GOD RECONSIDERED

We note that during the conversation on God Belief, there may be rare sharp statement by either side, but the underlying message is to reach an accord to ensure avoiding the harm due to extremism on either side. Here one point is worth noting that the concepts such as God, Religion or Science and Technology are not at any fault but the wrong attitude of its use by certain people at the helm of affairs is the reason for creating the harm.

Re conciliatory approach to the accord is seen reflected in the following statements from the conversation.

The polemics (controversies) of believers show an ignorance of science, what it offers to improve life, and the polemics of fundamentalist atheists ignore the wisdom found in religious texts. Both seem threatened by diversity and wish to erase any doubt under a blanket of blind belief.

It is true, of course, that organized religions do not point to a single, coherent view of the nature of God. But to reject God because of the admitted self-contradictions and logical failings of organized religion would be like rejecting physics because of the inherent contradictions of quantum theory and general relativity...

You must find a science- friendly, science-compatible God. First, try the pantheon (a temple dedicated to all the gods.) of available Creators. Inspect thoroughly. If none fits the bill, invent one.

Many eminent practitioners of science have successfully persuaded themselves that there is no logical contradiction between faith and belief by finding a suitable God, or by clothing traditional God appropriately.

The schism (division or disunion or split) between science and religion can be healed, but it will require a slow evolution from a supernatural, theistic God to a new sense of a fully natural God as our chosen symbol for the ceaseless creativity in the natural universe. This healing may also require a transformation of science to a new scientific worldview with a place for the ceaseless creativity in the universe that we can call God.

This sentiment of the thinkers pronounced through an august discussion organized by Templeton Foundation in the first decade of the 21^st century was sensed by an Indian prophetic thinker Swami Vijnananand about 60 years ahead. He has given an extensive plan of action for the truce between science and religion in his book, GOD RECONSIDERED (Feb. 1962), with rational definition of God, with which all faiths, including Marxists, keep in peace.

GOD RECONSIDERED

Let us try to understand the dictionary meanings of the terms “subjective” and “objective”

Subjective (adjective)

- existing in the mind; belonging to the thinking subject rather than to the object of thought).

- Pertaining to or characteristic of an individual; personal; individual: a subjective evaluation.

- placing excessive emphasis on one's own moods, attitudes, opinions, etc.; unduly egocentric.

- Philosophy. Relating to or of the nature of an object as it is known in the mind as distinct from a thing in itself.

- relating to properties or specific conditions of the mind as distinguished from general or universal experience.

Objective (adjective)

- Not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased: an objective opinion.

- Intent upon or dealing with things external to the mind rather than with thoughts or feelings, as a person or a book.

- being the object of perception or thought; belonging to the object of thought rather than to the thinking subject.

- of or pertaining to something that can be known, or to something that is an object or a part of an object; existing independent of thought or an observer as part of reality.

To discover Truth, the endeavor of Humanity

Both Science and Religion endeavor to discover the ultimate Truth. This should be the obvious aim of both because the Truth can bring about the real welfare of humanity. Whether it is science or religion, the search would be carried out by a person. In other words to reach the Truth (objective reality), the means is a person (i.e. subject). While ‘objectivity’ is the target, 100% elimination of subjectivity by any person is impossible. Therefore to reach the Truth the theists and atheists will have to look for combining the objectivity and subjectivity optimally. A subject i.e. a person cannot totally eliminate subjectivity. He / She can endeavor to minimize it. That means to the extent a person can work with detached mind, the outcome can be considered as a rational or optimally objective, nearing Truth.

Truth defined.

With the above explanation at the back-ground, Rev. Swami Vijnananand defined Truth as follows. (Ref page 179, on book “GOD RECONSIDERED”)

In spite of all pretenses man knows the truth and so God. Without accepting a bait of another controversy on the nature of truth, the seeker can gain his point restricting to definition of Truth in this way:

Truth is an objective reality, subjectively known, told with a detached mind.

It may be accepted on a simple ground that the definition is self-explanatory.

All faiths, including Marxism, lend hand to truth. A commoner on the lowest rung of the ladder is conscious of its all-embracing validity.

At the opening page of the book author describes GOD

God is not just, because he is not Unjust

God is not Kind, as he is not Cruel.

He does not bless, since He does not curse.

He is the First Cause in sense an effect is produced, when He is abandoned.

God dwells in an idol as also in the hammer that breaks it

He doesn't live in the blind craving or in hate for Him.

Highlights of the book “GOD RECONSIDERED”, a blood-less revolution

Science accepts God on terms. Eleven religions and radical philosophies point out how kernel of their doctrines have forestalled these terms and have incorporated spirit of their requirements in respective hypotheses. Get acquainted with rational definition of God, with which all faiths, including Marxists, keep in peace. Long - awaited truce between science and dogma is reached in this work. Every page reveals logic, study and synthesis.

Here are some flashes, selected at random.

A rationalist accepts religion, not because of any dogma; but because it can be reconciled with the spirit or essence of science. Therefore, in case an assertion in religious doctrine supporting reason stands refuted in some other or in the same text, it is for the dogmatic to explain the odd situation. It is not the responsibility of the open-minded who shares belief in religions only because of (and to the limit of) their rational character." (Point VIII chapter two.)

Science, equally like religion, is bewitched by confounding contradictions; so much so that materialist scientists are inclined to formulate Law of contradiction itself. (Point 3, chapter 9)

A positive, constructive approach is the urgent requirement, lest God himself should change over to the so called materialist. After all, God too wants to be in good company. (Concluding sentence, chapter 3)

Instead of pronouncing high ideals and insulting them by non-observance, new way philosophy paves the way to slow practice without violating tenets of science as well as religions. (Point 2F, appendix B)

Seer’s song

Employing the logical intelligence of Science, and service based dedication of Religion, for the healthy life for a common person, Swami Vijnananand in his poem titled ‘Extremes meet’ says:

“Speak Truth’ said religions;

From it science was solace.

‘Order please’ said science so

Behold the message. Undo wrong,

Science and religions sing the same song”.

Vijay R. Joshi.

 Knowledge: Most sacred path.

New Way Philosophy delineates the knowledge of Body, Soul and the Mind. Science deals with matter, the spirituality deals with mind, soul. The mission of both is to discover the ‘Truth’ for happiness of the humanity. Since human being is composed both of matter (body) and non- matter (mind, soul), both the missions are vitally important. Swami Vijnananand has endeavored to put together the tenets of science and spirituality in the new way philosophy. The findings are useful in day to day life of common person.

Let us probe further in the details of ‘knowledge’ which is considered as the most sacred path for the progress in the human life.

Holy Gita recapitulates the combined knowledge of the Vedas and Upanishads. This knowledge is helpful to lead successful life.  In our effort to review the concept ‘knowledge’, let us refer to Gita chapter four, verses 38 and 35.

na hi jñānena sadṛśaḿ  pavitram iha vidyate

tat svayaḿ yoga-saḿsiddhaḥ  kālenātmani vindati   (4/38)

In this world, there is nothing so much sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Such knowledge is the ripen fruit of all mysticism. And one who has become accomplished in the practice of devotional service enjoys this knowledge within himself in due course of time. When we speak of transcendental knowledge, we do so in terms of spiritual understanding. As such, there is nothing so much sublime and pure as transcendental knowledge. Ignorance is the cause of our bondage, and knowledge is the cause of our liberation. When one is situated in transcendental knowledge, he need not search for peace elsewhere, for he enjoys peace within himself.

yaj jñātvā na punar moham  evaḿ yāsyasi pāṇḍava

yena bhūtāny aśeṣāṇi  drakṣyasy ātmany atho mayi (4/35)

Having obtained real knowledge from a self-realized soul, you will never fall again into illusion, for by this knowledge you will see that all living beings are but part of the Supreme power.

Pure knowledge removes all illusions. Feeling of love and compassion towards all living is generated. Devil deeds get redeemed and the stage of self-realization is attained.

How the pure knowledge enables dis-illusion state?

Any allurement gives pleasure is the assumption of a layman whereas selfless duty adherence is the only way to realize the bliss is the belief of a Gita follower. One who dines with delicious tasty food would never want to eat road side junk food. Gita followers never falls prey to materialistic allurement and ego pleasures!

Sounds good! But can one practice this in prevailing hedonist, materialistic way of modern life? We are allured with not a single but several pleasures and attractions. That is the reason we turn blind eye on Gita based knowledge.

Are we averse to acquire knowledge? No, Not at all! The numbers of schools, colleges, universities have multiplied as never before. In fact we are witnessing the state of information explosion due to fast spread of internet and web service. We try to learn so many things from internet. We are acquiring varied degrees in diverse disciplines. What all this learning would be termed as? Can this be termed as ‘Knowledge’?

It can be termed as the general knowledge useful for day to day purpose in managing our daily needs.

We cannot belittle this knowledge as it serves us for so many purposes. Any information which helps us to fulfill our needs, we call it a knowledge. The knowledge category varies depending upon time to time varying needs. You need one type of knowledge for admitting your child in proper school, which would not serve the purpose to select good week-end outing place. The home maker in a large family should be equipped with some specific knowledge which would not serve the purpose to win a fierce competition in sports or business. The skills necessary for success in politics would be totally different than managing a social service center. An individual is constantly engaged to acquire different skills to meet the changing needs in the life.

Human needs –There are endless human needs. In an organized manner, Abraham Maslow (1908 – 1970) classified the human needs in the order of hierarchy as follows.

Physiological needs

These include the most basic needs that are vital to survival, such as the need for water, air, food, and sleep. Maslow believed that these needs are the most basic and instinctive needs in the hierarchy because all needs become secondary until these physiological needs are met.

Security needs.
These include needs for safety and security. Security needs are important for survival, but they are not as essential as the physiological needs. Examples of security needs include a desire for steady employment, health care, safe neighborhoods, and shelter from the environment.

Social life needs.
This category includes needs for belonging, love, and affection. Maslow described these needs as less basic than physiological and security needs. Relationships such as friendships, romantic attachments, and families help fulfill this need for companionship and acceptance, as do involvement in social, community, or religious groups.

Esteem needs.
After the first three needs have been satisfied, esteem needs becomes increasingly important. These include the need for things that reflect on self-esteem, personal worth, social recognition, and accomplishment.

Self-actualizing needs.

This is the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Self-actualizing people are moral-conscious, duty bound, self-aware, concerned with personal growth, less concerned with the opinions of others, and interested fulfilling their potential.

Fulfilling all such desires dose require a variety of skills and knowledge. All these put together can be termed as materialistic knowledge. But can this be termed as real knowledge? Let us see how ‘knowledge’ is defined by authorities.

Oxford dictionary defines knowledge:

1. Facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
2. Awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation:

Wiki:

In philosophy, the study of knowledge is called epistemology; the philosopher Plato famously defined knowledge as "justified true belief." However, no single agreed upon definition of knowledge exists, though there are numerous theories to explain it.

Bertrand Russell (1926) ,‘Theory of Knowledge’:

“At first sight it might be thought that knowledge might be defined as belief which is in agreement with the facts. The trouble is that no one knows what a belief is, no one knows what a fact is, and no one knows what sort of agreement between them would make a belief true.”

The 21^st century is often considered as ‘century of knowledge’. Having entered this century and first decade already passed, in conventional references we find certain vagueness in defining the term “knowledge” itself.

But we find the knowledge clearly defined by eastern thinkers, sages. The definition of knowledge is crystal clear in ancient treaties such as Holy Gita. Some reference from Gita is provided above. The concepts of Dnyana (knowledge) and Adnyana (Ignorance) have been clearly defined in a number of treaties by saints and sages.

-          The vast skills and organized information required to meet diverse life needs, such as ‘14 VIDYA 64 KALA’ is one variety of knowledge.

-          Science; which endeavors to investigate the facts of the matter based on experiment, observation, evidences by the best available method can be considered as another level of knowledge.

-          And the logical, rational objective imagination to foresee the facts beyond the limits of scientific investigations, which can be termed as ‘rational philosophy’ is yet another variety of knowledge.

All these levels have their own vital role and importance to fulfill the needs of human life. In his books “Science and Philosophy” and “ShaktiYoga” Swami Vijnananand has provided information of relevance on this issue. We shall refer to it later in articles to follow.

Vijay R. Joshi.