SCIENCE AND SPIRITUAL QUEST = INTEGRATING CAPABILITIES WITH VALUES = A COMMENDABLE INITIATIVE

SCIENCE AND SPIRITUAL QUEST

I find an interesting  news item under the URL : http://www.prurgent.com/2011-03-08/pressrelease155477.htm  With the caption : 6th All India Students’ Conference on ‘Science & Spiritual Quest’ to be held from March 12-14, 2011

I am re-producing it here for the benefit of readers :

“New Delhi; March 8, 2011: Science and Spirituality are two dominant forces involving deep intellectual, philosophical and psychological approaches for the well-being of mankind. However, modern education with an over emphasized importance on science and technology without a spiritual dimension, has caused an imbalance in the self, the society, the nation and the world. Hence, there appears a need to increase the awareness towards the synthesis of science and spirituality to broaden intellectual perspectives, and thereby harmonize the society. With this view, Bhaktivedanta Institute in association with Delhi Technological University (DTU) is organizing the 6th All India Students' Conference on Science and Spiritual Quest (AISSQ-2011) from March 12-14, 2011. The theme of this year’s conference is “Integrating Capabilities with Values”.

The three-day conference will be inaugurated by H.E. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India on March 12, 2011 at Vigyan Bhawan in the presence of Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister, NCT of Delhi and Dr. Narendra Jadhav, Member Planning Commission, GOI, among others. The next two days of AISSQ-11 will be held at DTU campus.

AISSQ-2011 is likely to bring together a number of leading experts from all over the world on a common platform to present and outline their vision for the benefit of the humanity in search for deeper questions of the life and cosmos. More than 400 social, scientific and spiritual thinkers and students from leading academic and R&D institutions from India and abroad will participate in the conference. Keynote lectures covering major areas of science and spirituality will be delivered by eminent speakers including Dr. Werner Arber (Nobel Laureate in Physiology for Medicine 1978), University of Basel, Switzerland on “Scientific Notions and Traditional Wisdom on the Evolution of the Universe and of Life”, “Paintal Memorial Lecture” by Dr. Vishwa Mohan Katoch, Secretary to Govt. of India, Department of Health Research & Director General, ICMR, and a special address by Padma Shri Dr. Vijay Saraswat, Director General, DRDO & Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, among others.

Also, students' participation at the conference will be through Paper Presentation, Posters and Essay Competition on “What is Life? Scientific and Indian Spiritual Perspectives on the Nature, Purpose, Meaning and Origin of Life”. Further details: www.binstitute.org/aissq “

It is definitely an interesting news for every SPIRITUALITY ENTHUSIAST and Practitioner. It is interesting therefore for this Blog and its Readers.

This is said to be the 6^th conference and the current year theme is said to be  “Integrating Capabilities with Values”.

This Blog congratulates the organizers very heartily and wishes the conference all success. The theme selected is very apt for students of current generation and I am sure it will throw up many interesting ideas.

Today – CAPABILITIES, both physical and mental, are  seeing quantum leaps with every new generation.

But these capabilities are limited to transforming the external world. These  capabilities are not available to any significant extent in transforming the inner world of the Individual.

For that, we must fall back on spirituality – especially, INDIAN SPIRITUALITY, which is over 5000 years old, if we count only the Bhagavad Gita.

But, if take into consideration the Upanishads, which are the basis of the Gita (as Lord Krishna himself admitted in Gita), the Indian spirituality is over 15000 years old – or perhaps much more.

The Upanishads, unlike the Vedas, have not much of religious content. They are absolute scientific exploration of the Individual’s inner world. You must discover your inner most SELF. This is the Goal.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras provide a practical basis for exploring the Inner world. The very purpose of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is to bring the mind under one’s own control. But, this task can only be achieved, as Patanjali says, if our values are very rigorous and clean.

The value system that Patanjali lays down – may be difficult to beginners of Yoga in the present day world, but, in a better regulated society, they are not that difficult. Without following the value systems laid down by Patanjali, any significant progress in Yoga is not possible. Yes. Any one can still practice Pranayama and Asanas – and derive their health benefits. But, further progress towards Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are not possible without these value systems for mind-control.

Bhagavad Gita is a consummate science in itself.

In Gita, Guna Thraya Vibhaga Yoga  chapter is a great science in itself. Why do you become angry, jealous, or morose. Because of Rajas or Thamas. Why are you happier than others – even if you are poor? Because of the Sathva Guna in you.

And, how do they arise in you? Forget the genetics part. The food you eat and  the things you see, hear, touch or taste – have a lot to do with your Guna – which in turn creates your happiness and unhappiness, your anger and your friendliness, your jealousies and your generosities. Lord Krishna gave lots of HINTS on your food 5000 years back. Is it spirituality or science? Its both!!

Likewise, the Dhyana Yoga chapter of Gita contains both science and spirituality. In fact, every chapter of Gita is full of both science and spirituality.

It can enhance capabilities with values.

It is good that, Bhaktivedanta Institute in association with Delhi Technological University (DTU) is organizing this 6th All India Students' Conference on Science and Spiritual Quest (AISSQ-2011) from March 12-14, 2011.

The only precaution needed perhaps is that – participants must not confuse ORDINARY RELIGION intended for masses with SPIRITUALITY intended for the more serious explorers. The latter requires more thorough scrutiny, though, each has its purpose and its set of values.

The values required for ordinary religion are much less rigorous than the values required for Spirituality, like, for example,  the values laid down by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras.

This Blog wishes the organizers ALL SUCCESS  in their lofty and noble endeavours.

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