Religion not opposed to Science

 Religion not opposed to Science

"In the opinion of the house, Religion is not opposed to Science." I participated in the debate competition organized by Vivekananda Seva Samiti on the above topic, on the dias of Sri Rama Krishna Math, Hyderabad in Feb 1984 for college sudents. I spoke for the topic. The following is the gist of what I spoke. I was presented with a book bt Swami Ranganathananda at the end of the program.

Respected elders and my dear friends, 

Before proceeding with the argument that "Religion is not opposed to Science" I would like to place before you my ideas about Religion and Science.

We cannot deny that there is "something" within every being apart from the material composition of the body which is not the body; that which is the source of thoughts and ideas and that which suffers both pains and pleasures. This "something" is what we call the "soul".

Religion says that this soul is divine, infinite truth and immortal. And this soul is clouded by the physical body with worldly passions and ignorance. And true religion is the realization of this divine nature existing in every individual by shattering ignorance and renunciating the worldly comforts. What do we get realizing God? We live in eternal bliss. It would be appropriate to quote Swami Vivekananda who defines religion as, "Religion is realization, not talk nor doctorine, however beautiful they may be; it is being and becoming; it is the whole soul changed into what it believes. That is religion." This realization is based on a set of spiritual laws concerning the cause, nature and purpose of the universe.

And what is science? Science is the systemaitised study of facts about man and his environment. And the existence of the universe is a fact. Every fact has a cause behind it and some laws governing it. Therefore there must be some cause behind this universe. So Science as many scientists define is a sincere pursuit of this truth. The objectives of Religion and Science being the same, we cannot say that religion is opposed to science.

Even though the objectives are same, their ways of approaching the truth are different. The way of approach of Science is that, it proceeds from known facts to the unknown ones. It is basically concerned with the physical and material world. It rests on theories and experiments. When experiments coincide with theories, they are transformed into laws or principles. These laws aor principles are in turn applied in everyday life which have led to so many discoveries and inventions which are responsible for easy and comfortable life, that a present man is leading now. Religion is directly concerned with cause which it believes it to be the inner world. It is also based on theories and experiments. Having been successful with the experiments, the theories were developed into laws known as spiritual laws. These can be verified only through experience. These spiritual laws inculcate in man the basic qualities of man such as discipline, concentration, control of senses, moral and ethical values. These qualities make a man think systematically and create in man the devotion for cause which gives a fragile man significance and value. And systematic thinking helps man to penetrate into the very depths of the facts around him and to extract maximum information about them. These are pre-requisites for any man to strive in any discipline. Thus we can say that religion accelerates the pace of science. 

Religion has been describing God with different kind of phrases such as God is beginningless and endless, He is infinite, immortal etc. These things make a man hard to imagine the nature of God and thus becomes averse to religion and orients towards science. Since analogies reduce confusion and make understanding easy, we can observe some. Some scientist rightly points out that, "anything that science discovers is beyond the reach of direct observation; we cannot see energy; nor the gravitational force nor the molecules of gases nor the explosions in the nerve cells. It is only the premises of science and not conclusions which are not directly observed. In mathematics, we find that a number line extends from - infinity to + infinity, which means that the line is beginningless and endless. In physics, it has been proved that the sum total of cosmic energy is constant. That is it cannot be changed. It is neither created nor destroyed. Thus energy is immortal. And anything immortal is divine. Now, we can understand the nature of the soul. 

Hence I conclude that the truths which were being cherished in the bosom of religion for ages are now being explained in a more authoritative language and Religion is only glad about it.  Therefore Religion is not opposed to Science in any way as long as it is the sincere pursuit of the truth.

Three Qualifications of a Student to succeed in God-Realization

Three Qualifications of a Student to succeed in God-Realization

(My notes when I was 21 years old)

Reference do not remember, perhaps Swami Vivekannada)

Three things are necessary for the student who wishes to succeed to realize God.

First: Give up all ideas of enjoyment in this world and the next. Care only for God and Truth. We are here to know Truth, not for any enjoyment. Leave that to brutes who enjoy as we never care. Man is a thinking being and must struggle on until he conquers death, until he sees the light. He must not spend himself in vain talking that bears no fruit. Worship of society and popular opinion is idolatory. The soul has no sex, no country, no place, no time.

Second: Intense desire to know Truth and God. Be eager for them, long for them as a drowning man longs for breath. Want only God, take nothing else, let not "seeming" cheat you any longer. Turn from all and seek only God.

Third: The six trainings: 

First: Restraining the mind going outwards.

Second: Restraining the senses

Third: Turning the mind inward.

Fourth: Suffering everything without murmuring.

Fifth: Fastening the mind to one idea.

Sixth: Think constantly of your real nature.

Get rid of superstition. Do not hypnotise yourself into a belief in your own inferiority. Day and night, tell yourself what you really are, until you realise, actually realise, your oneness with God.

A New Humanity - Daaji

 

A New Humanity - Daaji
Sunday, January 28, 2024, Kanha Shanti Vanam

Namaste everyone.

We are to embark on a new, a great celebration that will trigger a reinforcement of what our Hierarchies have been dreaming of—a new humanity. One cannot remain jailed in this human form. Transcend, become humane; then you already know the next step, which is Their responsibility, to become divine. Further, they promise from Divinity to Absolute. This is the journey of Sahaj Marg, our Heartfulness Way.

Babuji says: in order to prepare ourselves for that, all sincere seekers of Divinity, those who are really keen on transforming themselves, may become joyful, blissful carriers of spirituality and participate more intensely. We begin with this: he says, insist with those abhyasis who are sincere and seeking to transform themselves as best as possible, without exerting too much, take a few individual face-to-face sittings with preceptors before the bhandara, starting today. One sitting today, two sittings tomorrow, and it goes on, even if you take sittings during the bhandara. Meditate, take more sittings, but don’t exert yourself to the point of exhaustion. One or two sittings a day is enough, half an hour only.   Before you do this exercise, try to study your inner spiritual state and your emotional state. Babuji also conveys: hang your miseries, your pain, on his shoulders. He says, I’m willing to take all your pains and miseries. Give them to me. Free yourself from all that. How will you do that? Is it as easy as saying, “Babuji, have these problems of mine?” Yes it is. Try it and see what happens.   I’m mesmerized by this message. That is Their generosity and that is Their promise, also. Thank you.

Inventure and Imperience

 

Inventure and Imperience

There are now two new beautiful additions to the Spiritual literature of the world and vocabulary, that more pointedly indicate all about spirituality - Inventure and Imperience. 

Spirituality is all about inner adventure which is now called Inventure, the word coined by Revered Master Kamlesh D Patel (known affectionately as Daaji), the Global Guide of Heartfulness Meditation. 

Spirituality is also all about the inner experience, that is now termed as Imperience again coined by a great philosopher and advanced Preceptor of Heartfulness Meditation. 

Adventure is so called, (generally means the external journey), because it is a journey taken up boldly to discover something we know not what; prepared or geared up to face any challenge that can happen on the way; the results can be thrilling and revealing; even the right goal is discovered as one moves on. Inventure is also exactly like that except that the journey is within the inner recesses of our mind and heart. There is a bottomless-pit within each one of us, full of challenges. The ONLY difference if at all is there is that there can be someone who invisibly facilitates this journey called Yatra; and this invisible help is called Guru. 

Spiritual imperiences are infinite and indicators of our movement, revelations and expansion of consciousness and thus result in the real spiritual evolution of the individual. 

Some important Milestones and Revelations - Daaji

 

Pujya Daaji (Kamlesh D Patel)

Global Guide, Heartfulness

 

After Pujyashri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachariji, (the then President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission),  attained Mahasamadhi on December 20, 2014 Pujya Daaji took over the reins of Shri Ram Chandra Mission as the Fourth Master in the lineage. Immediately he took over the responsibilities of his role of Dissemination and Expansion of the Mission.  Here are few of the milestones of his work so far and some of the important Revelations in brief. We shall deal with each of them in more detail in subsequent blogs. All the readers are requested to spend quality time meditating on each his works in their own way and try to appreciate the Vision and contribution of this great Master in such a short time.

2015 Jan

Christened The Sahaj Marg Spiritual Movement that started in 1945 as Heartfulness Movement  to make it  Global.

Feb 22, 2015 (Empowering Prefects, India with New permissions from Hierarchy of Masters)

New Permissions for Preceptors World across empowerment by the great Hierarchy of Masters; Sittings can be given to multiple people vis-à-vis one-on-one sittings earlier. Absentia Sittings, Remote Sittings, Group introductions etc were introduced. This was announced first to Preceptors of US in Jan 2015.

2017 – installed the Statue of Babuji Maharaj in Kanha Shanti Vanam on the Star building

2019 – Introduced Dhyanotsavs

Introduced Dhyanotsavs starting with Karimnagar, Telangana, India in Feb 2019, a public event offering the simple Heartfulness practices to the general public.

October 19, 2019 (Mergence of Tukdoji Mahraj into our hierarchy of Masters)

“… I am more than delighted to see Revered Tukdoji becoming part of Hierarchy of Masters starting with Lord Krishna, Lalaji, Babuji, Swami Vivekananda, Paramahansa Shri Rama Krishna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Kabir Sahab, Buddhaji, Nanak Saab & now …” – Daaji Tukdoji Maharaj is called Rashtra Sant of Maharashtra with a huge following near Nagpur. He happens to have boen also on April 30^th.

2020 – Kanha Shanti Vanam inauguration

Kanha Shanti Vanam, the World’s Largest Meditation Hall, was  inaugurated  by the then President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovind ji on Basant, Feb 2, 2020.

2020 Covid Time, introduced Dil Se programs

Pujya Daaji started interacting with abhyasis of various states and countries through Zoom Network under the Dil Se series.

Awarded Honorary Doctorate

Pujya Daaji was conferred with Honorary Doctorate by the Venkateswara University, Tirupati and is now Dr. Kamlesh D Patel.

August 29, 2021 (Janmashtami)

Pujya Daaji revealed the Seven Shlokas that were uttered by Lord Krishna in the battle field of Mahabharata as revealed by Babuji Maharaj. Also 3 Shlokas in addition after the war to Arjuna, on the first day; (Daaji calls them 7 Gems titles as Gitopadesh)

Oct 31, 2021 (Golden Liquid Cleaning Technique Revelation)

Pujya Daaji revealed new Golden Liquid Claeaning technique after Satsangh.

Jan 26, 2023 – Padma Bhushan Awarded

Pujya Daaji was awarded with Third highest Civilian Award Padma Bhushan on Jan 26, 2023 in the field of Spirituality by the Government of India.

June 21, 2023 – Introduced YogaMahotsavs

The Mission has organized YogMahotsavs all across the country and a few countries abroad teaching Yoga, Pranayama, Mudras and simple Heartfulness Meditation practices.

July-Aug 2023 Ekatma Abhiyaan in MP

With the support of the Govt of Madhya Pradesh, India, the Volunteers of Heartfulness attempted to teach meditation to 1.2 crore people of this state over a period of one month. 

August 13^th, 2023

… All the new understandings, newer revelations are shared in writings, in talks, writings through books, writing through messages, writings through the articles in Patrikas – Daaji

https://www.youtube.com/live/_Pakvd0EKXs?si=dL3uz6PrrsHp2phi

Sep 2, 2023

Pujya Daaji has revealed in a recent interview that the name of the Rishi who practiced Pranahuti 72 generations before Raja Dasharath was Rishabhnath.

https://youtu.be/WQgTATFvgOQ?si=HFNwzoRQ0TFGD38M

 

 

The Significance of "The Heart" in World Scriptures

The Esoteric Heart

Perhaps, the subject of Heart and the significance of Heart in the life of human being needs to be understood again and again. Because it is the Heart that guides the human being every moment spontaneously. Being away from the heart causes the ultimate stress in a human being. Moving towards the heart progressively reduces the stress. Therefore the need to follow the heart cannot be over-emphasized. 

But unfortunately, human being is so intimately associated with the head/mind that until this is convinced, he/she doesn't accept things from the heart; as if one needs the endorsement of intellect for everything. In fact, even the intellect/head needs to follow the heart and not act independently. Osho says - The heart knows that it is the boss and therefore silent; and intellect pretends to be the boss and makes lot of noise for its survival. Pujya Daaji says - The heart and the mind are two extreme ends of the same thing. One end that is pure is called heart and the other end that coloured bu our impressions is mind.

It is very interesting to note the significance of heart mentioned in all the scriptures irrespective of the religion. And therefore the need to get to the heart of everything in life. It can be possible as they say only when one thinks, feels and decides with heart. It is very important to deeply understand that the heart has no religion or caste or colour, Let us see some of the references in the great scriptures of the World, as below:

 Heart as the Source of Intention: "…But Allah knows what is in their hearts. So turn away from them and admonish them and speak to them a far-reaching word." (Quran 4:63)

Cleansing and Purification of the Heart: "Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…" (Quran 13:11)

The Source of Thoughts and Intentions: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23)

Guidance and Trust in God: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Transformation and Renewal: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26)

 The Seat of Devotion and Love: "Within the heart, He dwells, and without the heart, His expansion continues. The heart is the temple, and within it is the dwelling of the Divine." (Guru Granth Sahib, 79)

Elimination of Ego and Egotism: "When one's heart is illumined with the Lord's Name, the darkness of ego is dispelled." (Guru Granth Sahib, 1085)

Bhagavdgita, Chapter 18, Verse 61: ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां हृद्देशेऽर्जुन तिष्ठति। भ्रामयन्सर्वभूतानि यन्त्रारूढानि मायया॥ Translation: "The Supreme Lord resides in the hearts of all living beings, O Arjuna, and by His divine potency, He causes all beings to revolve as if mounted on a machine."

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Meditating on Pujya Daaji's thoughts: Correct Thinking, Right Understanding and Honest Approach to Life

Pujya Daaji

My Gurudev Pujya Daaji, reveals three steps to our individual transformation viz., Correct Thinking, Right Understanding and an Honest approach to life. All these three to be done consciously. I humbly share my understanding after hearing his talks and after pondering over them for few days.

We may encounter the following questions in the process of understanding these three directions given by Daaji: 

        When is one's 'thinking' considered as 'correct'? 

        Simply put, thinking is correct when there is peace within; absolutely correct when there is absolute peace or absolutely  no ripple in the heart, intense peace within. 

        When is one's 'understanding' considered as 'right'?

        Correct thinking process leads automatically to right understanding. We can feel our understanding is right or correct when there is conflicting wave with the peace that is already in in the heart that was the effect of right thinking.

        How is 'thinking' connected to 'understanding'?

        Thinking, before it is translated into words or action should transform into right understanding. And this happens when we apply or relate our thought process to the life and situations around. So thinking in the form of understanding is something that gets converted into words and actions

        What is honest approach to life?

        Honest approach to life is that which creates no fear or guilt but creates peace in the heart. 

Therefore all three directions suggested by Daaji create real peace within, which is the sure sign of correctness of all three. The peace within indicates, that there is no doubt; if there is doubt, thinking or understanding is not correct absolutely. And so we can correct consciously.

Some more thoughts:

What IS 'correct thinking'? How to know our thinking is correct? Thinking is done by the mind. Everything that ne thinks affects the heart where everything is felt. Therefore correct thinking is when the heart feels undoubtable peace; great peace within. The mind is influenced by various things such as our belief systems, religious philosophies, our nationalities, our languages, our colours, our traditions, cultures, our past and so many things that are often in conflict with the heart, the real experiencer and there is no peace within. Those are the moments when we realize the need to rise beyond these things or transcend these things to arrive at the real peace. Therefore thinking can be correct only when the heart is experiencing deep peace. ONLY when we transcend all the factors that interfere with peace. And this sort of peaceful state of mind or the meditative mind can be arrived at and deepened only when we practice meditation regularly. So correct thinking is the first step for us to transform ourselves.

Correct thinking leads to the right understanding of things around us - the situations, the life and people around, the Nature, our own self, and helps us to arrive at to make the right decisions.

Right understanding helps us to have an honest approach to life. That is, it does not allow pretensions; allows us to be as we are. Honest approach is the attitude that we inculcate with correct thinking and right understanding. Honest approach to life allows us to be humble and in tune with Nature easily. 

World peace can be achieved only when there is peace within the heart of every individual. Individual peace can only be achieved though correct thinking, right understanding and honest approach to life, one leading to the other. And Correct thinking is possible only through meditation. Therefore to transform, correct thinking is the first step.  

Opening of the Heart

 Opening of the Heart

All scriptures, great Masters have always insisted that the heart should be open and then it evolves like a blooming lotus. The opening of the heart is also compared with blooming lotus. And the heart is often depicted as the lotus heart or HrudayaKamal. Heart is always compared with lotus. And as they say there is Sahasra Dal Kamal (a thousand petalled lotus) on the crown of your head, the destination of the spiritual journey.

(Please enjoy the video of blooming lotus above in a meditative mode and draw your own insights about your inner life.)

How does the heart open?

This is the question we often face during our inner practices. We can get a clear clue from the blooming of lotus that it is effect of the sun's rays that makes the lotus to flower or bloom or open. We can infer that our heart opens with the rays of Hid grace like sun's rays. Only Grace can open the heart.

Is the heart closed?

It appears so otherwise we will not think of opening. And all the Masters of Spirituality will not insist on the opening of the heart for success in spiritual evolution. Misery, lack of clarity and restlessness is the proof of our closed heart.

What makes the heart close?

If we can peep into our hearts dispassionately we will find that the harbouring of the following things are the reason for a closed heart: Fear, Negativity, Lust, Anger, Miserliness, Attachment, Arrogance, Jealousy, Prejudice. They are invisible realities in all of us; for whatever reasons. These things cause enormous stress in every layer of our being (broadly body, mind and soul) and make our life miserable. And every being consciously or unconsciously is praying intensely or longing intensely to get out of this mess that we got into somehow. And the stress caused is progressively increasing day-by-day instead of decreasing; the peace of mind is decreasing progressively every day. 

When does the Grace happen?

It is ONLY when the prayer or longing of the being for release is genuine, intense and we are able to wait patiently that the Grace descends, happens. And the heart starts opening up. 

What is the role of Spiritual practice in this?

Assiduous spiritual practice facilitates the Grace to continue on the seeker's heart; allows the heart to open more and more, layer by layer, petal by petal. Spiritual practice is a conscious effort to attract God's Grace. 

What is the role of Character?

The role of character is vital in the opening of heart. Constant vigil on the character and working on it facilitates the blooming of the heart easily. Vigil on the character is watching our Words, Deeds, Thoughts, Behaviour and Intentions.

What is the role of the Guru?

Guru is the bridge between the being and the God; God with form is Guru and Guru without form is God, say our Masters. He is the catalyst to hasten this process. That is why the need for surrender , saranagati, eeshwara pranidhaana towards the Guru.

What happens when the heart opens up?

The heart when it open up starts evolving to the highest possible state open to humankind. The heart becomes what it ought to be from what it is. It becomes the light for others to help them find the light too. 

Just imagine a lake FULL of lotuses and imagine the world FULL of open hearts; It is the opening of our hearts that this world becomes a better place to live in making us better and better human beings.