Talk September 5, 2019 Saman Shrutpragyaji – Memphis TN at Satish and Dipika Verma’s House.
Three words – science – religion – and spirituality. All three have different characteristics, different approach, different perspective.
Science begins with doubts/question. Ask why or how? Where there is doubt there is use of brain, mind and logic. We can only doubt what we can measure and see cause and effect. With science, there is a question, then experimentation and analysis. Once you prove your hypothesis, then you have faith.
Religion: Dharma- Religion’s first step is faith (shraddha). A way to see what is invisible i.e. soul/ karma/God is faith. Where this eye cannot see the faith eye can see thousands of miles. Here we use our emotional heart .
Ayurved – has physical heart and an emotional heart. You may call is God, parmatha, karma, etc. If you have faith then you are religious.
Spirituality: means where science and religion come together – there is logic and faith and confidence in the self.
Many circumstances come in life and science cannot answer these questions. If events happen and cannot be explained then it is beyond scientific logic power and there we need the help of religion.
Four types of people in the world. What should be our perspective to see these 4 types of people. You cannot see all these people from same perspective.
- Happy –Sukhi – Simple People: - people who believe they are happy due to karma or due to effort. We are fortunate. If we are doing well, we are doing well due to some grace. Good health, security, family, and spiritual awareness ( scriptures and meditation). 80% of the people in the world cannot even dream of this happiness. Should we see the present or past or future of the happy person? You should look at the past of the sukhi person to learn what good deeds they did to get here.
If you look at their present, you may become jealous of what they have.
If you said you have earned it with your effort then there are people who have worked much harder yet have not earned as much. You don’t always get something from just effort or intelligence – you also need previous good karmas and blessing from other past soul or grace (krupa). To feel grace you need to empty the mind. People need to feel there is someone there who is protecting me. Only way to feel the Grace – through our humbleness. It is the condition of divine grace. Do not get in ego that is it due to your intelligence or your effort. Know blessing and know past karma. You are enjoying your punya (good karma) now. At the time of good situation put the seeds of furture karma. If I take others in part of my happiness then the happiness will multiply.
2. Paapi Person – one who does sin. The word itself is depressive. Paapi means one who does violence and gives others a hard time, Self frustrated and frustrates others. Difference between punya and paap: punya – debit card and paap -credit card. Credit – is enjoy first and pay later. Debit is pay first and build a balance and enjoy later. Punya you do meditation ,tap and then reap the benefit. Pap is you are enjoying now then you will pay later. What should we see the present or past for future? See the future of paapi and see what they will have to pay for the present enjoyment. If you see the present, you may be tempted to follow the wrong path because you see them enjoying now. Paapi’s current experience is good and future result is bad. Always remember there is a quota - Fate has given a limit of everything – limit of intelligence, limit age… etc. limit of how much sugar you can eat example – I don’t eat sweet now because then I can eat in the future. There is a quota for emotion or anger. Ego has a quota. Brain power also has a quota.
3. Dukhi – sad person . ( opposite of happy) – physically and mentally not complete – don’t have what they need/ obstacles in life. Scriptures says to see the present of the dukhi person then you will have compassion. If you see theie past you will blame them for the bad they have done and not help them. See what you can do for them now. You can see the daan, compassion for them. Example should one donate your eye or not.
4. Dharmic person – religious/spiritual person – see all three – past present and future. Their past, present and future will be bright (ujjwal). Religious person takes the ups and downs of karma with emotional control (samta).
What should be my perspective.
If I am Sukhi /happy then ask what is my future? How should I invest in good now so my future will also be good.
A Paapi person should think what was my past like? What bad did I do and how can I change my destiny by effort ( purusharth) now.
A Dukhi person must see their present . I am here due to my own karmas – don’t blame others for your current situation.
A Dharmic person must keep an eye on the future. Past and present are already good, how can I make my future bright so that will be progress of self.
This for the self and for others. No other way to understand this but faith.
Scriptures say when there is talk of soul and karma – do not use logic ,use faith. Logic will not lead to answer any time. You will have more questions and you will need faith. Doubt to faith is science. Faith to doubt is religion and spirituality.