by Jayaram V
If we look at the manifest world, as far as our eyes go, thoughts go
and science
goes, we seem to be all alone on a small and insignificant
planet, surrounded by vast spaces, immense celestial objects and frightening
cosmic phenomena. We may perhaps never get a full picture of the
universe, its multiple dimensions, what it consists of and how much
intelligent life it actually holds. We are not sure why we exist here or
what purpose we serve. Are we all alone? Do we have a destiny to
fulfill? Do the gods or the highest Supreme Being, in whom more than
half of the humanity repose faith, really care about our existence? Do
they exist at all? Do they listen to our requests, prayers and
aspirations? If Truth is one and indivisible, why so many religions,
prophets, scriptures and paths to salvation? And why none of the
religions and the teachings of the prophets and incarnations have
guaranteed peace or happiness so far in our world on a universal and
permanent basis? Most intriguingly, why do religions, meant to ennoble
and refine us, cause so much strife, division, bloodshed and suffering
among people? Despite all our learning, our knowledge and accumulated
wisdom of thousands of years, why we permit so much of destruction,
cruelty and immorality amidst us, in the name of religion, caste,
tribe, race, nation or region? These and many more questions baffle us and elude
a convincing answer. Our religions and scriptures declare that God is in charge
of the affairs of the world and in the
end He will set everything right. But when we get into the details
of how He does it, each religion comes out with its own set of theories,
beliefs and practices that have little in common with one
another. We are not either sure whether the fault lies with the
teachings of our religions and beliefs or with ourselves.
Strange but true, the world offers us many conflicting pictures of
harmony, disharmony, chaos and order. On the one hand it presents a
picture of confusion and uncertainty, where no one seems to be in true
control, events seem to happen by chance or accident and nothing seem
to be permanent or dependable. It is as if we are caught in the hive
of a meaningless life and activity with no particular aim or reason
and as if the world is a blind and mechanical automaton that would run
its course like any other celestial phenomena for sometime in the
chronicles of the universe and eventually disappear for ever. From
this perspective it makes no sense why we need to live orderly lives
or ever care for the higher aims in our lives. The approach of the
lokayatas of ancient India who believed in the physical existence of
life or the existentialists of the modern times makes sense.
However, if we look at the world more reflectively and
penetratingly, hidden beneath all the turmoil and confusion, we cannot fail to notice the
intelligent blue print of the universe, manifesting itself in various
ways as intelligent forms, patterns, shapes, aspects, energies, dimensions,
objects and rhythmic movements of the universe. The Hindus call it Rta
or more generically as dharma, which they consider to be an integral
part of our existence, inseparable and inviolable. The Rta or the
universal rhythm is considered to be the functional aspect of God. It
is the very law of God inseparable from Him which ensures the unity
and integrity of the universe and imparts to it certain degree of
orderliness and predictability, thereby rendering the world into a
meaningful, living and holistic system so that it can respond
intelligently and appropriately to the events and actions that impact
it from within and without. In a broader and secular sense, dharma is
a set of invisible forces, intelligent laws and inviolable principles
that hold the entire fabric of creation together as one unit, acting
like an invisible celestial glue and protecting it from the excesses
of conflicting interests, disparate wills and clashing egos. One need not have to
be a believer of God to appreciate the orderliness of the universe, its
beautiful patterns and rhythmic movements. Its regularity is as
astounding and miraculous as the birth of a being or the glitter of
the night sky. We may not know whether
it is going to shine or rain today, but we know when the next season
is going to begin or when and where the sun will set or dawn.
Science admits the existence of an invisible universe that is far more
intriguing than the visible and the inviolability of certain physical and
chemical laws that are universal, predictable and provable. However
the invisible world that science speaks of is but an extension of the
physical world or an aspect of it and its laws are very much within
the realm of our sensory world. The spiritual laws, on the other hand,
belong to an ultra invisible world. They are mostly beyond the grasp of
our senses and intellect and science, in its present form and with its
present methods cannot validate them with the same certainty. It may
reach out to the atoms and the molecules, but cannot reach out to the subtle elements
hidden with in our world or in our physical and mental bodies or deal with
the intangible truths which our senses cannot validate. It may unravel the functioning of the brain or the human heart, but
cannot reach into the depths of the human heart to know how subtle
emotions and aspirations arise and impel us to act in certain ways
that defy all human logic. It may prove the existence of physical laws
with great precision and in detail, but cannot fathom the spiritual laws that govern our lives in
secretive and subtle ways.
The spiritual laws do not belong to the realm of the physical but
the mental and the spiritual. They are not easily comprehensible with ordinary
mental effort and even more difficult to establish conclusively
because unlike the physical laws, they do not confirm to a particular
pattern, mechanism or process. Their success or failure depend upon
many factors, some of which are with in our control, some beyond, some known and
the rest unknown. They do not always happen in
a predictable manner or a definite time frame, since they are governed
by several conditions and forces which we have yet to fully
understand. Hence our difficulty in
establishing their universality or inviolability.
While the physical laws of science can be
proved by experimentation, the spiritual laws that govern our lives can be validated only
through personal experience. In the spiritual world the senses play a
minimal role. Since a lot happens invisibly in the background they are
also the least reliable instruments to gauge the measure of our
success or the level of our progress. Just as the physical laws, such
as the law of electricity or heat or light need certain conditions,
ingredients and instruments for their successful testing in a
laboratory, the spiritual laws require certain environment, mental
states, preparation and discipline on our part to
realize them successfully. Some of the constraints in working with the
spiritual laws are discussed below.
- They are not as predictable as the physical laws.
- They are not easy to demonstrate objectively.
- Their success or failure depends upon several variables, some of
which are within our control and some outside, some are known and
some are unknown. Some of the critical factors include the mental
states, levels of expectation, strength of commitment, degree of
faith and conviction and integrity of the person who practices
them.
- We have little understanding of what energies and invisible
forces are involved in their manifestation.
- Our higher mental states and subconscious mind play an important
role in their successful execution. These are not under the
control of our conscious mind.
- They often depend upon the strength of our conviction and faith
and to the degree we practice virtue and inner purity.
- They respond more to the effortless way of a stoical saint
rather than to the striving and egoistic mentality of an ambitious
seeker.
The spiritual laws therefore demand a special approach, which is one reason why
we are asked to
develop the virtues of equanimity, detachment and surrender in order
to realize their full significance. Through unflinching faith in the
inviolability of the spiritual laws, involvement of higher divine forces
and importance of inner discipline built on the purity of intention
and intense aspiration,
we can make possible that inner freedom and expansive vision which are
vital to our realization of the spiritual laws and our very true
nature. By becoming aware of these laws,
by realizing them and by knowing their true purpose, we can transform
our consciousness and transcend our limitations. Reference to these laws can be found in every major religion and in all great spiritual
teachings and especially in books like
the Upanishads, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Koran or the Bible. It is important for each individual to become aware of them
abide by them with faith and conviction. By practicing them persistently
one can develop oneself into a higher being of light and delight.
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