Dear Friends
Albert Einstein, probably the greatest modern scientist, said “science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind”. Swami Chinmayananda, a contemporary spiritual master, said “Religion is a science of improvement in the inner nature of man”. Bafflingly, each master is equating his field with the other. Leads us to the question, “Is there a connect between science and religion?” Recently, when I had been on one of my annual pilgrimages, I entered into a discussion with one of my co-pilgrims, an engineer by profession, on this subject.
The most common representation or belief about religion
is that, it involves a set of practices where some ceremonies, rites or actions
are performed, trying to invoke some unseen or unknown power, to enable mankind
in overcoming their obstacles in life. The most common representation of science is
that, it involves a set of experiments where a theory about matter performing
in a particular manner, in given circumstances, is proven. While these
representations may sound superficially correct, we need to understand the
deeper significance of these two fields.
Every science, including mathematics, has what is called
“pure science” and “applied science”. Pure Science deals with the theory and
research in observing how various elements or matter, and establishing reasoning
about why they behave in a certain manner when they come in contact with other
matter. For instance, there is a scientific explanation for why the fire turns
yellow in a closed area whereas in the open, the fire looks colorless? In
direct contrast, Applied Science deals with the practical everyday aspects of
applying the pure knowledge to live situations. For instance, the phenomenon
about the fire’s behavior is explained through experiments in a laboratory.
Likewise, Pure Religion is based on acquiring knowledge
about what is the purpose of our life, why have we taken this human form, what
is God, is God limited to forms and names or is it a cardinal principle which
goes beyond name and form etc. For instance, our ancient scriptures (Indian),
teach us about the benefits of meditation / contemplation etc. They impart
knowledge, that we are composed of the body, mind, intellect equipment but our
Pure Self is the one Inner Principle which is the same for all beings. In
Bhagawat Geeta this is called Jnyana Yoga (the Knowledge Domain). In contrast,
Applied Religion deals with our transactional behavior in the world, rooted in
the knowledge of one Superior Being, unseen and unmanifest, who is the doer of
all our actions and deeds. This is expressed in the form of selfless action and
good deeds or words that we speak, in each of which, we manifest ourselves as
children of the same God. In Bhagawat Geeta this is called Karma Yoga (the
Action Domain).
Obviously there is synergy between Science &
Religion, a fact accepted and taught by great masters as well. It is the
synthesis of the Pure Science and Applied Science that leads to all development
and progress in the material world. Likewise, it is the synthesis of Pure
Religion and Applied Religion that leads to all happiness, joy and contentment
to mankind in the spiritual world. This synthesized version of religion is
called devotion, manifested as our daily prayers, remembering Him as the
driving force of our lives at all times and as all music and dance that we
play, hear, sing etc. This devotion in Bhagawat Geeta is called Bhakti Yoga
(the Devotion Domain).
For is it not true that God is in all small things, viz:
- the flowing river, the singing bird, the playing kitten, the crying child,
the loving mother, the hand of friendship and many such things that we
encounter daily
Prem & Om
Suresh
