ICSJP ►Integration Of Science And Spirituality For Future Development

International Conference on Science and Jain Philosophy

Dr. K.P. Mishra Ph.D, M.Sc, is a former Senior Scientist and Head of Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai. He is Ex-Vice Chancellor of NGB University, Allahabad. He is President of Foundation of Education and Research, India and Founder President of Society of Radiation Research, India. He is Fellow of National Academy of Science, India.

Discoveries in modern Science have deeply impacted human society. There has been revolution in communication, transport, energy, medicine, agriculture with the use of science and technology. Intensive research and spirit of inquiry have transformed human life, expanded the horizon of knowledge on universe, altered the concept of time and space, and stimulated us to know the unknown in the course of time. We have witnessed generation of enormous new resources, boost in economy and rise in standards and style of life of people. Consequently, the trust of society in science and technology has tremendously increased over the years. It is heartening to note that the quest for unraveling the secrets of nature continues though much remains to be explored.

Classical Science

Both European and Eastern philosophers showed keen interest in understanding the phenomenon and events around them. The observation of order and regularities of planetary events have been engaging the attention of philosophers and scientists for centuries. It is intriguing that scriptures refer to knowledge of various subjects which is yet beyond the grasp of science. It is indeed puzzling to think if ancient seekers had methods and approaches to acquire knowledge about cosmos and governing principles. Many of the concepts and perceptions of scriptures are unverified but intense efforts continue in this direction. The questions about why universe was born, why life exists what is the purpose of life continue to in exploring minds. It however remains to be examined by methods, tools and techniques of modern science. In general, methods and approaches of science have received greater acceptability in society. The mindset of public has changed from usual believing in faiths blindly to examining them on reasons. The entire new culture of scientific approach to inquire and, tendency to reason out before accepting a viewpoint is rapidly growing in society. A rational examination of has taken over blind acceptance which to me looks promising for understanding nature and acquiring new knowledge.

It is mistakenly viewed that science and spirituality are not compatible. Science is considered reliable and repeatable, while spirituality often regarded as a sentimental relic of our past we can't quite let go of. So to say it is necessary for the two to work together may seem unrealistic. For centuries, science has led our progress; spirituality, as indicated through participation in orthodox religion has been in steady decline. But the unorganized, personal aspect of spirituality is the subjective pursuit of value, reality, and understanding through individual experience or consciousness. This aspect of spirituality has not declined. Instead, the drive to find external solutions to global problems that have value to our interior world is more powerful than ever.

The scale of our planet's problems is too great to be solued without an integrated a pproach of science and spirituality. The power of consciousness needs the systemization of the scientific method, and the tools of science depend on the wisdom and creatiuity of individual consciousness to guide it in a meaningful direction.

More and more scientists are recognizing this need, in part, because fundamental science has come to a place where the ultimate questions of matter and creation cannot be understood unless consciousness is accounted for and factored in. Consciousness may well be the common ground on which the objective and subjective worlds are derived and united. With this vision, scientists have begun to meet and discuss solutions to global is­sues of health, hunger, conflict resolution, climate change, and economic injustice from a perspective that joins science and spirituality

It will bring together not only eminent scientists but also leading lights in spirituality based in the development of consciousness. Spirituality is rooted in the idea that a transcendent reality exists beyond the external realm of the senses. This is pure consciousness, the source of the subjective world or the mind as well the objective world of matter. Our future depends on the concerted effort of science and spirituality working together, because separately, neither has been up to the monumental task. Science works fine in every day affairs without dealing with spirituality. And on the other side, spirituality can continue serving people's spiritual needs as they go through their individual insights, crises and awakenings. However, unless the effort is precisely what global solutions require. Beyond providing a platform for addressing humanity's problems, the joint efforts of science and spirituality promises to be the foundation for the next evolutionary leap in human potential.

Spirituality emphasizes humanistic qualities of moral values (e.g. love, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, responsibility, harmony, and care of others). These are aspects of life and human experience which go beyond a purely materialist view of the world without necessarily accepting belief in a supernatural reality or divine being. Nevertheless, many humanists such as, Bertrand Russell who greatly valued the non-material, communal and uirtuous aspects of life, reject this usage of the term spirituality as being overly broad because it effectively amounts to saying "everything and anything that is good and virtuous is necessarily spiritual. Similarly, Aristotle, one of first known Western thinkers to demonstrate that morality and humanism already efficiently and succinctly describe the pro-social and civility meant to be conveyed by the term

Spirituality Unexplored

There is a school of spiritual science. The parameters of acquiring spiritual knowledge are largely unknown and, by tradition, highly subjective. The practice of spirituality is essentially a personal experience and is stated to largely depend on individual faith and belief. The practice and methods of spiritual science remain confined to enlightened seers and sages who endeauor to gain knowledge of unknown or ultimate truth of reality. These practices do not permit rigorous examination of outcome but certainly command influ­ence on a sizeable population. In scientific era, there has been facing with skepticism and demand the testing of approaches to reasoning and rationality. Therefore, culture of inquiry and experimental verification of spiritual practices are growing in human mind. There is a declining trend of acceptability especially in younger generation of population.

The progress of philosophy and science shows the role of philosopher, Plato (427-347 BC) and in classical science by Issac Newton (1647-1723) and modern science by Renes Descartes (1596-1650) in substantially advancing knowledge. A firm scientific basis of natural events leading to discoveries of the laws of motion and law of gravitation to explain many of the curiosities of the time. However, thinkers and philosophers were struck by the observed order and precision in planetary motions. The limitations of knowledge occasionally brought in the concept of Creator? Great physicist and mathematician, Newton was believer of super power for the creation of universe. With the discovery of quantum force by Max Planck (1858-1947) and later Richard Feynman's (1918­-1988) contribution to understand details of universe a new era of science commenced. In 21st century, we have begun to ask if mind and humans obey quantum laws?

Infusing science in spirituality

The spirituality has remained enigmatic and unexplored in the past decades and it managed to escape from experimentation and rigor of science. There is a need to open practices and methods of spirituality to scientific experimentation and research using modern tools. Though, spirituality has already benefited society in effective manner for inculcating the human qualities of compassion, love, morality, ethics and propagated uniuersal peace and lasting happiness. Vedantic, Buddhist, Christianity, Jainism and other spiritual traditions have reformed society and guided for higher goals in life brought social awareness but lagged behind in modernization and research. The new trend especially from younger generation has necessitated refinement and has found no support and lacked initiative. There is an urgent need to plan and execute researches in several fields of spirituality. As a consequence, it is becoming necessary to employ tools and techniques of science in widely accepted established practices of spirituality. Spiritual leaders Acharya Mahapragya ji sought and welcomed science Jain practic­es and principles and advocated the need of finding scientific basis of Jain doctrines. In recent times, it has been felt that spirituality has to invoke basics of relevant sciences such as physics, chemistry, physiology and neurosciences for validation of traditions followed in ancient times. Philosophers and thinkers prior to modern era of science enunciated providing and practices that were enthusiastically accepted and followed by the society. However, with the rise in scientific temper and access to vast information pool, change in these practices became inevitable. The questions of existence of life and creation of universe have always been pondered ever by scientists as well as philosophers and spiritual masters.

Harnessing Power of Spirituality

Thus, the goal of science and spirituality has been to unravel the secret of nature and understand the purpose of life. Who am I and where I came from and where will I go? Have been repeatedly asked in the ancient time and these questions continue to haven't human mind even today. How to be happy and get rid of miseries, philosophers from West as well as those from East have pondered over these vexing questions. Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and other religions have put forward their understanding and opinions from time to time. For example, Jain Acharyas and Hindus have known atom to be the building block of matter since long. Likewise, values of ethics and morality have been given prime importance in human development.

Life, Consciousness and Technology

The role of mind, body and consciousness in living and life has been explained in many of these philosophical and religious teachings and discourses. The existence of soul in body has been put forward by philosophers, seers and sages since ancient-times. It is unclear whether body needs soul or soul needs body. It is suggested that body without soul is dead matter, soul is said to be eternal but acceptance of such statements need experimental verification. Likewise, it is unclear what the fate of soul is after death (loss of conscious­ness). It is widely accepted that soul leaves a body and seeks sojourn in another body. Science needs to devise experiments to demonstrate such events. In spiritual domain, technology of practices has to be developed for the welfare of society. I find it exciting that spiritual technology has to emerge and branded for its benefit.

Is there birth after death? Jains strongly believe in re-birth. But again in modern era of science, experiments have to be designed to verify. Skepticism continues till proved otherwise.

Generally, spiritual leaders claim realization of super-soul where from soul is believed to be originated. However, Jain seers do not support this view point. It is widely accepted that universe existed in the past and will exist in future and it is eternal. No one created or put celestial bodies in place and order. Seers have frequently mulled over these questions and have explained the natural phenomenon in considerable details.

Enhancing Human Potential

Human mind is complex and our understanding is inadequate. In modern age, a happy meeting has begun between spiritualists and scientists with a clear indication of open mind to accept the mythology and practices of the other. For example, meditation and yoga have been recognized to affect human mind. The study of human mind is highly warranted to unfold human potential for positive contributions in social progress in the globe. Man is in search of and desires to acquire peace and happiness. Spiritual practices point to promotion of these virtues in human behavior (ethics, compassion, love, feelings etc). Due to scientific and technological advancements prosperity has increased but, at the same time, tension has increased in human mind leading to disturbed life. As a result, happiness is reduced. It is clear that prosperity achieved by science and technology may not necessarily give peace and happiness.

It is intuitively thought that thinking of an individual can produce physical effects on another person located far or near but research is needed to substantiate this postulate. Likewise, it is a puzzle how soul of a person leaves one body and enters another as commonly stated. I felt tempted to suggest the possibility of invisible entity of matter of soul that may hop from object to object. There are examples due to microwave that an object may not be visible to our eyes but it exists. Experiments may be designed to verify some of these intriguing problems.

Research Prospect in Spirituality (Jain spiritual context)

Nature is replenished with mysteries. We do not have answer to many fundamental questions about origin and purpose of life. Why universe is created? Is there a creator? Research is needed to conduct experiments on syad and anekant related topics. It would be interesting to examine if individual's thought process can influence physical traits of another person located near or far. Systematic research on meditation, life style, food regulation, ascetic practices will help reinforce the governing scientific basis and possible improvements.

Principles of biotechnological sciences in Jain beliefs and practices are needed to be validated. Research projects on consciousness and its scientific experimentation are needed to be pursued in the context of genome science. The scientific understanding of soul and its structure, nature, physical description, behavior and functions within body and beyond are fascinating areas of future research using modern imaging methods and high resolution microscopic techniques. I personally imagine that it may become possible to image and track departing and arriving souls in the near future. In the backdrop of rapidly growing nano-science and technology, it may be possible to establish authentification of the concepts of micro and macro entities in Jain philosophy. To my mind biological research in spiritual domain would bring startling results revealing hitherto unknown/hidden facts to human mind and unimaginable entire new biological knowledge and create a sophisticated technological world unknown at this point of time. It looks equally exciting to embark on mathematical and conceptual research on mysteries of universe. I clearly foresee a huge possibility for conducting research for generating new knowledge within the objectives of BMIRC in years ahead.

Human Curiosities unaddressed

We often raise several questions in intellectual forum. Our questions seem too complex and generally answers are attempted in the shadow of spirituality and its peripheral borders without chances of verification or convincing conclusion.

These and many other queries are haunting in our minds and acquisition of new knowledge is the hope for the future.