Spiritual illiteracy

Scientific illiteracy is a problem, in India particularly, due to rote learning. My understanding of science boils down to the idea that shallow/direct/surface-level models or theories need not be valid. A simple example - eating fat causes fat build-up in the body. The idea seems commonsensical, but it is not supported by research, after removing confounding factors. Such as eating other things and not just fat alone. Or changing one's usual diet while adding fat to it. One cannot then pinpoint the cause of fat gain. An illiterate might even argue that I am making the opposite statement - eating fat reduces fat build-up in the body! In science, statements should be made carefully, especially those subject to research.

Spiritual illiteracy, or functional spiritual illiteracy, is more a problem outside India. [1] Here again, there are misleading ideas due to the complexity of the domain. E.g., atheistic/agnostic scientists may think that random life events are better than purposeful or directed events. Or, thinking distractedly and unstoppably is normal, so strenuous effort is needed to focus or be free of thoughts. At a higher or subtler level is the idea that one should focus on competing with others to improve, or that life is a zero-sum game - I win only when others fail.

 

Especially pernicious is an idea popular in gym culture - no pain, no gain. This has led to absurd physical and mental "spiritual" practices, debunked millenia ago by Lord Krishna and the Buddha, who said that moderation is most effective for spiritual progress. [2] In a more recent example, Daaji's definition of spiritual meditation as "effortless focus on an infinite object" was an eye-opener - more relaxation than stressing is needed during spiritual practice.

Most theories in spirituality have not been put to experimental verification with large numbers of people. A huge confounding factor is the idea of faith in others, supposedly better or higher in some way. Chariji had said that faith should come after first, belief - based on experience, and then, trust. Much like reasoned brand loyalty in business.

There are strict experimental paths - Heartfulness Way/Sahaj Marg is one - which ask practitioners to validate their spiritual journey based on, first their own experiences, second, their inferences, deductions and predictions, based again on their own experiences and theories, and only third, on what was said by the Guides.

A certain level of guidance or training is however needed to observe one's own experiences. Some of that is needed to set expectations - absolute peace or extreme bliss, in the very first sitting, is unlikely. And some again to change the way one observes - like describing and comparing the mental condition before and after, instead of only during, the meditation. [3]

 

Invariably, though, a difference is felt after a session when introspection is done at various levels. [4] People may not report it to others, like trainers, for various reasons. But if they acknowledge it to themselves, and find that similar effects occur in their solo practice, they may be interested enough to explore further.

 

Spiritual literacy, then, is more about learning to observe in a relaxed and interested way than indulging in frenetic, often strenuous, mind-numbing exercises. It is also about developing an attitude towards an infinite journey.

NOTES

[1] Spiritual researchers have been working in India for two millennia and more. So India has a cultural understanding of valid spirituality, backed up by popular expositions of spiritual theories in storytelling form. Much like public lectures in the US.

 

[2] The Buddha is well-known for having done harsh physical practices, dropping them as ineffective, and getting enlightenment. Lord Krishna's instructions, or arguably Vyasa's, on yoga sadhana in the Gita come after many years, possibly centuries, of difficult practices based on hints in the Vedas.

 

[3] This idea makes sense only if one understands that meditation can also be a cleaning session, and so the effect of cleaning is more important than the stuff coming up during cleaning.

 

[4] One way for systematic observation after a session - check how the heart feels, generally in the chest area; check the mind, generally in the head area; all the joints of the body, including the spine.

Another way - observe how you felt physically, emotionally (mood), mentally (thoughts) - before, during, after. Did your subjective time match the clock time? How were your thoughts? More, less, zero, the same? Jumpy, smooth, obsessive? Did any scenes appear? Colours? Vibrations? Movement from bottom to top of the body? Along the spine?