SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : THERE IS NO ESSENCE, THERE IS NO IDENTITY, AND THERE IS NO EXISTENCE OF MAN IF THERE IS NO UNITY BETWEEN THE THREE FUNDAMENTAL ORDERS CALLED 1. GOD, 2. SOUL, AND 3. MATTER. THE WORD “ASMI” STANDS FOR UNITY OR “EIKYATA.” FOR UNITY ALONE IS EVERLASTING AND IS ALWAYS PRESENT.
There is no ‘Essence’, there is no ‘Identity’, and there is no ‘Existence’ of man if there is no ‘Unity’ between the three fundamental orders called 1. God, 2. Soul, and 3. Matter. The Sanskrit word “ASMI” stands for ‘Unity’ or “EIKYATA” of the three fundamental orders. I want to invite my readers to join me in a discussion to interpret the terms Essence, Identity, Unity, and Existence that appear in the Indian Holy Scriptures and are variously interpreted by the major Indian Schools of Thought known as ‘Advaita'(Unqualified Non-Dualism), ‘Visistadvaita'(Qualified Non-Dualism), and ‘Dvaita'(Dualism).
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : ADI SHANKARA(c.788 – c.820?), EXPONENT OF ADVAITA OR NON-DUALISM AND THE THEORY OF MAYA OR ILLUSION.
Adi Shankara held that the Divine Soul or Paramatma, and the individual soul or Jeevatma are identical or the same. He did not account for the existence of his human body. He was satisfied by claiming that his human body does not describe his true or real identity or essence. In his view, the material world including the appearance of man is deceptive for it is the product of Illusion.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : RAMANUJA(c.1017 – c.1137), EXPONENT OF QUALIFIED NON-DUALISM OR VISISTADVAITA. HE STATED HIS GOAL OF ACHIEVING SOUL’S UNION WITH A PERSONAL GOD THROUGH THE PRACTICE OF BHAKTI OR DEVOTION.
Ramanuja held the view that God is modified by the orders of Matter and Soul. He stated that the Soul is modified by the body for the body has no separate existence from its Soul. Similarly, the Soul modifies God for it has no separate existence apart from God. His aim was to achieve Soul’s Union with a Personal God. He had not accounted for the existence of the living human being whose Body, and Soul have no separate existence without maintaining Unity with God.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : MADHVA(c. 1199 – c.1278), EXPONENT OF DVAITA OR DUALISM. HE REJECTED THE THEORY OF MAYA OR ILLUSION. HE CLAIMED THAT THERE IS A BASIC DIFFERENCE IN KIND BETWEEN GOD AND INDIVIDUAL SOULS. BUT, THE FACT OF DIFFERENCE OR DISTINCTION BETWEEN SOUL AND GOD WILL NOT ACCOUNT FOR MAN’S EXISTENCE.
Madhva maintained that the simple fact that things are transient and ever changing does not mean that they are not real. He rejected Shankara’s Theory of Maya or Illusion but, at the same time he may have failed to acknowledge that the phenomenon of Illusion could be an important basis for the reality of man’s existence on the surface of a very fast spinning object like Earth. Man’s existence demands a blissful state of ignorance of the realities of motion of planet Earth while he synchronizes his existence taking the cues from Sun’s apparent motions across the sky that generate the experience of Sunrise and Sunset.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : AITAREYA UPANISHAD SUGGESTS THAT GOD IS THE CAUSE OF ALL KINDS OF EXISTENCE.
Aitareya Upanishad claims that Consciousness is God or Brahman and it states that all existence is supported by Consciousness. To that extent, Consciousness can be defined as the awareness of the fact of one’s own Existence. In my view, the ‘Essence’ and ‘Identity’ of a thing can be described if, and only if the thing had a past ‘Existence’, or is existing in the present, or has the potential ability to exist in the future. Essence and Identity are predetermined by the requirement called ‘Existence’.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : THE TERM SOUL OR ATMAN HAS TO BE INTERPRETED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE REALITY OF MAN’S EXISTENCE THAT NEEDS A BODY THAT IS DIFFERENTIATED, HAS A FORM AND APPEARANCE THAT HELPS MAN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PERSON AS “I AM.”
If the universe is accounted by three distinct or separate orders such as God(“BRAHMAN”), Soul(“ATMAN”), and Matter, man represents the single, harmonious effect called ‘Unity’ or “ASMI.” The terms such as Soul or “ATMAN”, or “JEEVATMA” may have to be used to explain the fact of ‘Unity’ and the manifestation called ‘Existence’ by which the thing called “I” gets its name, and form, becomes differentiated and can be recognized as “I AM.” I want to categorically claim that it will be of no help or use if terms such as Soul, Atman, and Jeevatma are narrowly defined to simply describe the Essence or Identity of man. I would like to direct this discussion towards the importance of ‘Unity’ or of the term “ASMI” which means always present, and ever existing. Thus ‘Existence’ becomes the defining feature or chief attribute of all things and without the fact or reality called ‘Existence’, no truth can be known, and things have no Identity or Essence.
MY IDENTITY – MY CONNECTION – REBBAPRAGADA – KASTURI – SARVEPALLI – CONNECTION:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : MY IDENTITY AND MY CONNECTION. I CALL MYSELF AS ‘REBBAPRAGADA’, BUT MY MOTHER BELONGS TO THE ‘KASTURI’ FAMILY. THIS IS A PICTURE OF KASTURI BROTHERS. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, 1. DR. KASTURI NARAYANA MURTHY, M.D.(MY MATERNAL GRANDFATHER), 2. KASTURI. SESHAGIRI RAO( MARRIED TO MRS. RUKMINI, DAUGHTER OF DR. SARVEPALLI RADHAKRISHNAN), 3. KASTURI NARASIMHA RAO, 4. KASTURI RAMACHANDRA RAO, 5. KASTURI SOMESHWARA RAO, 6. KASTURI KRISHNA RAO, AND 7. KASTURI SIVAPRASADA RAO(FAR RIGHT).
I am able to recognize and describe the ‘Identity’ of my maternal grandfather and his brothers for man always comes into existence with an original form, and gets a name for it can be clearly differentiated from all other men. My maternal grandfather’s younger brother was married to Mrs. Rukmini, daughter of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. This ‘Connection’ with Sarvepalli family is important for several reasons. Most of my readers of this blog post in India can easily identify the person who existed as Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He served as India’s first Vice President for two consecutive terms from 1952 to 1962, and served as India’s second President from May 13, 1962 to May 13, 1967. Apart from being a statesman, Dr. Radhakrishnan is recognized as an Indian philosopher and had published 56 books. His most popular books are Indian Philosophy, two-volumes and The Principal Upanishads(1953).
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : I RECOGNIZE THE IDENTITY OF THIS PERSON AND DESCRIBE HIM AS DR. SARVEPALLI RADHAKRISHNAN FOR MAN ALWAYS EXISTS WITH A DIFFERENTIATED FORM THAT IS GIVEN A PROPER NAME. THIS INDIAN PHILOSOPHER HAD INTERPRETED INDIAN SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT IN SEVERAL BOOKS THAT HE HAD AUTHORED. IN MY OPINION, HE DID NOT EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF UNITY AND EXISTENCE IN HIS ANALYSIS OF THE MEANING OF GOD(BRAHMAN) AND SOUL(ATMAN OR JEEVATMA).SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : DR SARVEPALLI RADHAKRISHNAN’S MOST POPULAR BOOK, INDIAN PHILOSOPHY MAY NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE MEANING OF MAN AS A SUBSTANCE AND FAILS TO DESCRIBE THE BASIS FOR MAN’S PHYSICAL REALITY IN THIS WORLD.
Man must understand what it is to be a Substance and what it is to Exist. The Indian traditional thoughts about man tend to divide man into two categories; 1. The Sentient Soul or the Conscious Being, and 2. The Insentient or the Physical Being that is unreal, constantly changing, perishable, and leads a mortal, transient, or evanescent existence.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : IN INDIAN TRADITION, IT IS OFTEN CLAIMED THAT THE HUMAN BODY IS PERISHABLE. THIS REQUIRES CLARIFICATION. CHEMICAL ELEMENTS ARE NOT PERISHABLE. IT IS THE FORM, AND APPEARANCE THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE NATURAL LAWS OF AGING AND DEATH.
The above statement that claims that the universe consists of a combination of the perishable and imperishable may need further clarification. It cannot be entirely true for the Chemical Elements that constitute Physical Matter cannot be destroyed or they are imperishable. Indian tradition describes man as “DEHA”, the physical body which is often compared to an empty vessel or house which is distinct, and separate from an entity called “DEHE”, or “DEHINAH”, the indweller, the embodied being, the tenant who occupies a place of dwelling or residence. The indweller of the physical human body is identified as Soul, Atman, or Jeevatma. This separation of Body/Mind, and its Soul into unrelated, or independent entities poses huge problems if I have to account for the physical reality of man’s Subjective and Objective Existence in the present world, the world that exists today as a self-evident truth.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : MAN’S EXISTENCE BEGINS WITH THE ACT CALLED CONCEPTION, THE UNION OF ORIGINATING PRINCIPLE OR SEED WITH EGG CELL. LORD KRISHNA CLAIMED THAT HE IS THE ORIGINATING SEED OF ALL TYPES OF EXISTENCE.
Man’s existence in the world begins with the act called ‘Conception’, the Union of the originating Principle or Seed with Egg Cell. In the Divine Song of The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter X, verse #39, Lord Krishna claims that He is the Originating Seed of all types of Existence and hence it must be understood that the fact of Existence requires an Original Cause, an Original Purpose, and an Originating Seed or Principle.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : MAN’S PHYSICAL EXISTENCE DEMANDS THE OPERATION OF AN ORIGINAL CAUSE, ORIGINAL PURPOSE, AND AN ORIGINATING SEED OR ORIGINATING PRINCIPLE.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : INDIAN HOLY SCRIPTURE “YAJUR VEDA” EXPLAINS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN EXISTENCE AND GOD(BRAHMAN).
If God is viewed as the fosterer of the People, and if God is explained as the Originating Seed that accounts for man’s existence, God, and man’s physical body cannot be separated into separate parts.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : GOD(BRAHMAN) IS DEFINED AS THE FIRST CAUSE AND MAN’S EXISTENCE BECOMES THE SINGLE, HARMONIOUS EFFECT OF THAT ORIGINAL CAUSE THAT BRINGS UNITY BETWEEN THE THREE ORDERS CALLED GOD, SOUL, AND MATTER.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : THE CAUSE, THE ORIGIN, THE ESSENCE, THE IDENTITY OF MAN HAVE A SINGLE PURPOSE FOR THERE IS ALWAYS UNITY IN THE BODY OF GOD WHO IS THE CONTROLLER.
For God(Brahman) is defined as the ‘First Cause’, man’s physical existence can be accounted as the single, harmonious “Effect” of that Original Cause that brings Unity between the three orders called God, Soul, and Matter.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : THIS FERTILIZED HUMAN OVUM OR EGG CELL BEGINS THE LIFE JOURNEY OF MAN. FROM THE BEGINNING, THERE IS UNITY BETWEEN, BODY, MIND, SOUL, AND GOD.
Man’s physical existence begins with the stage called ‘ZYGOTE’, the fertilized human ovum or Egg Cell. This single cell grows, multiplies, and fully differentiates to develop all the tissues, organs, and organ systems that are parts of the human body. The human body is the “Effect” of an Originating Seed, and cannot be considered as an empty vessel or an empty dwelling that is apart from its resident or indweller.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : THE SINGLE FERTILIZED EGG CELL RAPIDLY DIVIDES AND DEVELOPS INTO AN EMBRYO THAT IMPLANTS ITSELF INTO THE TISSUES OF MOTHER’S WOMB TO FURTHER SECURE ITS OWN EXISTENCE. THE EMBRYO IS CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT OR REALITY OF ITS OWN EXISTENCE.
The Single, Fertilized Egg Cell is conscious of its own existence and the developing Embryo on its sixth day of existence implants itself into the tissues of Mother’s womb to secure its own further existence.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : THE NEWBORN BABY ALWAYS ARRIVES INTO THE WORLD WITH AN ORIGINAL, UNIQUE, DISTINCT, AND ONE OF ITS OWN KIND OF GENOME THAT HAS NEVER EXISTED IN THE PAST AND WILL NEVER EXIST AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.
The Newborn Baby always arrives into the world with an original, unique, distinct, and one of its own kind of genome that has never existed in the past, and will never exist again in the future. Every man who is born can only exist as an Individual with Individuality. Every man can be identified as a specific individual. The Law of Generation and Propagation is based on the principle of Creation that always causes the production of original objects that cannot be further duplicated. For man’s form, and appearance is always associated with differentiation, man’s identity can be easily described by attaching a proper name.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE – IDENTITY – UNITY – EXISTENCE : MAN’S EXISTENCE IS GOVERNED BY THE ETERNAL LAW OF AGING. MAN EXISTS WHILE HE PASSES THROUGH VARIOUS STAGES SUCH AS BOYHOOD, YOUTH, ADULTHOOD, AND OLD AGE THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN FORM AND APPEARANCE.
The word ‘Essence'(Latin. Essentia) describes that something which makes an entity what it is; intrinsic, fundamental nature, the most important quality of something to constitute its essential being. Essence is used to describe the inward nature of anything that is important to know its manifestations that can be physically observed. The word ‘Spirit’ or ‘Soul’ are often used to describe the ‘true’ or unchanging principle of man for man’s physical identity is not constant. The term ‘Identity'(Latin. idem) means the same(Sanskrit. idam). The Latin word identitas is related to Latin. essentitas and hence Identity and Essence are always related and they help to know the thing or entity that they describe. Identity is about the condition or fact of being the same, or exactly alike, sameness or oneness. In modern times, identity is about the condition or fact of being a specific person or thing. Whereas the term ‘Individuality’ describes the sum of characteristics or qualities that set one person or thing apart from others. Individuality is the condition of the Individual who exists as a single, separate, or particular thing. For man, his Individuality sets him apart from all other men. The term ‘Existence'(Latin. existere, or exsistere) is about the act of existing, the state, or the fact, or the reality of actual being. Existence demands that the thing or entity must come forth, stand forth, to manifest, living, or being alive. The term ‘Unity’ implies the state of being united to make something complete in itself, the quality or fact of being a totality or ‘Whole’. Unity is used to signify a Complex, the product of a Union of related parts, or an arrangement of parts that will produce a single, harmonious effect. Unity is thus concerned about the ‘Effect’ it generates while a thing could be made up of diverse elements or individuals. For human body is constituted by trillions of Individual, and Independent Living Units called Cells, the ‘Effect’ called ‘Unity’ is of fundamental importance to know man’s ‘Essence’, or ‘Identity’ that is manifested by his ‘Existence.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE: THE GREAT MYSTERY OF CHIDAMBARAM – “CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM”:
What is the Greatest Mystery about Man and his Earthly Existence? Man has a Physical Form and Appearance that can be easily recognized by any observer. But, man’s Life has Mental, Social, and Moral Dimensions that can establish man’s identity and essence in terms of Mental, Social, and Moral Being. The Mystery is about man’s Spiritual Dimension. If man is a Spiritual Being, how can we investigate and explore the Spiritual Dimension of man’s Life? How can we prove that man has a Spirit or Soul? We have a fairly good understanding of man’s Physical Form and its earthly mortal existence. Does man exclusively belong to the Earthly or Immanent Realm? Does man have an existence in a Realm other than Earthly Realm? How can an Earthly Being enter the ‘Transcendental Realm’? If Earth is a Material Realm, is there an Immaterial Realm’ where the Beings exist without Physical Matter or a physical Form with Appearance? Both God, and man are manifested on Earth with a Form and Appearance that can be easily recognized and described. And yet, there is something that is unknown about the Spiritual Form and Appearance of both God, and man in an extraterrestrial realm. I would like to invite my readers to visit CHIDAMBARAM in India to explore the Mysteries of Human Life and Human Existence.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE: IN BOTH CHRISTIAN AND INDIAN TRADITIONS, EARTH IS THOUGHT TO BE THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE. IN INDIA, CHIDAMBARAM IS THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE. THE PLACE IS VIEWED AS THE CENTRE OF GEOMAGNETIC EQUATOR OF PLANET EARTH. THE GREEN HORIZONTAL LINE REPRESENTS THE GEOMAGNETIC EQUATOR.
Chidambaram, South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu State, southeastern India is the Center of the Universe as per Indian tradition and the local legends or the “PURANA” of this historical City which has the famous early Chola Dynasty 2nd century B.C. bronze idols. The name “CHIDAMBARAM” is derived from Tamil words, Chitt meaning wisdom, and Ampalam meaning atmosphere. The Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Lord Nataraja or Lord of Dance, is in Chidambaram. The purpose of Lord’s manifestation in Chidambaram is that of showing the way for man’s release from bondage to ignorance as man is trapped under the powerful influence of Illusion which controls man’s earthly existence. Chidambaram may provide man with the necessary Knowledge and Wisdom to recognize all the Dimensions of Life and verify if man could be a Spiritual Being who may have the potential ability to exist in a Transcendental Realm apart from the transient or ephemeral earthly existence which is operated by a Natural Law that demands the death of everything that is born or arrived on Earth.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: LORD SHIVA KNOWN AS LORD NATARAJA IS THE PRESIDING DEITY AT CHIDAMBARAM WHICH IS VIEWED AS THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE. IT COULD BE AT THE CENTER OF EARTH’S GEOMAGNETIC EQUATOR. THE PURPOSE OF LORD’S MANIFESTATION AT CHIDAMBARAM IS THAT OF SHOWING THE WAY FOR MAN’S RELEASE FROM BONDAGE TO IGNORANCE.
Chidambaram is a place of interest for it may have the clue to a hidden or concealed truth. It is often described as “CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM” or the Mystery of Chidambaram. Lord Shiva has physically manifested at this place to remove man’s ignorance and to utterly destroy man’s forgetfulness and heedlessness. Man exists leading a conditioned Existence that is fundamentally formulated by the experience of Cosmic Illusion. This blog post examines ‘Chidambara Rahasyam’ or the Great Mystery of Chidambaram and it explains that the Illusion is generated by the fundamental distinction between Essence and Existence.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE: CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM – THE GREAT MYSTERY OF CHIDAMBARAM. LORD NATARAJA DESTROYS MAN’S IGNORANCE TO RELEASE MAN FROM THE INFLUENCE OF COSMIC ILLUSION.
Lord Nataraja, Lord of Dance is seen dancing on the figure of a dwarf, the person is named ‘Apasmarapurusha’. The word “PURUSHA” means man. The word “APASMARA” means forgetfulness, lack of memory, heedlessness that leads to mental ignorance. The “ignorance” refers to man’s alienation or separation from Knowledge about his true or real nature and man basically exists in a condition of Ignorance due to the lack of understanding about his true or real-self and the world and the universe in which he exists. Lord Shiva is the source and the Cause of all movements or motions in the Cosmos. In Physics, the Cause of Motion is not explained and is not discussed. While Physics formulates the Laws that govern the motions of material bodies, Physics cannot account for the phenomenon of Motion that can be observed among the Living Bodies. Life exists in a constant state or condition of motion, and at the same time, the Living Thing is constantly driven towards a destination called ‘Death’ when the motions that are characteristic of Life cease to exist. This arrest of motions of Life is accompanied by a dissolution of the Physical Form and Appearance of the Individual Living Thing. The purpose of Lord Nataraja’s Cosmic Dance is that of releasing man from his attachment to ‘Form” and “Appearance” that shapes man’s ideas of his own Identity. Man describes his Essence visualizing his Identity that is derived from Form and Appearance. To understand the nature of true Identity, man has to explore the basis for the condition called Existence. At Chidambaram, man is encouraged to explore and investigate Existence by drawing inspiration from the Form and Appearance of Lord Nataraja and His Cosmic Dance. The gestures of the Dance represent Lord Nataraja’s five activities called “PANCHA KRITYA”; 1. Creation, 2. Protection, 3. Destruction, 4. Embodiment, and 5. Release. Man ultimately needs LORD God’s Compassion for the ultimate Release from his bondage or Conditioned Existence. To explain the reason for this Dependence upon LORD God’s Mercy, Grace, and Compassion, I suggest the use of ‘Devotion’ as a valid method of Scientific Inquiry.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE: IN INDIAN TRADITION, GOD EXISTS IN BOTH TRANSCENDENTAL REALM AND IMMANENT REALM. WHEN GOD IS PHYSICALLY MANIFESTED ON EARTH, IT WILL BE CORRECT TO CLAIM THAT EARTH IS THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE. LORD NATARAJA’S BIG TOE IN THIS TEMPLE IS THOUGHT TO BE AT THE CENTER OF EARTH’S GEOMAGNETIC EQUATOR.
In Indian tradition, it is explained that God exists in both Transcendental Realm and Immanent Realm. Hindu Scripture, “ISA UPANISHAD” that comments on “SHUKLA YAJUR VEDA” in verses 12 to 14 makes the following recommendation: “He who knows at the same time both the unmanifested and the manifested, he crosses over death through Knowledge of the manifested and attains immortality through the Knowledge of the Invisible Absolute.” It is very important to know and understand LORD God as a Physical Being that has fully manifested on Earth. If LORD GOD is physically manifested on Earth, it will be correct to claim that Earth is at the Center of the Universe. From a human perspective, the center of activity is planet Earth for Life seems to be very unique or special to this small planet in the vast universe made of stuff called Physical Matter.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE: THE GOLDEN TILES COVERING THE ROOF OF LORD NATARAJA’S TEMPLE IN CHIDAMBARAM INSPIRE US TO REFLECT UPON ESSENCE OR FORM, AND APPEARANCE AND ITS DISTINCTION FROM EXISTENCE.
The roof of Lord Nataraja’s temple in Chidambaram is adorned with golden tiles and it inspires man to reflect upon the distinction between Essence and Existence. What is Essence? What is Existence? We can describe the ‘Essence'(What you are) by attaching a variety of names. Man may describe his Essence in a number of ways which may include references to his physical or morphological appearance, age, sex, ethnicity, race, language, religion, culture, region or national identity, education, occupation, social or political affiliation and other attributes like achievements and accomplishments. It is important to know the attributes of the Physical Elements that constitute the Living Matter using which man develops all the structures of his physical body. Man’s Physical Being experiences the problem of mortality, whereas the Physical Elements of his body are imperishable, indestructible, immutable, immortal, eternal, and even could be considered to be “UNBORN.”
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: ADI SHANKARACHARYA FOUNDED THE INDIAN SCHOOL OF THOUGHT KNOWN AS NON-DUALISM OR ADVAITA. HE HAD VERY FORCEFULLY CLAIMED THAT HIS PHYSICAL BODY AND MIND DOES NOT DESCRIBE HIS TRUE IDENTITY. HE LAID A GREAT EMPHASIS ON IMMORTAL AND ETERNAL EXISTENCE.
Adi Shankaracharya founded the Indian School of Thought known as ‘Advaita’ or Non-Dualism. He vehemently opposed the idea of attaching his Identity to his physical body or mind. For example, he wrote, “ManO buddhyaHamkaara, Chittani na aHam; na karnam, na jihvaa, na cha ghraana netre; na cha Vyoma Bhumir, na TejO na VaayuH; Chidaananda RuupaH, ShivOaHam, ShivOaHam.” He had formulated a view about his true or real Identity that basically excludes all the four types of mental functions, the Five Elements of Nature, the five organs of Sense Perception. He made an attempt to overcome the problem of transient Existence that makes man a Mortal Being. Shankara forces people to avoid using Form and Appearance to describe Identity or Essence as they are not constant and keep changing all the time. Shankara demands total perfection while stating his real Identity. That perfection is characterized by Immortal or Eternal Existence. Man’s existence in the world is of varying durations called Lifetime and this Life-Span is a product of his conditioned existence. Shankara attached utmost importance to Everlasting Existence and in the context of that Everlasting Existence, he calls himself “SHIVA.” While I truly appreciate Shankara’s insistence about man’s existence in a Transcendental Realm, we may have to still account for man’s earthly journey. In man’s earthly life, the ‘Essence’ is not recognized until the thing called man begins existing. The thing called “I” is recognized and is known if, and only if it begins to exist; and “I” that exists can be stated as “I AM”, the “I” as an existing being. It must be noted that the fact of Existence always precedes Essence. In the statement, “Aham Brahma”,(“I AM BRAHMA, THE ULTIMATE REALITY”), or “SHIVO AHAM” (I AM SHIVA) the thing called “I” is not Brahma or Shiva. The statements such as “Aham Brahma” and “ShivO Aham” would be wrong if they do not qualify that the thing called “I” is in existence and is specifically known as “Aham” or “I Am.” The term ‘Brahma’ or ‘Shiva’ is perfect and complete in all of its aspects as it is the basis for both Essence and Existence. Hence the word ‘Brahma’ or ‘Shiva’ brings unity between matter, energy, and the physical form constituted by Physical Elements that have the attributes like imperishability or indestructibility.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: LORD KRISHNA IN THE DIVINE SONG CALLED THE BHAGAVAD GITA EXPLAINS THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE. HE EXPLAINS THE POWERFUL INFLUENCE CALLED “COSMIC ILLUSION” OR “MAYA” WHICH CAN BLOCK MAN’S PERCEPTION ABOUT HIS TRUE OR REAL SELF.
Lord Krishna in the Divine Song called The Bhagavad Gita explains the distinction between Essence and Existence. He explains the powerful influence called “Cosmic Illusion” or “MAYA” which can block man’s perception about his true or real Self. Lord Krishna in Chapter X, Vibhuti – Vistara Yoga, verse 39, claims, “I am the generating seed of all existences. There is no being, moving or unmoving(Chara -Acharam) that can exist without Me.” The term ‘atman’ and ‘Paramatman’ must be used in the context of Existence and not that of Subjective Essence that involves the thing called “I.” Lord Krishna gave this clarification to explain that the fact of Subjective Essence by which various kinds of Living Things are known do exist for they all share a common, or undivided Principle that is Imperishable and establishes the fact of Existence as a Physical Reality. The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter XVIII, Moksha-Opadesa Yoga, verse 20:
The knowledge of one who sees in every living entity, though divided into innumerable forms, one undivided spiritual nature, that knowledge is to be understood as being in the mode of Goodness. One undivided, imperishable reality is seen within all diverse living entities.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: LORD SHIVA’S ESSENCE IN THIS IMAGE IS DESCRIBED AS “ARDHANARISHWARA”, HALF-MALE AND HALF-FEMALE, A PERFECT UNION OF MATTER, ENERGY, AND THE ENERGY CONTROLLER.
Apart from all the diversity among the numerous living entities, the LORD God Shiva manifests Himself in a variety of Forms and each Appearance has its own reason, and serves a specific purpose.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: LORD GOD SHIVA HAS PHYSICALLY MANIFESTED HIMSELF ON EARTH DURING DIFFERENT TIME PERIODS OR YUGAS FOR SPECIFIC REASONS TO SERVE A SPECIFIC PURPOSE FOR EACH APPEARANCE. AS LORD NEELAKANTHA, HE SAVED HUMANITY FROM THE DANGER POSED BY AN EXTREMELY NOXIOUS SUBSTANCE.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: LORD SHIVA OFTEN CALLED LORD GOD “MAHESHWARA” IS THE PROTECTOR, AND CONTRIBUTES THE MENTAL EXPERIENCE OF EQUANIMITY AND BLISS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: LORD SHIVA AND GODDESS PARVATI MANIFEST THEMSELVES AS EMBODIMENT OF ALL VIRTUES AND BESTOW THEIR MERCY, GRACE, AND COMPASSION THROUGH THIS APPEARANCE.
All different forms of life including persons whom we may call Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, and Prince Arjuna or Partha are to be known because of that imperishable Principle(avyayam) that is chiefly concerned with Existence, and thus there is unity or oneness while the thing called “I” is variable.
Rudranarasimham, Rebbapragada
On Saturday, November 1, 2014 9:55 AM, Krishna G Misra wrote:
Surrender to THAT ‘i’
‘i’ is a variable. ‘i’ does not know what it is. ‘i’ cannot be known. ‘i’ is never known because it is a variable.
‘i’ becomes body, ‘i’ becomes mind, ‘i’ becomes things which it owns, ‘i’ becomes anything. but ‘i’ is none of those which it represents and is independent of those too.
Krishna says ‘i’ am Krishna. Parth says ‘i’ am Parth, This means, ‘i’ is Krishna and Parth both, but Krishna and Parth differ. Krishna carefully says ‘i’ am Parth and Parth is ‘i’ .
‘i’ am 1, ‘i’ am 2 but 1 and 2 are different. every one of us says ‘i’ am A, ‘i’ am B but not knows the ‘i’ , the universal self.’i’ is a UNIVERSAL variable. anyone is ‘i’ but those who it represents are not that ‘i’ .
On Sat, Nov 1, 2014 at 7:20 PM, R.Rudra Narasimham wrote:
What is spread all over the body?
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: THE MANDUKYA UPANISHAD SPEAKS ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP OR CONNECTION BETWEEN SOUL AND THE PERFECT ENTITY CALLED BRAHMAN WHICH COULD BE INVISIBLE OR UNMANIFESTED.
We may try to interpret verse #17, Chapter II, Sankhya Yoga of The Bhagavad Gita. It says the imperishable, or indestructible soul pervades or permeates(“tatam”) the entire physical body. The soul or atma is spread all over the body or influences the entire body, or the symptom of soul or atma is present in all the parts of the body. In Chapter XIII, Kshetra – Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga, verse 34 says that, Just like Sun who illuminates the entire world, the soul within the body illuminates the entire field of activity of the physical body by consciousness. Hence, consciousness is the proof or symptom of the presence of the soul or atma. For the soul is present, we can show respect to the feet or the toe as the Essence illuminates it and thereby we recognize that the part is present. In other words, I am trying to suggest that we may not search for Atma or Paramatma in our minds or brains, it is simple and easier to find it in the feet with an attitude called devotion.
On 31/10/2014 12:03 am, “Krishna G Misra” wrote:
Sri Rudra ji,
I respect your thoughts. It truly is devotion.
Rudra means explosion and this explosion of param atma makes the two jivatma and Prakriti which means shiv and Parvati. These two are actually one but appear as two or Rudra in dance firm called manifested universe or samsara or tandav.
Prakriti is law bound and called mind and body and atma or spirit is free but focus at its goal called bhakti. These two opposites are like car and driver where car is law bound nature and driver is goal oriented atma shiv.
In bhakti the tandav dance of Shiva Parvati or Rudra becomes araudra or peace and this is yoga or bhakti or inseparable state.
Bhakti is goal of Shiva in Rudra state to become peaceful or araudra state.
Your name Rudra is world intending to realize its source RAM the param atma.
On 30/10/2014 11:47 pm, “Krishna G Misra” wrote:
Bhakti means integration and bibhakti means disintegration.
Which once established cannot be separated in bhakti.
In terms of self-awareness it is recollecting memory of the universal self or param atma.
On 30/10/2014 11:33 pm, “R.Rudra Narasimham” wrote:
What is Bhakti?
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: IN INDIAN TRADITION, DEVOTION OR BHAKTI IS A VALID METHOD OF INQUIRY TO KNOW THE MANIFESTED, AND THE INVISIBLE OR UNMANIFESTED ABSOLUTE TRUTH.
I am addressing the problem or concern about separating body from mind. When I write about the experience of Ananda and Krupa, I am stating that there is unity between the Spirit, mind, and body without which the experience is impossible. If Krupa is a divine manifestation of power and energy, man has the ability to experience the uplift it provides for it uplifts both body, and mind. To same extent, Bhakti or Devotion is an experience that involves the Spirit, mind, and body. I cannot perform any devotional service if there is no unity between the Spirit, mind, and body. In fact, Indian tradition suggests that Bhakti is a method of Inquiry to experience the Reality while the Reality is not known to the organs of sense perception.
On Thursday, October 30, 2014 8:23 AM, Krishna G Misra wrote:
Chitta is chitra or picture. In English this is called perception. Perception of an object or event will differ from one and another observer and by same observer at different mental states. This is why people have conflicts. Yoga is removal of any variation of chitta as Patanjali says.
Ahankar is strength of association of an observer with its chitra or perception. Buddhi is bodh or tool of making and removal of chitta or perception.
Kripa is giving unconditionally and without restrictions and without obligation. Recover of krioa cannot expect or imagine it because lord is kind without any measure. Your Sanskrit verse is a perfect statement.
Ram Chandra krioalu bhaj man
Krioa is not what can be asked because it is grace if God and none can imagine its intensity. Ability of person is irrelevant because krioa can bypass all hurdle.
On 30/10/2014 9:30 am, “R.Rudra Narasimham” wrote:
What is Krupa?
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: LORD GOD IS JUST ONE AND THE SAME AND YET MAN KNOWS HIM BY DIFFERENT NAMES. IN INDIAN TRADITION, THE NAME RAMA IS THE PERSONIFICATION OF THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH OR THE ULTIMATE REALITY. LORD RAMA IS THE SOURCE OF KRUPA OR COMPASSION FOR HE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFE JOURNEY IN HIS PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION AS A HUMAN BEING.
The four aspects of mental activity are described as Manah, Chitta, Buddhi, and Ahamkara. Chitta is the function associated with Krupa, Karuna, or Daya. But, the experience of Krupa is not a mere mental experience. The experience is shared by the entire body. It is not a simple subjective experience. It is an objective experience that can be verified by an independent observer.
The hymn suggests that the experience called Krupa is Great for it can give the ability of communication to the mute, and the disabled person can cross over obstacles such as mountains. The Lord known as Madhava is specifically described as the fountain of eternal bliss and joy. The idea is, when a person experiences Krupa or Compassion, the experience comes with a sense of joy and happiness. Very often, we get a chance to personally experience the reality of Krupa. When we recognize the experience called pain, and suffering in the lives of others, it evokes an instinctual response of kindness and compassion that practically helps us to provide physical assistance to the person who is experiencing pain, and misery. That feeling of compassion is powerful and is very uplifting and it gives the necessary energy and stamina to perform a challenging task with much ease and no strain. During natural calamities, we witness people coming out to give assistance and help to total strangers and work tirelessly. The entire human body is transformed. The provider of help, and the recipient of help experience a sense of joy when actions are performed under the influence of Krupa.
On Wednesday, October 29, 2014 2:32 PM, Krishna G Misra wrote:
Mind has seven colors or Man -Sat Roopa. Mind is like light which appears colorless but it includes seven colors while objects that have actually no colors appear in colors of that colorless yet seven colored light. Mind is just that light which has seven patterns but is invisible. Objects are seen in color not because objects own any color but because of the mind of seer or who sees it. A thief can recognize a gold necklace but an innocent child cannot. This means that same necklace is valuable to a thief but not to another observer. Rose is red when two observers see it in same sun light but when sun light does not exist rose is not seen let leave its red color. When one observer has colored glass and another by naked eyes they both will see same rose in different colors. Mind has seven colors a. Information b. Imagination c experience d. Memory e. Knowledge f dream or subconscious g intuition. Experience is one of seven colors of mind but it lives for short time and memory of it stays longer. For example you drink milk and it takes 10 minutes but memory of milk remains a life time. Similarly each colors have different depth of thoughts and with which we or different observers make perceptions differently for same object. I am traveling and cannot describe it as I would have wanted but I hope you can discover it by your self.
On 29/10/2014 11:32 pm, “R.Rudra Narasimham” wrote:
What is Experience?
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: WHAT IS EXPERIENCE? IF GOD IS INVISIBLE AND IS UNMANIFESTED, HOW DO WE RECOGNIZE THE EXISTENCE OF GOD? IN MY VIEW, GOD IS EXPERIENCED AS PEACE, HARMONY, AND TRANQUILITY THAT IS BEST SYMBOLIZED BY THE LETTER OR SYLLABLE CALLED “AUM” OR “OM.”
Apart from matter and energy, we have to account for ‘experience’. There is an entity who has the experience of the various manifestations of matter and energy. Man studies matter and energy for he has this ability called experience. Mechanics, Statics, Dynamics, Acoustics, Optics, Thermodynamics, Electricity, Magnetism, gravitation and others are of interest for they are involved in giving man the experience called ‘equilibrium’ while he is at rest or in motion. While a number of varied forces are acting on man, the experience called ‘Ananda’ or Bliss, or Joy is possible because of the operation of a Fundamental Force that can be called ‘Love’. But, Love is a force that cannot be expressed as a mathematical formula or equation and cannot be experimentally verified for it cannot be measured to ascertain its quantity in numbers. In Indian tradition, God is called Sat, Chit, Ananda. The reality called Energy will have no relevance or importance if there is no experience of the same.
On Wednesday, October 29, 2014 12:58 AM, Mukund Apte wrote:
Please note that Modern Science has confirmed that the Universe is only filled with Energy in various forms. Even thoughts are energy and the matter is nothing but consolidated form of energy and so whether we consider metaphysics or solid material, they are the same thing; Energy. When matter dies or get destroyed, it merely gets transferred to different form of Energy.
On Wed, Oct 29, 2014 at 10:12 AM, R.Rudra Narasimham wrote:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – ESSENCE AND EXISTENCE – CHIDAMBARA RAHASYAM: IN INDIAN TRADITION LORD BRAHMA IS THE LORD GOD CREATOR. PHYSICAL MATTER, THE CHEMICAL ELEMENTS OF MATTER HAVE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES LIKE IMPERISHABILITY OR INDESTRUCTIBILITY.
Matter is the stuff with which this universe is made. In science, matter is studied as elements, simple mixtures and compounds. In Indian tradition, we describe spirit or soul as immutable, imperishable, immortal, unborn, and even uncreated( for man has not created any kind of matter or spirit). The thing called Spirit or Soul is Divine because of those attributes. To the same extent, matter has divine attributes. Matter is immutable, imperishable, immortal, unborn, and uncreated. We know that planet Earth has existed for a very long time and yet the elements retain their essence without any change. Life is existing on Earth for billions of years for the elements have the divine attributes just like the spirit and soul. When we say that the body is perishable or when we say that man is a mortal being, we are simply speaking about the form that we recognize as a specific thing. The matter that constitutes the form escapes death and mortality.
On Tuesday, October 28, 2014 11:22 PM, Krishna G Misra wrote:
There is a natural order in every form or matter and yet in reality each order is unique and distinctive. Absolute has no difference because it is non real like zero but from it all reality like 1 2 3 emerge. Forms of matter are real or relative and therefore have an order in their unique way very much like atomic movements in orbit of elements in periodic table of elements or planetary movements.
Temples or home or any other creation are too forms of matter and spirit or in other words metaphysical structures.
On 29/10/2014 3:03 am, “R.Rudra Narasimham” wrote:
In India, houses, and temples are often built after consulting experts of Vastu Shastra. The materials used for construction mostly wood, stone, and clay do not have strong magnetic properties. Iron and Cobalt have strong magnetic affinity. Gold has none. We need to explain the location of temple according to the local tradition and local story or Purana.
On Monday, October 27, 2014 11:45 PM, Krishna G Misra wrote:
Vastu shastra literally means material science. It deals with structure and functions for environment but the consciousness is its maker.
On 27/10/2014 11:20 pm, “R.Rudra Narasimham” wrote:
What is Vastu Sastra?
The architecture, the design, the layout, and other features of Chidambaram Temple must be explained quoting the relevant parts of Vastu Sastra. If the Temple’s location is chosen using the Laws of Magnetism or Electromagnetism, there must be a statement in the Vastu Sastra in the choice of location. There must be evidence to show that the builders made the requisite calculations and used a formula and devices to select a predetermined site.
It is simply incorrect to claim that the human body has nine apertures. For example, the body has millions of pores or apertures through which secretions like sweat, and sebum are excreted. Human body cannot maintain its body temperature(thermoregulation) if these pores are absent. In fact, there are people who suffer on account of problems associated with these openings. There is no merit in making unwanted comparisons with human body. Breathing is a vital function and the rate of respiration is a highly variable number and depends upon several factors including the environmental factors. It must be noted that Gold is a precious metal but that metal is useless and plays no role in human physiology. To that extent, iron is more important in the physiology of human respiration. Iron Deficiency can lead to disease and death. I would use Iron and not Gold if I want to make any connection between the structural element and human physiology. Similarly, there are numerous blood vessels and it would be silly to make a comparison without naming the vessels the architecture may represent. Then, the direction of flow and the specific relationships between the vessels becomes an issue. Kindly name those Nine Shastras and I would be surprised if the name Physics or Magnetism would be listed among those Nine.
In India, the traditions that relate to the worship of Lord Shiva have specific legends called ‘Sthala Puranas’, the story that is related to the specific geographical location. All the Jyotir Lingas are known by their stories. Chidambaram has its own story and the story is not about magnetism or electromagnetism.
On Monday, October 27, 2014 4:20 AM, Mukund Apte wrote:
The Vedas meaning Knowledge teach Scientific Knowledge only. And our people, such as ऋषि-मुनी and आचार्य have expounded all science in clear terms for people to follow. The Modern Science is now slowly confirming these facts. But they also have not ‘proved’ on their own everything that these great people have done. I do hope Modern Science will be able to reach the Vedic level of science soon enough, because Modern Science by their ‘inventions’ and Discoveries’ have created so much pollution in the environment as well as soil that we may not be able to sustain life on the planet for very long. The Scientists however as yet not understanding this position and polluting the earth more and more by their Scientific offers to man.
Scientists like Prof Einstein and now Prof Fridtjof Capra did express their faith in Vedas and Hindu शास्त्र and उपनिषद् and Prof Capra has started revealing the contents in the scientific manner since last 20 years.
On Mon, Oct 27, 2014 at 12:50 PM, Arvind Chaubal wrote:
Subject: Chidambram Temple
After 8 years of R & D, Western scientists have realized that at Lord Nataraja ‘s big toe is the Centre Point of World ‘s Magnetic Equator.
Our ancient Tamil Scholar Thirumoolar has proved this Five thousand years ago!
His treatise Thirumandiram is a wonderful Scientific guide for the whole world.
To understand his studies, it may need a 100 years for us.
Chidambaram temple embodies the following characteristics :
1) This temple is at the Center Point of world 's Magnetic Equator.
2) Of the "Pancha bootha" i.e. 5 temples, Chidambaram denotes the Skies. Kalahasthi denotes Wind. Kanchi Ekambareswar denotes land. All these 3 temples are in a straight line at 79 degrees 41 minutes Longitude. This can be verified using Google. An amazing fact & astronomical miracle !
3) Chidambaram temple is based on the Human Body having 9 Entrances denoting 9 Entrances or Openings of the body.
4) Temple roof is made of 21600 gold sheets which denotes the 21600 breaths taken by a human being every day (15 x 60 x 24 = 21600)
5) These 21600 gold sheets are fixed on the Gopuram using 72000 gold nails which denote the total no. of Nadis (Nerves) in the human body. These transfer energy to certain body parts that are invisible.
6) Thirumoolar states that man represents the shape of Shivalingam, which represents Chidambaram which represents Sadashivam which represents HIS dance !
7) "Ponnambalam " is placed slightly tilted towards the left. This represents our Heart. To reach this, we need to climb 5 steps called "Panchatshara padi "
"Si, Va, Ya, Na, Ma " are the 5 Panchatshara mantras.
There are 4 pillars holding the Kanagasabha representing the 4 Vedas.
8) Ponnambalam has 28 pillars denoting the 28 "Ahamas "as well as the 28 methods to worship Lord Shiva. These 28 pillars support 64 +64 Roof Beams which denote the 64 Arts. The cross beams represent the Blood Vessels running across the Human body.
9) 9 Kalasas on the Golden Roof represent the 9 types of Shakti or Energies.
The 6 pillars at the Artha Mantapa represent the 6 types of Sashtras.
The 18 pillars in the adjacent Mantapa represents 18 Puranas.
10) The dance of Lord Nataraja is described as Cosmic Dance by Western Scientists.
Whatever Science is propounding now has been stated by Hindu Scriptures thousands of years ago!
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME – HUMAN NATURE – HUMAN BEHAVIOR:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME – HUMAN NATURE AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR: IN INDIAN TRADITION THE CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME IS DESCRIBED AS FOUR PERIODS NAMED 1. SATYA YUGA, 2. TRETA YUGA, 3. DWAPARA YUGA, AND 4. KALI YUGA. MAN MAY DISPLAY DIFFERENT BEHAVIORS DURING EACH PERIOD OF TIME.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME – HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND HUMAN NATURE: IN INDIAN TRADITION, MAN DISPLAYS DIFFERENT KINDS OF BEHAVIOR DUE TO EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULI THAT VARY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF TIME. INDIA’S SPIRITUAL LEADER AND MASTER GURU NANAK(c.1469 – c.1539) RESISTED THE POLLUTING EFFECTS OF KALI YUGA AND PREACHED ABOUT FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITY OF ALL RELIGIONS.
In Indian tradition, time flows in a cyclical manner and time is divided into four periods called “YUG” and the Four YUGAS are named as 1. Satya Yuga or Krita Yuga, 2. Treta Yuga, 3. Dwapara Yuga, and 4. Kali Yuga. The present times of man belong to the period Kali Yuga and hence is of a great interest. Saint Ved Vyasa, the author of Hindu epic poems of Mahabharata and Bhgavata Purana made some predictions about human behavior under the influence of the time period of Kali Yuga. The word ‘Kali’ refers to contamination, or pollution and an important consequence of the polluting effect of Kali Yuga is thought to be “STRESS.” Man’s behavior is influenced by the stressful environmental stimuli and these stimuli are aroused by man’s perception of time. Since man cannot avoid interacting with the environment in which he exists, man is instructed to take the help of chanting the Divine Name of KRISHNA and RAMA as a ‘MANTRA’ to overcome the polluting effects of Kali Yuga.
KALI KALMASHA NASANA MAHA MANTRAM – HARE KRISHNA MAHA MANTRAM:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME – HUMAN NATURE AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR:HARE KRISHNA MAHA MANTRA IS DESCRIBED AS THE CURE FOR THE POLLUTING EFFECTS OF THE TIME PERIOD CALLED KALI YUGA.
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna Hare Hare,
Lord Rama’s name may not appear in the Vedas but it appears in Kali Santarana Upanishad, Krishna Yajur Veda, 103 Upanishad. “These sixteen words are destructive of the evil effects of Kali. No better means than this is to be seen in all the Vedas.” During 16th century A.D. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spread this Mantra among people with a great zeal. Basically, mantras are about the efficacy of Sound Energy. Shri. Ashok Coomar has kindly shared the 15 amazing predictions for the Kali Yuga made by Saint-Poet Ved Vyas in the Bhagavata Purana. While this prophesy pertains to human behavior, human nature remains essentially unchanged as human nature is operated by an unchanging, eternal, and immortal, vital principle called Soul or Spirit. While man’s identity constantly undergoes changes under the influence of time, the unchanging principle called Soul or Spirit maintains man’s individuality. Man is constituted as a Spiritual Being with a Divine attribute called Spiritual Nature that describes the true or real man. Whereas human behavior is variable and the variability is generated by the external environmental stimuli. I am asking my readers to give their attention to the distinction between Human Nature and Human behavior.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME – HUMAN NATURE AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR: SAINT-POET VEDA VYASA MADE PREDICTIONS ABOUT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN HUMAN ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR DURING THE TIME PERIOD CALLED KALI YUGA. HE RECOMMENDED THE USE OF THE DIVINE NAME KRISHNA AS A REMEDY TO TREAT THE SICKNESS CAUSED BY THE POLLUTING EFFECTS OF KALI YUGA.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME – HUMAN NATURE AND BEHAVIOR: IN THE EPIC POEM OF SRIMAD BHAGAVATA PURANA, SAINT-POET VEDA VYASA MADE PROPHETIC PREDICTIONS ABOUT CHANGING HUMAN ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CHANGING TIMES. INDIAN SAINT LORD CHAITANYA MAHA PRABHU DURING THE 16TH CENTURY PROPAGATED THE HARE KRISHNA MAHA MANTRA WITH A GREAT ZEAL. THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION THAT IS COMBATING THE EVIL EFFECTS OF KALI YUGA.
In the last canto of the Bhagavata Purana there is a list of predictions and prophecies, about the dark times for the present age of Kali Yuga.
The following 15 predictions, written 5,000 years ago by Sage VedavyAsA,
are amazing because they appear so accurate. Despite the negative tone of these prophecies, there is still one bright spot for all of us, which is mentioned at the end.15 Most Amazing Predictions for Kali Yuga from the Bhagavata Purana
Prediction 1: Religion, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance, mercy, duration of life, physical strength and memory will all diminish day by day because of the powerful influence of the age of Kali.
Source: Srimad Bhagavatam 12.2.1
sri-suka uvaca
tatas canu-dinam dharmah
satyam saucam ksama daya
kalena balina rajan
nanksyaty ayur balam smrtih
Prediction 2:
In Kali Yuga, wealth alone will be considered the sign of a man’s good birth, proper behaviour and fine qualities. And law and justice will be applied only on the basis of one’s power.
Source: Srimad Bhagavatam 12.2.2 vittam eva kalau nṝṇāḿ janmācāra-guṇodayaḥ dharma-nyāya-vyavasthāyāḿ kāraṇaḿ balam eva hi
Prediction 3: Men and women will live together merely because of superficial attraction, and success in business will depend on deceit. Womanliness and manliness will be judged according to one’s expertise in sex, and a man will be known as a brahmana just by his wearing a thread.
Source: Srimad Bhagavatam 12.2.3
dāmpatye ‘bhirucir hetur māyaiva vyāvahārike strītve puḿstve ca hi ratir vipratve sūtram eva hi
Prediction 4: A person’s spiritual position will be ascertained merely according to external symbols, and on that same basis people will change from one spiritual order to the next. A person’s propriety will be seriously questioned if he does not earn a good living. And one who is very clever at juggling words will be considered a learned scholar.
Prediction 5: A person will be judged unholy if he does not have money, and hypocrisy will be accepted as virtue. Marriage will be arranged simply by verbal agreement, and a person will think he is fit to appear in public if he has merely taken a bath.
Source: Srimad Bhagavatam 12.2.5 anāḍhyataivāsādhutve sādhutve dambha eva tu svīkāra eva codvāhe snānam eva prasādhanam
Prediction 6: A sacred place will be taken to consist of no more than a reservoir of water located at a distance, and beauty will be thought to depend on one’s hairstyle. Filling the belly will become the goal of life, and one who is audacious will be accepted as truthful. He who can maintain a family will be regarded as an expert man, and the principles of religion will be observed only for the sake of reputation.
Source: Srimad Bhagavatam 12.2.6 dūre vāry-ayanaḿ tīrthaḿ lāvaṇyaḿ keśa-dhāraṇam udaraḿ-bharatā svārthaḥ satyatve dhārṣṭyam eva hi dākṣyaḿ kuṭumba-bharaṇaḿ yaśo ‘rthe dharma-sevanam
Prediction 7:
As the earth thus becomes crowded with a corrupt population, whoever among any of ther social classes shows himself to be the strongest will gain political power.
Source: Srimad Bhagavatam 12.2.7
evaḿ prajābhir duṣṭābhir ākīrṇe kṣiti-maṇḍale brahma-viṭ-kṣatra-śūdrāṇāḿ yo balī bhavitā nṛpaḥ
Prediction 8: Harassed by famine and excessive taxes, people will resort to eating leaves, roots, flesh, wild honey, fruits, flowers and seeds. Struck by drought, they will become completely ruined.
Prediction 9:
The citizens will suffer greatly from cold, wind, heat, rain and snow. They will be further tormented by quarrels, hunger, thirst, disease and severe anxiety.
Prediction 11: Men will no longer protect their elderly parents.
Source: Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.42 na rakshishyanti manujah sthavirau pitarav api
Prediction 12: In Kali-yuga men will develop hatred for each other even over a few coins. Giving up all friendly relations, they will be ready to lose their own lives and kill even their own relatives.
Source: Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.41 kalau kakinike ‘py arthe vigrihya tyakta-sauhridah tyakshyanti ca priyan pranan hanishyanti svakan api
Prediction 13: Uncultured men will accept charity on behalf of the Lord and will earn their livelihood by making a show of austerity and wearing a mendicant’s dress. Those who know nothing about religion will mount a high seat and presume to speak on religious principles.
Prediction 14:
Servants will abandon a master who has lost his wealth, even if that master is a saintly person of exemplary character.
Masters will abandon an incapacitated servant, even if that servant has been in the family for generations.
Cows will be abandoned or killed when they stop giving milk.
Prediction 15: Cities will be dominated by thieves; the Vedas will be contaminated by speculative interpretations of atheists; political leaders will virtually consume the citizens; and the so-called priests and “intellectuals” will be devotees of their bellies and genitals.
Despite all of these dark prophecies,
there is one good quality in this age of Kali yuga: kaler dosha-nidhe rajann
asti hy eko maha gunah
kirtanad eva krishnasya
mukta-sangah param vrajet
“Although Kali-yuga is an ocean of faults, there is still one good quality about this age: simply by chanting the names of Krishna, one can become free from material bondage and be promoted to the transcendental kingdom.” (Source: Srimad Bhagavatam 12.3.51)
So let us take advantage of this special spiritual gift given during the dark times of Kali yuga to quickly raise ourselves spiritually through chanting of God’s holy names.—
Can anyone then ignore the 15th prediction in which lies the only hope?
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME – HUMAN NATURE AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR:HARE KRISHNA MAHA MANTRA IS DESCRIBED AS THE CURE FOR THE POLLUTING EFFECTS OF THE TIME PERIOD CALLED KALI YUGA.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME – HUMAN NATURE AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR: IN INDIAN TRADITION THE CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME IS DESCRIBED AS FOUR PERIODS NAMED 1. SATYA YUGA, 2. TRETA YUGA, 3. DWAPARA YUGA, AND 4. KALI YUGA. MAN MAY DISPLAY DIFFERENT BEHAVIORS DURING EACH PERIOD OF TIME.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME – HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND HUMAN NATURE: IN INDIAN TRADITION, MAN DISPLAYS DIFFERENT KINDS OF BEHAVIOR DUE TO EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULI THAT VARY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF TIME. INDIA’S SPIRITUAL LEADER AND MASTER GURU NANAK(c.1469 – c.1539) RESISTED THE POLLUTING EFFECTS OF KALI YUGA AND PREACHED ABOUT FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITY OF ALL RELIGIONS.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME – HUMAN NATURE AND BEHAVIOR: IN THE EPIC POEM OF SRIMAD BHAGAVATA PURANA, SAINT-POET VEDA VYASA MADE PROPHETIC PREDICTIONS ABOUT CHANGING HUMAN ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CHANGING TIMES. INDIAN SAINT LORD CHAITANYA MAHA PRABHU DURING THE 16TH CENTURY PROPAGATED THE HARE KRISHNA MAHA MANTRA WITH A GREAT ZEAL.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – CYCLICAL FLOW OF TIME – HUMAN NATURE AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR: SAINT-POET VEDA VYASA MADE PREDICTIONS ABOUT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN HUMAN ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR DURING THE TIME PERIOD CALLED KALI YUGA. HE RECOMMENDED THE USE OF THE DIVINE NAME KRISHNA AS A REMEDY TO TREAT THE SICKNESS CAUSED BY THE POLLUTING EFFECTS OF KALI YUGA.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: BLAISE PASCAL(1623-62), FRENCH SCIENTIST, MATHEMATICIAN, AND RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHER FOUNDED THE MODERN THEORY OF PROBABILITY AND IN PHYSICS, DISCOVERED PASCAL’S LAW BY CONDUCTING EXPERIMENTS IN THE EQUILIBRIUM OF FLUIDS THAT LED TO INVENTIONS OF HYDRAULIC PRESS, HYDRAULIC JACK, AND HYDRAULIC ELEVATOR. HIS MENTAL CONCEPTS ARE LIVING GIVING A DIMENSION TO THE CONCEPT OF LONGEVITY.
I would like to pay my tribute to Blaise Pascal who shared his views about man and human nature; “Man is a nothing in comparison with the Infinite, an All in comparison with the Nothing, a mean between Nothing and Everything. Since he is infinitely removed from comprehending the extremes, the end of things and their beginning are helplessly hidden from him in an impenetrable secret; he is equally incapable of seeing the Nothing from which he was made, and the Infinite in which he swallowed up.” Since man exists as a Mortal Being, man has a natural tendency to investigate the Beginning of Life and the End of Life and seek a better understanding of the natural processes liking Aging that propels man to travel and reach the destination termed ‘Death’ without any choice. Aging is a widespread biological phenomenon and all living things display a natural tendency towards a decline of biological functions and a time-related disability to adapt to metabolic stress. At the same time, I ask my readers to note that the ‘Protoplasm’, the living substance that makes up both the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm appears to be potentially immortal. The term ‘Longevity’, the length or duration of a life or lives, must be interpreted in the context of the potential ability of Protoplasm to survive while individual members of species take birth, live, and die after a period of time. The term Life-Span describes the longest period of time that a typical individual can be expected to live. Similarly, Lifetime is the period of time that someone lives, or that something lasts, functions, or is in effect. Human beings have the unique ability to use their Lifetime to create a legacy that can endure giving an aura of immortality to that specific human individual who may have finished his or her mortal existence.
THE PHENOMENON OF LONGEVITY:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: THIS IMAGE OF DIVIDING YEAST CELLS DESCRIBES A REAL POTENTIAL IMMORTALITY IN SIMPLE ORGANISMS THAT ARE SINGLE-CELLED AND REPRODUCE BY ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION CALLED FISSION.
The concept of Life-Span implies that there is an individual whose existence has a definite beginning and end. Within the Phylum Protozoa, organisms that consist of a single cell, are numerous species that reproduce by fission which is a form of asexual reproduction in which the parent organism divides into two or more approximately equal parts, each becoming an independent individual. In such organisms where it is not easy to establish the beginning and end of an individual organism, the growth seems to continue indefinitely and a potential immortality can be observed. In organisms that use sexual reproduction, the limits of the life-span of each species appear to be determined by ‘Heredity’ which refers to the transmission of characteristics from parent to offspring by means of genes in the chromosomes. Each individual member of any given species has a life-span during which something of that individual lasts when transmitted to offspring as heritable information. The term heredity and the Laws of Inheritance and the Science called Genetics will have validity if, and only if some biological characteristics survive in spite of the death of any individual member of a species. It is very interesting to observe that there are several species of living things which have continuously lived for exceptionally long periods of time retaining their species-specific identity. Such organisms can be claimed to be immortal as they appear to be fully capable of surviving indefinitely. This faculty has been attributed to some insects, some simpler forms of invertebrate marine life (such as Tube Worms, Jellyfish, Clams, and Lobsters), certain fishes and reptiles which appear to be capable of unlimited growth. As the complexity of an organism increases, the internal changes associated with the aging process contribute to senescence and death of the organism. Even under the most favorable external conditions, there is a predetermined age beyond which a given individual of a species may not be able to survive. The Maximum Life-Span is often an estimate based on the longest lived organism of its species that is known to date. The Average Life-Span is a statistical concept that is derived by the analysis of mortality data for populations of each species. The Average Life-Span is related to Life Expectancy, the statistically probable length of time that a typical individual of any given species can be expected to live. Life Expectancy varies as it depends on the changing death rate over a period of time. Even species that have very slow-growing rates can experience higher than natural death rates due to external factors and may even face the threat of total extinction.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: COCKROACHES ARE AMONG THE OLDEST INSECT GROUPS HAVING SURVIVED BASICALLY UNCHANGED FOR 300 TO 350 MILLION YEARS(CARBONIFEROUS PERIOD).SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: ANTARCTIC SPONGE(PHYLUM- PORIFERA) CAN LIVE FOR CENTURIES, THE OLDEST KNOWN LIVING SPONGE COULD BE 1,550-YEARS OLD.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: TUBE WORMS(PHYLUM-ANNELIDA) SUCH AS LAMELLIBRACHIA LUYMESI LIVE ON THE FLOOR OF ATLANTIC OCEAN NEAR HYDROCARBON VENTS. THEY TAKE 170-250 YEARS TO GROW.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: GEODUCKS(PHYLUM-MOLLUSKA) DATE BACK TO CAMBRIAN PERIOD OR 500 MILLION YEARS AGO, FOUND IN THE US COASTAL SEA WATERS OF PUGET SOUND. ONE OF THE OLDEST ANIMALS IN THE WORLD. IT CAN LIVE FROM 140 TO 160 YEARS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: OCEAN QUAHOG(PHYLUM-MOLLUSKA) ARCTICA ISLANDICA, SALTWATER CLAM CAN LIVE FOR CENTURIES, ESTIMATED AGE 400 YEARS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: SEA URCHIN(PHYLUM ECHINODERMATA), STRONGYLOCENTROTUS FRANCISCANUS LIVES IN PACIFIC OCEAN. IT CAN LIVE FOR ABOUT 200 YEARS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: THIS UNIQUE SPECIES OF JELLYFISH(PHYLUM-COELENTERATA-CNIDARIA) AN INVERTEBRATE SEA CREATURE WITH STINGING CELLS KNOWN AS TURRITOPIS NUTRICULA USES A CELL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS CALLED TRANSDIFFERENTIATION AND IT CAN REVERT FROM A MATURE ADULT STAGE TO AN IMMATURE POLYP STAGE AND HENCE MAY HAVE NO NATURAL LIMITS TO ITS LIFE-SPAN OR IT BEHAVES LIKE AN IMMORTAL BEING BY REVERSING ITS AGING PROCESS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: THE WHITE SHARK, CARCHARODON CARCHARIAS, ONE OF ABOUT 350 SPECIES OF CARTILAGINOUS FISHES. SHARKS ARE REMARKABLY SUCCESSFUL ANIMALS WITH FEW PARASITES OR DISEASES AND ALMOST NO ENEMIES EXCEPT OTHER SHARKS. THEY ARE LIVING ALMOST UNCHANGED FOR ABOUT 350 MILLION YEARS SINCE THE END OF THE DEVONIAN PERIOD.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: CROCODILES ARE LARGE AMPHIBIOUS REPTILES THAT ORIGINATED DURING THE LATE TRIASSIC PERIOD, 200 MILLION YEARS AGO. DURING THE CRETACEOUS PERIOD, ABOUT 120 MILLION YEARS AGO, LARGE CROCODILES(40 FEET OR MORE) THAT EXISTED MAY HAVE PREYED ON DINOSAURS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: TORTOISE IS THE LAND-LIVING TURTLE SPECIES. THEY ARE IN EXISTENCE FROM THE TRIASSIC PERIOD, ABOUT 200 MILLION YEARS AGO. THIS GALAPAGOS GIANT TORTOISE(TESTUDO ELEPHANTOPUS) CAN LIVE UP TO 177 YEARS. THE ALDABRA GIANT TORTOISE NAMED ADWAITA LIVED FOR 250 YEARS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: SEA TURTLES ARE REPTILES, AMONG THE OLDEST LIVING GROUP OF REPTILES WHICH HAVE NOT CHANGED IN THEIR APPEARANCE FOR NEARLY 200 MILLION YEARS. IF THEY ARE ENDANGERED OR THREATENED, THE PROBLEM IS NOT CONTRIBUTED BY AGING OR NATURAL LONGEVITY.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: TUATARA(SPHENODON PUNCTATUM), NATIVE OF NEW ZEALAND IS NOT A LIZARD. THIS SPECIES IS IN EXISTENCE FOR ABOUT 225 MILLION YEARS. IT IS A VERY RARE, MEDIUM-SIZED, AMPHIBIOUS REPTILE WHICH BELONGS TO THE ORDER SPHENODONTIA. ALL OTHER SPECIES OF THIS ORDER BECAME EXTINCT 60 MILLION YEARS AGO. IT IS CALLED A LIVING FOSSIL. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS MAY LIVE FROM 100 TO 200 YEARS. IT HAS A WELL-DEVELOPED THIRD EYE AND A ROW OF SPINES ALONG THE BACK.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: “KOI” ARE ORNAMENTAL, DOMESTICATED VARIETY OF THE COMMON CARP, CYPRINUS CARPIO. THESE FISH HAVE RECORDED LIVES OF 150 TO 226 YEARS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: DUCK-BILLED PLATYPUS, ORNITHORHYNCHUS ANATINUS, A MONOTREME, AN EGG-LAYING MAMMAL OF EASTERN AUSTRALIA AND TASMANIA. IT IS SEMIAQUATIC, HAS A DUCK-BILL SHAPED MUZZLE WITH NO TEETH, FEET ARE WEBBED, NO EARS, AND BODY COVERED WITH DARK-BROWN FUR. COMBINES FEATURES OF A DUCK, BEAVER, AND OTTER. HAS MILK GLANDS TO NOURISH THE YOUNG. THEY HAVE SURVIVED SINCE AUSTRALIAN PLEISTOCENE, ABOUT 2 MILLION YEARS AGO.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AGING AND LONGEVITY: THE BOWHEAD WHALE OF ALASKA. RIGHT WHALE OR BALAENA MYSTICETUS ORIGINATED IN THE EARLY TERTIARY OR UPPER CRETACEOUS PERIOD ABOUT 70 MILLION YEARS AGO. IT IS THE LONGEST LIVING MAMMAL AND INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS HAVE RECORDED 150 TO 200 YEARS OF LIFE.
The issue of Life-Span of plants and trees and of Human Life-Span need special consideration. In all animals, where the organism is formed by sexual reproduction, the beginning of life is defined by the formation of the fertilized egg cell or zygote. Very often, physical birth is considered to be the beginning of the Life-Span. The end or death of an organism is reflected in its inability to support its structural and functional organization that gives it a distinctive physical identity. This generation of Life by the union of an egg and sperm is a most remarkable event. In the entire Animal and Plant Kingdom where the organisms achieve reproduction sexually, the Generative Mechanism remains the same and is unchanged over millions of years. This Generative Potential of Sexual Reproduction is unaltered and it describes a most creative process that is involved in the beginning of all living creatures. In my view, the immutability of Life’s beginning is dependent upon the Unchanging Principle called Soul or Spirit.
Aging is God’s eternal law with respect to man and as such the principle of aging exists in the human nature and man has no choice other than that of submitting to the Natural Law of Aging to begin his mortal existence.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ETERNAL LAW OF AGING: LORD GAUTAMA BUDDHA KNOWN AS “SIDDHARTHA”(HE WHO WILL ACCOMPLISH) STATED: “WHATEVER IS BORN, PRODUCED, CONDITIONED, CONTAINS WITHIN ITSELF THE NATURE OF ITS OWN DISSOLUTION.”
Lord Gautama Buddha(c. 563 to c. 483 B.C.,) known as “Siddhartha”(He who accomplishes) had correctly observed to claim that, “Whatever is born, produced, conditioned, contains within itself the nature of its own dissolution.” In biology, the term aging is used to describe the progressive structural, and functional changes in an organism that lead to senescence or a decline of biological functions and of organism’s ability to adapt to metabolic stress. It must be carefully understood that the process called aging begins right after the moment of conception and the newborn arrives because of the mechanisms that operate and control the aging process.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ETERNAL LAW OF AGING: THE AGING PROCESS BEGINS AT CONCEPTION, AND THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN EMBRYO AND FETUS IS INFLUENCED BY TIME AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE MECHANISMS THAT OPERATE AND CONTROL THE AGING PHENOMENON. HUMAN EMBRYO, SIX DAYS AFTER CONCEPTION IS READY FOR IMPLANTATION IN ITS MOTHER’S WOMB.
Age is a fundamental characteristic of most living organisms. The speed of the aging process varies and it is not the same in the entire organism. To establish human birth with a recognizable physical appearance, the cells of the embryo and fetus rapidly multiply and several of them have to simply die after a programmed sequence of cell divisions. Aging is that inevitable process that causes cell death after the lapse of a specified time interval which is programmed. At adulthood(age 20), age acceleration is around 40% and it is 100% in newborns.
AGING – BIOLOGICAL CLOCK – BIOLOGICAL RHYTHM:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ETERNAL LAW OF AGING: MAN EXISTS AS IF THE BODILY FUNCTIONS ARE OPERATED BY A VERY PRECISE TIMING MECHANISM. THE BIOLOGICAL CLOCK OPERATES THE BIO OR BIOLOGICAL RHYTHM THAT OSCILLATES WITH A PERIOD OF ABOUT 24 HOURS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ETERNAL LAW OF AGING: HUMAN EXISTENCE IS SYNCHRONIZED WITH DAILY CHANGES IN THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT IN RESPONSE TO DAYLIGHT OR DARK.
Biorhythm or Biological Rhythm describes the cyclic pattern of changes in physiology often synchronized with daily environmental changes in response to daylight or dark. Circadian Rhythm is the 24-hour clock that drives wakefulness and sleep. Most living organisms use a timing mechanism that use clues or external environmental stimuli like that of light, and temperature that influence the internal Biological Clock. The concept of an operating Biological Clock is important in the understanding of the aging process.
HORVATH’S CLOCK – EPIGENETIC CLOCK – DNA METHYLATION AGE:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ETERNAL LAW OF AGING: Dr STEVE HORVATH, PROFESSOR OF HUMAN GENETICS, UCLA, USA HAS DISCOVERED AN AGE PREDICTOR THAT CAN BE USED TO MEASURE THE AGE OF MOST HUMAN TISSUES, CELL TYPES, AND ORGANS OF THE SAME INDIVIDUAL AND COMPARE IT WITH THE CHRONOLOGICAL AGE OF THAT INDIVIDUAL.
Dr. Steve Horvath, Professor of Human Genetics, UCLA, USA has discovered with a new technique of age measuring that uses aging marker called DNA Methylation. He described 353 epigenetic markers on the DNA which measure DNA methylation of cpG dinucleotides.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ETERNAL LAW OF AGING: THE EPIGENETIC CLOCK, HORVATH’S CLOCK IS A BIOLOGICAL CLOCK TO MEASURE THE AGE OF MOST HUMAN TISSUES, CELL TYPES, AND ORGANS IN THE SAME INDIVIDUAL WHICH CAN HELP IN PREDICTING THE AGING PROCESS.
The human organism experiences the consequences of the aging process and the condition called senescence or old age is easy to recognize. There are several theories about the aging mechanism and as to how the aging process is operated and controlled by hereditary factors. Some deterioration of normal bodily functions is always a component of the biological aging process.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ETERNAL LAW OF AGING: THERE ARE SEVERAL THEORIES ABOUT SENESCENCE. APART FROM THE MEASUREMENT OF CHRONOLOGICAL AGE, IT WOULD BE VERY USEFUL TO ASSESS AND MEASURE THE BIOLOGICAL AGE OF THE HUMAN ORGANISM AS THAT WOULD HELP TO PREDICT AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION AND INVENT INTERVENTION MECHANISMS TO REDIRECT OR REGULATE THE AGING PROCESS.
I define Spirit or Soul as the vital, animating, and unchanging, operating Principle that establishes human existence in a constantly changing world. Age is a measurement of the time interval between two events such as the birth and the death. The aging phenomenon is a variable expression which is influenced by both heredity and external environmental factors. At the same time, it could be important to identify the factors that operate within the internal environment of each, individual, independent, living cells. The immediate external environment of DNA, genes, chromosomes, and the nucleus is called the cytoplasm, or cytosol if the cell is viewed as a nucleus and cytoplasm bounded by a limiting membrane. I often write about the unchanging nature of this cytoplasm which may be recognized as its spiritual attribute. The cytoplasm has the Power described in Physiology as “NUTRITION”, the power or ability with which it attracts matter found in the cell’s external environment. In other words, the cytoplasm has the spiritual ability to establish a connection, association, bonding, relationship, or partnership between the energy-yielding molecules of the environment, and the energy-demanding molecules of the human individual and establish the fact or reality called the living being. The DNA, the genes, the chromosomes and the nucleus have no such ability for they simply lead a dependent existence deriving energy and matter supplied by the cytoplasm and its structures such as the mitochondria, and the ribosomes. The DNA is able to express a change and is able to generate a variation in the structures or a variation in the physiological functions such as the rate of protein synthesis because of the fact of its dependence upon an unchanging Principle that is not influenced by the time factor.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ETERNAL LAW OF AGING: A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE CELL AND ITS COMPONENT PARTS IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE AGING PROCESS. THE TIME FACTOR INFLUENCES THE DNA, THE GENES, THE CHROMOSOMES, AND THE NUCLEUS. THE CYTOPLASM IS OPERATED BY A SPIRITUAL NATURE THAT HAS ATTRIBUTES SUCH AS IMMUTABLE, IMPERISHABLE, IMMORTAL, OR ETERNAL. THE DNA AND ITS RELATED STRUCTURES LEAD A DEPENDENT EXISTENCE DERIVING MATTER AND ENERGY SUPPLIED BY THE SPIRITUAL POWER OF CYTOPLASM.
If age is viewed as a natural phenomenon characterized by changes in structure and function, the change is explained as the Power of Time over material things. This change is possible and can be recognized as the process is supported by an Unchanging, Spiritual, or Eternal Principle that is not affected by the time factor. For that reason, aging has to be explained as an Eternal Law which operates and regulates human existence from conception to death. Man has no choice other than that of leading a dependent existence, a Dependence that is Primarily provided by the Power/Force/Energy often named as the Divine Providence.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: “IN THE DESCENT OF MAN”(1871), CHARLES DARWIN SHARED A VIEW OF MAN’S ORIGIN BY A PROCESS OF NATURAL VARIATION FROM AN ANCESTRAL TYPE. WE HAVE YET TO DISCOVER A COMMON ANCESTOR FOR BOTH THE ANTHROPOID APES SUCH AS THE GORILLA AND THE MAN.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGISTS CLAIM THAT MAN HAS ARRIVED OR DESCENDED FROM AN ANCESTOR WITH 48 CHROMOSOMES AND CLAIM THAT ANCESTOR IS VERY LIKELY TO HAVE A GENOME SIMILAR TO THAT OF APES SUCH AS CHIMPANZEE AND BONOBO.
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution involves the notion of a common ancestor for both man and the anthropoid apes. Both Gorilla and Chimpanzee are natives of Africa and they exist with 48 chromosomes as compared to man’s genome that consists of 46 chromosomes. Human Chromosome #2 attracted a lot of attention for the nearest ape relative bonobo has near identical DNA sequences . But, the problem is that of the separation of these DNA sequences into two chromosomes called #2 a, and #2 b giving the apes a genome with 48 chromosomes.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: Chromosome #2 IS THE SECOND LARGEST HUMAN CHROMOSOME. IT CONTAINS 1,491 GENES AND MILLIONS OF BASE PAIRS.
It would be very easy to speculate that the Human Chromosome #2 can result from an end to end fusion of two ancestral chromosomes such as the Chromosome #2 a, and Chromosome #2 b.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: IT IS NOT LIKELY TO PRODUCE HUMAN CHROMOSOME #2 FROM FUSION OF CHROMOSOMES #2 a and #2 b. APES DO NOT HAVE A FUSED CHROMOSOME.
Man and apes exist with genomes that are almost identical and yet man cannot directly descend from the anthropoid apes. The fusion of Chromosomes #2 a, and #2 b would cause the production of a non-viable mutant or an individual who may not produce any offspring. Firstly, we need a male and a female with this fused chromosome in their gametes; the sperm and the egg to produce an offspring with a unique set of 46 chromosomes; 22 pairs of autosomes and a pair of (XY or XX) of Sex Chromosomes X,Y. It requires two identical, rare, mutant, male and female to produce offspring and to establish an entirely new population. The Theory of Evolution proposes that random, unguided, mutations lead to changes in a Species and eventually lead to its descent as a new Species. If fusion of two, distinct, separate chromosomes such as #2 a, and #2 b is required, the fusion event must happen in a Hominid population about 10,000 years ago and this population would have no relationship with the living apes.
THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN RACES:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: THE PROBLEM OF HUMAN EVOLUTION HAS TO DEAL WITH TWO BASIC ISSUES; 1. THE DISCOVERY OF HUMAN ANCESTORS, AND 2. THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN RACES.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: AMONG ANTHROPOLOGISTS THERE ARE TWO VIEWS ABOUT THE EXISTENCE OF HUMAN RACES; 1.MONOGENY, AND 2. POLYGENY.
The term “RACE” describes any of the different varieties or populations of human beings distinguished by physical traits such as hair, eyes, skin color, shape of body and head, facial features, and blood traits. These physical traits or characteristics are transmitted by heredity. However, it must be noted that such traits are highly variable, not every member of a race will exhibit all distinguishing traits. But, it is very clear that Human Races or varieties arose in response to inbreeding and not on account of interbreeding of different subspecies.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: ANTHROPOLOGISTS HAD INITIALLY DESCRIBED THREE PRIMARY DIVISIONS OF PEOPLE; 1. CAUCASOID, 2. MONGOLOID, AND 3. NEGROID. MEMBERS OF HUMAN SPECIES SHARE A COMMON HUMAN NATURE WHILE THERE IS VARIATION IN MORPHOLOGICAL APPEARANCES.
Anthropologists had initially described three primary divisions of people, 1. Caucasoid, 2. Mongoloid, and 3. Negroid. Thomas Huxley in his paper titled “On the Geographical Distribution of the Chief Modifications of Mankind”(1870), had described racial varieties such as Bushman, Africoid, Negritoes, Melanochroi, Australoids, Xanthochroi, Polynesians, Mongoloids A, B, & C, and Esquimaux.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: THOMAS HUXLEY DURING 1870 DESCRIBED THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF VARIOUS RACIAL VARIETIES. JOHANN FRIEDRICH BLUMENBACH(1775/76) DIVIDED MANKIND INTO FIVE GREAT FAMILIES – CAUCASIAN, MONGOLIAN, MALAYAN, ETHIOPIAN, AND AMERICAN.
It is of no surprise to note the controversy regarding the terms used to identify the varieties of mankind. As such there is no agreement and the word ‘Species’ has no defined meaning. There are two schools of thought to account for the apparent variations among the members of the Human Species. Monogeny describes a view that all human races came from a common ancestor. Polygeny is a view that asserts the separate creation of races.
THE BIOLOGICAL BASIS FOR HUMAN RACES:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: THE VARIATIONS AMONG MEMBERS OF THE SAME SPECIES AND OF DIFFERENT SPECIES CANNOT BE IGNORED. WHILE ALL LIVING BEINGS ARE FUNDAMENTALLY ALIKE FOR THE LIVING MATTER OR LIVING SUBSTANCE IS THE SAME. THE VARIATIONS IN FORM DEMANDS THE OPERATION OF A MOST CREATIVE PROCESS.
Today, some anthropologists entirely reject the concept of “RACE.” However, they stress the heterogeneity of world population. In Biology, the term ‘race’ is used to describe a subspecies, or variety, or breed. The search for a common ancestor for the entire Human Species is not yet over. In recent times, the techniques of DNA extraction and genomic sequencing have advanced. Evolutionary geneticists are describing their findings with a degree of boldness by simply studying the DNA and using the finding to predict the behavior and nature of the Homo Species members.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: HOMO FLORESIENSIS, ABOUT 3 FEET TALL, DISCOVERED IN LIANG BUA CAVE, ON THE ISLAND FLORES, INDONESIA. THE FLORES MAN HAS A FOSSIL RECORD THAT EXTENDS FROM 38,000 YEARS TO 12,000 YEARS AGO AND MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARED.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: HOMO SAPIENS IDALTU HAS BROW RIDGES, PROMINENT JAW AND GLOBULAR HEAD, WITH SLOPING FOREHEAD. THE SKULLS of 160,000 YEARS OLD IDALTU MAN DISCOVERED IN ETHIOPIA.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: THE IDALTU MAN, ANATOMICALLY SPEAKING WAS AT THE THRESHOLD OF MODERN HUMAN SPECIES BUT WAS NOT FULLY A MODERN HUMAN BEING.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: THIS REPLICA MAY REPRESENT A DENISOVAN GIRL WHOSE FINGER BONE CALLED PHALANX WAS DISCOVERED IN DENISOVA CAVE, ALTAI MOUNTAINS OF SOUTHERN SIBERIA. THE DENISOVA WAS MORE SIMILAR TO NEANDERTALS THAN TO MODERN HUMANS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: HOMO SAPIENS RED DEER DISCOVERED IN MALUDONG OR RED DEER CAVE, YUNNAN PROVINCE, SOUTHERN CHINA HAD LIVED FROM 14,500 TO 11,500 YEARS AGO. RED DEER CAVE PEOPLE ARE NOT CLASSIFIED AS MODERN HUMANS.
To resolve the problems about finding the biological basis for human races, we may have to take the help of the Science called Immunology that deals with man’s ability to defend his own existence by recognizing Self and Non-Self marker proteins(antigens), the protein molecules that cover the surfaces of every cell in the human body.
THE LAW OF CREATION AND INDIVIDUALITY:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: THE MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX(MHC) IS THE HUMAN LEUKOCYTE ANTIGEN(HLA) GENE CLUSTER ON CHROMOSOME 6. HUMAN ORGANS AND TISSUES CANNOT BE TRANSPLANTED OR GRAFTED INTO THE BODIES OF UNRELATED INDIVIDUALS. HUMAN IDENTITY MUST BE DISCOVERED AT MOLECULAR LEVEL TO ESTABLISH THE AFFINITY BETWEEN TWO HUMAN INDIVIDUALS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: HUMAN IDENTITY INVOLVES THE SURFACE MARKER PROTEINS FOUND ON EVERY CELL. TRANSPLANTED ORGANS AND TISSUES COULD BE REJECTED AS FOREIGN(NON-SELF) BY A HOST OR RECIPIENT FOR THE ANTIGENS ARE RECOGNIZED AS NON-SELF. SIMILARLY, INFECTIOUS AGENTS AND PATHOGENS ARE RECOGNIZED GIVING THE BODY THE ABILITY TO RESIST INFECTIONS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – HUMAN EVOLUTION: HUMAN EXISTENCE DEMANDS THE ABILITY TO DEFEND ONE’S OWN EXISTENCE TO MAINTAIN THE ABILITY TO LIVE AS A SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL WITH INDIVIDUALITY. THE RECOGNITION OF SELF AND NON-SELF IS THE FUNDAMENTAL BASIS TO MAINTAIN SEPARATE IDENTITY TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF THE HUMAN INDIVIDUAL.
The many aspects of immunological recognition is more important than that of the recognition of ancestral Species from which the Human Species may have arrived or descended. The HLA antigens are very remarkable for the extensive degree of genetic polymorphism; that is the variability between individuals is very great and there could be no two identical individuals as unrelated individuals have different HLA antigens. Histocompatibility is a condition of compatibility between the tissues of a graft or transplant and the tissues of the body receiving the graft or transplant. The understanding of histocompatibility is important for the success of organ transplantation and it clearly demonstrates that the Human Species has no choice other than that of existing as Specific Individuals with Individuality. The concept of descent from another Species cannot account for immunological recognition which formulates the basis for histocompatibility and Immunity from infections.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES:
The appearance of the Human Species about 8,000 to 10,000 years ago cannot be explained as a natural event and it cannot be accounted for by The Law of Natural Generation. There are two important principles involved; 1. The Biogenetic Law which stipulates that living organisms are generated only by living organisms, and 2. The Law of Natural Generation that states that offspring will always be of the same Species as the parent Species. In my view, the Origin of Human Species as a new form of life cannot be explained by the operation of natural causes. At the same time, I would like to respectfully avoid the term “Supernatural”, and would rather prefer to use the term “creative” to explain the Origin of Human Species and account for the Special Form of Man.
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF MAN:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: The Science called Geology describes the physical nature and history of planet Earth. Pleistocene, First Epoch of the Quaternary Period in the Cenozoic Era, is known as the Period of the Great Ice Age records the appearance of the members of the species that belong to the Homo Genus. Modern Human activity belongs to the Holocene Epoch that began about 10,000 years ago.
During the Period of the Great Ice Age or Pleistocene, continental glaciers covered much of N. North America, and NW Europe. The Holocene Epoch or Series which started approximately 10,000 years ago began to witness a change in Earth’s surface. The continental glaciers are now restricted to Antarctica and Greenland. It was not a cataclysmic change with consequences for the survival of life. The climatic change has actually helped the development and spread of modern human culture. It is indeed very surprising to note that this improvement in Earth’s surface and climate was accompanied by the extinction of giant mammals and the disappearance of a large variety of the Hominid Species.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: PLEISTOCENE EPOCH IS DIVIDED AS UPPER PLEISTOCENE, MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE, AND LOWER PLEISTOCENE. THE EARLY HOMONID SPECIES SUCH AS THE HOMO ERECTUS ERECTUS OR THE JAVA MAN BELONG TO THE LOWER PLEISTOCENE.
To trace the Origin of the Human Species, we may take a look at the different Hominid Species and the time periods during which they existed.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: The discovery of this Metacarpal Bone of the Middle Finger at Kaitio site, West Turkana, Kenya, that could be more than 1.42 million years old raised the hope of finding an intermediate link between the Human Species and other Anthropoid Apes.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: COMPARATIVE ANATOMY IS USED AS EVIDENCE TO VALIDATE THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION. THIS PHOTO IMAGE OF METACARPAL BONES OF DIFFERENT SPECIES COMPARES THE STYLOID PROCESS AT THE END OF THE BONE THAT CONNECTS TO THE WRIST. THE BONE STRUCTURE IS SIMILAR IN MAN, NEANDERTHALS, AND OTHER ARCHAIC HOMINID SPECIES THAT HAVE GRASPING THUMB AND FINGERS AND GIVE THE FUNCTIONAL ABILITY CALLED THE PRECISION GRIP.
Comparative Anatomy is used by the evolutionary biologists as evidence to prove the origin of a new form of life from a previously existing form of life. However, the Human Species has a special form and the use of Comparative Anatomy may actually demolish the Theory of Evolution.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: HOMO ERECTUS, THE EARLY HOMINID SPECIES DATING FROM 1,500,000 to 300,000 YEARS AGO. THIS IS A REPLICA OF JAVA MAN, PITHECANTHROPUS ERECTUS FROM THE LOWER PLEISTOCENE.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF MAN: THIS IS A REPLICA OF HOMO ERECTUS PEKINENSIS, PEKING MAN OR SINANTHROPUS FROM THE MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: A REPLICA OF HOMINID, HOMO ERECTUS FROM AFRICA.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: REPLICA OF PILTDOWN MAN OF SUSSEX, ENGLAND, A HOMINID SPECIES OF THE PALEOLITHIC PERIOD OR OLD STONE AGE.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: HOMO SAPIENS MAY HAVE APPEARED 300,000 YEARS AGO. THIS IS A REPLICA OF RHODESIAN MAN, HOMO SAPIENS HEIDELBERGENSIS WHO COULD BE THE SAME AS RHODESIENSIS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: AN ARTISTIC RENDITION OF FLORES MAN, HOMO FLORESIENSIS.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: A REPLICA OF HOMO SAPIENS NEANDERTHALIS, NEANDERTHAL MAN WHO LIVED BETWEEN 100,000 TO 40,000 YEARS AGO DISCOVERED IN 1856, NEANDERTHAL, WEST GERMANY. HE BELONGED TO THE MIDDLE PALEOLITHIC CULTURE. MODERN HUMANS MAY HAVE STARTED IN UPPER PALEOLITHIC CULTURE AND DEFINITELY BELONG TO THE BRONZE AGE.
None of these Hominid Species could be considered as the intermediate link or intermediate species from which the Human Species has arrived. The precise physical form of man has special features and it has to be explained if there is a connection between the Origin of the Human Species and of other Hominid Species. Comparative Anatomy makes the explanation of Man’s Evolution a very controversial subject.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: COMPARING HUMAN SKULL WITH THAT OF NEANDERTHAL SKULL HELPS TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM OF HUMAN EVOLUTION. MODERN HUMANS SHARE SEVERAL FEATURES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF OTHER HOMINID SPECIES BUT THOSE SIMILARITIES MAKE THE ISSUE MORE DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN.SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: THERE IS NO NATURAL CAUSE, NATURAL FACTOR, NATURAL CONDITION, OR NATURAL MECHANISM TO ACCOUNT FOR THE VARIATION SEEN WHEN THE NEANDERTHAL SKULL IS COMPARED WITH THE HUMAN SKULL.
THE ORIGIN OF THE SPECIAL FORM OF MAN:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ORIGIN OF HUMAN SPECIES: CHARLES DARWIN(1809-1892) MADE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS AND HIS PUBLISHED WORKS INCLUDE THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES(1859) AND THE DESCENT OF MAN(1871). HE FAILED TO DESCRIBE THE CREATIVE PROCESS, THE CREATIVE MECHANISM, OR THE CREATIVE EVENTS THAT CAN ACCOUNT FOR THE APPEARANCE OF NEW SPECIES AND THE EXTINCTION OF SPECIES FOR WHICH THERE IS NO NATURAL CAUSE.
In my view, there is no extinct or living Species that can bridge the gap between the Human Species and its nearest Hominid allies. About, 10,000 years ago, Earth’s surface had changed. The land area covered by Ice has steadily decreased; in Upper Pleistocene about 28 percent land area was covered by Ice and in Holocene, only about 10 percent land area is covered by ice. The warming of the climate has increased the area of habitation available to the various Hominid Species. Environmental conditions are entirely favorable to the survival of all the Hominid Species. If Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is a valid theory, we must witness the simultaneous co-existence of all intermediate varieties that may have progressed through incremental changes leading to the Origin of the Human Species. There was no geological catastrophe, it is relatively easy to adapt to the changed environment, food supply is adequate and particularly the Hominid Species were not preying upon one another in their struggle for existence. Actually, Darwin’s view on blending of hereditary factors is not supported by Gregor Mendel’s classic experiments in hybridization. According to Mendel, Inheritance is particulate and his theory is fully validated. Distinct genetic factors combine to produce a certain somatic result without causing the loss of separate identities carried by specific genes. The genetic factors can therefore be assorted and enter into new genetic combinations in the next generation. There is no evidence to suggest that the new Human Species has arrived because of some abrupt mutations in a single generation of any particular Hominid Species. It may be noted that Darwin’s Theory claims that new species originate through natural processes of Heredity and Selection. The Natural Laws of Heredity, and the natural process named Natural Selection are not sufficient for the production of the new Human Species that replaced all other Hominid Species that survived until Middle and Upper Pleistocene.
Creation refers to the beginning of things. The ideas and thoughts about creation serve as a basis for the orientation of man in the world and help to specify man’s place in the physical universe. The Doctrine of Creation is the basis to explain man’s status in nature. The act of creation involves to bring into being a new product and the production of the new thing requires application of imagination and the use of Power/Force/Energy. Creation has two aspects; 1. Freedom of Mind to imagine possibilities. It is associated with a power called ‘Inspiration’ that provides the stimulus to both creative thought and action, and 2. Freedom of Action that converts a mental ‘possibility’ into a physical ‘actuality’. The word ‘creative’ is often used to describe the quality or power of creating as seen in the actions of an author, actor, fashion designer, artist, or musician. A created object tends to be original, unique, distinctive, and exists as one of its own kind of object.
THE ORIGIN OF MAN – THE STATUS OF MAN:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE DOCTRINE OF CREATION: SOCRATES – “KNOW THYSELF, AND YOU WILL KNOW THE UNIVERSE AND THE GODS.”
There are three primary orders to describe the things that exist in the physical universe, and these are 1. God, 2. Soul, and 3. Matter. There is general disagreement about the existence of God and Soul and such disagreements need not impair our understanding of ‘Matter’. Man must understand what it is to be a substance and what it is to exist. Socrates had famously stated: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Man has to know the truth about himself.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE DOCTRINE OF CREATION: ARISTOTLE, THE FATHER OF SCIENCE – “THERE IS A SCIENCE WHICH INVESTIGATES BEING AS BEING AND THE ATTRIBUTES WHICH BELONG TO BEING IN VIRTUE OF ITS OWN NATURE.”
Science not only provides the knowledge that something is true, but also the reason why it is true. Aristotle in his treatise ‘ON THE SOUL’ stated, “To attain any assured knowledge about the soul is one of the most difficult things in the world.” At the same time, he suggested that the inquiry into the soul must extend beyond man to all living things. In his view, “The study of soul falls within the Science of Nature.” If God and Soul are difficult things to investigate, it is proper to investigate about man by seeking better understanding of ‘Matter’.
WHAT IS MATTER?
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE DOCTRINE OF CREATION: WHAT IS MATTER??? MATTER IS AN INDISPENSABLE FACTOR IN THE CONSTITUTION OF ALL PHYSICAL THINGS.
Matter is the whole substance of bodies. Matter is associated with the idea of quantity, the basic magnitudes such as mass, space, and time. That which is or has matter in it necessarily occupies space. If matter is divided into two kinds, sensible and insensible, it must be mentioned that the entire substance of sensible bodies consist of matter. It is matter which gives actuality to sensible bodies. Sensible bodies derive their being and all their attributes from the forms which matter assumes when its potentialities are actualized. Hence, matter is an indispensable factor in the constitution of all physical, living things. Man is constituted by physical matter but his Identity and Individuality must be carefully understood. While Identity describes one-side of the coin, Individuality describes the second-side of the same coin. The outward appearance of an organism is called ‘Phenotype’. In case of man, the same individual shows different phenotypes in childhood, in adulthood, and in old age. The ‘Genotype’, on the other hand does not change during an individual’s life. While the phenotype is undergoing constant changes under the influence of time, and environment, man retains the experience of his identity in a relatively constant manner and hence always exists as an Individual with Individuality. The Doctrine of Creation, or The Law of Creation gives no choice, and there is no alternative and man is always born as a specific Individual who exists with Individuality.
THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION – THE DESCENT OF MAN:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE DOCTRINE OF CREATION: CHARLES DARWIN(1809-92), A GREAT NATURAL SCIENTIST, IN HIS WORKS, THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES(1859), AND THE DESCENT OF MAN(1871) PROPOSED THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION TO DESCRIBE THE ORIGIN OF MAN.
Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is very interesting and it shares valid information based upon accurate observations. However, the concern is about the reasoning that was applied to explain as to why a thing is said to be true. What is the truth and reality of Evolution? What is the reasoning to explain Evolution as a fact or truth? Firstly, as Aristotle had correctly observed, it must be noted that “Form has no separate existence but is immanent in matter.” It should not escape our attention, and we must acknowledge that one undivided, imperishable substance is seen within all diverse living entities. For all practical purposes, there is no ‘Evolution’ as all of the diverse, living entities consist of the same kind of living matter, material, or substance. Material substances undergo changes when they interact with other material substances but, I would not describe the ‘change’ as the permanent reality. In my view, the permanent reality is described by the unchanging nature of chemical elements or molecules in spite of their tendency to interact with other chemical elements or molecules. For example, the water molecule is in existence for over several billions of years without any fundamental change in its basic constitution and behavior. Similarly, all the chemical elements that combine to form the living matter, substance or material have retained their original nature and there is no ‘Evolution’ in their chemical interactions. The Theory of Evolution describes just one-side of the story and claims that ‘forms’ evolve and change under the influence of time and environment. At a fundamental level, the Theory of Evolution fails to explain the biological basis for the existence of any given living form. At no time in the entire Natural History, a living form has displayed any ability to exist without deriving support from its living matter. In other words, DNA that constitutes the Phenotype and the Genotype of any given living thing has no independent existence of its own. To explain the basis for existence, the Theory of Evolution may have to answer the following questions:
1. What is it existing?
2. Who is it existing?
3. Where is it existing?
4. When is it existing? and,
5. Why is it existing?
If man answers the above questions, man would easily understand that he is existing on planet Earth since about the last 10,000 years and in Geological Science this Time Period is called ‘HOLOCENE EPOCH’. In conclusion, it may be acknowledged that the Universe is vast and man’s role in it is insignificant. Man’s great need is not only to know the world around him but also to know himself better and for this man has to understand the truth and reliability of his own cognitive powers. The Doctrine of Creation could be stated as, “The reality called existence is established by the Unchanging Spiritual Nature of Matter in a constantly Changing World.”
The Art of Medicine in its essence is a spiritual practice. It aims to restore the experience of Peace, Harmony, and Tranquility in the living condition of the Man. The fundamental concepts of Medical Theory reflect the Philosophy of Nature and of Man. The term Physician describes the person who practices ‘The Art of Medicine’. This term is derived from the medieval English word ‘PHYSIC'(Latin. physica; Greek. physike which means nature) which is used to describe Natural Science, Medicine, and Nature. This archaic usage of the English word “Physic” as the name for the art, science, practice and profession of Healing suggests what the word’s Greek root signifies, namely that the physician is a student of Nature.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF MEDICINE: Hippocrates, the Greek physician(c.460 – 377 B.C.), the Father of Medicine stated that, The Art of Medicine consists in three things, 1. The Disease, 2. The Patient, and 3. The Physician.
Natural Science provides systematized knowledge of the physical world and its branches include Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Physics, and Geology. The Faculty of Medicine represents Biological Sciences that are concerned with knowledge bearing on the relation of man to nature. Medical Science as a Natural Science must be concerned with the following two questions:
1. What is the Status of Man in Nature?
2. What is the true or real Nature of Man?
The first question deals with man’s relationship with the physical world in which man exists. The physical world represents the total of all things in Time and Space or the entire physical universe. The term Nature includes the Power, Force, and Laws that regulate or operate in the physical world. In Biology, the Theory of Evolution proposes a view about the origin of species and it describes that things in Nature change under the influence of Time. It opposes various cultural, and religious beliefs about the origin of man and his Status as a Created Being. The second question is about the essential characteristics or qualities that makes or describes man’s essence as a Human Being. The Nature of Man deals with the inborn character, innate disposition, and inherent tendencies of the Whole Person and it includes the instincts, desires, appetites, drives etc., of the Person apart from the vital functions of specialized organs. Man’s Nature could be detected from the activities of the human organism and from the forces that operate and influence these activities.
THE MEDICAL THEORY – ATOMISM, MECHANISM vs SPIRITUALISM:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF MEDICINE: GALEN, CLADIUS GALENUS(c. 130 – c.200 A.D.), Greek physician who served the Roman Emperors provided a synthesis of the Medicine of the ancient Greek world. In his view, “The true Art of Medicine borrows its method from Nature’s Art.”
There is tremendous increase in our knowledge of the specific diseases and man developed a vast store of well-tested remedies and still the problems of medical practice essentially remain the same. According to Galen, the Art of Healing consists in imitating the health-giving and healing powers of nature itself. Galen thinks of human body as an organic unity and not as a simple aggregation of atoms or a system of interlocking parts. Galen had opposed the views of Atomism, or Mechanism that views the human body as a mechanical assembly of tiny, individual parts. In Galen’s view, Nature works not by the external impact of part upon part, but by its faculties or powers for the performance of natural functions and the production of natural effects. “Nature is not posterior to the corpuscles( small, constituent parts), but a long way prior to them…” writes Galen. “Therefore it is nature which puts together the bodies of both plants and animals; and this she does by virtue of certain faculties which she possesses – these being on the one hand, attractive and assimilative of what is appropriate, and on the other, expulsive of what is foreign. Further, she skillfully moulds everything during the stage of genesis; and she also provides for the creatures after birth employing her other faculties again.” Galen calls Nature the Artist for it produces effects according to its powers and in conformity to its needs. Nature seems to work with intelligence and for an end, not blindly and by chance. Galen stated it as a maxim, “Nothing is done by Nature in Vain.” An Art like Medicine seems to imitate Nature by cooperating with natural process. The Art of Medicine involves following the course of nature, and thereby it enables the natural result to emerge by overcoming the chances of adverse outcome. The interior nature is the Principal cause of Healing with the physician providing exterior or external help. The physician strengthens nature and employs food and medicine to assist the natural mechanism( such as the “Repair and Inflammation” described in the Science called Human Pathology) to achieve the intended end. The subordination of The Art of Medicine to Nature appears to be the keystone of the whole structure of Medical Practice. The patient is guided to regulate and control the various aspects of diet, exercise, and the lifestyle and medicines or drugs perform an auxiliary function. Surgery is used in the treatment of injuries and to resolve problems where medication by itself will not yield good results. However, it is important to remember that surgical procedures and interventions work by cooperating with nature and natural healing process called Repair and Inflammation. In other words, the physician is a servant , not a master of Nature. Medicine as an Art can be compared to Agriculture which helps a natural result to come about but this effect would never occur without the work of the Artist. Plants may grow and reproduce without the help of farmers. A person may regain some health without the care of physicians. But, in reality, it is impossible to raise a crop or to grow an orchard by simply depending upon nature and natural mechanisms.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE SPIRITUAL BASIS FOR HEALTH:
If the term Soul or Spirit describes the vital, animating principle that governs and operates the existence of the human organism, its nature and functions can be derived from studying the structure and functions of the Red Blood Cell or Erythrocyte which simply exists to integrate and to harmonize the functions of trillions of individual cells, tissues, and the organ systems that constitute the Whole Person who exists as an Individual with Individuality. Health is that condition of the body in which the physiological elements are in balance and in which the various parts function harmoniously with one another. Health represents harmony or good order, or equilibrium in the body. I describe Spirituality as the operating Principle that generates this functional unity, good order, and equilibrium among the cells, tissues, organs, and the organ systems that comprise the human organism and the human Individual who exists because of these functions experiences Peace, Harmony, and Tranquility in his living condition.
SPIRITUALITY MEDICINE – THE ART OF MEDICINE: The integration of Structure and Function describes the Spiritual Basis for Health and Human Existence. By knowing the structure and function of the Red Blood Cell or Erythrocyte, we can establish the facts of Blood Circulation, the reason for the structure of the Heart and Lungs, their motions and their relation to each other and their relation to the Human Being who exists as an Individual with Individuality.
The Theory of Medicine will determine the nature of The Art of Medicine that is practiced to establish the Physician – Patient Relationship. If The Art of Medicine is based upon Spirituality Science, the Physician – Patient Relationship will have a Spiritual basis. I would ask my readers to give attention to the problems of modern medical practice and we need a Medical Theory that would have a bearing on the following three aspects of The Art of Medicine:
1. Is Health is better served by the General Practitioner treating the Whole Man or by a Specialist treating a functionally differentiated Special Organ or Organ System?
2. What should be the nature of the Physician-Patient relationship? Is there a therapeutic factor in the relationship that underlines the effectiveness of the Physician’s skills in all other respects?
3. What is the interaction between mind and body in the origin and in the cure of disease?
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – WHOLE MEDICINE: The birth of Aesculapius. The Healing Art of Ancient Greece.
Medicine is among the most ancient of human occupations. Evidences of the practice of ritual healing, combining religion, and primitive science, are found in the earliest traces of human society and communal living. The Healing Art of ancient Greece was associated with the worship of Apollo who taught Medicine to Chiron and it was passed on to Aesculapius who could be a real person that lived in Greece around 1,200 B.C. The term ‘Asclepiad’ describes a physician and it was used to designate physicians belonging to a family that had produced well-known physicians for generations.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – WHOLE MEDICINE: While the physician in ancient Greece was called Aesculapius, the place of Healing was known as the Temple of Aesculapius. Healing was considered to be a Divine Function or it involved Divine Mechanisms.
In ancient Greece, the knowledge of Medicine was imparted at Medical Schools and such institutions of Learning were known as ‘Askleipion’.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – WHOLE MEDICINE: This ancient School of Medicine is called the ‘Askleipion’ and this could be the Hippocratic Medical School of Kos, Greece.
HIPPOCRATES – THE FATHER OF MEDICINE:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – WHOLE MEDICINE: Hippocrates, Greek physician of antiquity is traditionally regarded as the Father of Medicine. He belonged to the Greek Island of Kos.
Hippocrates, c. 460 – 377 B.C. was undoubtedly a historical figure in spite of the fact that most accounts about his life could be imaginative. Little is known about him, but a great tradition surrounds his name. Apart from practising his art, he presumably taught at the Medical School at Kos.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – WHOLE MEDICINE: Hippocrates exercised a permanent influence on the development of Medicine and on the ideals and ethics of the medical profession.
Greek philosopher Plato called Hippocrates, “The Asclepiad of Kos.” Greek philosopher Aristotle said that, Hippocrates was called “The Great Physician.” Hippocrates had a philosophical approach to Medicine. He regarded the body as a “WHOLE” – that is, as an Organism. His medical practice resulted from his collection of information regarding parts of the body into an embracing concept and thereafter, the division of the “WHOLE” into its parts. He had promoted Medicine based on objective observation and deductive reasoning.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – WHOLE MEDICINE: Hippocrates stressed the importance of relying on facts, clinical observation, and experiment.
Hippocrates stated that it is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has. In a quote attributed to Hippocrates, he claimed that wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity. Hippocrates may not have authored the so-called “Hippocratic Oath”, but he could have stressed the ethical code for the medical profession. He had also stressed the importance of diet and hygiene.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – WHOLE MEDICINE: Hippocrates stressed the importance of human nutrition, the role of diet in the causation of disease and the use of food in treating disease.
The principles taught by Hippocrates are, 1. a physician should work not for personal gain but for love of humanity, 2. disease should be studied by meticulous observation, and cases should be carefully recorded and studied to establish a prognosis, 3. disease is often the result of environmental forces, diet, climate, and occupation, and 4. a physician should emphasize simple treatment supplemented with careful diet and surgical intervention when necessary. In spite of the breathtaking rapidity of developments in modern Medicine, the basic concepts are still the same.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF MEDICINE – THE CONCEPT OF WHOLE MEDICINE:
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – WHOLE MEDICINE: If man is viewed as a “WHOLE” Organism, the organism is derived by the growth, multiplication, and development of this “Whole Cell”, the fertilized Ovum. I am advocating a systematic study of the Physical, Mental, Moral, Social, and Spiritual aspects of man’s well-being in relation to health and disease. Such as study must include the concept of this “WHOLE CELL” which has all the attributes that can be observed in man.
Medicine is the Science and Art of Diagnosing, Curing, and Preventing Disease and it includes the relief of pain, minimizing of disabilities, improving, preserving and maintaining health. The term ‘Medicine’ is also used to describe any drug or other substance used in treating disease, healing, or relieving pain. In several native traditions across the globe, Medicine may include any object, spell, rite, etc., supposed to have natural or supernatural powers as a remedy, curative, preventive, or protective. The idea of ‘Take One’s Medicine describes the requirement to endure just punishment or accepting the results of one’s action. In my view, Medicine must be concerned with the status of man in the universe, in his natural environment, in his social community while the man exists as an individual with individuality. In other words, Medicine as a Science must primarily be concerned with the biological basis for the reality of man’s physical existence in the world. A systematic study of the biological basis of human existence would demand the study of Soul and Spirit as the vital, animating principle found in all living things. I seek the existence of Soul and Spirit in a substance that is basic to life activities. Spirit or Soul must be found in a living material substance that is responsible for all living processes. The term Soul and Spirit belong to the materialistic realm where the physical reality of man’s biological existence is established. Further, I do not intend to use the term Soul or Spirit as a metaphysical or transcendental reality independent of the living organism. I would define the phrase “Whole Medicine” as a systematic study of the Physical, Mental, Moral, Social, and Spiritual aspects of Man’s Well-Being in relation to health and disease while the man exists as a Created Being.
Whole Dude - Whole Concept 