Study of Consciousness From The View of Modern and Spiritual Sciences
Study of Consciousness From The View of Modern and Spiritual Sciences
Study of Consciousness From The View of Modern and Spiritual Sciences
Consciousness is the word which we use, umpteenth number of times, in our daily life
without being conscious of its use. In other words, this word consciousness has become a
part and parcel of our routine talking vocabulary and in communication. However, these
days, all of sudden, the word consciousness has become very important and respected
word in the context of science and spirituality. Everyone is consciously talking about
consciousness. We find again and again, in meetings, gatherings, colloquiums, symposia
and conferences of science and spirituality or otherwise as well, people are consciously
seeking about consciousness.
The general point of talking and discussion among the august gathering is about; what is
consciousness? How to define consciousness? What is so important about consciousness?
Why all of sudden this word consciousness has gained so much importance? Why
everyone is now consciously talking about consciousness? What one will gain after
understanding the word consciousness? Consciousness as a missing link between God
and man, God is consciousness; consciousness is God; consciousness, consciousness and
consciousness… so on and so forth.
So, why do not we take this opportunity to probe consciously this word consciousness, a
little deeper and try to understand its meaning, objective and philosophy? We would like
to study the subject both from the point of view of modern science, and as well as
spiritual science. And will see what and how much we have gained or learned at the end?
THE WORD
The word consciousness may be used both in the common language, in a scientific
language and as well in connection with the deeper spiritual connotation. Here in this
article we are essentially interested in finding the similarities between the consciousness
of scientific and the spiritual world.
2
Most of the time, often, we use the word consciousness, in day to day life, in a very loose
sense. It may be broadly classified as an equivalent English term awareness meaning
knowledge of something. Generally speaking, when we use the term consciousness,
actually we only mean awareness, i.e. one is aware of the information around one’s
surrounding etc.
A Deeper Meaning
We, if look carefully deeper into the meaning of the word consciousness and awareness,
we may find that there is a subtle difference in the meaning of these two words. Although
on the gross level we often use these two words as a synonym. But we find that on the
subtle level or to say in the spiritual sense, consciousness has more subtle meaning than
the word awareness.
By saying this, we mean that one cannot be aware of anything without raising the
consciousness, to say, to the usually higher level of consciousness. We can aware of the
higher level, if and only if, we have raised our consciousness to that said higher level of
consciousness. Awareness cannot be raised without raising the level of consciousness.
While, on the other hand, raising the level of consciousness, itself raises the level of
awareness. Or, we may say in the subtle form consciousness is independent of awareness;
but awareness is a function of consciousness.
We start the subject, to begin with, the common use of word consciousness in our day to
day life. We may observe that we talk about consciousness such as, one is conscious
about his touch, one is conscious about his look, one is conscious about his taste, one is
conscious about his listening or one is conscious about a particular smell. For example,
often we say that so and so person is very sensitive and careful towards his well being of
his outer-look, or in other words we may say that the person is very conscious about his
look, and as well as in choice of his dressing. We take another example; he is very
choosey and particular about his choice of food that suits his taste buds; or we may say he
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is very conscious about his choice of food. Or look at another example, we find that some
persons are very conscious about smell of some particular perfumes and other aroma
producing articles than the others.
The consciousness in the scientific parlance is generally associated with the observation
of a phenomenon, be it is natural or in the laboratory. The natural phenomenon includes
such as observations of motion of stars, planets etc. A very celebrated example is that of
Newton’s observation, in the seventeenth centaury, of falling of an apple on the ground in
his childhood; gave birth to the notion and knowledge of gravitation, and the subsequent
formulation of gravitational laws by him. Johannes Kepler, a native of Germany, in the
sixteenth century by his conscious observational power has ignited the modern scientific
revolutions. His painstaking observations of the stars for years together gave birth to the
astronomical branch of science. Similarly, the observation by Faraday, in his laboratory,
of the moving magnet, which produces the induced current in a coil; this effect gave birth
to dynamo, the basis of modern day electricity supply. And not to mention about Albert
Einstein who by his power of mind has changed the course of scientific history, in the
twentieth century.
Carl Sagan writes in his celebrated book Cosmos: ‘Today we have discovered a powerful
and elegant way to understand the nature, a method called science (observation and
analysis); it has revealed to us a universe so ancient and so vast that human affairs seem
at first sight to be of little consequence. He further writes science is an ongoing process.
It never ends. There is no single truth to be achieved, after which all the scientist can
retire.’1
In spirituality, the word consciousness carries deep esoteric meaning. The term is
generally associated with the awareness of God such as one has consciousness of God or
1
Cosmos, Carl Sagan, (Published by A Ballantine Book, New York, 1980), p xvi.
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not. Thus consciousness has more subtle meaning in the spiritual language than what we
mean in the scientific language.
The word consciousness is also associated with the deep esoteric human nature.
Essentially, spiritual science is a science that searches the deep esoteric human nature.
Hence in spirituality we find the terms such as expansion of one’s consciousness or
increase of one’s consciousness. We find the corresponding term missing when we use
word consciousness in terms of science. The only corresponding word we may find such
as higher brain power or power of mind.
…The Exploration
How does it happen that we are conscious about some particular objects but not about
other objects? How we are conscious to do one work but not other? How and why a child
is free from consciousness of the clothing? How one is more conscious about God than
others? How does this consciousness mechanism work? Why and how that we are
sensitive or conscious about touch, smell, sight, taste and hearing? Let us explore, from
the point of view of science and spiritual science, answers to such questions in detail,
consciously.
FUNCTIONING OF CONSCIOUSNESS
On the close observation we find that the consciousness of touch, smell, sight, audio and
taste; these five different sense qualities are governed by the five distinct sense organs.
These sense organs give us the feeling of touch, smell etc, and in turn we are conscious
about these sense qualities. In the absence of, or not working of any of these particular
sense qualities, one will not be able to be conscious of that particular sense quality.
For an example, in a hearing impaired person, in whom the auditory sense organs are
partly or completely damaged. In this case, the auditory sense organs are not sensitive to
the sound energy, and the person may not be able to feel any effect of sound around him.
5
Or we may say, in other words, such a person is not conscious of sound around him.
Sound or sound energy is there, but primarily due to the impairment of his auditory
sensory organs, he is not conscious about the sound. We next take up another example; an
example of touch. In general, we know that our skin is hyper sensitive to the touch. Even
if there is slightest of the tingling or touch and we immediately, in less then a fraction of a
second, come to know about it. Or, we can say that we are very conscious about the touch
of our body. But a person the with motor nerve disease, where motor nerve is impaired
may not feel any sense of touch, as his skin may have lost the sensitiveness of touch. Or
in other worlds, we may say that the person with motor impaired nerve is not conscious
about the touch of his body.
In both of these above examples, energy that has to be carried to the central information
center (CPU of the brain), for the processing of information, in the brain is missing. Thus
a person with the hearing impairment is not able to hear; and a person with motor
impaired nerve is not able to feel any touch. Or we may simply say that in these two
examples that have been mentioned above, the persons with these two impairments are
not conscious of sound and touch respectively.
Hence, we may say consciousness is a form of the energy, and consciousness primarily
works through energy, and then in turn through senses. When this energy is missing from
our sense organs these cease to work, and we are not able to sense anything around us in
this physical world. Thus we can say we are not conscious of touch, sight, sound etc,
when energy from these sense organs is withdrawn. Ironically, and as a matter of fact, we
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perceive this world only through the functioning of these five senses. In the inert state or
non-functioning of these senses the world is dead to us. Partly and temporarily we
experience this inert state of senses in our sleep.
Sleep State
We look further and analyse what happens when we go to sleep? In the sleep state, one is
not conscious of functioning of any of the five sensing faculties. And one is not aware
that whether even any of these five senses are working or not? Thus in sleep, ears are
there but these do not able to hear any sound, and we are not conscious of sound. Eyes
are there but these do not able to see anything, and we are not conscious of sight. Body is
there but it is not able to feel any touch, and we are not conscious of the touch.
In sleep, energy from the sense organs, that carries information to the brain for
processing, is temporally withdrawn and energy retires into the medulla oblongata. This
makes operation of the sensing organs temporarily non-functioning, thus ceasing the
sensing operation. In sleep, we are not able to hear; or feel the touch of any object; or not
able to smell anything and so on. Thus in sleep, we are not conscious of ourselves of
being alive or not, or having the male or female body, or even this world exists or not. Or,
in other words, we may say in sleep we are not conscious of this outer physical world.
Dream State
In the dream state one is awake in the dreamland. The dreams are generally associated
with the subconscious mind and are thought to be the product of the subconscious mind.
The dreams are more or less like a motion picture, passes on with the passage of time.
Dreams as we know are unreal in nature. As long as one is dream state one he is in the
delusion of his dream consciousness. And it is just restricted to these short or long
moments. Unless it is like a terrible nightmare, one tends to forget the dreams as soon as
one is awake in the physical reality. For example, one might be playing a part of the king
in the dream state in a dreamland, and may cry of losing his kingdom in the awaken state.
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Delusion: Maya
On the extension, the spiritual person, in particular the realized ones consider this world
as a dream of Brahman in his consciousness. Interestingly, as long as we are in this
physical world we are considered to be in the delusion, under the spell of Maya,2 and in
that sense we are in the dream state. Only by the practice of meditation, when we are able
to raise our consciousness to say the higher level, above the consciousness of the physical
world, we are considered to be in the awaken state, in the State of Brahman. Thus only
the Self-realization in a real sense is not a state of dream, as far as spirituality is
considered.
Dream of Brahman
There is a deep and appealing notion that the universe is but the dream of god who, after
a hundred Brahma years, dissolves himself into a dreamless sleep. The universe dissolves
with him–until, after another Brahma centaury, he stirs, recomposes himself and begins
again to dream the great cosmic dream. Meanwhile, elsewhere, there are an infinite
number of other universes, each with its own god dreaming the cosmic dream.’4
2
Delusion, Ignorance.
3
Ironically, nothings happen in this world by accident or without the knowledge of Lord. Mathew 10:29
(Bible) says ‘…Lord even care for the sparrow that are sold for a farthing.’
4
Cosmos, Carl Sagan, (Published by A Ballantine Book, New York, 1980), p 213.
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Meditative State: A Subtle Level
Meditation, strictly speaking, is communion between the finite and the Infinite; between
an individual soul and the Spirit. The scriptures the Bhagavad Gita,5 Patanjali Yoga Sutra
6
etc. describes scientifically and systematically the methods of meditation, a Raj Yoga
path.
The scriptures say, meditate now and realize Him and become Self-realize, or you have to
wait till thousands of years to come. One of the Cosmic chants of Sri Sri Paramahansa
Yogananda depicts this picture in a most beautiful ways.7
Limitations
We, now discuss about the limitation of this sensory power of senses. For an example,
take the example of touch; we know that the sense of touch is limited to one’s body only.
5
A Great Indian scared book on Yoga. For example see, God Talks With Arjuna- The Bhagavad Gita, Sri
Sri Paramahansa Yogananda (Vol. 1 & 2, Published by Yogoda Satsanga Society of India, Rnachi, India,
2002). Hence forth mentioned as Bhagavad Gita.
6
A treatise on yoga.
7
In the valley of sorrow, a thousand years or till tomorrow,
But I will wait to see You, You, You, just You,
My Lord, I want to see only You, You, You, only You…
Words of Cosmic Chants, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, (Published by Yogoda Satsanga Society of
India, Ranchi, India, 2007), p17.
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Our mind can only record a touch if it is within the boundary of our body, and beyond it
the mind is not capable of detecting a sensing touch. Or we may say that our mind has a
limited power to register any sense of touch. And here the limitation is restricted to one’s
body only.
For, an analogy an elephant has a larger body surface area than compare to an ant’s body.
Hence, naturally the sensing area of an elephant is much larger than in comparison to that
of an ant. Over it one has no choice or control, as it is His choice and His creation. Thus
in the present example of touch, our consciousness is highly restricted to within the
peripheral of our body.
The similar restrictions and limitations are equally valid for the other sense organs as
well. For an example we have a limited vision to see and recognize any object clearly and
properly. And if it is out of the sight then we are not even conscious about the object.
Here lies an important point to observe, understand and discuss that even with the
persons with greatest of the power of mind, information through the inputs of the senses
have their own limitations and may not always be true. It is highly likely that one may
draw a wrong inference from these inputs. A very good classical example from the
elementary physics comes to mind and the experiment runs as follows.
We take three cups of water, one filled with cold water, one filled with normal water and
the last one filled with hot water. Now, if we put our two fingers, one in cold water, and
one in hot water for some time, and then simultaneously put these two fingers into the
normal water. We, invariably and unmistakably, experience as follows. The finger which
was in the cold water feel the normal water warm, and the finger which was in hot water
feels the normal water cool. How could it be possible that the two fingers, of the same
person, register the different results?
Simply, even with the best of mind in the world, inputs from the senses may not be very
reliable one. At time our mind may fail to discriminate actuality behind the reality, right
from the wrong answer. One may add any number scientific instruments in add to the
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senses, still one find in the end, the inadequacy of information, and feel helpless in
removing the limitation or resolving the depth of the problem. One may find innumerable
such kinds of examples, such as optical illusion experiments, where the inference drawn
by the mind through the input of the senses may not always be correct and can be
erroneous.
With further development of science particularly with reference to the modern science,
we have come to the realm of atomic physics. In the world of atomic physics we come
face to face with the subatomic particles and their interactions. These subatomic particles
are unique in their own ways and are not directly perceptible to any of the five sensing
faculties. These particles could not be seen, touched, tasted, smelt or heard, but these
exist as modern science has proved their existence. On the measurement basis, an
interesting and amazing phenomenon that baffled the scientific community came to light.
It took the scientific community a very long time to come to its term, and to accept this
paradox as it is embedded in the nature itself. Over that no one has any control and it is
very basic and fundamental to the Nature itself.
The phenomenon states that one can not measure the position and momentum of a
subatomic particle simultaneously and accurately. It has been observed that if the
measurement in the position of an atomic particle is certain, then the measurement in the
momentum has become uncertain, and vice versa. A very peculiar position indeed!!! The
quantum mechanical paradox in the quantum physics is well known as the uncertainty
principle.8 This uncertainty in the measurement of a position and momentum of a particle
carries so small numerical value that it escapes its detection for the larger bodies.
8
Quantum Mechanics, L I Schiff, (Published .by McGraw-Hill Book Company, USA, 1949).
9
h= 6.626176 E- 34 Joule–sec, named after German physicist Max Plank.
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The point of argument is that even with best of the available instruments, so far we have
been able to develop; we have come face to face with the limit that has been imposed by
the Nature and is very fundamental to it. We have failed to resolve or overcome the
paradox and its limit that on the analytical basis carries very insignificant numerical
value. Generally speaking, we can say that our consciousness as working through the
senses is highly restricted and limited by Nature, as for as the physical world affairs are
concerned and involved. And we have no other choice but to bow down to the might of
Almighty Nature and its lila.10
CONSCIOUSNESS AS IN SCIENCE
I would like to mention here an example of Newton’s law of gravitation. Everyone, even
laymen, knows that Newton had discovered the gravity and the related laws. It was not
that, before Newton, the apples used to go up but only he was conscious and careful
enough to thought about this phenomenon, and discovered the effect of gravity on the
falling bodies. Hence the outcome is the formulation of the laws of gravitation; he also
tried to see this effect in other phenomenon as well. Similarly, by following the same
conscious observation and careful analysis the Great Newton established the laws of
motion that is known by his name. The same is said to be true for the Great Galileo
whose painstaking conscious observation had opened an entire new filed of science, the
astronomy.
The natural question, we may ask to ourselves that if everyone is working only and only
through the senses then why we do so much differ in the analysis of inputs through the
senses? As a matter of fact, we know that the very primarily and basic functions of senses
are the observation of any phenomenon. So, why one person is more conscious and of its
analysis than any other person, of the same observation obtained through the senses?
What cause these differences and how one may be held accountable for such differences?
10
A divine play of God.
12
…The Power of Mind
The differences may be explained and understood on the basis of power of mind that in
turn is responsible for analysis of any input through the senses. Or we can say, how much
one is conscious about one’s observation through senses, of any events that have been
taking place, either in nature: a grand laboratory or in one’s own laboratory and of these
analysis, also depends upon one’s power of mind to analysis and draw inference from
such experimental phenomenon. The power of mind is directly proportional to the
expansion of consciousness. And the practise of meditation techniques expands the
consciousness and that in turn increases the power of mind.
...The Theory
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The advancement of sciences has its own shinning and glorious success story. In terms of
invention of scientific instruments or in determining numerous scientific data with
invented instruments: such as speed of light, Planck’s constant, observations of solar
system, electron microscope, computers... We have an endless list of such kinds of
discoveries and inventions up to the best possible knowledge so far we have been able to
acquired through the evolution of brain (or to say consciousness) with the passage of
time. It would not be out of discussion to say many more such things are in waiting
through the further expansion of consciousness. The Lord Sri Krishna says in the
Bhagavad Gita: ‘There are innumerous attributes of Me (Nature) …and even millions and
millions of incarnations are not sufficient to know all these.’11
Stepping Stone
All these scientific advancements must owe their due respects and regards to the previous
advancements on which these are based which serves as a stepping stone. In a very
similar ways as our modern (western) science is based on the Greek science and
philosophy. The past advancement (evolution) however elementary, small, insignificance
or primitive, a discovery or invention may it looks at the present time, it had served as a
stepping stone for the further development; whether we admit this fact or not. We, at no
particular time, have right to deny its importance and these richly deserve our due respect
and regards. Even at many times it may seems an utter failure in terms of result oriented
developments. All these measurements and their analysis could be possible that what we
get from the inputs directly through the senses. Or, to the aids to these senses that means
by use of scientific instruments, to enhance the power of observation for the deeper
scientific probes and reliable information; such as thermometer, microscope, telescope
etc.
The same may be held true for the expansion of the consciousness or the evolution of
mind, hence the evolution and advancement of the human beings, through the generations
after generation, through the births after birth. The expansion of consciousness, evolution
11
Bhagavad-Gita, X- 19.
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of mind and the advancement of mankind are all interlinked among themselves. It is a
continuous ongoing process; continue to continue, without any stopgap here or there,
years after years, incarnations after incarnation. Until, the consciousness finds its final
goal, the goal of God-realization, after long arduous journey on the path of Self-
realization.
Thus everyone is on the march on the long path of Self-realization through the expansion
of his consciousness, and with the passage of time. Thus keeping this in mind we have no
right to condemn anyone at any given particular time; however low a person’s
consciousness may be lying on the ladder of Self-realization. As Lord Buddha preached
in his sermons do not condemn and harm even to an earthworm. Anyone however
crooked or wicked may be, he is out in this world (by birth) to march towards God the
ultimate destiny, whether a person is conscious about it or not. His consciousness is
definitely expanding with the passage of time may be at the snail’s speed, for the time
being, and may not be noticeable to anyone including the person himself.
…A Long Path
However advanced one’s consciousness may be at present and at any given time, one
must have trudged the same path, good or bad, rough or smooth to reach the present state
of higher consciousness that leads to God. As in the very similar way a river has to trudge
a long paths of plains, passing through some good and some equally very rough terrain to
reach its source, the ocean, to merge into it.
Thus at any given moment of time, our consciousness is at its most advanced state of
development. And the consciousness naturally continues to expand of its own with the
passage of time. The expansion of consciousness may be accelerated with the process of
the meditation and its methods to march forward towards its Source and to merge into the
Source. It is a state of consciousness on the long path to Self-realization that is known as
the Cosmic Consciousness of God realization.
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The same is true for the scientific research and development. The present scientific
development is based on the sum of all the past scientific researches: both gross and
subtle, both matter and non-matter, both success and failure.
A Question?
So, a question may be asked how to expand one’s consciousness or to increase one’s
power of mind? We in general, and as a matter of fact, have very small, limited and
narrow consciousness to work with in this physical world. In other words, it may be said
that we are only working with very minute fraction of our brain’s capacity. Probably may
not be more than five to ten percent of its total functional capacity! We will discuss the
expansion of consciousness in detail later under the heading the Spiritual World.
A natural question now arises, if we are not able to get proper information through the
senses, as the powers of senses have their own limitations, then how to resolve a
problem? A simple and very straightforward method is that device any scientific
instrument that may remove the unreliability of senses, and that may provide us with
more reliable and accurate information or results. A thermometer is a very good
instrument in the given present experiment, discussed earlier. With the help of a
thermometer we can accurately know the temperature of water and can know the correct
state of warmness of water, in the three cups.
Not going in details, but the history of science has shown that with the advancement of
science, these scientific instruments that we have developed for our measurement purpose
to record, measure and analysis any observed phenomenon, in nature or in the lab, have
found their own limitations sooner or later. Either these scientific instruments have
become completely obsolete of any practical use for any scientific purpose or their uses
have become just been restricted to only of their basic functions. Many of these scientific
instruments have found their ways to the science museums, showing the history of
advancement of science in an apt manner.
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CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE MODES OF PRAKRITI
We shall now try to discuss and analyse the meaning and philosophy of consciousness
from an altogether different point of view, as we talk generally in spirituality. In spiritual
language we often find the use of term expansion or increase of one’s consciousnesses.
What does this term expansion of consciousness means? How does expansion of
consciousness make difference in analysis of the inputs from the senses? How does
expansion of consciousness lead one to the kingdom of God? And how does one attain
Self-realization with the expansion of consciousness? We will address this point of view a
little while later, after discussing about the dual nature of the world.
It is important to note that, what we have discussed so far constitutes the observation, and
of its analysis, of the outer or the physical world. In terms of the spiritual language we
call it the Apara12-Prakriti.13 This Apara-Prakriti is the physical world that we perceive
through our five senses. And the world is manifested to us through and only through these
five senses.
A Dual Nature
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creation, in the forms of electron-hole pairs. Of the recent time, the very basis of modern
scientific world, the computers, are based and work on the binary digits 0 and 1.14 Again
duality of Maya has its role to play!
The scriptures say that the Spirit, the undifferentiated continuum of consciousness, has
descended in the form of Half male and Half female form. From this descend; the Spirit
has further descended into the male and female forms. It is a dual nature creation of the
Spirit into the Nature, in the consciousness of Brahman.
A Dynamic Interplay
We have learned in the basic physics that the energy is indivisible and that the total some
of energy of whole cosmos is constant. Only there is the transformation of energy that
takes place, from one form of energy to another form of energy.
The same transformation we find in the creation and destruction of the sub-atomic
particles in any nuclear reaction. Or, to say with any other creation in the cosmos and it is
a continuous on going and ceaseless process. A dynamic interplay between energy and
the matter, between the Spirit and the Nature! The Whole of the Cosmos is but a one
indivisible energy of Cosmic Consciousness; an undifferentiated continuum of
consciousness.
A la Cosmic Dance affair of the Lord Shiva! As Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda depicts
the Cosmic Dance in a beautiful way, in one of his Cosmic Chants:15
We know that, it is a well established fact that to get a proper and useful output of any
simplest of the simple scientific experiment, we have to perform the experiment very
carefully and meticulously. It may be any experiment; the procedure should be very
14
Integrated Electronics: Analog and Digitals Circuits and Systems, J Millman and C Halkias, (Published
by McGraw-Hills Book Company, USA, 1972).
15
…Spirit and Nature, dancing together
Victory to Spirit and Victory to Nature.
Words of Cosmic Chants, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, (Published by, Yogoda Satsanga Society of
India, Ranchi, India, 2007), p 33.
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foolproof and experiment has to be performed in a very organized and systematic manner,
following the well laid down procedure. Otherwise one would not be able to get the
desired optimum results. We take the example of very elementary electricity experiment:
the flow of electric current through a wire to glow a bulb. For a proper flow of current
through the wire; wire must be clean, free from rust, properly soldered to the terminals
points. Only then, the current will flow through the wire that is connected to the bulb.
And bulb will glow to its full wattage!
The sages of Bharata16 had long discovered that each living being constitutes an equally
glorious inner spiritual world. In the terms of spiritual language we call this Inner World
the Para17-Prakriti. Ironically, and as a matter of fact, this Para-Prakriti is not
manifested through any of these five senses; and can not be sensed through these senses.
This Para-Prakriti, in spirituality is known as the kingdom of God.
The Para-Prakriti constitutes the world, higher than the moon; brighter than the brightest
Sun that may ever be thought of or that may ever be discovered in the entire cosmos;
higher than the highest mountain that one may ever be imagined or measured; and deeper
than the deepest known depthless ocean that may ever be discovered or measured.
A Non-dual Nature
This Inner World, the Para-Prakriti, in contrast to outer world the Apara-Prakriti, is
beyond any kind of duality of the physical world that we generally encounter. The Para-
Prakriti is beyond space-time limitation, beyond any sorrow or happiness, beyond life or
death, beyond light or darkness, beyond and beyond… of any unimaginable or
imaginative duality of the physical world.
The Inner World, the kingdom of God is beyond mind or intellect. Or we can say with
mind, intellect or reasoning one can not reach or know the Inner world and attain Self-
realization. In this world neither sacred Vedas nor any other scriptures exist; as this world
16
India.
17
Inside, internal, incoming.
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is beyond reach of all these scriptures. At most these scriptures may only refer or guide to
the path to this world.
Here, in this Pure World, only pure transcendental Love exists. A World full of Bliss
exists. Pure, purer, and only the purest of the pure from of Love exist. Love that does not
know any kind of selfishness. Love that does not know any kind of deceit. Love that does
not know any kind of immorality. Love that does not know any kind of treachery. Love
that only knows how to love each other. Love that love others in silence. And that pure
Love knows that by loving each other, as a matter of fact, we in turn love only God.
Ignorance
The question now we can put forward is that why we are not conscious about this Inner
World? Why we are so ignorant about this Para-Prakriti, the Inner World? Why this
world is generally hidden from our consciousness and not manifested to us? How could
one become conscious of the Inner World? Or how could, one remove the ignorance
about this kingdom of God, the Inner World? How expansion of consciousness raises us
from the delusion of duality of this Maya world to the non duality of the Spiritual world?
Similarly, like in the physical world, there are set procedures to enter into the kingdom of
God, the Para-Prakriti. Saint Patanjali,18 in his famed treatise, the Patanjali Yoga Sutra19
has described the eightfold path to the God-realization. We are not discussing the
Patanjali’s aphorisms, in details, here as it is outside the purview of present article.
Patanjali Yoga Sutra also constitutes the main theme of sacred epic yoga book of
Bharata, the Bhagavad-Gita: The Song Celestial. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Bhagvan Sri
Krishna himself guides his devotees, depicted by his very beloved disciple Sri Arjuna, to
the divine path of God-realization.
The eightfold pathways to the God-realization described, in the Patanjali Yoga Sutra, are
as follows; (1) Yama (avoidance of wrong actions); (2) Niyama (right action); (3) Asana
18
A famous saint of Bharata; discoverer of yoga aphorism known by his name.
19
Yoga aphorism; the eightfold royal path to God–realization.
20
(right posture for body and mind control); (4) Pranayama20 (control of prana,21 breath or
life forces); (5) Pratyahara (interiorization of mind); (6) Dharana (concentration); (7)
Dhyana (meditation); and (8) Samadhi22 (divine union with God).
Expansion of Consciousness
Dhyana, the meditation, described in the Patanjali Astang Yoga Sutra, before the stages
of Samadhi or divine union with God, increases the consciousness of sadhaka.23 The
meditation practise opens up (by activating) the dormant brain cells and as well as the
mystic psychic energy chakras24 situated along the spinal column. Thus with the
expansion of consciousness, meditation also simultaneously and tremendously increases
the power of mind of a sadhaka.
During the various stages of ongoing sadhana,25 various seeds of defects of Apara-
Prakriti, such as envy, anger, jealousy and all sorts of imaginable and unimaginable evils
drop of their own, one by one, as dry leaves get separated from the tree, from the
subconscious mind of a sadhaka. The fire of meditation burns up all seeds of past,
present or future karma.26 And there will be no regeneration of these seeds of earthly
binding desires that binds us to the cycles of births, and hence the death.
Or in other words, we may say in mediation one advances many lives. The meditation by
its power consumes all of our earthly binding karmic seeds by burning up all these seeds,
good or bad. Thus minimizing or eliminating the needs of future cycles of births and
death. Essentially, that requires to workout any of our leftover past karmic debts. With the
departing of these seeds of defects a sadhaka begins to feel and experience A New World.
The world of Ever Existence-Ever Consciousness-Ever Bliss, the world of Sat-Chid-
Ananda, the world of Ever New-Joy, the world of Love and Bliss, the world of God-
20
Breathing practice as taught in the yoga.
21
Intelligent life force that sustains the body.
22
Essentially, Nirvikalpa (without duality) Samadhi; a state of meditation when a person loses all his
external consciousness, and his consciousness is merged into the consciousness of Brahman.
23
A spiritual Truth Seeker who practices meditation and austerities; to follow the royal path of Self-
realization.
24
The psychic energy centers situated along the length of spinal column.
25
Spiritual practice: meditation and austerities.
26
Literary means action.
21
realization, the world of Self-realization. Precisely, this is the stage on the path of
sadhana when the sadhaka enters into the kingdom of God.
Meditation is a technique that increases one’s brain capacity or power, and at the same
time increases one’s consciousness as well. It may be hard to visualize or believe, but it is
true, that expansion of one’s consciousness breaks down the domain of one’s own created
narrow self. It the realm of spirituality, and also in general, we refer this self created
narrow self by the term ego. It means to identify oneself solely with the body
consciousness. With the practice of meditation, when sadhaka’s consciousness begins to
expand beyond the cocoon of his narrow self, gradually, a state comes when his
consciousness encloses the entire cosmos, by breaking the boundaries of his own created
ego. At this stage of sadhana, a sadhaka begin to loose the domain of his ego, losses the
identity of his own body consciousness; as his consciousness has begin to merge into the
consciousness of entire cosmos. A state of Cosmic Consciousness, a state of God-
realization!
Sadhaka now has realization that his own self is a finite but an infinitesimal frozen part
of the Whole-Self, of the Cosmic Consciousness. At this state of sadhana, a sadhaka may
27
Bhagavad Gita, VII– 8, 9; IX– 16 to 19, 26; X– 19 to 42.
22
proclaim that I and Father are One or Thou are That. As Lord Jesus had declared that I
and Father are One, and I am Son of God.28
The understanding then comes that whole of the cosmos is only made in one’s
consciousness. The entire cosmos exists only in one’s thought. We are but only the
infinitesimally frozen part of the Cosmic Consciousness.29 Playing our part, (as well
working out our own karma) as governed by God. It was the probably Socrates who said;
what is a human being? He is nothing but bundles of knots of consciousness and matter.30
…The Result
23
These five senses that are now under the control of a sadhaka are no longer just restricted
to his peripheral body only. Then a much spiritually advanced person will feel the
hungers and pains of others and at the same time eats through many mouths. Also at time
to time he suffers himself to alleviate the pain of others.
In short, a spiritually advanced person is a very-very humble person, a saint indeed. As, a
matter of fact, one can not find any trace of manliness in him but what remains of him,
God Alone. For a saint God is first and God all the time. God is beginning, God is middle
and God is end. Here or there He is everywhere. At this very advanced state of
spirituality, only a sadhaka can understand that by injuring others a person is in fact only
injuring himself, and no other. The wisdom then comes that this entire cosmos is nothing
but a lila of God, in His consciousness.
This constitutes the Science of Brahman, the Sankhya Yoga;37 chapter two of the
Bhagavad Gita.
We know from the scripture that it had long been discovered by the sages of Bharata that
our body (system) is a complete powerhouse. In the body, there it is embedded a
complete mini universe by itself, drawing its energy to operate this bodily system in the
form of breath from the nature. So we may say that breath is a vital link between the
body consciousness to that of Cosmic Consciousness. And this very breath binds us into
the body consciousness. The whole of yoga, pranayama and meditation techniques are a
science of mastery over the breath and to rise above the body consciousness; and to
prepare oneself for Self-realization, and to merge his consciousness into that of Cosmic
Consciousness. Thus the Bible declares, Be Still and know you are God.38
So before discussing about the consciousness viz. to each chakra, the psychic energy
centers, let us discuss a little bit about these chakras and their related functioning. It has
37
Yoga of Knowledge or Wisdom. In Sanskrit known as Gyana Yoga.
38
Psalms 46:10 (Bible).
24
been mentioned and may be found in any standard spiritual book on yoga that our body is
being functional, due to the functioning of the seven chakras. 39 These chakras are situated
along the length of the spinal column. These chakras positions, starting from the base, are
as follows: Coccygeal (Muladhara), situated at bottom end of the spinal column; Sacral
(Swadhishthan), situated a little distance above of the Coccygeal chakra; Lumber
(Manipura), situated directly opposite to the novel belly button; Dorsal (Anahata),
situated opposite to the hearth center; Cervical (Vishuddha), situated opposite to the joint
of neck and shoulder; Medulla (Ajna), situated directly opposite to the center of forehead;
and Cerebral (Sahasrara), situated at the top of head.
In the term of spiritual language, Coccygeal chakra is a four petals lotus center and
governed by the element earth. Sacral chakra is a six petals lotus center and governed by
the element water. Lumber chakra is a ten petals lotus center and governed by the
element fire. Dorsal chakra is a twelve petal lotus center and governed by the element air.
Cervical chakra is a sixteen petals lotus center and governed by the element ether.
Medulla chakra is a two petals lotus center and governed by an element known as the
primordial energy AUM.40 Cerebral chakra is a thousand petals lotus center.41
When our consciousness is centered at the Coccygeal chakra, one is conscious about the
sound that resembles the buzzing sound of the honey bee. When consciousness is one
with the Sacral chakra, one is conscious about sound like that of flute. When
consciousness is one with the Lumber chakra, one hears the sound that resembles the
sound like that of a harp or vina.42 When consciousness rises to the Dorsal center one
becomes conscious of the sound of AUM, the sound of God’s consciousness, At this
center AUM the sound of God’s manifestation is like a sound of a long drawn astral bell.
And when consciousness further up to the Cervical psychic centre one hears the sound of
AUM but this time as that of a roaring oceanic sound. With the sadhaka’s consciousness
39
See for example, Bhagavad-Gita, chapter I.
40
Primordial cosmic sound energy associated with the origin of the universe or to say with creation of any
matter, this is referred to as a Big Bang in the astrophysical terminology.
41
Bhagavad-Gita, I- 15- 18.
42
A Bharatiya (Indian) stringed musical instrument, similar to Guitar.
25
merged with the consciousness that of Medulla chakra, a sadhaka hears the symphony of
the sound of five lower chakras as mentioned above, and becomes One with AUM
vibration. He is now fully conscious of God; and with consciousness One with Cerebral
chakra he attains the state of Cosmic Consciousness; a state of Nirvikalpa Samadhi.
Generally speaking, we are only conscious of our various bodily functions that are
governed by the three lower chakras; namely Coccygeal, Sacral and Lumber psychic
energy centers. And most of the times our consciousness revolves around and bounded
with these three lower centers only. We are born with the predominantly active three
lower chakras, as well as all other living beings. These psychic energy centers work and
power the body involuntarily without ourselves being conscious about their functioning.
And, a matter of fact, we take it for granted the functioning of our body, as it is working
of its own without any internal helping agent. As our consciousness, in general, is
bounded by the three lower chakras, we are primarily bounded by the lower nature43 of
our being, the so called instinctive behaviour. The lower nature primarily works through
the instinctive power with virtually no or very little discrimination faculty. It would not
be an aggregation to say that if anyone’s consciousness is completely bounded to that of
only the lower three chakras, and with no consciousness of any of the above three
chakras, the person’s behaviour will be in no case better than that of an highly instinctive
behaviour, no matter where he is placed in the society. Fortunately this is not the case
associated with the birth of ourselves as of human being. As this sacred human birth is far
and far above on the scale of evolution of consciousness.
A human birth is verily indeed very rare, very precious and very sacred.44, 45 The human
birth is an evolutionary consciousness process in terms of birth cycles. It is very highly
43
Generally speaking the instinctive behaviour.
44
Vivek Chudamani of Sw Sri Shankara, verses 2, 3.
45
Dr Sagan writes, ‘Single-celled plants evolved and life began to generate… One-celled organism evolves
into multicellular colonies… Plants and animals discovered that the land could support the life… The ash
of stellar alchemy was now emerging into consciousness… given fifteen billions years of cosmic
evolutions.’ Cosmos, Carl Sagan, (Published by A Ballantine Book, New York, 1980), p 282.
26
placed on the path of consciousness of the Self-realization, in order that, we may raise
our consciousness and attain Self-realization. This birth, in the form of human being,
could not have been taken place without the Will and Grace of Almighty Lord. The
scriptures say that only after millions and millions of incarnations when God bestows His
grace on His children we are born or are able to take birth as a human being, that too only
when He so desires. So His children may taste the very sweet nectar of Bliss of Sat-Chid-
Ananda Loka46 and realize Him. As only in the form of human body one can taste the
nectar of Blissful God and achieve Him. With yoga and meditation practise it is possible
to raise gradually one’s consciousness from that of the lower chakras to that of upper
chakras, to become conscious of Him, His Divine World and His Divine Qualities.
Figuratively speaking, it is virtually lifting up the consciousness from the lower earthly
binding consciousness to the soul liberating upper Cosmic Consciousness of Divinity. A
virtual journey of consciousness, on the royal path of Raj-Yoga for Self-realization, from
Coccygeal psychic chakra to Sahasrara chakra; from the world of mortality to the World
of Immortality, from the confinement to freedom, from bondage to liberty. Thus we pray
to God that He may shower and bestow His grace to His children. So that by raising their
consciousness His children will achieve Him.47
Still, it is not very clear to the physical science that what role may it play in the spiritual
world the Para-Prakriti? As the primary purpose of science is the observation of any
phenomenon, be it natural or in the laboratory; and of its analysis. As these days there is
growing interest in the scientist community that how can science help or enter into the
spiritual world? To do scientific analysis and to obtain the proof of what is happening
during meditation, as have been reported and experienced by the sages earlier?
46
Loka: literally means the world.
47
Oh! Almighty and All Merciful God!
raise our consciousness and thus,
lead us from darkness to Light of Thee;
lead us from ignorance to wisdom of Thee;
lead us from selfishness to compassion for all;
lead us from ego of self to ego of selflessness.
27
We will try to analysis this aspect of consciousness from the point of view of science as
well as quantum physics. We will also discuss the classical phenomenon in physics viz.
action at a distance, the electric field, magnetic field, and quantum field, subject or
observer versus object, from the point of view of field of consciousness.
Modern Physics
We consider the atomic aspect of nature that quantum physics deals fairly well, i.e. with
the subject of subatomic physics.48 We know that the very word quanta deal with energy,
the quantum of energy. We, at the same time, learned that consciousness and energy are
the same and one. And consciousness primarily works through energy only. We will
discuss this delicate symbiosis between consciousness and energy from the point of view
of atomic physics.
The remarkable point is to observe in the case of sub-atomic particles, such as electron,
proton, etc.,49 that not only these infinitesimally tiny particles carry energy but these carry
the intelligence as well. Or, we can say that these infinitesimally particles are the bundle
of consciousness of energy that carry intelligence with them; or the carrier of intelligent
energy or consciousness. We will see with the exploratory experimental observations that
an electron is conscious of the presence of other electrons but it is not conscious of its
own identity, entity or self. In the world of physical sciences, subject (or observer) and
object are two different things. Subject is not subjected to itself but a subject is subjected
to an object or vice versa.
We, here discuss the two important rules of the atomic arrangement of electrons in the
shells and sub-shells of atomic structure, one by one.50 These are one the Pauli Exclusion
Principle, and other the Hund’s rule.
48
Perspective of Modern Physics, A Beiser, (Published by McGraw-Hills Book Company, USA).
49
Further, we refer electron as a generic name for the subatomic particles.
50
See any elementary textbook on physics, for example; Fundamental of Physics, Resnic and Halliday,
(Published by John Wiley and Sons, USA).
28
Consciousness of the Electron
The Pauli Exclusion Principle says that no two electrons with the sets of identical
quantum numbers can occupy the same sub-shell. The Hund’s rule says that after filling
up the unoccupied sub-shells first, only then the pairing of electrons in the sub-shells
would take place.
Now, the question arises how the electron, which is invisible to any known scientific
instruments, got its intelligence, to obey the above two rules? Or in other words, we can
say how this electron is conscious of its act to follow the above two stated rules? How an
electron is conscious before hand that another electron with particular spin (energy) is
already there in a sub-shell and other kind of spin (energy) is required to pair it up? Who
gives electrons the conscious intelligence? Or who provides these particles with
consciousness of energy? Do we have any answer to such questions?
A very important element that differs from the consciousness of an electron to that of a
human being may be understood and explained as follows. We observe that an electron is
conscious of the presence of another electron in the sub-shell (Hund’s rule) but it is not
conscious of its own entity, identity or self.
29
itself. Thus in quantum physics the object and observer may all be different from each
other. We will see when dealing with electric and magnetic field. We only observe action
at a distance due to the field created by an electron that acts as a subject on another
electron that acts as an object, or vice versa.
On contrary, on the other hand, in the spiritual world subject or observer and object are
not different from each other, but all these are the same and one. Thus the scriptures
declare that a sadhaka progresses from I Am; to Thou Are That; to I and Brahman are the
same and One.
Intrinsic Consciousness
…Are not we, human being, carry the intrinsic consciousness in the consciousness of
God? Just playing our part in this world as predetermined and ordained by Him. The only
difference between human being and electrons is that human being has been given the
power of free will, to choose and follow their paths. It means human beings have freedom
to seek and follow the path of Self-realization that leads to God. Or to follow the path that
keeps one engaged in this world.
Atomic Orbits
We know from our knowledge of atomic physics that electrons revolve in the fixed
atomic orbits. There are intra-orbit transitions of electrons which take place from one
orbit to another orbit, under the set rules of quantum physics. This gives rise to the
30
spectral lines of absorption or emission spectra of the atomic transitions. The electron if
gains energy jumps into the higher orbits from the lower orbits. And the electron if it
loses energy jumps into the lower orbits from the higher orbits. If we supply an electron
sufficient energy, energy equivalent to that of ionization potential of a particular atom, the
electron will leave the orbit of atom forever, making it a positive ion.
The electrons that constitute the inner most cores of the atomic orbits are the tightly
bound electrons, and are known as the core or bounded electrons. It may require an
enormous amount of energy to dislodge these core electrons from their orbits. Generally
speaking, experimentally it may not be possible under the normal laboratory conditions to
dislodge these core electrons from their orbits. However, the electrons that constitute the
valence band electrons of the outer most sub-shell of the atomic orbits require very less
energy to get released, from their orbit. These are known as the valence electrons and are
free to move within volume of the element.
Will it not be interesting to see how our consciousness hovers around in these psychic
chakras? How our consciousness manifests itself as a function of these chakras; as our
consciousness is heavily dominated and influence by these chakras?
31
will as nothing can bind him into the world. Or, in other words, we may say the Maya of
this world is powerless before his will power that can attach him into this delusive world.
By doing His work, a selfless action he himself gains nothing. He has to work just shake
for His children as ordained by Him, and no other desire.53
We may say that all other person’s consciousness, at any given time, lies in between these
two extreme states of consciousness, i.e. between Muladhara and Sahasrara psychic
energy chakras. The consciousness is ever ready to go upwards towards the Sahasrara,
by the grace of God.
Fields of Consciousness
The one electron, say the observer electron, has its own electric field. The second
electron, say the object electron, also has its own electric field. The fields created by
electrons are similar in nature but may be different in strength, depending upon the
magnitude of charges these two electrons carry. We can visualize and may draw an
inference that both of these two charged particles are not conscious of their own
individual electric fields, and it is an established observational fact. One may observe
that, when these two charged particles are brought together, in the closeness of their
electric fields, these two particles immediately become conscious of each other’s
presence. By the experience of electrostatic forces that these two charged particles exert
53
Bhagavad-Gita, III- 22.
32
on each other. It is a well known experimental result and has thoroughly been verified
and measured in the various laboratories.
From the physics point of view a charged particle may be classified either of carrying a
positive charge or a negative charges. For an example electrons carry the negative charge
hence the electrons are the negatively charged particles. While on the other hand protons
carry the positive charges so the protons are the positively charged particles. Depending
upon the nature of charged particles either these two particles attract or repulse each
other.
The greater the magnitude of charge on a charged particle, larger its field of action will be
in terms of distances, to influence an electrostatic force on the other charged particle. But
its power of attraction or repulsion can not act upon itself.
The very similar phenomenon we may observe in the case of magnetic fields. The two
like magnetic poles, like south-south poles or north-north poles, repel each other. While
the two dislike magnetic poles, like south-north poles, attract each others. The power of
attraction or repulsion depends upon the strength of magnetic field of the magnetic bars.
…The Inferences
The interesting and important phenomenon that has to be observed here is that any other
charge that comes into contact of the electric field of first charge instantaneously
becomes conscious of the first charge, and the vice versa. However small magnitude of
electric field strength these two charges may be carrying. So if the strength of the field of
first charge is made very large in comparison with that of second charge, the first charge
will always be conscious of the second charge even at fairly large distances, and the vice
versa.
Thus we may draw an important conclusion from it. Keeping this analogy in mind and on
extrapolation if strength of the electric field of first charge particle made infinite, the first
33
charge particle as well as the second charged particle will always be conscious of each
other. No matter how far these two charged particles are placed from each other.
Then whatsoever is happening in any part of the universe to either of the observer or
object, no matter how far the observer or object is separated from each other; they will
always be in touch and in communion with each other. Any happening of events that has
been taking at one place will be instantaneously known and communicated to each other.
Quantum Physics
We try to explore the consciousness with the well known phenomenon of quantum
physics namely the probability distribution function of a wave equation, the quantum
tunneling effect, and probability current density associated with the equation of
continuity.55 We have already seen in the case of uncertainty principle that how it restricts
our observation and measurement abilities. It would be interesting to compare the state of
54
Person whose consciousness is established into the Cosmic Consciousness.
55
Quantum Mechanics, L I Schiff, (Published by McGraw-Hills Book Company, USA, 1949).
34
consciousness to that of probability of finding a quantum particle in the space, tunneling
phenomenon and equation of continuity associated with the probability current density.
The quantum physics says that probability of finding a quantum particle in the space is
always one. In terms of a mathematical equation it may be expressed as follows:
∫ ψ ( r .t )
2
d 3r = 1
v
Let a quantum particle with energy Eo , approaches any quantum well of potential energy
V , with the energy less that of the quantum potential well, i.e. Eo ≤ V . Then quantum
tunneling effect says that there will always be a non-zero probability that the particle will
penetrate the wall of potential well to reach the other side of the potential well. This
phenomenon in quantum physics is well known as the quantum tunneling effect. In terms
of classical physics approach, a particle cannot penetrate the potential well to reach the
other side of the potential well. It is a well observed phenomenon in the laboratory and
the nature as well. For an example, the radioactive emission of α, β, and γ radioactive
particles that have been taking place in the radioactive material.
∂Ρ ( r , t )
56
+ ∇ ∗ J ( r , t ) = 0 , the equation of continuity associated with the flow of fluid.
∂t
2
57
Ρ ( r , t ) = ψ * ( r , t )ψ ( r , t ) = ψ ( r , t ) , Position probability density.
58
J(r,t) =
2im
[Ψ ∇ψ − (∇Ψ )Ψ] , Probability current density.
∗ ∗
35
…The Inferences
On the close observation we find that our consciousness which primarily works through
the medium of energy has always non-zero probability of its being conscious of divinity.
We human beings even if born with the however least consciousness of divinity; there
will always be a non-zero probability of a little bit consciousness of divinity presence in
each of us. The consciousness may always tunnel through an impregnable fortress59 that
may seem impossible to penetrate from the point of human consciousness, to become
conscious of the divine events that have been taking place there. We consider the
consciousness of whole universe it is just equal to One and that is the Consciousness of
God. Thus in terms of a mathematical equation it may be represented as follows,
Thus the whole purpose as well aim of life is to become One with God. And to merge
one’s consciousness into the Consciousness of God and become One with Him. As there
is one and only one reality, that too without any duality; that is GOD and GOD ALONE.
This world is nothing but a divine play in His Consciousness.
59
An analogy to a deep infinite quantum potential well.
60
Probable distribution of consciousness among the various chakras.
36
His Consciousness has no source or sink, no beginning hence no end, no birth hence no
death, but is ever flowing in continuum with no past, present or future; pure Bliss of
Love, pure Consciousness of Love ever flowing, ever drenching and ever saturating His
children of Love, with His nectar of Love. Or, in other words, we may say; He Himself
becomes the Source and the Sink; He Himself becomes the Beginning and the End; He
Himself become the Birth and the Death; He Himself becomes the Ever Flowing in
continuum, with Himself becomes the Past, the Present and the Future; He Himself
becomes the pure Bliss of Love; He Himself becomes the pure Consciousness of Love
ever flowing, ever drenching and ever saturating Himself, by becoming Himself the
Children, and by becoming Himself the Nectar of His pure Love.61
Earlier in the text we have seen that how the uncertainty principle puts a limit on our
observational capacity and its measurement. We now try to see how uncertainty principle
plays its role again with our consciousness of these two worlds, namely the physical
world and the world of God or between Apara-Prakriti and Para-Prakriti; in altogether
in a very different though in a subtle form.
Just to recall, the uncertainty principle says that, in theory and as well as in practice, it is
not possible to measure the momentum and position of a quantum particle simultaneously
with accuracy. If the measurement in momentum is certain than the measurement in
position becomes uncertain, by a certain non-zero amount ‘h’62 and vice versa.
Darkness and light, enjoyment of the world and enjoyment of the God can never go
together.63 Recalling the passage from The Holy Bible, pointing towards the limitation of
these two, inkling to the uncertainty principle; Ye cannot serve God and Mammon
(together).64
61
Bhagavad-Gita, VII– 6, X- 32.
62
Planck’s constant, h= 6.626176 E- 34 Joule–sec.
63
Selections from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, (Published by Advaita Ashram, Kolkata,
2001), p 354.
64
Matthew 6:24 (Bible).
37
…Relation with the Chakras
We see that it is not possible to have the consciousness of two extreme psychic energy
centers at the same time simultaneously, no matter how hard one may try. For an
example, the person whose consciousness is bounded to the Coccygeal psychic energy
center, it would be hard for us to expect a saintly behaviour from that person.
…And Consciousness
On the other end, a person whose consciousness is established into that of the
consciousness of Sahasrara center is established in the Divine World, the World of God.
He is a Self-realized person and the lover of God, and hence the lover mankind. He is not
completely oblivious of the physical world, depending upon his will perhaps he may be
sometimes. But he is immune to the Maya of this delusive world and unattached to it. He
lives in the world like a white lotus in the muddy water with his consciousness
65
For example see, The Life of Ramakrishna, Romain Rolland, (Published by Advaita Ashram, Kolkata,
2003). The saint of Dakshineswar was the living embodiment of the Vedas.
38
surrendered and completely submerged into the Consciousness of God. He consciously
lives for God and God alone, to serve and guide His children.
Quoting an aphorism of Einstein As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they
are not certain; and as far as they are certain they do not refer to reality.66, 67 A beautiful
description of the uncertainty principle! This statement states that the world of Self-
realization is beyond the realm of the physical laws, hence beyond the expressive powers
of laws of mathematics, in terns of the mathematical equations.
Wave-Particle Duality
We know from the various modern physics experiments that light exhibits the
characteristics of both, the particles as well as wave-behaviour, under different
experimental conditions. It is known as the wave-particle duality and is very fundamental
to the nature.68
For example there are various natural phenomena where light exhibits the wave like
behaviour. The well known experiments where light shows the wave like properties are:
interference, diffraction; reflection, refraction and transmission of the light waves. And
there are some well known experiments where light shows the particle like behaviour
such as; black body radiation, Compton Effect, photoelectric effect etc. These show the
dual nature of the light. Depending upon the experimental conditions to work with, the
light may exhibits the wave like behaviour or the particle nature.
66
Quoted in, The Tao of Physics, Fritjof Capra, (Published by Harper Collins, London, 1991), p 49.
67
See also, Ideas and Opinions, Albert Einstein, (Published by Rupa and Company, New Delhi, 2002), p
41, 290.
68
Perspective of Modern Physics, A Beiser, (Published by McGraw-Hills Book Company, USA).
39
Dual nature of Electron
We take up the example of a subatomic particle, the electron. It has been long known that
electron behaves like a particle and its motion gives us the very lifeline of our modern
life, the electric current. But the scientists have been able to exploit and let electrons
behave like a wave, and the result is Electron Microscope, in which the very notion of
electron as a wave has been used to magnify an object.69 Similarly, we have other
instruments and advanced techniques where wave properties of the sub-atomic particles
are used for probing deeper and deeper into the matter with enhanced resolution. Some of
these prominent techniques are X–ray diffraction techniques, Spectrometric method, and
of very recent the Atomic Force Microcopy.
We will see how the above information or knowledge helps us to understand duality as a
function of consciousness? We are born and come into this world, inheriting the
consciousness of duality as a very gift of Nature by virtue of our birthright. One’s very
birth signifies its duality by fixing its opposite pole the death. One has either of the male
or female body. The most significant of these is the creation of an individual soul by
separating it from the Infinite Spirit. By its very creation there is a creation of duality, in
69
Electron due to its very small wavelength is able to magnify any object much larger than compare to a
light wave whose wavelength is much larger than that of an electron wave; in other words resolving power
of an electron wave is more than that of the light wave.
Re solving − power − of − an − instrument ∝ 1 wavelenth − of − the − incident − beam
40
the form of Infinite Spirit and a soul, two in the entities but One in the Spirit. Thus duality
is a hallmark of our consciousness by very virtue of birth, in this physical world.
The whole of the yoga is how to raise our consciousness from this duality of the physical
world? Thus, how to unite with God? How to become One with God? How to attain the
Self-realization of Cosmic Consciousness? The Maya, the powerful and strong delusive
force, the very root cause of the duality is fundamental to the physical world. Hence the
sources of all miseries in the world! As a matter of fact, all the dualities such as birth and
death; heat and cold; evil and good; pleasure and pain; male and female; happiness and
sorrow exists only in our consciousness.
The Lord Sri Krishna preaches his beloved disciple ‘Oh! Arjuna raise your consciousness
from the duality of this delusive world. …‘Be indifferent to these dualities and raise
yourself from this (oppressive) pairs of opposite and establish yourself in Me, the Sat-
Chid-Anand Lord of the Universe.’70 The Lord further advises him ‘Oh! Arjuna, conquer
your lower-self that behaves as one’s enemy by your Higher-Self that behaves as one’s
friend, which (Higher-Self) is established in the Brahman; by raising your consciousness
from the lower-self to that of Higher-Self. As verily your lower-self is your enemy and
your Higher-Self is indeed your friend.’71
Our consciousness when confined to an individual soul behaves like a particle and it is
subjected to all kinds of finite laws of the world, including the space-time limitation.72
When our consciousness embraces that of Cosmic Consciousness it becomes free and
behaves like a wave pervading the entire cosmos. It is free from any finite laws of the
world and as well as free from the binding of description of any known or unknown
language, and above all it is free from the duality of this physical world.
We may express the above statement in the term of a mathematical equation as follows,
70
Bhagavad-Gita, II– 45, VI– 7, 8, 9.
71
Bhagavad-Gita, VI– 5, 6.
72
Tribulations and turmoil are the finite laws of the physical world; Bhagavad Gita, IX- 7, 8.
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Partcile ≡ Confinment − of − Consciousness − to − an − Individual − Soul ≡ Ego − Conciousness
CONCLUSION
In the end, we say the search through science and that through spiritual scientific
discipline come to the same conclusion that the purpose of life is to attain the Self-
realization. Through physical science the search begins with experimentation and
observation of physical world and through the spiritual science search begins with the
enquiry of the Self. Both of these sciences are in search of finding the Ultimate Reality,
the Ultimate Truth, and the Ultimate Goal or to say the Ultimate Destination. We can see
that in the recent years scientist are in the search of the so called elusive most
fundamental particle; named the particle of God. But little we realize that the particle, be
it is fundamental or not, has been derived from the same Source of vast energy, the
Spirit.73
Ironically, no matter how much we may advanced scientifically… still after billions of
years of advancements hence evolutions, there will still be innumerous higher levels of
realms would remained uncovered to be probed by the human being, to enhance his
capabilities and to engage himself in the work of creation, through discoveries and more
discoveries. It is an ongoing and unending process. Science is a beautiful too to uncover
the secrets of the wonderful and beautiful creation. Yet, the Creator is more beautiful. The
Holy Bible says ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God… and all these things shall be
added unto you.’74
Even at the pinnacle of the scientific intellectualization, the person still feels thirsty for
the Self-realization. As if something is missing from his consciousness to make it Whole
and to let it be saturated with the all pervading knowledge. He realizes that virtually he is
discovering or has discovered nothing. Rather, he is just working as an instrument, a
73
E = mc 2 , where c is the speed of light. One of the most famous equations in the annals of history of
science, derived by Albert Einstein. Showing the equivalence of energy and mass.
74
Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:31 (Bible).
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fortunate chosen one babe of the Creator to let it (the discoveries) happen through him.
He is just a babe, a playing one, before the awesome mighty Nature. The Nature herself
uncovering her secrets before her babes, step by step through the medium of science, and
to let her babes to keep on playing!75 The Great Newton just before his death wrote; ‘I do
not know what I may appear to the world; but to myself I seem to have been only like a
boy, playing on the seashore, and diverting myself, in now and then finding a smoother
pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, while the great ocean of truth lay all uncovered
before me.’76 Recalling Einstein, as quoted earlier in the text, we can say that science
though a very beautiful and elegant way to study nature, just stops short of describing the
ultimate reality, in terms of any describing language. As in description of the physical
reality our consciousness struggles with the duality of this world, till it gets freedom
through the spiritual approach into the Spiritual World.
Only then we come face to face with the reality of world and take a step towards the Self
enquiry for the deeper and deeper scientific search, and seek refuge in the spiritual
science. Erwin Schrödinger the Austrian Noble prize winner physicist and the formulator
of the matrix mechanics of the quantum physics; he used to say that he always draw
strength, inspiration and solutions from the ancient Indian sacred scriptures, the
Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. He has expressed his profound gratitude to these
sacred scriptures for inspiration, in his celebrated book ‘What is Life?’ 77 The celebrated,
renowned and learned German oriental philosopher Prof. Max Muller has said, ‘I take
refuge in the Lord Buddha.’78
Who I am? What is the purpose of my life? Struggling through all these questions one
then leads to the path of Self-realization of Cosmic Consciousness. But behind this to
achieve the Self-realization needs a tremendous struggle with the self. Much greater
struggle, an unimagined infinitely times greater struggle than what we need to struggle to
achieve any material success in this world. Tremendous self determination and
75
…and revealed them unto babes; Matthew 11:25 (Bible).
76
Cosmos, Carl Sagan, (Published by A Ballantine Book, New York, 1980), p 58.
77
What ifs Life, Erwin Schrödinger, (Published by Cambridge University Press, London, 1948).
78
Quoted in, The Light of Asia, Sir Edwin Arnold, (Published by Srishti Publisher, 1999), p3.
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tremendous will power and faith in Self and God that what is needed and require to
achieve its end, the Self-realization. But above all the Grace of Almighty!
At the peak of intellectualization, advances or research, sooner or later, our intellect and
consciousness of its own make transition into the spiritual world. How and when, it is His
desire, His decision and His choice. Only then a real journey, a real research and real
science of Self-realization begins. Science or to say scientific research, as advances,
unknowingly and involuntarily searches the deep esoteric human nature. As it is well said
in the scriptures, the human body is in itself a mini universe combining all the manifested
and hidden laws of the cosmos. All the principles of physics, if we look into their deep
esoteric meanings, points towards what is happening in our own physical body; and the
physical body in turn is governed by the spiritual laws. These could only be understood if
we have the consciousness of the Higher-Self.
Science or to say any studies is an exercise in intellectualization and the search for the
Higher-Self only starts after that. The Higher-Self is beyond intellectual approach and
may be realized only intuitively through the practice of spiritual science. Lord Krishna
says in The Bhagavad Gita ‘The senses are superior to body, the mind is superior to the
senses, the intelligent is superior to the mind, but Me, the Self is superior to all.79 He is
the supreme reality, above all gross or subtle, matter or non-matter. Thus finding Him is
the highest and noblest kind of search and mind the word not research. As He is above
the defilement of any describing language, even the all sacred scriptures can only points
towards Him in order to show us the pathway.
These two worlds are not disjoint or mutually exclusive but are deeply and esoterically
interlinked to each other. What is happening in the one world is correspondingly
happening in the other world also. Quantum physics may severe as a beautiful bridge
between these two worlds and is in correspondence with the spiritual world. The passage,
from the physical world to the spiritual world is through deep tunnel, penetrating through
the spiritual eye.80 An advanced yogi has a choice, by his will, to live in this physical
79
Bhagavad-Gita, III- 42.
80
The single eye of intuition and omnipresent perception at the Christ center (ajana chakra) between the
eyebrows; the entryway into the ultimate states of divine consciousness. The deeply meditating devotee
beholds the spiritual eye as a ring of golden light encircling a sphere of opalescent blue, and at a center, a
44
world or in the spiritual world. Or, we may say by his will power, he can have a
consciousness of the physical world or the spiritual world. So advanced yogis live a
spiritual life in this physical world.
In an analogy, recalling the Carl Sagan; as he wrote in his celebrated book Cosmos
‘probably these black holes may serve as a pathway or interlink to other cosmic
civilizations? …the possibility of wormholes to get from one place in the universe to
another without covering the intervening distances-through a black hole. We can imagine
these wormholes as tube running through a fourth physical dimension. …but if they do
exist, must they hook up with another place in our universe? Or is it just possible that
wormholes connect with other universes, places that would otherwise be forever
inaccessible to us? For all we know, there may be many other universes. Perhaps they are,
in some sense, nested within one another.’81 The Bhagavad Gita echoes and says the same
inferences that all the manifestations of Prakriti are interlinked with each other like a
pearl in the necklace.82
A scientific mind helps one to understand Nature better and logically. This, in turn, helps
the person to understand and follow the spiritual world in a more organized and
systematic manner. The spiritual path is the path: to seek and follow, and to understand
the very deep esoteric human nature of the Higher-Self. In a very similar ways as science
seek the truth in searching, probing and testing the physical reality. On extrapolation
these two paths come to the same point of realization of Cosmic Intelligence. An
Intelligence that is very hard to describe in any kind of descriptive language; or to say it
is beyond the perimeter of any language. In Bharata this Cosmic Intelligence is named
the Sat-Chid-Anand Loka, i e. Ever Existence-Ever Consciousness-Ever Bliss world of
God.
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…The Beginning
Thus the conscious search, be it physical or spiritual, will continue to continue till we,
nay everyone reach the ultimate goal, the Goal of Self-realization, the God or by
whatsoever name we may call it. He is here, He is there and He is everywhere. Our
loving Father is eagerly waiting for His beloved children to come to their Home, the
Abode of God.
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