Shraddha (श्रद्धा) translates to faith, devotion, or mindful trust. It means believing in something with reverence and awareness, putting one’s heart into it. It involves a conscious, respectful commitment to principles, mentors, or the divine. In contrast, Andhashraddha (अंधश्रद्धा) translates to blind faith, blind devotion, or superstition. It describes an irrational belief accepted without questioning or logic. It represents a complete surrender of one’s intellect. It refers to irrational actions and blindly following superstitions, fear-based dogmas, or unverified claims. Andhashraddha can lead you to become an Andhabhakt (a blind devotee).
It is right to be against blind belief and its effects on society. Governments are not in favour of eradicating blind belief. Because blind belief is part of a vote bank. It is not in the interest of governments to remove or eradicate blind belief. Religion and spirituality are not the same. Belief, trust, and faith (Shraddha in Sanskrit) are three different things. True faith is the purest. Trust is purer than belief. Belief is impure. Even the word faith has been misused. Today we use it in relation to a religion. The approaches of science and spirituality are the same but in different dimensions. Both are based on inquiry and not belief. Science is inquiring into the object, and spirituality is inquiring into the subject. Science dwells in discovering the universe. Spirituality dwells in discovering yourself. Their approach is the same, but their direction and dimensions are different. The direction and dimension of science are outer. The direction and dimension of spirituality are inner. Working with the mind is part of science. Working on the mind is part of spirituality. Observing the observed is part of science. Observing the observer is part of spirituality.
Mr. Shyam Manav says science has proved that there is no Self (Atman) and rebirth. He is wrong. Science is still not conclusive on this. Mainstream science does not recognize the concept of a soul or rebirth, as these phenomena cannot be objectively measured or falsified. But even the idea of the questioners on these two things is also wrong. No person is being reborn again. The question of death is a false idea. Birth and death are two aspects of the immortal reality. Science says matter can neither be created nor destroyed. How then will a person be born, die, and be reborn? The existential reality is neither born nor will ever die. It is just an appearance or perception of an observer (Maya in Advaita). There are two frameworks. For example, a photon is neither born nor will it ever die. It doesn’t even move. It has no spacetime. But for an observer, the opposite is true. From the side of the observer, he is right. From the side of existence, the reality is different. Not everything in science is right. For example, plastic is a great invention. But it has become an ecological hazard. A rocket is a great invention. But it creates holes in our ozone layer. And we cannot mop up these holes. We don’t even know everything about water. We cannot ignore the measurement problem in science. In the heart of a black hole, matter and light are absorbed. In the Planck epoch, all the equations of science die. Similarly, there is a point in you where the mind (conditioned mind) evaporates and your real self (Atman) arises. That discovery is you. At this moment, our self is not the true self but the ego self. And true faith (Shraddha) is a path of working in that direction logically, rationally, and scientifically. Faith arises only when doubt ceases. In Advaita Vedanta, this process is called Shravan, Manan, and Nididhyasan. The realization of your true Self (Atman) is called awakening.
A soul is not a thing. It is not physical. The body and brain appear physical. The mind is also not physical. You cannot point to the mind as you point to the brain or a hand. The mind is psychological. A tree is standing on its invisible roots. A building is standing on its invisible foundation. The invisible unit of your physical being is the soul. How can science find the soul? Science deals with physics. For example, a particle has a definite shape and form. This is the collapse of a wave function (Copenhagen interpretation). A particle is nothing but a vibration in its field. The nature of the particle is finite. The nature of the field is infinite. The nature of your physical being appears to be physical. The nature of your spiritual being (Soul) is non-physical (infinite), like the field. Your body and mind are like a vibration in the field of your Soul (Atman). This vibration is your desire. It is a desire to know yourself.
You should question everyone and everything. But you should also have the courage to question your own belief system. Mr. Shyam Manav does not recognize spiritual awakening. He puts this in the category of hypnosis. He is ready to question everyone and everything on the grounds of science and rationality. But he lacks the courage to question his own belief system (there is no possibility of self-awakening). In all ancient self-inquiry systems (Darshanas), there are six Pramanas (Proofs). The ultimate proof is called Pratyaksha Pramana (direct experience). This is your existential experience. It is your direct experience. Other Pramanas are indirect. Shabd Pramana is the words of enlightened beings. The Upanishads can fall into this category. The words of Buddha, Osho, or Jiddu Krishnamurti can fall into this category. But they are only a theory. The Mahavakyas of the Upanishads are only a theory. The ultimate proof is Pratyakshya Pramana (Your own direct experience). There is another Pramana called Anupalabdhi. Mr. Shyam Manav falls into this category. If the realization (self-awakening) has not happened to me, it means it is not there.
You can find this BBC Video here. But the discussion is in Marathi. It is for the Marathi audience.
All Shatdarshanas agree on Pratyaksha Pramana. The truth has to be your own direct experience. All Upanishads fall in the category of Shabd Pramana. All the Mahavakyas hint at the ultimate realisation. They are just a theory. The proof is in the pudding. What kind of rationality is this? You question others' beliefs but not your own. There is another Pramana called Anupalabdhi. You are not realized. Does it mean self-awakening is not possible? Think and try to break your misbelief.
Tip!!
Don’t follow blindly. Don’t become an Andhbhakt. Question everything. Don’t lose hope. Think confidently. Analyse things and situations critically. Speak your heart and mind. You should also question your own belief system. Buy Me a Coffee
A soul is not a thing. It is not physical. The body and brain appear physical. The mind is also not physical. You cannot point to the mind as you point to the brain or a hand. The mind is psychological. A tree is standing on its invisible roots. A building is standing on its invisible foundation. The invisible unit of your physical being is the soul.
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