whether or not the event
  actually occurred is unimportant. Instead,
  the symbolism of the death of an old "life" and
  the start of a new "life" is what is most
  significant. Religious believers may or may not
  accept such symbolic interpretations.
• A religion is an organized collection
  of beliefs, cultural systems, and world
  views that relate humanity to an order of
  existence. Many religions have narratives, symbols
  , and sacred histories that aim to explain
  the meaning of life, the origin of life, or
  the Universe itself. From their beliefs about
  the cosmos and human nature, people may derive 
  moral and ethical codes, religious laws or a
  preferred lifestyle.

9
Religion

• Many religions may have organized behaviours, cle
  rgy, a definition of what constitutes adherence
  or membership, holy places, and scriptures. The
  practice of a religion may include rites and
  rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration (of
  a deity, gods and goddesses), sacrifices,
  festivals, feasts, trances, baptisms,
  initiations, funerary services, matrimonial
  services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, p
  ublic service, or other aspects of human culture.
  
• The human quest for the divine is essentially
  driven by the realization of ones own mortality.
  Since what transpires across the portals of this
  life is unknown, there is a lurking fear of
  death, which fuels a drive to seek out the
  knowledge of the beyond. Ones own Religion
  invariably provides the first level learning in
  this regard or may go on to study Religions other
  than ones own. Instead, one may venture into the
  field of Spirituality, discovering it to be in
  the core of all Religions.
•  The founders of Religion gave out their
  teachings based on their own individual
  experiences. These teachings and practices were
  suitably tailor-made for the needs of the
  specific society during those times. However, as
  time progressed, after their departure, their
  followers institutionalized their teachings into
  a belief system or Religion in their name.
  Without the presence of a living Masters power,
  these Religions have, thus, remained mere fossils
  of the time bygone. They have not been able to
  suitably modify themselves for the present day
  needs and mores of the society, nor adapted to
  the needs of different geographical locales to
  where they have spread.
• Even the rudimentary presence of Religion, the
  human society would surely become unruly and
  disintegrate. Religion has been provided to all
  human-kind, across the board, as some sort of
  useful free education, though somewhat limited
  in its content, through one or the other
  Religion. For the worldly, religious cum social
  institutions, with set beliefs and rules of
  living, came to be established- the outer shell.
  This set of rites and rituals is known as
  Karma-kaanda (or even Paakhanda), while
  within its shell lies Adhyatma or Spirituality,
  the real milk and fruit, to which only a sincere
  seeker of truth could hope to attain if only he
  were able to reach the feet of a perfect Master.

10
Spirituality

• The spiritual Masters have been clear regarding
  Truth. Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj states that the
  Truth lies within the home (i.e. ones own
  body), and not in the outside. Those who
  foolishly look for it in the outer world shall
  surely be deluded. Sant Kabir Sahib bluntly
  declares that God resides not in the temples,
  mosques and churches built by human hands, nor in
  places of pilgrimage He resides but within
  temples built by Himself, i.e. within each one of
  us. Closely examined, the outer places of worship
  are but a replica or model of the human-body
  itself.
• Outer religious practices- such as charity,
  pilgrimage, ethical virtues, Samskaras-
  sacraments etc. can, at best, serve merely as
  preparatory exercises to Spirituality. The
  intention here is to think-speak-practice the
  good, while abjuring the bad, i.e., the making of
  an Accha (good) person while Spirituality aims
  at making a Saccha (true) person. There is no
  doubt that while the former constitutes an
  essential stepping-stone to Spirituality by
  itself, it is not an aspect of Spirituality per
  se, which lies beyond the duality of good and
  bad. If due caution is not exercised while doing
  good deeds, they too- like bad deeds- become
  karmically binding, leading to re-birth. Good
  deeds should be done selflessly without
  expectation of reward and should be ascribed to
  the divine/Guru.
• Not having being understood properly, Religion
  has not served the human society well. In fact,
  most of the ills of the human society can be
  ascribed directly to Religion, which has only
  served, in practice, to divide it. Clearly,
  something better and higher is called for
  Spirituality. Spirituality comprises the
  exclusive, esoteric knowledge, in which the
  exoteric practices of Religion essentially become
  redundant. Sadly, only a miniscule, unworldly
  type persons alone seek and benefit from it. This
  comprises the higher, divine knowledge that leads
  to liberation.
• It is said that the difference between Religion
  and Spirituality is that while in Religion, we
  communicate with God, in Spirituality, God
  communicates with us! It is also said that while
  in Religion, we go by belief in someone elses
  experience, in Spirituality, we go by our own. We
  ourselves have been described as spiritual being,
  undergoing a human experience.

11
Spirituality

• From a rational standpoint, there are two
  aspects of genuine Spirituality to contend with
  1. Ishta or deity of choice that is the object of
  adoration and forms ones spiritual destination,
  which ought to be one and only one, and 2. Sadhan
  or means whereby one may reach the same. As
  regards the choice of Ishta, one first needs to
  know the spiritual hierarchy of the entire
  macrocosmos. Logically, the only the very highest
  deity (the Supreme Lord) ought to form ones
  deity of choice, much as in the court of the
  king, by bowing to the king, one automatically
  pays regards to the rest of the courtiers. This
  comprises the theoretical aspect of spiritual
  science.
• The Sadhan to reach the Supreme Lord can only be
  provided by one who has Himself reached and
  merged with Him, and is authorized to take others
  to Him. He is known as a perfect Master,
  Sant-Satguru, or Murshid-e-Kamil. He provides a
  first-hand connection of the initiate with the
  divine creative power (inner Light and Sound,
  known as Naam, Kalma, Holy Word etc.) within the
  laboratory of ones own body-temple, which when
  detached from the outer world and empowered
  through regular meditation, results in the
  journey of the soul into the inner worlds, during
  which the Master accompanies the initiate within,
  until his soul is united with the Oversoul or
  God. This is known as Surat-Shabd Yoga (Yoga of
  Soul-Celestial Music), comprising experimental
  aspect of spiritual science.
• There are several degrees of Spirituality
  available. The Yogas of the Yogis provide
  attractions of Riddhi-Siddhis, but remain limited
  to the very prison that jivas are presently
  confined in, and cannot show a way out. The
  higher class of Yogisthe Yogishwaras and
  Yogishwaranands also cannot rid the jiva of the
  karmically induced bondage of Chaurasi- the cycle
  of constant birth and death on earth in 8.4 mill.
  life-forms, for they themselves are bound to the
  triple Gunas or qualities in Brahmand- the
  grand triple region. The Sadhus, no doubt, lead
  to liberation in Paar-Brahm, but fail to
  provide complete contact with the Lord. It is the
  Sants, who alone can provide the jiva the gift of
  self-knowledge in Sach Khand and the Param
  Sants take the jiva to merger with the ultimate,
  unmanifest form of the Supreme Lord, described
  only as an Ocean of Love.

12
Spirituality

• How may we enter the Kingdom of God? With the
  help and guidance of one who has himself entered
  it and who can guide us there. If all of these
  physical sciences that belong to the realm of
  Apara vidya and are studied and mastered on the
  plane of the senses, require the help of a
  teacher, the need of a teacher is still greater
  for spiritual science, Para vidya, knowledge of
  the beyond, which is an inner process far beyond
  the ken of the senses, to be studied in the
  depths of the mind and experimented with in the
  laboratory of the soul.
• Spirituality/Yoga has body focus at its lowest
  level and spirit at the highest. Sadly, most
  people choose the former focusfor, after all,
  body, unlike spirit is tangible! Also, it is
  not sufficient to merely intellectualize or to
  read/recite holy scripturesno doubt, the
  valuable records of inner experiences of Masters
  in Spirituality. As light comes from light, so
  does life come from life. Life impulse must be
  transmitted into the soul of the seeker to
  quicken it with real life, the life of the
  Spirit. Hence the need for a living Master. Only
  one who can open the inner vision and show us the
  Light of God, and make the inner ear hear the
  Voice of Godthe Wordis the real Master.
• Knowledge of the Self precedes the knowledge of
  God because it is the inner conscious Self which
  alone can know Godthe All Consciousness. This is
  in consonance with the hidden laws of Nature, of
  which we have as yet no knowledge. This is the
  one common goal for all humanity. Man is the
  highest of all creation. If he does not attain
  his goal, he is lost. What does it profit a man
  if he gains possession of the whole world and
  loses his own soul?
• Rather than the outer science that rests upon
  its validation on our imperfect outer faculties,
  the Spiritual science is validated by our
  hitherto dormant, perfect spiritual agencies of
  inner vision (known as Nirat) and of inner
  hearing (known as Surat), awakened by the grace
  of a perfect Master by opening of the Third or
  the Single Eye. This inner science perfectly
  fulfils all qualifications to be called a
  Science. Which is why it is considered to be
  the very Mother of all Science. This is a
  science with a true and eternal worth to jivas.

13
Spirituality

• Presently, most of our attention is going
  outward into the world and outside the body. We
  are aware of the world and our body through the
  faculty of our attention. Our attention is drawn
  by the five senses into the world outside. We are
  pulled by our senses into the world of sight,
  sound, smell, taste, and touch. Through these
  senses we perceive the world. If we withdraw our
  senses to a point within us, known as the seat of
  our soul or awareness, located between and behind
  the two eyebrows, our attention will focus there.
  When all our attention is closed off from the
  physical world and our body and concentrated at
  this still point, we will be able to see the
  inner Light and hear the inner Sound. Through
  further concentration on the inner Light and
  Sound, the conscious part of ourselves will
  withdraw into it and we will emerge into a realm
  of higher frequency of Light and Sound.
• There are no hard and fast rules, no ceremonies,
  no offerings of gifts or payment during the
  Spiritual Initiation. In this process, the Master
  acts as an external catalyst, enabling the
  unification of the soul with Oversoul. A disciple
  has only to enter into the laboratory of his body
  and proceed. A firsthand experience of withdrawal
  of the Soul-current, the opening of the inner
  vision and hearing of the Sound-currentthe
  Voice of Godis invariably given by the Master
  to the disciple at initiation, which experience
  is developed from day to day by regular
  meditative practice.
• The key to a successful meditation is the
  withdrawal of the sensory currents to the eye
  focus or the Third eye. Once there, it requires
  a constant gaze into the middle of whatever is
  lying in front of us without any distractions of
  thought. On one hand, it is an easy process as it
  does not require any difficult Asanas or
  postures. It does not even require breathing
  exercises, or any austerities. Although it is
  simple, it takes a lot of practice to do it
  accurately. We begin with finding a time to
  meditate when there is no disturbancepreferably
  the wee hours of the morning. Our pose should be
  comfortable enough to sit in that position for
  the longest possible time. Our job is to go on
  looking sweetly and lovingly into the middle of
  whatever is lying in front of us and repeat the
  names of the Lord.

14
Spirituality

• Spirituality is the most perfect of all
  scienceindeed, it is the very Mother of all
  Science! From a rational standpoint, there are
  two aspects of genuine Spirituality to contend
  with 1. Ishta or deity of choice that is the
  object of adoration and forms ones spiritual
  destination, which ought to be one and only one,
  and 2. Sadhan or means whereby one may reach the
  same.
• As regards the choice of Ishta, one first needs
  to know the spiritual hierarchy of the entire
  macrocosmos. Logically, the only the very highest
  deity (the Supreme Lord) ought to form ones
  deity of choice, much as in the court of the
  king, by bowing to the king, one automatically
  pays regards to the rest of the courtiers much
  as in the corporate hierarchy, where there is a
  Chairman of the Board, a Managing Director,
  various level Managers and Supervisors, a worker
  who directly knows the Chairman need no longer
  deal with the rest! This comprises the
  theoretical aspect of spiritual science.
• The Sadhan to reach the Supreme Lord can only be
  provided by one who has Himself reached and
  merged with Him, and is authorized to take others
  to Him, as well. Such a Master is known as a
  living perfect Master, Sant-Satguru or
  Murshid-e-Kamil. He provides a first-hand
  connection of the initiate with the divine
  creative power (inner Light and Sound known as
  Naam, Kalma, Holy Word etc.) within the
  laboratory of the body-temple, which when
  detached from the outer world and strengthened
  through regular meditation, results in the
  journey of the soul into the inner worlds, during
  which the Master accompanies the initiate within,
  until his soul is united with the Oversoul.
  Surat-Shabd Yoga (Yoga of Soul-Celestial Music)
  comprises the experimental aspect of spiritual
  science.
• True Spirituality comprises the complete
  unveiling of the various Koshas- coverings
  comprising the duality of mind-matter, and driven
  by Prana, that shroud the soul as it descends
  from its pristine Home into the lower worlds, in
  order to be able to function in them suitably.
  Once this is achieved, the individual soul is
  said to shine with the lustre equivalent to 16
  allegorical suns! It is bathed in ecstasy and
  bliss that life in the lower worlds could not
  provide. The Prodigal Son has returned to his
  Father, who lovingly welcomes him Home.

15
Science the Scientific Method

• Science has always sought to explain the
  unexplainable, solve the unsolvable, and know the
  unknowable. Scientists devote themselves to
  finding answers to the mysteries of life. It is
  driven by the innate curiosity of every human
  being to find answers to the questions of what,
  why, and how. When we think about all the
  scientific research that have driven humanity
  since the dawn of time, we find there is at the
  heart of all these advances is the desire to
  answer several burning questions who are we,
  what are we, why are we here, how did we get
  here, where do we go when we die.
• Science is the practice where people, usually as
  collectives, make controlled observations and
  testable predictions. This is done in the hope of
  constantly refining their models and
  understanding of the world. A scientific method
  seeks to explain the events of nature in a
  reproducible way, and to use these findings to
  make useful predictions. This is done partly
  through observation of natural phenomena, but
  also thru experimentation that simulates natural
  events under controlled conditions.
  Observability, Testability, Repeatability and
  Falsifiability are the hallmarks of the
  scientific method.
• Based on observations of a phenomenon,
  scientists may generate a model. This is an
  attempt to describe or depict the phenomenon in
  terms of a logical physical or mathematical
  representation. As empirical evidence is
  gathered, scientists can suggest a hypothesis to
  explain the phenomenon. When a hypothesis proves
  unsatisfactory, it is either modified or
  discarded. Experimentation is especially
  important in science to help establish a
  causational relationships (to avoid the
  correlation fallacy). Operationalization also
  plays an important role in coordinating research
  in/across different fields.
• Once a hypothesis has survived testing, it may
  become adopted into the framework of a scientific
  theory. This is a logically reasoned,
  self-consistent model or framework for describing
  the behaviour of certain natural phenomena. A
  theory typically describes the behaviour of much
  broader sets of phenomena than a hypothesis
  commonly, a large number of hypotheses can be
  logically bound together by a single theory.

16
(No Transcript)
17
Science the Scientific Method

• The philosopher of science Karl Popper sharply
  distinguishes truth from certainty. He writes
  that scientific knowledge consists in the search
  for truth, but it is not the search for
  certainty...All human knowledge is fallible and
  therefore uncertain. A modern Saint, Param Sant
  Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj has said, Truth or God
  cannot be known by the senses, intellect, or
  Pranasonly soul can experience the Lord, and
  this can happen only after it has come to know
  itself.
• The human being is composed of body, mind and
  soul. We are extremely careful to develop
  ourselves physically and mentally, but understand
  very little about the soul, which is the power
  ruling both body and mind. Soul is the conscious
  entity in man. To know our Self is not a matter
  of feelings, emotions or drawing inferences. It
  is really one of rising above body-consciousness
  by self-analysis to know practically who we are.
• There neednt be a dividing line between
  Science and Spirituality. Western science draws
  that line because it begins with the assumption
  that the world is composed of matter only. Many
  successes have come from that assumption, but it
  doesnt explain everything. Once upon a time,
  Science and Spirituality were synonymous. This
  knowledge was not systematized, but verbally
  passed down the wisdom of their society elders.
• Larger indigenous societies, such as the Mayans,
  are still stupefying scientists, who cant figure
  out how they knew so much about the stars or how
  they managed to build their pyramids. One thing
  all so-called primitive societies had in common
  was a marriage of the spiritual and scientific.
  They intuitively discovered which plants were
  good for what. Plants didnt simply have healing
  chemicals in them, for example, they had healing
  energy.
• This intuitive approach to science is so foreign
  to us today, we call it spiritual or even
  miraculous. During the Middle Ages, they burned
  witches at the stake for having supernatural
  powers. Today, they are burned at the stake by
  the ridicule of the high priests of science and
  technology.

18
The Science of the Soul

• Spirituality is studied as is science. In the
  scientific method, we begin with a hypothesis.
  Next, we make a plan of the procedure and or
  materials we want to use to test the hypothesis.
  Then, we follow that plan exactly and record the
  data or findings. When complete, we analyze the
  data and report on the results. Was our
  hypothesis correct or incorrect? The data either
  proves of disproves our hypothesis. We prove our
  hypothesis when we can replicate the results
  under the same conditions.
• Any belief not based on personal experience and
  verification of facts has little value. The
  Science of Spirituality deals both in theory
  and practice with mans true nature and his
  relation to God. It is purely a personal,
  practical and a natural science, not subject to
  change or time. In it, if there is a hypothesis
  required to be proven, it is that God exists.
• The Science of the Soul, also known as
  Sant-Mat means the knowledge taught by the
  perfect Spiritual Masters. It is neither an
  intellectual scholastic system of philosophy nor
  a mere code of social or moral conduct, though
  both of these are elementary steps on the way of
  Spirituality.
• Although Sant-Mat is a pristine, unchanging
  spiritual knowledge, it does present itself from
  time-to-time in the language of the day. Since,
  the intellectual path finds wide acceptance in
  the present times, this knowledge is also being
  made available in the paradigm of science i.e. as
  the Science of Spirituality. In it, if there is
  a hypothesis to be proven, it is that God
  exists.
• The Upanishads describe two kinds of sciences
  (i) Para (Transcendental) the superior
  Pratyaksha (direct), and (ii) Apara
  (Terrestrial) the inferior Paroksha (indirect).
  Apara is preliminary knowledge consisting of
  study of scriptures, codes of rituals, book
  learning, worship, fasting, giving of alms, etc.
  Para knowledge is by far the Natures science of
  approach to God or the Science of realized
  Truth. This science is and has been at the root
  of all isms, faiths, Religions and all beliefs
  throughout the world, in all ages past and
  present, and will remain so for the future.

19
(No Transcript)
20
The Science of the Soul

• The Science of Para vidya teaches us how the
  spirit is to be liberated from the bondage of
  mind and matter, to come in contact with the
  Spirit Divine in order to realize and regain the
  Kingdom of God, the Garden of Eden, our True
  Home, which is now a lost province. It integrates
  the individual systems of science, psychology,
  philosophy, Spirituality and Religion into a
  unified system that describes the
  multi-dimensional nature of man and the universe.
  It provides a more comprehensive description of
  reality than science can offer and explains the
  mechanisms behind an array of paranormal
  phenomena that science chooses to ignore.
• The scientists of Spirituality have found that
  when we invert our attention, we find a source of
  light and sound not evident through gross
  scientific instrumentation. They have uncovered
  higher frequencies of existence far beyond that
  of the physical universe. They discovered that at
  the heart of their physical body and mind is an
  essence that consists of light and sound that is
  conscious and imperishable. Today, as scientists
  in quantum physics split the atom and atomic
  particles in particle accelerators, they find at
  the heart of each of these particles dancing
  packets of energy radiating light and sound. It
  has taken physical scientists considerable number
  of years through the development of refined
  instrumentation to prove what scientists of
  Spirituality had already discovered thousands of
  years ago.
• The scientists of Spirituality have found that
  there are a series of regions, each more ethereal
  and functioning at higher and higher vibration
  levels than those below it. When they crossed
  this threshold they were ultimately able to merge
  into an Ocean of Spirit. At this point at their
  journey, they came to know all there is to be
  known. They experienced oneness with all
  creation. They experienced a state that brought
  about ineffable happiness, love and bliss.
• Today, during the darkest part of Kali-yuga, as
  the Science of Spirituality opens up to
  human-kind, it has been prophesied that a Golden
  Age of Spirituality is about to dawn, liberating
  countless souls.

21
(No Transcript)
22
(No Transcript)
23
(No Transcript)