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From Back to Godhead<\/p>\n
By Badrinarayan Swami<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
“Both the Vaishnava theists and the materialists each present their own set of amazing stories. The choice is . . . which set of amazing stories to believe.”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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It is the grand conceit of the materialistic worldview that \u201cman is the measure of all things.\u201d When we dig a little deeper, we find that this premise is based on a profoundly arrogant presumption, namely, that all reality can ultimately be subordinated to our sense perception and intellect. <\/p>\n
At the same time, many of us have experienced being in a location free from artificial light \u2013 say on top of a mountain or in the desert. Gazing up at the night sky and seeing the vast array of stars and planets, we feel how they are both very close and yet very far away. To a reflective person, the sense of our place in the universe becomes dwarfed. Take one of the many virtual excursions offered on-line from our location on earth out to the Milky Way. Perhaps we are not as significant as we think we are. <\/p>\n
Let us imagine Christopher Columbus Ant. He is sent out of his colony to explore new worlds. Suppose that in the course of his expedition he crawls over me \u2013 up my arm, across my ear, navigating his way through the hairs on my head, back down my other arm to terra firma<\/i>. He will report to his queen: \u201cI have discovered vast lands, canyons, forests \u2013 all uninhabited.\u201d<\/p>\n
He is crawling on me, and yet, due to his limited perception, to him I don\u2019t even exist as a person. It is worth considering that our scope of perception and experience may also have limits like those of our ant explorer.<\/p>\n
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Einstein postulated that we live in a multidimensional universe. Let\u2019s go with that concept for a moment. Suppose you and I agree to meet downtown at the corner of Fifth and Main at 10 a.m. tomorrow. To be quite certain, we agree to meet on the northwest corner of the intersection. Being a responsible person, you arrive at the designated spot by 9:45 a.m. You wait until 10:30 a.m. without seeing me. Having other obligations, you have to leave. We meet the next day and I ask you, \u201cWhere were you? I was there from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., but no sign of you.\u201d You assure me that you were also there at the right time, right day, and right location. How is it possible that we missed each other?<\/p>\n
Add a building at that northwest corner. In two dimensions, length and breadth, we were in the exact same place, but if you add the third dimension of height \u2013 say you were on the ground floor and I was on the fifth floor \u2013 and lo and behold, we don\u2019t see each other. In one sense we were in two different worlds. <\/p>\n
According to the Vedas<\/i>, we do in fact live in a multidimensional universe. The Vedic yogis and mystics have access to dimensions beyond our level of perception. Thus, what cannot be measured or experienced by the layman is commonplace for them. <\/p>\n
As you sit in a room reading this article, there are unseen realities all around you. Turn on a radio and you can experience a ball game. Open up your computer and you can explore faraway worlds. Have a police scanner with you and you can visit a crime scene. There are many worlds hovering around us at all times, which we can perceive only if we have the means to access them. Those who know the science and have the right devices can easily access these unseen realities. In the same way, the Vedas<\/i> present higher dimensions and descriptions of them.<\/p>\n
We do not hide from the fact that Vaishnava theists describe an amazing universe. But the other side of the equation is the fact that the materialists have their own set of amazing stories. Thus, the question is not whether or not to believe in amazing stories; the question is which set of amazing stories to believe \u2013 the Vaishnava theists\u2019 or the materialists\u2019?<\/p>\n
The Vaishnava theists accept that Krishna is the cause of all causes, the source of all existence. The materialists ask us to believe that existence is \u201cthe original free lunch,\u201d that everything arose spontaneously from a single point, or \u201csingularity.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThe most common belief is that all the laws of nature were completely fixed at the moment of the Big Bang. Modern science is based on the principle \u2018Give us one free miracle and we’ll explain the rest.\u2019 The one free miracle is the appearance of all the matter and energy in the universe and all the laws that govern it from nothing, in a single instant.\u201d (Rupert Sheldrake, TED talk, January 13, 2013)<\/p>\n
The Vaishnavas have confidence in intelligent design. The materialists ask us to believe that everything in our complex and interdependent universe is driven only by random chance. <\/p>\n
The materialists ask us to accept \u201cdark matter,\u201d the 84% of the total mass in the universe that is missing or beyond our perception. Dark matter is a \u201cfudge factor,\u201d a speculative concept added into cosmological models because without it, according to current theories, the cosmos would either spin out to oblivion or implode. It is like adding an imaginary number to make your checkbook balance. We are asked to accept the concept of \u201cdark matter,\u201d though your bank would certainly not accept payment in \u201cdark dollars.\u201d Try telling your bank, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, the money I owe is actually there. You just can\u2019t see it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Vaishnavas present that consciousness is due to the presence of the soul. The materialists ask us to believe that consciousness is only a brain function. They present that in due course computers will become conscious \u2013 we can hope that they may keep humans around as pets. <\/p>\n
The idea is that one day computers will become sophisticated enough to have that existential \u201caha moment\u201d \u2013 there will eventually come a point where a computer is conscious \u2013 feeling emotion and having a sense of self.<\/p>\n
But let\u2019s consider this idea for a moment. Look at a pocket translator. You can type in a phrase in English and get the Chinese translation. Is there a tiny Chinese\/English speaker inside the pocket translator? Of course not. All that is inside are circuits firing pluses and minuses. These in turn are used for computer code of zeros and ones. By careful design (not by chance, it is worth noting) that carefully-crafted code will provide the Chinese translation.<\/p>\n
Now let\u2019s take a stadium full of 100,000 people. In theory, you could work that crowd like the circuits in our pocket translator. You could draw up a set of rules that dictate if person A receives a \u201c1\u201d from person B, then person A gives a \u201c0\u201d to person C. When person C receives a \u201c0\u201d from person B, then person C should give a \u201c1\u201d to person D. In this way, extending a written set of code throughout the stadium, you would have your living computer. In theory, you could submit your English phrase at one goalpost and receive your Chinese translation at the other goalpost, at the far end of the field.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s our question: Did any of our stadium attendees learn a word of Chinese? Did any of them even know that they were translating Chinese? Rather, the level of perception, the level of consciousness, was simply the shuffling of zeros and ones. Why, therefore, is it believed that if we design a sophisticated enough computer it will one day become conscious, feel emotion, and have a sense of self? Instead, no matter how complex a code is written, it will still be only the routing of pluses and minuses, the shuffling of ones and zeros. There will be no creation of consciousness, just as no one became conscious of a single word of Chinese in our stadium. <\/p>\n
Existence from nothing, an intricately-balanced universe happening by chance, dark matter, consciousness as merely a brain function \u2013 the list of amazing stories we are asked to believe goes on and on. Once again, both the Vaishnava theists and the materialists each present their own set of amazing stories. The choice is not whether or not to believe amazing stories. Rather, the choice is which set of amazing stories to believe \u2013 which side of the scale is more logically balanced?<\/p>\n
We often encounter a condescending tone from the materialists, steeped as they are in faith in the power of research based on sense perception. Let me offer a few examples that should invoke caution regarding this conviction. Maybe the materialists are not on as solid ground as they present to the public.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u201cMicrowave oven baffled astronomers for 17 years<\/i>\u201d \/ At Parkes Observatory in Australia, their world-renowned radio telescope was picking up strange signals thought to be generated from the outer limits of space. Peer-reviewed papers were published in respected science journals speculating as to the cosmic cause. Turns out that the source was the microwave oven in the staff cafeteria. \u201cIf you set it to heat and pulled the door open a little early, it sent a burst of energy that was read by our telescope,\u201d said Simon Johnson, head of astrophysics at the scientific research agency CSIRO. (Wired UK<\/i>, May 5, 2015)<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u201cA crisis in physics? If supersymmetry does not pan out, scientists will need a new way to explain the universe.<\/i>\u201d \/<\/i> From the cover of the May 2014 issue of the magazine Scientific American<\/i>. They will need a new way to explain the universe? But the glitzy computer animations in National Geographic, Nova, etc. present to the public that they have the cornerstone questions about the universe all nailed down. <\/p>\n
\u2022 \u201cThe replication crisis<\/i>\u201d \/ \u201cScientists have found that the results of many scientific studies are difficult or impossible to replicate on subsequent investigation, either by independent researchers or the original researchers themselves. The world of science is in the middle of unprecedented soul-searching at present. The credibility of science rests on the widespread assumption that the results are replicable and that high standards are maintained by anonymous peer review. These pillars are crumbling.\u201d From Nature<\/i> magazine, September 1, 2015.<\/p>\n
\u2022 \u201cStephen Hawking changes his mind on black holes<\/i>\u201d \/<\/i> \u201cThe world-famous author of A Brief History of Time <\/i>said he and other scientists had gotten it wrong. In doing so he lost one of the most famous bets in recent scientific history.\u201d (BBC, July 16, 2004)<\/p>\n
Sufficient to say that if we are honest, we must concede that we are limited. People often say, \u201cAs far as I can see . . .\u201d That is the point \u2013 how far can we actually see? Some will counter, \u201cBut we have electron microscopes, the Hubble telescope, and the Large Hadron Collider [the most powerful atom smasher].\u201d Try as we might to extend the process of perception by sophisticated instruments, the principle remains the same: our senses and the machines created by them are limited and fallible. We are using our imperfect senses, extended by imperfect machines, to try to find perfection. However, imperfection times imperfection still equals imperfection. <\/p>\n
We often hear this challenge: \u201cBy continued exploration we are building on our current base of knowledge. Over time we will unlock all the secrets of the universe.\u201d In 1912 the world\u2019s record for pole vaulting was 13′ 2\u00bc”. By improved equipment and training, the record now stands at 20′ 2\u00bd”. But will anyone ever be able to pole vault to the moon? In other words, improvement over time is to be expected, but only within a certain range. The same is true of exploratory science using our limited and fallible senses and intellect. Such knowledge will grow, but only within a certain range, only up to a finite degree.<\/p>\n
The Vedas<\/i> outline two processes for gathering knowledge. One is known as aroha-pantha<\/i>, or \u201cthe ascending method,\u201d while the other is known as avaroha-pantha<\/i>, or \u201cthe descending method.\u201d The ascending process is the method of empiric research and speculation. The descending process is the process of accepting revealed knowledge coming down to us via the Vedic scriptures and sages. <\/p>\n
The essential question is \u201cHow can the finite understand that which is infinite?\u201d Suppose you are sitting eight feet from me. Suppose some mischievous person has put glue on my seat and now I cannot leave my chair. Due to my moored position, I can only stretch my arm out to three feet. Can I shake your hand? By my own efforts, the answer is \u201cno.\u201d But what if you take the initiative and come to me? Then our shaking hands is easily accomplished. The point is that the finite is not be able to reach the infinite by personal endeavor, but if the infinite comes to us, then only does it become possible for us to understand the infinite. The only viable process for understanding the Absolute is revelatory \u2013 if the Absolute chooses to reach out to us.<\/p>\n
The Vaishnavas are not anti-science. After all, I am writing this article on a computer. I have a pacemaker to keep my heart ticking. We recognize and appreciate the achievements of modern research. The problem comes when our scientist friends go beyond the scope of their actual knowledge and falsely claim to have disproved the Vedic version of reality.<\/p>\n
The Vaishnavas honestly recognize humankind\u2019s inherent limitations. We understand that it is impossible to \u201ctake the kingdom of God by storm.\u201d Rather, the Vaishnavas astutely practice the Vedic process of realizing truth by descending revelation. <\/p>\n
As it has since time immemorial, the Vedic process continues to deliver on its promise: to award sublime knowledge and pure love of God to its serious practitioners.<\/p>\n
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\u201cTo those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.\u201d (Bhagavad<\/i>–gita<\/i> 10.10)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
“Both the Vaishnava theists and the materialists each present their own set of amazing stories. The choice is . . . which set of amazing stories to believe.” It is the grand conceit of the materialistic worldview that \u201cman is the measure of all things.\u201d When we dig a little deeper, we find that this premise is based on a profoundly arrogant presumption, namely, that all reality can ultimately be subordinated to our sense perception and intellect. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65069","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65069","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=65069"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65069\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65076,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65069\/revisions\/65076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=65069"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=65069"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=65069"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Hare](\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/wYkvnDR.jpg\")
By Badrinarayan Swami<\/strong><\/p>\n