TODAY'S CONSIDERATIONS
"Science will someday advance to the point that it will confirm the validity of the non-dual teachings."
--Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
[See the offer following this post for details on how you can watch a video which includes a discussion of all seven of the steps on the path used by Maharaj]
[Continued from yesterday]
This has also been offered in the past:
When presented via the nisarga yoga approach, Advaita is neither a religion nor a philosophy; instead, it is science.
Again, Maharaj tried a Hindu / non-dual version of the Ultimate Medicine and abandoned its use; he tried a spirituality / non-dual version of the Ultimate Medicine and abandoned its use; eventually, he settled into a scientific approach to be used when offering a treatment plan for the Ultimate Sickness, specifically, using the sciences of the mind, including the science of psychology and the science of human behavior.
He had also used the science of de-programming all along (which can be used to end ignorant and insane allegiances not only to dualistic belief systems but also to those trapped in cults and cult-like groups including those which are religious, political, economic, or social groups which use belief systems for the purpose of creating and maintaining loyalty and entrapment with a cult).
In what fashion can science be used to bring about freedom from such influence and entrapment?
When some philosophies and almost all religions are put to the test, much of what they teach must be rejected as a result of there being far too much contradictory empirical data. It is the direct path, nisarga yoga approach which invites questioning but . . .
. . . which accepts factual evidence over religious dogma, scriptures, and the words of any person
and
. . . which allows scientific proofs to take precedence over philosophical theories or ancient myths repeated as real
and
. . . which teaches that—just as there are archetypal, internal messages that are rooted in the totality of all human experience and that have been shown scientifically to have been transmitted genetically over the span of millions of years—so there are inner awarenesses of that which is infinite and permanent as opposed to that which is transient.
If you visit www.floydhenderson.com and read "Advaita Consideration #1," you can find additional information on this subject as well as this excerpt:
Maharaj said that someday his teachings would be explained in terms of the science involved and that would expand the numbers of those with the Understanding of his teachings because those with a scientific (or more concrete than abstract) mindset could know the Absolute. Of course science has never been necessary for the Understanding since all that one need to know is within, but science today does reaffirm the veracity of Maharaj’s words.
Nisarga yoga makes clear that bodies are merely converted plant food; that reproduction is an act of friction rather than an act controlled by divine intervention; and that when dust returns to dust, no re-formation of that same dust as the same person can possibly happen.
Nisarga yoga makes clear that persons programmed by dogma will think in magical ways that prevent them from understanding the mechanics of normal and natural happenings. While they speak of “god’s unexplainable mysteries,” the Realized Nisargan can easily explain via investigation and facts the particulars of natural happenings that are labeled as supernatural happenings by those trapped in learned ignorance.
Nisarga yoga makes clear that there is nothing that is magical as opposed to routine; that there is nothing that is miraculous as opposed to what can be explained via concrete, scientific facts either proved or provable; and that there is nothing that is caused supernaturally as opposed to the natural processes of causation.
Now, the comparisons / contrasts will continue:
20.
Religion requires its followers to exercise faith as opposed to reason.
Philosophy has at times claimed that a combination of religion and philosophy are required for understanding and that in many cases neither alone can offer a complete explanation of truth.
Science (as is the case with Nisarga yoga) advocates the use of questioning and the use of logic and reason and fact over blind faith in the pursuit of truth.
21.
Religion thrives on emotional intoxication.
Philosophy, in some cases, engenders emotional intoxication, but less than religions.
Science (as is the case with Nisarga yoga) discourages emotional intoxication though feelings (different from emotions) are seen as natural.
22.
Religion encourages the use of scriptures to define truth, though their scriptures were usually written thousands of years ago—usually by men…and specifically men who were ignorant and/or superstitious and who were generally repeating tales they had heard that had been circulated by pagans.
Philosophy uses writing of philosophers as a starting point of discussions, yet little considered “supernatural” is assigned to the writers or writings. As Cline noted, “Nietzsche wasn’t born of a virgin, no angels appeared to announce the conception of Sartre, and Hume didn’t make the lame walk again.”
Science refutes the possibility of virginal vs. vaginal births as well as “miracles” (a term applied by those trapped in magical thinking who do not understand true cause).
23.
Religion is ironic at its core, rooted in the self-contradictory concept of “absolute dualities,” trying to define specifically what is good or bad, right or wrong, moral or immoral, ad infinitum.
Philosophy sometimes encourages belief in dualities.
24.
Religion, and its leaders, require that their beliefs be accepted without question.
Philosophy usually encourages questioning.
Science (as is the case with Nisarga yoga) always questions until facts emerge. Only then is there no question.
25.
Religion usually teaches that there is a Timeless Being that is the source of life.
Science (as is the case with Nisarga yoga) shows that there is timeless being or beingness that is the source of consciousness and what is called “life.”
To be continued.
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