Tag Archives: The Art of Knowing

WHOLE SPIRITUALITY – THE HIGHER SELF AND THE LOWER SELF

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF :

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE KNOWER - THE KNOWING-SELF : WHO AM I ??? HOW DOES THE BODY KNOWS THE IDENTITY OF MAN WHO LIVES INSIDE THE BODY ??? IF THE BODY KNOWS ITS OWNER, OR IF THE OWNER KNOWS THE BODY HE OCCUPIES, THERE IS A FUNCTION CALLED KNOWING SELF.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF : WHO AM I ??? HOW DOES THE BODY KNOWS THE IDENTITY OF MAN WHO LIVES INSIDE THE BODY ??? IF THE BODY KNOWS ITS OWNER, OR IF THE OWNER KNOWS THE BODY HE OCCUPIES, THERE IS A FUNCTION CALLED KNOWING SELF.

WHO AM I ? THE INQUIRY ABOUT SELF :

Man’s role in the vast universe is insignificant. When man looks around, he as the rational observer gets easily overwhelmed by his irrelevance to the great universal order. Man has no choice other than that of knowing himself better. Man has to understand the truth and reliability of his own cognitive powers. Man has to know the truth about Self. Many of my Indian readers are familiar with India’s epic poem, Valmiki Ramayana. While Indians believe that Lord Rama is the Ultimate Reality or the Absolute Truth, in Ramayana’s Book Six, Yuddha Kanda, Sarga or Chapter 117(the final chapter), Prince Rama spoke to Lord Brahma(the Lord God Creator) inquiring, “I think of myself to be a human being by name Rama, the son of Dasaratha; You, as a gracious Divinity, tell me Who am I and Why I am like this ?” To know the truth and reality, man must begin his inquiry with the question, “WHO AM I ?”

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE KNOWER - THE KNOWING-SELF : MAN, THE ENTIRE HUMAN ORGANISM IS DERIVED FROM A SINGLE FERTILIZED EGG CELL . HOW IS THE IDENTITY AND INDIVIDUALITY IS ESTABLISHED AND IS KNOWN IN THIS COMPLEX MULTICELLULAR ORGANIS ???
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF : MAN, THE ENTIRE HUMAN ORGANISM IS DERIVED FROM A SINGLE FERTILIZED EGG CELL . HOW IS THE IDENTITY AND INDIVIDUALITY IS ESTABLISHED AND IS KNOWN IN THIS COMPLEX MULTICELLULAR ORGANISM ???

Man is a physical being, a being with Matter and Form. What is ‘real’ must be distinguished from what is called ‘appearance’. In Indian tradition, the human body is described as unreal as its Form or appearance is subject to constant change. At the same time, it must be recognized that Matter has no independent existence of its own, and Matter gets recognition when it exists while it is associated with a Form. The inquiry about Self must include both Matter and the Form. The existence of Self is known and is experienced by the part of the body called “The Knowing-Self.”

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE KNOWER - THE KNOWING-SELF : IN THE DIVINE SONG CALLED THE BHAGAVAD GITA, CHAPTER II, SANKHYA YOGA, VERSE#13, LORD KRISHNA EXPLAINS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAN AND HIS CHANGING FORM OR APPEARANCE.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF : IN THE DIVINE SONG CALLED THE BHAGAVAD GITA, CHAPTER II, SANKHYA YOGA, VERSE#13, LORD KRISHNA EXPLAINS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAN AND HIS CHANGING FORM OR APPEARANCE.

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter II, Sankhya Yoga, verse#13 reads:

“dehinosmin yatha dehe kaumaram, yauvanam, jara

tatha dehantara praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati.”

As the embodied Soul continually passes in this body from boyhood to youth and then to old age, a man of courage must not grieve about the passing of Soul after the body dies. This verse needs a very careful interpretation for Matter is neither created nor destroyed. The condition called death applies to the Form or appearance while the Matter has the divine attribute called imperishability. The Soul preserves the Individuality of the Individual who passes through various stages like childhood, youth, and old age with varying physical identities.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE KNOWER - THE KNOWING-SELF : IN INDIAN TRADITION, THE TOTAL MATERIAL SUBSTANCE OR MATTER IS CALLED BRAHMA AND LORD BRAHMA IS THE CREATOR AND IS ESSENTIALLY PRESENT IN THE MATTER THAT HE CREATES.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF : IN INDIAN TRADITION, THE TOTAL MATERIAL SUBSTANCE OR MATTER IS CALLED BRAHMA AND LORD BRAHMA IS THE CREATOR AND IS ESSENTIALLY PRESENT IN THE MATTER THAT HE CREATES.

The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter XIV, Gunatraya Vibhaga Yoga, Three Modes of Material Nature, verse#3 describes the total material substance as Brahma, is the source of birth, and in that Brahma, Lord Krishna causes pregnancy(or the generation of varied forms) and thereby causing the possibilities for the births of all living beings. If Matter is Brahma, Lord Krishna is the Creator of Form or appearance using His creative potency which in Indian tradition is described as ‘Maya Shakti’. Brahma, Prakriti or Material Nature describe the material substratum pervading physical existence. Inanimate and inert Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether along with Manas(the seat of Mind, Buddhi, Intellect), and Ahankara(EGO) together constitute Lord Krishna’s eightfold material energies or differentiated aspects of Matter.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE KNOWER - THE KNOWING-SELF : MAN IN HIS INQUIRY ABOUT SELF, MUST UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MATTER AND FORM AS BOTH REPRESENT THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES OF A SINGLE INFINITE SUBSTANCE.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF : MAN IN HIS INQUIRY ABOUT SELF, MUST UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MATTER AND FORM AS BOTH REPRESENT THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES OF A SINGLE INFINITE SUBSTANCE.

Both Matter and Form represent the divine attributes of a single, infinite Substance. In the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter XIII, Kshetra – Kshetrajna Vibhaga Yoga, verses 1,2, and 3 describe the material body as the Field of Activity called ‘KSHETRA’ and one who knows this body is called the Knower of the Field of Activity or ‘KSHETRAJNA’. Lord Krishna further clarifies that He is also the Knower of the Field of Activity in all living bodies. In Indian tradition to understand the human body and its owner is called Knowledge or ‘JNANA’.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE KNOWER - THE KNOWING-SELF : MATTER REPRESENTS GOD AS UNMANIFESTED REALITY FOR GOD'S FORM OR APPEARANCE CANNOT BE DISCERNED BY SIMPLY EXPLORING MATTER. THE LIVING THINGS ACQUIRE A HUGE DIVERSITY IN THEIR FORMS AND APPEARANCE BECAUSE OF A CREATIVE POTENCY THAT TRANSFORMS MATTER INTO LIVING FORMS.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF : MATTER REPRESENTS GOD AS UNMANIFESTED REALITY FOR GOD’S FORM OR APPEARANCE CANNOT BE DISCERNED BY SIMPLY EXPLORING MATTER. THE LIVING THINGS ACQUIRE A HUGE DIVERSITY IN THEIR FORMS AND APPEARANCE BECAUSE OF A CREATIVE POTENCY(MAYA SHAKTI) THAT TRANSFORMS MATTER INTO LIVING FORMS.

The subject of man’s inquiry about Self is not about investigating the Infinite Substance or Nature called God. Man must explore his own body and understand what he knows and as to how he knows his own identity. For purposes of clarity, I divide man into two categories; 1. SELF which represents man as a Physical, Mental, and Social being. Self represents the thinking person, and the feeling person, or the person having thoughts and feelings, and 2. THE KNOWING-SELF which represents man as a Moral and Spiritual being. The Knowing-Self is the seat of consciousness where the contents of consciousness are composed in a very selective manner. The Knowing-Self is responsible for the condition called ‘AROUSAL’ that can keep man fully alert and awake. The Knowing-Self knows man’s thoughts, feelings, actions, and sensory experiences. The Knowing-Self plays a central role in maintaining and sustaining the vital functions like circulation, and respiration to support existence.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE KNOWER - THE KNOWING-SELF : IN THIS IMAGE OF HUMAN BRAIN, THE GREEN PORTION OF BRAIN STEM IS CALLED RETICULAR FORMATION. I AM PROPOSING TO CALL IT AS THE KNOWING-SELF AND IT IS THE "KNOWER" OF THE HUMAN BODY WHICH CONSTANTLY CHANGES ITS MORPHOLOGICAL APPEARANCE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF TIME CALLED THE AGING PROCESS.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF : IN THIS IMAGE OF HUMAN BRAIN, THE GREEN PORTION OF BRAIN STEM IS CALLED RETICULAR FORMATION. I AM PROPOSING TO CALL IT AS THE KNOWING-SELF AND IT IS THE “KNOWER” OF THE HUMAN BODY WHICH CONSTANTLY CHANGES ITS MORPHOLOGICAL APPEARANCE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF TIME CALLED THE AGING PROCESS.

Indian tradition and various religious and philosophical traditions speak about Soul, Spirit, and Atman without describing its precise location in the human body which is comprised of trillions of independent, individual living cells which have their own individual life span or lifetime. If the information about Soul, Spirit, and Atman is valid, there must be some useful or practical applications of that information. Indian tradition while being silent about the anatomical description of Soul, Spirit, and Atman, speaks about the hierarchical arrangement of mental functions and guides man to control or exercise supervision of his intellect, mind, sense organs, and the body.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE KNOWER - THE KNOWING SELF : INDIAN TRADITION AND OTHER TRADITIONS OF WORLD DO NOT DESCRIBE THE PRECISE ANATOMICAL LOCATION OF SPIRIT, SOUL, OR ATMAN. THIS IMAGE DESCRIBES THE HIERARCHAL RELATIONSHIPS THAT MANAGE MAN'S MENTAL FUNCTIONS.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING SELF : INDIAN TRADITION AND OTHER TRADITIONS OF WORLD DO NOT DESCRIBE THE PRECISE ANATOMICAL LOCATION OF SPIRIT, SOUL, OR ATMAN. THIS IMAGE DESCRIBES THE HIERARCHICAL RELATIONSHIPS THAT MANAGE MAN’S MENTAL FUNCTIONS. THIS MODEL SUGGESTS THAT SOUL IS THE CONTROLLER OF INTELLECT, MIND, SENSE ORGANS, AND BODY.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE KNOWER - THE KNOWING-SELF : THIS STATEMENT FOUND IN KATHA UPANISHAD IS OF INTEREST AS IT DESCRIBES THE STRUCTURAL, AND FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MAN.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF : THIS STATEMENT FOUND IN KATHA UPANISHAD – 1:3:4  IS OF INTEREST AS IT DESCRIBES THE STRUCTURAL, AND FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MAN.

Indian tradition uses the term “SELF” to describe Soul, Spirit, or Atman. The “SELF” is the ‘Knower’, the Controller, and the ‘Supreme Enjoyer’, or the ‘Indweller’ of the Body which is often called the house or a place of residence. For example, KathOpanishad(KATHA + UPANISHAD),1:3:4  states:

“Atmanam rathinam viddhi,

Sariram ratham eva cha,

Buddhim tu Sarathim viddhi,

Manah pragraham eva cha,

Indriyani hayan ahur,

Visayams tesu gocaran,

Atmendriya -Mano-yuktam

Bhoktety ahur Manisinah.”

This statement may not give the precise location of Soul or Atman in man’s human body but shows as to how man manages his intellect(BUDDHI) to apply restraint on his mind which in return controls the organs of sense perception which are in hot pursuit of desires and cravings of the body whose actions and responses are driven by the sensory experiences of various kinds. It uses the analogy of a  Chariot to assign Man and his organs to perform specific roles.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE KNOWER - THE KNOWING-SELF : FROM KATHA UPANISHAD WE GET A DESCRIPTION OF MAN AND HIS STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION WHILE HE LIVES HIS LIFE CHASING HIS DESIRES.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF : FROM KATHA UPANISHAD WE GET A DESCRIPTION OF MAN AND HIS STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION WHILE HE LIVES HIS LIFE CHASING HIS DESIRES.

This statement must be carefully interpreted for it can have useful practical applications in promoting Man’s Physical, Mental, Social, Moral, and Spiritual Well-being.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE KNOWER - THE KNOWING-SELF : USING THIS STATEMENT, I WANT TO DESCRIBE MAN, SELF, SOUL, SPIRIT, OR ATMAN AS RESIDING IN THE RETICULAR FORMATION OF BRAIN STEM.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF : USING THIS STATEMENT, I WANT TO DESCRIBE MAN, SELF, SOUL, SPIRIT, OR ATMAN AS RESIDING IN THE RETICULAR FORMATION OF BRAIN STEM.

Indian tradition is fully concerned about knowing the ‘identity’ of things. My concern is about the ‘unity’ of various parts to establish the Objective and the Subjective Reality of Man’s existence in the natural world. Man is a Mortal Being and his physical existence provides a finite experience for it is related, connected, bonded, associated, partnered or yoked with an Infinite Substance of which Soul, Spirit, or Atman is of interest for it brings Unity between the Infinite and Finite Man’s Physical Reality.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE KNOWER - THE KNOWING-SELF : TO KNOW MAN, THE SELF, SOUL, SPIRIT, OR ATMAN AS THE KNOWER OF BODY IS THE FIRST STEP IN MAN'S INQUIRY ABOUT SELF. THE KNOWLEDGE WILL HELP AND GUIDE MAN TO REACH HIS DESTINATION USING HIS BODY LIKE A CHARIOT.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE KNOWER – THE KNOWING-SELF : TO KNOW MAN, THE SELF, SOUL, SPIRIT, OR ATMAN AS THE KNOWER OF BODY IS THE FIRST STEP IN MAN’S INQUIRY ABOUT SELF. THE KNOWLEDGE WILL HELP AND GUIDE MAN TO REACH HIS DESTINATION USING HIS BODY LIKE A CHARIOT.

Using the analogy of a ‘CHARIOT’, Man can reach the Final Destination or ‘The Goal’ using the Knowledge(JNANA) about Self, Soul, Spirit, or Atman.

Related Articles:

ADHYATMA VIDYA – THE KNOWLEDGE OF SPIRITUAL SELF

SPIRITUALISM – SELF AND THE KNOWING-SELF

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF KNOWING

 

WHOLE SPIRITUALITY – THE ART OF KNOWING

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF KNOWING :

When I write about Man as a Spiritual Being, the concern is not about glorifying people as saints. The issue is about man’s true or real nature. My theory of Spirituality is about “The Art of Knowing” that can provide tools to all people to know themselves in an objective manner. This is a simple challenge that can be accomplished without forcing people to attend Church or any other place of worship. The Art of Knowing does not involve what most people tend to recognize as spiritual practices such as Prayer, Meditation, Yoga, or Mysticism. The Art of Knowing simply involves training people to know what they know about others or about themselves. It must be noted that Life is essentially a state, a condition, or an act of knowing.

WHOLE INTUITION  VS  WHOLE MYSTICISM :

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE ART OF KNOWING : HENRI BERGSON(1859 - 1941), FRENCH PHILOSOPHER, WAS AWARDED THE 1927 NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE. HE DESCRIBED INTUITION AS THE HIGHEST FORM OF KNOWING.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF KNOWING : HENRI BERGSON(1859 – 1941), FRENCH PHILOSOPHER, WAS AWARDED THE 1927 NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE .  HE DESCRIBED INTUITION AS THE HIGHEST FORM OF KNOWING.

Henri Bergson, French philosopher, Professor at the College de France, was awarded the 1927 Nobel Prize in Literature. His famous works include Time and Free Will(1889) and The Creative Mind(1934). Bergson’s dualistic philosophy holds that the world contains two opposing tendencies, the life force and the resistance of matter against that life force. The individual knows matter through intellect but through intuition perceives the life force and the reality of time, which is not a unit of measurement but duration in terms of life experience. Bergson considered intuition to be the highest state of human knowing and  held that mysticism is the perfection of intuition. Bergson emphasized the value of intuition in scientific thinking and argued that reality is beyond rational understanding. He formulated a Theory of Knowledge in which intuition plays a central role. He contended that the expansive and creative thrust of Life explained by Darwinian mechanism. Bergson claimed that ‘Evolution’ is creative and is not based upon mechanistic principles. For similar reasons, I shared my arguments to oppose Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. I formulated my theory of ‘The Law of Creation and Individuality’ for all known living things primarily exist as Individuals with Individuality and they have no choice other than that of existing as Individuals. In this article, I would like to recognize knowing as a basic cognitive function and this biological characteristic can be attributed to a popular term called ‘Spirit’ or ‘Soul’. In this context, I would like to interpret Bergson’s views about Knowing, Intuition, Mysticism, and the Reality of Time.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE ART OF KNOWING : HOW DO PLANTS KNOW WHAT THEY KNOW ??? PLANTS KNOW ABOUT LIGHT, THE LENGTH OF DAY, AND THE DURATION OF DARKNESS CALLED NIGHT. THERE IS NO "INTELLECT" INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS OF KNOWING. THE ABILITY OF KNOWING LIGHT OR PHOTORECEPTION IS EXPLAINED BY PHOTOCHEMISTRY.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF KNOWING : HOW DO PLANTS KNOW WHAT THEY KNOW ??? PLANTS KNOW ABOUT LIGHT, THE LENGTH OF DAY, AND THE DURATION OF DARKNESS CALLED NIGHT. THERE IS NO “INTELLECT” INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS OF KNOWING. THE ABILITY OF KNOWING LIGHT OR PHOTORECEPTION IS EXPLAINED BY PHOTOCHEMISTRY.

Intuition provides immediate understanding and it describes the ability to perceive or know things without conscious reasoning. Intuition is about direct knowing or learning of something without using the faculties of mind such as Intellect. The doctrine of Intuitionism claims that things and principles are truly apprehended by Intuition. The doctrine called Ethics describes that fundamental moral principles or the rightness of acts is apprehended by Intuition. In Biology, I would like to use the term Intuition to things apprehended by ‘Innate Knowledge’, the Knowledge that is inherent and not acquired, the Knowledge that is implanted in the Substance or Material called Living Matter. Plants know Light not because of intellectual ability but on account of an innate ability or intuitive power.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE ART OF KNOWING : AT A FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL, LIFE AND LIVING IS ABOUT KNOWING MATTER AS SELF OR NON-SELF. THIS IDENTIFICATION OF MATTER INVOLVES THE ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE MOLECULES OF MATTER . TO LEARN THE ART OF KNOWING, MAN HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THE MOLECULAR BASIS FOR EXISTENCE.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF KNOWING : AT A FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL, LIFE AND LIVING IS ABOUT KNOWING MATTER AS SELF OR NON-SELF. THIS IDENTIFICATION OF MATTER INVOLVES THE ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE MOLECULES OF MATTER . TO LEARN THE ART OF KNOWING, MAN HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THE MOLECULAR BASIS FOR EXISTENCE .

To learn the Art of Knowing, man has to know that the physiological basis for existence is dependent upon Innate Knowledge with which the human organism recognizes matter( such as molecules of Oxygen, or energy-yielding molecules of food substances) and further exploits matter and energy to support and maintain its living functions. To the same extent, the human organism defends its own existence by recognizing the molecules as Self or Non-Self. The immune defense mechanisms that the human body uses to recognize viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and other foreign antigens involve the recognition of molecules.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE ART OF KNOWING : WHAT IS THE MYSTERY OF LIFE ??? CAN MYSTICISM HELP TO KNOW THE HIDDEN TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE ??? WHAT IS THE MYSTICAL INFLUENCE OF TIME THAT DRIVES THE AGING PHENOMENON ???
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF KNOWING : WHAT IS THE MYSTERY OF LIFE ??? CAN MYSTICISM HELP TO KNOW THE HIDDEN TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE ??? WHAT IS THE MYSTICAL INFLUENCE OF TIME THAT DRIVES THE AGING PHENOMENON ???

What is the Mystery of Life ??? Can Mysticism help to know the hidden truths about Life ???  Mysticism is the doctrine about knowing reality through intense contemplation and other secret practices that involve mental concentration. Mysticism is found in several religions of the world. The criteria and conditions for mystical experience vary depending on the cultural traditions, but there are three common attributes of Mysticism : 1. The experience is immediate and overwhelming, divorced from the common experience of reality, 2. The experience or the knowledge imparted by it is self-authenticating, without need of further evidence or justification, and 3. The experience is ineffable, its essence incapable of being expressed or understood outside the experience itself. The focus of Mysticism is not about the physical reality called existence but it is about a direct and immediate experience of the sacred, or the knowledge derived from such an experience. Mysticism is about the practices of those who are initiated into the mysteries, the practice of putting oneself into direct relation with God, the Absolute or any Unifying Principle of Life.  Mystics believe that it is possible to achieve communion with God through their mystic practices. There are two general tendencies in the practice of Mysticism; 1. To regard God as outside the ‘Soul’ which rises to God by successive stages, and 2. To regard God as dwelling within the ‘Soul’ to be found by delving deeper into one’s own reality. Mysticism is extended to Magic, Occultism, and the Esoteric. Magic may involve the use of charms, spells, and rituals in seeking or pretending to cause or control events or govern certain natural and supernatural forces. Occultism is about hidden, concealed, and secret information that could be beyond human understanding. The Esoteric is about confidential, private, or withheld information that is intended for or understood by only a chosen few and as such the knowledge or information is beyond the understanding of most people. The rituals of Mysticism include meditation, prayer, and a variety of ascetic disciplines. If Mysticism is about Knowing the Secrets of Life, it does not demand the learning of Human Anatomy or Human Physiology, or any of the principles of Biology.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE ART OF KNOWING : HOW DOES THE HUMAN ORGANISM KNOWS ABOUT ITS OWN LIFETIME ??? THE AGING PHENOMENON IS RELATED TO MAN'S PERCEPTION OF TIME. HOW IS TIME CONTROLLING OR OPERATING LIFE EXPERIENCE ???
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF KNOWING : HOW DOES THE HUMAN ORGANISM KNOWS ABOUT ITS OWN LIFETIME ??? THE AGING PHENOMENON IS RELATED TO MAN’S PERCEPTION OF TIME. HOW IS TIME CONTROLLING OR OPERATING LIFE EXPERIENCE ???

 Bergson claimed that the Reality of Time is not a Unit of Measurement but duration in terms of life experience. How does the human organism knows about its own lifetime??? The human organism experiences the Aging Phenomenon which is related to man’s perception of Time. How is Time controlling or operating life experience ???  The physical reality called existence is controlled, is operated, or is directly influenced by events in man’s external environment, and the most important change in the environment is the alternating periods of light and darkness called Day and Night.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE ART OF KNOWING : THE HUMAN ORGANISM RUNS ITS LIVING FUNCTIONS AS IF OPERATED BY A PRECISE TIMEKEEPING DEVICE OR BIOLOGICAL CLOCK. MAN'S EXPERIENCE OF TIME IS RELATED TO SUN'S APPARENT MOTIONS IN THE SKY. MAN KNOWS THE REALITY OF TIME BECAUSE OF AN ILLUSION THAT CAUSES DAY AND NIGHT GIVING MAN THE PERCEPTION OF SUN'S APPARENT MOTION WHILE CONCEALING THE REALITY OF SUN'S MOTION IN THE MILKY WAY GALAXY.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF KNOWING : THE HUMAN ORGANISM RUNS ITS LIVING FUNCTIONS AS IF OPERATED BY A PRECISE TIMEKEEPING DEVICE OR BIOLOGICAL CLOCK. MAN’S EXPERIENCE OF TIME IS RELATED TO SUN’S APPARENT MOTIONS IN THE SKY. MAN KNOWS THE REALITY OF TIME BECAUSE OF AN ILLUSION THAT CAUSES DAY AND NIGHT GIVING MAN THE PERCEPTION OF SUN’S APPARENT MOTION WHILE CONCEALING THE REALITY OF SUN’S MOTION IN THE MILKY WAY GALAXY.

Bergson may have used the term life force to describe the vital, animating Principle called Spirit or Soul. In my view, Soul is an animating Principle for it is fundamentally related to the functional ability called Knowing. Soul is a vital Principle for it is fundamentally related to the functional ability called Nutrition, the power of a living organism to exploit matter found in its external environment. The functional attributes of Soul are related to Knowledge that is inherent or Innate and not acquired as learned experience. Soul describes man’s intuitive ability to know the fact of his own existence in a given environment and to maintain that existence while experiencing the aging process under the external influence called Time.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE ART OF KNOWING : BLAISE PASCAL(1623 - 1662), FRENCH SCIENTIST AND RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHER CLAIMED THAT MAN IS INFINITELY REMOVED FROM COMPREHENDING THE EXTREMES ; THE END OF THINGS AND THEIR BEGINNINGS ARE HIDDEN.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF KNOWING : BLAISE PASCAL(1623 – 1662), FRENCH SCIENTIST AND RELIGIOUS PHILOSOPHER CLAIMED THAT MAN IS INFINITELY REMOVED FROM COMPREHENDING THE EXTREMES ; THE END OF THINGS AND THEIR BEGINNINGS ARE HIDDEN .

While writing about The Art of Knowing, I would like to remind my readers that certain things could be hidden from the human perception and man has no ability to know things even if he knows the reality of those things. Blaise Pascal, the French scientist who founded the modern Theory of Probability had claimed : “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 beginnings are hopelessly 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.”

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - THE ART OF KNOWING : WHICH HAS COME FIRST ??? THE CHICK OR THE EGG ??? SPIRITUALITY IS NOT ABOUT KNOWING THE BEGINNING OR THE ENDING OF THINGS. IT IS ABOUT THINGS THAT EXIST IN THE PRESENT.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – THE ART OF KNOWING : WHICH HAS COME FIRST ??? THE CHICK OR THE EGG ??? SPIRITUALITY IS NOT ABOUT KNOWING THE BEGINNING OR THE ENDING OF THINGS. IT IS ABOUT THINGS THAT EXIST IN THE PRESENT.

Which came first, the Chick or the Egg ??? Spirituality Science is not about knowing the Beginning or the Ending of things. Spirituality is about things that exist in the ‘Present’. The Physical Reality of Man’s Subjective and Objective experience of his lifetime is a functional attribute of Soul or Spirit which gives Man the cognitive ability called Knowing . If Devotion is used as a scientific method of Inquiry, ‘The Art of Knowing’ is about Knowing Man as a Spiritual Being.

Related Articles:

SPIRITUALISM – SELF AND THE KNOWING-SELF

WHAT IS LIFE ? LIFE IS KNOWLEDGE IN ACTION

WHOLE SPIRITUALITY – WHOLE ILLUMINATION

 

 

WHOLE SPIRITUALITY- AHAM BRAHMASMI

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY:

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY : THIS ARTICLE IS DEDICATED TO THIS INDIAN LADY WHO SYMBOLIZES THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY THAT APPEARS AS THE VERBAL SOUND OR SHABDA CALLED "ASMI" WHICH MEANS ALWAYS PRESENT, OR EVER-EXISTING.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : THIS ARTICLE IS DEDICATED TO THIS INDIAN LADY WHO SYMBOLIZES THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY THAT APPEARS AS THE VERBAL SOUND OR “SHABDA”CALLED “ASMI” WHICH MEANS ALWAYS PRESENT, OR EVER-EXISTING.

This article is dedicated to this Indian Lady who symbolizes the Principle of Unity that appears as the verbal Sound or “SHABDA” called “ASMI” which means always present or ever-existing.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY : ON THIS MOST AUSPICIOUS DAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014, INDIANS ARE CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL OF "KARTHIGAI DEEPAM" . "KARTHIKAI DEEPAM" OR 'KARTIKA DEEPAM'. SHOULD MAN SEARCH INWARDS OR SEARCH OUTWARDS TO FIND GOD??? I CAN SEARCH IF MY EXISTENCE IS SUPPORTED. FOR MY EXISTENCE, I DEPEND UPON THE ABILITY OF PLANTS CALLED PHOTORECEPTION.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : ON THIS MOST AUSPICIOUS DAY, DECEMBER 05, 2014, INDIANS ARE CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL OF “KARTHIGAI DEEPAM” . “KARTHIKAI DEEPAM” OR ‘KARTIKA DEEPAM’. SHOULD MAN SEARCH INWARDS OR SEARCH OUTWARDS TO FIND GOD??? I CAN SEARCH IF MY EXISTENCE IS SUPPORTED. FOR MY EXISTENCE, I DEPEND UPON THE ABILITY OF PLANTS CALLED PHOTORECEPTION.

Should man search inwards or search outwards to find God??? I can search, if and only if my existence is supported. For my existence, I depend upon the ability of plants called Photoreception. If God is Light, the Light that sustains Life is not about the human ability of sensory perception called Vision.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY : THE THOUGHTS OF VARIOUS INDIAN THINKERS HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY INTERPRETED. EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS IS NOT EXACTLY THE SAME OR IDENTICAL TO BRAHMAN. IT WILL BE CORRECT TO INTERPRET THE ABOVE STATEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF UNITY BETWEEN ORDERS LIKE GOD, ENERGY, MATTER, AND LIVING THINGS. THIS UNITY OR EIKYATA IS THE FUNDAMENTAL BASIS FOR EXISTENCE AND IS CALLED "ASMI" TO DESCRIBE BRAHMAN AS THE 'CAUSE' OF EXISTENCE.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : THE THOUGHTS OF VARIOUS INDIAN THINKERS HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY INTERPRETED. EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS IS NOT EXACTLY THE SAME OR IDENTICAL TO BRAHMAN. IT WILL BE CORRECT TO INTERPRET THE ABOVE STATEMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF UNITY BETWEEN ORDERS LIKE GOD, ENERGY, MATTER, AND LIVING THINGS. THIS UNITY OR EIKYATA IS THE FUNDAMENTAL BASIS FOR EXISTENCE AND IS CALLED “ASMI” TO DESCRIBE BRAHMAN AS THE ‘CAUSE’ OF EXISTENCE.

I am asking my readers, specially those who study Indian Schools of Thought, to recognize the need for careful interpretation of the insights provided by Indian thinkers. The concern is not about duality and differentiation. The problem is not that of establishing the exact  Identity between God and orders like Matter, Energy, Time, Space, Man, and Living Entities. The concern is about the fact of existence. Everything that exists is not exactly the same or identical to Brahman. It may be correct to state that everything finds its existence because of Unity or “EIKYATA”, the fundamental basis for existence and this Unity becomes the verbal Sound known as “ASMI” which describes BRAHMAN as the Cause of all that exists.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY : IN THIS PRESENTATION I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE VERBAL SOUND CALLED "ASMI" THAT DESCRIBES THE UNITY BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. HENCE THE ISSUE IS NOT THAT OF IDENTITY OR DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN MAN AND GOD.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : IN THIS PRESENTATION I WOULD LIKE TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE VERBAL SOUND CALLED “ASMI” THAT DESCRIBES THE UNITY BETWEEN GOD AND MAN. HENCE THE ISSUE IS NOT THAT OF IDENTITY OR DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN MAN AND GOD.

It is indeed true that man’s existence on planet Earth could be short-lived, ephemeral, transitory, and may even last only one day. Man is an organism with a brief life cycle. But, the Physical Reality of this existence demands the Unity described by the verbal Sound called “ASMI” which means ‘always present’, or ‘ever-existing’. The Physical Dimension of human life and human existence cannot be rejected as unreal and it is not an illusion for there are always both Subjective and Objective criteria to verify and to validate the physical form and physical appearance that is associated with existence. Man’s true or real Essence called Self or ATMAN cannot manifest itself in the physical world without Unity between the mortal nature of man’s conditioned  existence and the eternal nature of Brahman which is always present, or ever-existing.

SPIRITUALITY SELF - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY : THE SPIRIT, SOUL, OR ATMAN HAS TO BE INTERPRETED AS THE VITAL, ANIMATING PRINCIPLE THAT IS PRIMARILY INVOLVED IN ESTABLISHING MAN'S PHYSICAL EXISTENCE IN THE WORLD AND THE ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT ITS EXISTENCE WHEN SEPARATED FROM HUMAN BODY.
SPIRITUALITY SELF – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : THE SPIRIT, SOUL, OR ATMAN HAS TO BE INTERPRETED AS THE VITAL, ANIMATING PRINCIPLE THAT IS PRIMARILY INVOLVED IN ESTABLISHING MAN’S PHYSICAL EXISTENCE IN THE WORLD AND THE ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT ITS EXISTENCE WHEN SEPARATED FROM HUMAN BODY.

I use the word Spirit, Soul, or ATMAN to describe the Vital, Animating Principle that is involved in establishing man’s physical existence in the world. The issue is not about Soul or ATMAN’s existence when separated from its human body. The human form, the human appearance, and the human existence at any given age or condition is always dependent upon the Unity between Body and Soul.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY : THE EXISTENCE OF SELF OR ATMAN REPRESENTS THE CONDITION CALLED "ASMI" THE VERBAL SOUND FOR UNITY BETWEEN BRAHMAN, ATMAN, AND MAN.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : THE EXISTENCE OF SELF OR ATMAN REPRESENTS THE CONDITION CALLED “ASMI” THE VERBAL SOUND FOR UNITY BETWEEN BRAHMAN, ATMAN, AND MAN.

It should not be of any surprise to note that ATMAN could be Unborn, Eternal, Everlasting, Immortal, and Imperishable. Those are the fundamental attributes of all Physical Matter that exists in this Universe. Matter is made up of Chemical Elements and the Fundamental Laws of Conservation state that Matter is neither created, nor destroyed.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY : TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF UNITY AND UNIFYING PRINCIPLE, WE NEED NOT IGNORE THE BEAUTIFUL REALITY THAT MANIFESTS ITSELF IN NUMEROUS, COUNTLESS FORMS AND SHAPES.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF UNITY AND UNIFYING PRINCIPLE, WE NEED NOT IGNORE THE BEAUTIFUL REALITY THAT MANIFESTS ITSELF IN NUMEROUS, COUNTLESS FORMS AND SHAPES. THERE ARE NO IDENTICAL LIVING THINGS. EVERY LIVING THING, EVERY MEMBER OF ALL KNOWN LIVING SPECIES SIMPLY EXIST AS INDIVIDUALS WITH INDIVIDUALITY AND THERE IS NO SECOND ONE OR A COPY, A TRUE REPLICA  OF THE ORIGINAL FORM.

To understand the concept of Unity and the Unifying Principle, we need not ignore the beautiful Reality that manifests itself in numerous, countless forms and shapes. There are no identical living things. Every living thing, every member of all known living species simply exist as Individuals with Individuality. The Statement about The Atman, “The One Without Second” is a mere reflection of the Reality that Science can experimentally verify. To know about Life, we have to know about each individual, living thing.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY : GOD IS DESCRIBED AS THE CREATOR, THE ARTIST, THE DESIGNER, AND THE ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE. EVERY CREATED OBJECT EXISTS AS AN ORIGINAL, UNIQUE, DISTINCT, AND ONE OF ITS OWN KIND OF OBJECT. AND YET THIS DIFFERENTIATION IS DEPENDENT UPON A MATERIAL SUBSTANCE AND NATURE THAT IS SHARED BY ALL CREATED OBJECTS.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : GOD IS DESCRIBED AS THE CREATOR, THE ARTIST, THE DESIGNER, AND THE ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE. EVERY CREATED OBJECT EXISTS AS AN ORIGINAL, UNIQUE, DISTINCT, AND ONE OF ITS OWN KIND OF OBJECT. AND YET THIS DIFFERENTIATION IS DEPENDENT UPON A MATERIAL SUBSTANCE AND NATURE THAT IS SHARED BY ALL CREATED OBJECTS.

Brahman or God is variously described as the Creator, the Artist, the Designer, and the Architect of the Universe. Every created object exists as an original, unique, distinct, and one of its own kind of object. For the Architect uses Imagination to draw a Plan or Design, there is Unity while there is Diversity, Variation, and Differentiation of various parts that come together in Harmony to give the Whole Experience.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY : THE MORTALITY OF ALL LIVING THINGS RELATES TO THEIR INDIVIDUALISTIC IDENTITIES. DEATH INVOLVES THE SPECIFIC FORM AND ITS APPEARANCE AND NOT THE SUBSTANCE AND THE CHEMICAL ELEMENTS THAT CONSTITUTE PHYSICAL MATTER.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : THE MORTALITY OF ALL LIVING THINGS RELATES TO THEIR INDIVIDUALISTIC IDENTITIES. DEATH INVOLVES THE SPECIFIC FORM AND ITS APPEARANCE AND NOT THE SUBSTANCE AND THE CHEMICAL ELEMENTS THAT CONSTITUTE PHYSICAL MATTER.

The discussion about Life and Death need not involve the separation of human body into separate or distinct parts like the Body, and Soul. At no time, the Body exists without its operating Principle called Soul, or ATMAN. The phenomenon of Death involves the physical form and appearance and not that of the Substance and the Chemical Elements that constitute the Living Things.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY : IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO SPEAK OF ABSOLUTE, TOTAL IDENTITY BETWEEN GOD AND MAN FOR LORD KRISHNA IN THIS STATEMENT CLAIMS THAT HE IS THE CAUSE OF ALL THINGS, AND ALL THINGS EXIST IN HIM, WHILE HE NEED NOT DWELL IN THEM, OR CAN BE DETACHED FROM THEM.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO SPEAK OF ABSOLUTE, TOTAL IDENTITY BETWEEN GOD AND MAN FOR LORD KRISHNA IN THIS STATEMENT CLAIMS THAT HE IS THE CAUSE OF ALL THINGS, AND ALL THINGS EXIST IN HIM, WHILE HE NEED NOT DWELL IN THEM, OR CAN BE DETACHED FROM THEM.

Man’s mortal or conditioned existence demands the operation of Unity or Unifying Principle that allows man and other living entities to exist in relationship with God. At the same time, Lord Krishna in the above image(The Bhagavad Gita, Chapter IX, Verse #4) clarifies that God’s Existence is Unconditioned and God does not depend upon man and other living entities to maintain or sustain His own eternal, everlasting Existence.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY :
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : I WOULD BE VERY CAREFUL TO INTERPRET THE ABOVE STATEMENT AS MAN HAS NO ABILITY TO SEPARATE THE LIVING ENTITY FROM ITS LIVING PRINCIPLE.. THE UNION OF BODY AND SOUL IS NOT ACCOMPLISHED BY MAN’S MENTAL OR PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND MAN EXISTS WITH NO CONTROL OR ABILITY TO RULE OR GOVERN HIS OWN EXISTENCE AT ANY GIVEN INSTANT.

Indian tradition such as the above image of a statement from Kathoponishad(KATHA+UPANISHAD) may suggest the separation of human body from its indwelling Soul, Atman, or PURUSHA, I would ask my readers to be very careful to make an interpretation after recognizing the simple fact that man has no ability to separate the living entity from its Living Principle. Man may kill himself, man can kill other men and other forms of Life. But, the Union of Body and its Soul or ATMAN, or PURUSHA is not accomplished by man’s mental, or physical actions. Man exists with no Control, or ability to Rule or Govern his own existence at any given instant.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY :
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : MAN IS NOT THE CAUSE OF HIS OWN EXISTENCE. MAN MAY DESCRIBE HIS EXISTENCE AS THAT OF UNITY BETWEEN MAN AND PURUSHA, THE ETERNAL, COSMIC PERSON. MAN’S LIFE AND EXISTENCE HAS SEVERAL DIMENSIONS AND THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY OR UNIFYING PRINCIPLE REPRESENTS THAT SINGLE, HARMONIOUS EFFECT THAT BRINGS STRUCTURAL, AND FUNCTIONAL UNITY BETWEEN VARIOUS INTERACTING PARTS.

Indian Tradition often describes the Identity between the Self, ATMAN, and PURUSHA, the Eternal Cosmic Person. For I recognize that man is not the Cause or Originating Seed of his own existence, man must carefully describe his existence as that of Unity between man, and PURUSHA, the eternal Cosmic Person. Man is the result of the harmonious effect that brings Structural, and Functional Unity between various interacting parts such as the trillions of individual, independent, living cells that constitute the human organism.

SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE - AHAM BRAHMASMI - UNITY VS IDENTITY : THE COMPLEXITY OF BRAHMAN, THE PURUSHA, OR THE COSMIC PERSON CAN BE UNDERSTOOD BY VIEWING THIS IMAGE OF "VIRAT PURUSHA" IN WHICH EVERY ENERGY, FORCE, OR POWER IS DEPICTED WITH A DISTINCT PHYSICAL APPEARANCE AND FORM. MAN'S OWN PHYSICAL FORM AND APPEARANCE IS SIMPLY ONE AMONG THE NUMEROUS MANIFESTATIONS.
SPIRITUALITY SCIENCE – AHAM BRAHMASMI – UNITY VS IDENTITY : THE COMPLEXITY OF BRAHMAN, THE PURUSHA, OR THE COSMIC PERSON CAN BE UNDERSTOOD BY VIEWING THIS IMAGE OF “VIRAT PURUSHA” IN WHICH EVERY ENERGY, FORCE, OR POWER IS DEPICTED WITH A DISTINCT PHYSICAL APPEARANCE AND FORM. MAN’S OWN PHYSICAL FORM AND APPEARANCE IS SIMPLY ONE AMONG THE NUMEROUS MANIFESTATIONS.

The Complexity of BRAHMAN, THE PURUSHA, OR THE COSMIC PERSON can be understood by viewing the above image of “VIRAT PURUSHA” in which every Energy, Force, or Power is depicted with a distinct physical appearance and form. Man’s own physical form and appearance is derived from this Universal Form and it simply represents one aspect among the numerous manifestations. Hence I submit that the “MAHAVAKYA” or the Great Statement that appears in the Brihadarnyaka Upanishad, “AHAM BRAHMASMI” should be interpreted with a pinch of Salt and in Reality, man may speak of his Unity and not of Identity with “VIRAT PURUSHA.”

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