Background Discussion:
Before initiating any discussion on a complex topic like “Religion & Dharma”, let us review some of the aspects of the “Nature” and the “Cosmos”. Generally “Nature” is interpreted as the power responsible for creation of all substances of this “Cosmos”, be it animate or inanimate, be it visible to eyes or invisible, be it within the range of human intellect or not etc. Spiritualists believe that whole cosmos is a spectrum of energy, the Cosmic energy. At one end of this are the most grossed things like stones (apparently looking lifeless, inanimate, but inherently carrying sleeping consciousness). At the other end of the energy spectrum are the things (spiritualists call it “Tattwas”) that are beyond the conceptions of human mind. In between lies a range of energies, gross to finer to finest form. Some forms are visible to eyes; some can be made visible to the human eyes using man made instruments like telescope etc. But beyond that in the spectrum, there is a range where no instrument has the reach and is beyond comprehension.
Scientists or rationalists believe purely on the scientific facts and logic. Whatever has been made known to mankind by “Nature” is believed by them. But science, so far, has unveiled only a part pf the whole energy spectrum and still working to move up on this energy spectrum. Whole scientific studies believe on working on the material world, partly visible and partly invisible.
Spiritualist approach is based more on the internal world (finer world), what they call as spiritual world. Their belief is that the Cosmos is mere manifestation of energy coming out of an absolute “Source”. They use the word “Consciousness” as the light coming out of this source, responsible for whole life on this world. Whole Cosmos is submerged in this consciousness. Amount of awaken consciousness in any object decides the visible life on it. For example, we consider an electric bulb, which is giving out light, that we call light of consciousness. Now, if whole glass of the bulb is painted black with electricity on, what feeling such a bulb will give? Like a dead thing. But, can we say same feeling it gives while not painted black? Certainly not. Of course, it can be argued that feelings are in observer’s mind. But who created this feeling of dead bulb, absence of visible light i.e. consciousness. While in trees it (consciousness) is more awakened, in animals further more, at the top of this ladder is mankind. Even amongst mankind the level of awakened consciousness varies. That’s why we find differences in the performance in different persons.
Scientists and spiritualists both believe the presence of energy in the “Earth”. While scientists look to the Earth as a source of physical energy, spiritualists see the Earth as a body encompassing energy, like any alive body. [Remember: Physical energies are mere physical manifestation of original cosmic energy, also called as PRANA.] If the Earth itself is energy, then how can it be deprived of life? So spiritualists see life even in rock, a part of Earth. Spiritualists’ belief is that, that by enhancing consciousness of any object, amount of life can be raised. For example: Domestication of animal is possible because of raised level of consciousness. Even in different men, a change in quality is achieved by raising consciousness.
About Human Beings
Mankind occupies a very high place in the energy spectrum of spiritualists. Human beings can be visualized into two parts:
Mankind occupies a very high place in the energy spectrum of spiritualists. Human beings can be visualized into two parts:
(i) Visible Part: No visualization is needed for this part, because it is clearly visible to mortal human eyes. This is physical body. Right from skeletal system (bones) to nervous system to cellular system, every part of the physical body is in the range of physical visibility. This, we call the gross body. In the energy spectrum, the physical body is placed at the lower level (end) of the part of whole energy spectrum occupied by whole human being. There is no confusion on this part of human beings because of its visible appearance.
(ii) Invisible or Abstract Part: This is called the finer body or the spiritual body of human existence. It’s beyond any scientific instruments’ range. Finer body occupies a range in the energy spectrum above that of physical body (see figure). Physical body’s energy spectrum is subordinate to the finer body energy spectrum. Physical body works through finer body. Without finer body the physical body is dead. Why? Almost whole consciousness is confined at the finer body level. Higher we go on the finer body energy spectrum, higher is the intensity of consciousness. It’s like more nearer the bulb we are; more intense is light we receive. Fine body energy spectrum itself has different sub-layers, which carries different functions. These differences are because of level of consciousness. For example:
(I) Thinking Mind: This is lower part of the finer body energy spectrum and is close to the higher end of the physical body energy spectrum. Sometimes it is remarked: More the thinking mind gets gross (lower in energy spectrum) more it feels attached to the physical body. So spiritual practitioners are cautioned, not to allow your mind to get gross. This attachment of thinking mind is the cause of miseries during evolution of consciousness of the human beings.
(II) Discriminating Mind (Intellect): Higher than thinking mind in the energy spectrum, it dominates the thinking mind.
(III) Memory Mind (Chitta or Sub-Conscious Mind): Here the word “Sub” is not to mean “under”. Here “Sub” represents deeper recess of Chitta. This part of whole keeps memory of human activities.
(IV) Executing Mind (Ego): This part of mind executes, whatever has been discriminated based on memories.
(II) Discriminating Mind (Intellect): Higher than thinking mind in the energy spectrum, it dominates the thinking mind.
(III) Memory Mind (Chitta or Sub-Conscious Mind): Here the word “Sub” is not to mean “under”. Here “Sub” represents deeper recess of Chitta. This part of whole keeps memory of human activities.
(IV) Executing Mind (Ego): This part of mind executes, whatever has been discriminated based on memories.
Above four are the energy spectrum occupied by common human beings. If consciousness penetrates more deeper, then there starts a super human range of human beings. Such super human beings have:
(V) Super Conscious Mind: Beyond the range of energy spectrum of common human beings, consciousness penetrates so deeper, into such secrets of nature which are beyond the reach of common human beings.
(V) Super Conscious Mind: Beyond the range of energy spectrum of common human beings, consciousness penetrates so deeper, into such secrets of nature which are beyond the reach of common human beings.
More higher the consciousness, more the mysteries of nature are unraveled.
“The Religion”
“The Religion”
For world peace, something that should be properly understood and practiced is the “Religion”. What is “Religion”? How, and what way is it connected to belief and faith? How it should be practiced? … These are some tricky questions that need serious attentions.
Origin of the word “Religion”: This has it’s root in Latin “Religio” which means:
“To Bind”; Belief in worship of or obedience to a supernatural power, power considered to be divine; To have control of human destiny; Fear of supernatural power….
We can notice the emphasis on “To Bind”. Question is: What is meant by “To Bind”? Bind, here cannot be in the sense of losing freedom or independence. Because, purpose must sure be to evolve further. Binding will certainly be a sign of sticking to a certain stage. Here “To Bind” must be having an instructional meaning: “To Bind” to evolve. Remember: Evolution means to expand, to raise the consciousness level, the light of origin of this cosmos.
The expansion of whole of the cosmic existence consists of (a) the physical or gross level existence i.e. external world, and (b) the finer or spiritual world. If we interpret that “To Bind” is an instruction to reach to external world and internal world for the purpose of evolution, then that way, may be we reach to some genuine meaning of “To Bind”.
Mankind is already under “To Bind” state while living in this physical world. Whole physical activities are connected to this external (physical) world. And every common mortal feels, how miserable this material living is. Almost whole world is struggling to find out some ways to live an enjoyable life with perpetual peace. But that is always proving a futile exercise.
Now look to other part (b) of “To Bind”, which is with internal or spiritual world. This internal world is a mystic world for common human mind. Common man can grasp the idea that one has a physical body to interact with external visible material world. But, to his/her mind it is difficult, first, to think of an internal world and then to think of a finer body, to consume this (Mystic) finer world. If the word “To Bind” (that is Religion) is instructing to bind with internal world, then questions are: Why to bind and how to bind with this mystic world?
Now reflect again on “To Bind” with external world. What does it mean? Is it “Bind and consume”? Or there is some other message? An inner urge for pleasure, peace, happiness like positive desires are clear signs that human beings want to evolve from one’s present state. “To Bind” means to interact with the world to evolve. Evolution is the sole purpose. When the interaction only occurs for physical consumptions, the evolution part is completely absent. A non-evolutionary living brings negative states of being in form of pain, delusions, miseries etc. So “To Bind” means: Constantly keep evolving while interacting with physical world. But sad truth is that the physical body is not the doer. Physical body is a mere tool in the hand of inner finer body (Mind). Whatever mind wants, is manifested at physical body level, in form of actions. So good or bad, real responsibility, in absolute sense, lies with mind. Therefore instruction by “To Bind” is: one should bind (through mind) physically with external world and to the internal world for complete evolution.
That must have been the message in the name of “Religion”.
Based on above concept our ancestors must have worked on it, and got fully evolved and got realization of the whole truth. To benefit whole human kind they tried to present this mystically experienced knowledge in form of philosophies. May be, later on, they found these philosophies too difficult for lower human mind. To propel such lowly placed (low consciousness) humans, they researched and created some symbolic rituals and dogmas, which were capable of such vibrations, that can help in evolution. Their search was total, covering internal and external world. What happened with passing of time, mankind developed faith and belief in these philosophies and carried on with rituals and dogmas without working on the practices needed in the inner world. Thus, with passing of time, this internal aspect of evolution almost vanished and evolution remained unfinished. Without evolving internally, secrets of “Absolute Truth” are not coming. Gradually “Religion” carried the recognition by intellectual belief and faith and external rituals and dogmas.
Unless mankind will give attention to the whole process of evolution, covering internal and external world, actual word “Religion” will remain so called “Religion” or “Pseudo Religion”. Religion has nothing to do with faith, belief, ritual, dogmas etc. They are mere means to the end i.e. evolution. Modern mankind has adopted these means as the goal; this is unfortunate part of present religious concepts. This is the major cause of all “Religious Chaos” in the world. World needs strong guidance from truly “Realized Soul”. Because of distorted practices in modern times, evolutionary practices are recognized into two classes:
(a) Religion: This concerns with belief, faith, rituals, dogmas and some philosophies connected to a particular community. It concerns only physical world.
(b) Spiritualism: The practices of evolution in the inner world.
In absolute sense “Religion” encompasses both (a) & (b) above. So we have to bring back the real meaning, true meaning of “The Religion”.
“The Dharma”
Word the “Dharma” has its Sanskrit root, “Dhri”, meaning: To hold, to sustain. Question is: What should be interpreted by the “The Dharma”? Sanskrit scholars and Enlightened souls experienced two meaning:
(i) Dharma is that which everything of this Cosmos must hold: Observe, the interpretation is not confined to humans only. It encompasses whole Cosmos. For example fire: “The Dharma” of fire is to burn anything that comes in its contact. If it does not burn then fire is not performing its dharma. Likewise water must cool the things in contact. That way animate to inanimate, all things have their own well-prescribed dharma. Sometime we, alternatively, use the word “Nature” for “The Dharma”.
(ii) Dharma is that which holds everything of this Cosmos: This is higher stage of interpretation of the world “The Dharma”. This interpretation follows the (i) above. Once no. (i) is practiced fully, then (ii) comes into picture, as a result of (i). For example: If one puts a seed of any fruit, then dharma forces the person to serve the seed with proper soil, water, manure, proper care etc. This has to do till tree gets its full growth. Until now one was performing his/her dharma in form of duties. Now starts the dharma of the tree to give flowers and fruits to grower. This way, the grower in return gets the fruits and flowers as a return from dharma for the dharma he/she performed.
Observe the two stages:
Stage (i): Grower holding dharma by performing certain duties.
Stage (ii): Dharma holds grower by giving him/her fruits in return.
So, essentially, we have to hold dharma first, and then we are looked and cared after by “The Dharma”. This is the simplest interpretation of “The Dharma”.
Again note: As a result of following “The Dharma”, never expect a favorable or pleasurable result always. For example: If someone puts his/her feet on a poisonous snake, it is dharma of snake to bite and give out venom. That person may die, but snake has performed its dharma. That everything, right from a rock to evolved human being has their dharma as assigned by “Nature”. They are enjoined to strictly perform them. Then only, in return, “The Dharma” holds the doer, be it animate or inanimate thing.
“The Dharma” of Human Beings: Humans are assigned some exclusive dharma to perform. They are in form of some rules, regulation and code of conduct. Enlightened souls observed that, if a human being performs his/her dharma honestly, following ten qualities shall appear in him/her:
(1) Dhriti (Patience) (2) Chhama (Forgiveness) (3) Dam (Suppression of Lust and Desires) (4) Asteya (Non-Stealing) (5) Indriya Nigrah (Control of senses) (6) Dhi (Evolved intellect) (7) Vidya (Non-illusory Knowledge) (8) Satya (Truthfulness) (9) Sauch (Satisfaction) (10) Akrodh (Absence of Anger)
So, by observing the appearance of above qualities in an individual person, one can find out whatever the person is performing his/her dharma or not.
Now pertinent question is: what to do to reach to perfect state of dharma?
Here we have to understand that “The Dharma” is not a philosophy, come out of some intellectual exercises of some realized soul. Nor it is based on some rituals or dogma. These are assigned to each component of Cosmos, by the “Nature”, the moment they come into existence. So they are eternal. They come with Nature and will disappear only with Nature. The mode of practice of dharma is same for whole mankind. They are not based on color, creed, race, cast, language etc. etc. etc. These practices are independent of “Place, Time, Circumstances (Situations)”. That’s why this dharma is very rightly addressed as “Sanatan Dharma”. Sanskrit word Sanatan means: Without any beginning or end.
The core principle of “Sanatan Dharma” is:
“Every human being must strive to realize his/her nature. To evolve for this purpose, whatever practices are required and have to be done is his/her dharma. So “Sanatan Dharma” for a human being is to realize his/her true identity, to know the “Absolute Truth”.
So all human are enjoined with the directive to evolve, to reach to the truth. This directive speaks of no philosophy, no rituals, no dogmas, no symbols, etc. To achieve this goal, various paths were researched. And finally four paths were found:
(A) Path of Karma – (Karma Yoga): To reach the path by action.
(B) Path of Knowledge – (Gyan Yoga): By intellectual inquiry and discrimination goal is achieved.
(C) Path of Devotion – (Bhakti Yoga): By emotionally connecting to the Ultimate Truth.
(D) Path of Mind Control – (Raj Yoga): By directly working in the finer world through finer body.
Yoga, in above, means Union, Union with the Ultimate Truth.
So, “Sanatan Dharma” or simply “The Dharma” is meant for whole mankind.
Conclusions: On the basis of discussions done so far, following conclusions can be made:
(1) On “Absolute” basis, both “Religion” and “Dharma” strive for same goal, that is, to reach to the “Absolute Truth” through evolution. In other words to reach to “Self Realization”.
(2) Unfortunately in modern times, the spiritual part is getting less importance than the external rituals, dogmas and philosophical concepts. So the word “Religion” is getting identified with these external part only. This is the main cause of all religious conflicts. Need is to restore the “Religion” in its purest form, making it free from any communal bias.
(3) Internally evolved humans should come forward in every sphere of society all over world. Only such persons of deep insight and vision can guide society in right direction. Religion must be made free from the clutches of unenlightened souls.
Let us hope the “Almighty” will bless the mankind to succeed on this path of “Religion and Dharma”
Origin of the word “Religion”: This has it’s root in Latin “Religio” which means:
“To Bind”; Belief in worship of or obedience to a supernatural power, power considered to be divine; To have control of human destiny; Fear of supernatural power….
We can notice the emphasis on “To Bind”. Question is: What is meant by “To Bind”? Bind, here cannot be in the sense of losing freedom or independence. Because, purpose must sure be to evolve further. Binding will certainly be a sign of sticking to a certain stage. Here “To Bind” must be having an instructional meaning: “To Bind” to evolve. Remember: Evolution means to expand, to raise the consciousness level, the light of origin of this cosmos.
The expansion of whole of the cosmic existence consists of (a) the physical or gross level existence i.e. external world, and (b) the finer or spiritual world. If we interpret that “To Bind” is an instruction to reach to external world and internal world for the purpose of evolution, then that way, may be we reach to some genuine meaning of “To Bind”.
Mankind is already under “To Bind” state while living in this physical world. Whole physical activities are connected to this external (physical) world. And every common mortal feels, how miserable this material living is. Almost whole world is struggling to find out some ways to live an enjoyable life with perpetual peace. But that is always proving a futile exercise.
Now look to other part (b) of “To Bind”, which is with internal or spiritual world. This internal world is a mystic world for common human mind. Common man can grasp the idea that one has a physical body to interact with external visible material world. But, to his/her mind it is difficult, first, to think of an internal world and then to think of a finer body, to consume this (Mystic) finer world. If the word “To Bind” (that is Religion) is instructing to bind with internal world, then questions are: Why to bind and how to bind with this mystic world?
Now reflect again on “To Bind” with external world. What does it mean? Is it “Bind and consume”? Or there is some other message? An inner urge for pleasure, peace, happiness like positive desires are clear signs that human beings want to evolve from one’s present state. “To Bind” means to interact with the world to evolve. Evolution is the sole purpose. When the interaction only occurs for physical consumptions, the evolution part is completely absent. A non-evolutionary living brings negative states of being in form of pain, delusions, miseries etc. So “To Bind” means: Constantly keep evolving while interacting with physical world. But sad truth is that the physical body is not the doer. Physical body is a mere tool in the hand of inner finer body (Mind). Whatever mind wants, is manifested at physical body level, in form of actions. So good or bad, real responsibility, in absolute sense, lies with mind. Therefore instruction by “To Bind” is: one should bind (through mind) physically with external world and to the internal world for complete evolution.
That must have been the message in the name of “Religion”.
Based on above concept our ancestors must have worked on it, and got fully evolved and got realization of the whole truth. To benefit whole human kind they tried to present this mystically experienced knowledge in form of philosophies. May be, later on, they found these philosophies too difficult for lower human mind. To propel such lowly placed (low consciousness) humans, they researched and created some symbolic rituals and dogmas, which were capable of such vibrations, that can help in evolution. Their search was total, covering internal and external world. What happened with passing of time, mankind developed faith and belief in these philosophies and carried on with rituals and dogmas without working on the practices needed in the inner world. Thus, with passing of time, this internal aspect of evolution almost vanished and evolution remained unfinished. Without evolving internally, secrets of “Absolute Truth” are not coming. Gradually “Religion” carried the recognition by intellectual belief and faith and external rituals and dogmas.
Unless mankind will give attention to the whole process of evolution, covering internal and external world, actual word “Religion” will remain so called “Religion” or “Pseudo Religion”. Religion has nothing to do with faith, belief, ritual, dogmas etc. They are mere means to the end i.e. evolution. Modern mankind has adopted these means as the goal; this is unfortunate part of present religious concepts. This is the major cause of all “Religious Chaos” in the world. World needs strong guidance from truly “Realized Soul”. Because of distorted practices in modern times, evolutionary practices are recognized into two classes:
(a) Religion: This concerns with belief, faith, rituals, dogmas and some philosophies connected to a particular community. It concerns only physical world.
(b) Spiritualism: The practices of evolution in the inner world.
In absolute sense “Religion” encompasses both (a) & (b) above. So we have to bring back the real meaning, true meaning of “The Religion”.
“The Dharma”
Word the “Dharma” has its Sanskrit root, “Dhri”, meaning: To hold, to sustain. Question is: What should be interpreted by the “The Dharma”? Sanskrit scholars and Enlightened souls experienced two meaning:
(i) Dharma is that which everything of this Cosmos must hold: Observe, the interpretation is not confined to humans only. It encompasses whole Cosmos. For example fire: “The Dharma” of fire is to burn anything that comes in its contact. If it does not burn then fire is not performing its dharma. Likewise water must cool the things in contact. That way animate to inanimate, all things have their own well-prescribed dharma. Sometime we, alternatively, use the word “Nature” for “The Dharma”.
(ii) Dharma is that which holds everything of this Cosmos: This is higher stage of interpretation of the world “The Dharma”. This interpretation follows the (i) above. Once no. (i) is practiced fully, then (ii) comes into picture, as a result of (i). For example: If one puts a seed of any fruit, then dharma forces the person to serve the seed with proper soil, water, manure, proper care etc. This has to do till tree gets its full growth. Until now one was performing his/her dharma in form of duties. Now starts the dharma of the tree to give flowers and fruits to grower. This way, the grower in return gets the fruits and flowers as a return from dharma for the dharma he/she performed.
Observe the two stages:
Stage (i): Grower holding dharma by performing certain duties.
Stage (ii): Dharma holds grower by giving him/her fruits in return.
So, essentially, we have to hold dharma first, and then we are looked and cared after by “The Dharma”. This is the simplest interpretation of “The Dharma”.
Again note: As a result of following “The Dharma”, never expect a favorable or pleasurable result always. For example: If someone puts his/her feet on a poisonous snake, it is dharma of snake to bite and give out venom. That person may die, but snake has performed its dharma. That everything, right from a rock to evolved human being has their dharma as assigned by “Nature”. They are enjoined to strictly perform them. Then only, in return, “The Dharma” holds the doer, be it animate or inanimate thing.
“The Dharma” of Human Beings: Humans are assigned some exclusive dharma to perform. They are in form of some rules, regulation and code of conduct. Enlightened souls observed that, if a human being performs his/her dharma honestly, following ten qualities shall appear in him/her:
(1) Dhriti (Patience) (2) Chhama (Forgiveness) (3) Dam (Suppression of Lust and Desires) (4) Asteya (Non-Stealing) (5) Indriya Nigrah (Control of senses) (6) Dhi (Evolved intellect) (7) Vidya (Non-illusory Knowledge) (8) Satya (Truthfulness) (9) Sauch (Satisfaction) (10) Akrodh (Absence of Anger)
So, by observing the appearance of above qualities in an individual person, one can find out whatever the person is performing his/her dharma or not.
Now pertinent question is: what to do to reach to perfect state of dharma?
Here we have to understand that “The Dharma” is not a philosophy, come out of some intellectual exercises of some realized soul. Nor it is based on some rituals or dogma. These are assigned to each component of Cosmos, by the “Nature”, the moment they come into existence. So they are eternal. They come with Nature and will disappear only with Nature. The mode of practice of dharma is same for whole mankind. They are not based on color, creed, race, cast, language etc. etc. etc. These practices are independent of “Place, Time, Circumstances (Situations)”. That’s why this dharma is very rightly addressed as “Sanatan Dharma”. Sanskrit word Sanatan means: Without any beginning or end.
The core principle of “Sanatan Dharma” is:
“Every human being must strive to realize his/her nature. To evolve for this purpose, whatever practices are required and have to be done is his/her dharma. So “Sanatan Dharma” for a human being is to realize his/her true identity, to know the “Absolute Truth”.
So all human are enjoined with the directive to evolve, to reach to the truth. This directive speaks of no philosophy, no rituals, no dogmas, no symbols, etc. To achieve this goal, various paths were researched. And finally four paths were found:
(A) Path of Karma – (Karma Yoga): To reach the path by action.
(B) Path of Knowledge – (Gyan Yoga): By intellectual inquiry and discrimination goal is achieved.
(C) Path of Devotion – (Bhakti Yoga): By emotionally connecting to the Ultimate Truth.
(D) Path of Mind Control – (Raj Yoga): By directly working in the finer world through finer body.
Yoga, in above, means Union, Union with the Ultimate Truth.
So, “Sanatan Dharma” or simply “The Dharma” is meant for whole mankind.
Conclusions: On the basis of discussions done so far, following conclusions can be made:
(1) On “Absolute” basis, both “Religion” and “Dharma” strive for same goal, that is, to reach to the “Absolute Truth” through evolution. In other words to reach to “Self Realization”.
(2) Unfortunately in modern times, the spiritual part is getting less importance than the external rituals, dogmas and philosophical concepts. So the word “Religion” is getting identified with these external part only. This is the main cause of all religious conflicts. Need is to restore the “Religion” in its purest form, making it free from any communal bias.
(3) Internally evolved humans should come forward in every sphere of society all over world. Only such persons of deep insight and vision can guide society in right direction. Religion must be made free from the clutches of unenlightened souls.
Let us hope the “Almighty” will bless the mankind to succeed on this path of “Religion and Dharma”
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