Science and Spirituality

Bridges of Understanding

Bettina Sharada Bäumer, Shivam Srivastava

• Publisher: D.K. Printworld
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN:
  9788124610435
• eBook ISBN:
  9788124611906
• Topic: Philosophy
• Subtopic: Eastern Philosophy

A dialogue between science and spirituality is a necessity in our times where both, differences and mutual enrichment of the two great fields of human approach to reality, are taking place. This volume addresses this need from the perspective of different areas of science and spiritual traditions. The starting point is the intention of the founder of the IIAS, Dr S. Radhakrishnan, who saw that "both the practice of science and experience of spirituality are intimately related to being human". Although much thought has gone into their relationship, the present volume intends to broaden and deepen the possibility of a harmonious integration, necessary to overcome the present-day crisis of humanity.
From the side of science, the contributors come from the fields of physics, plant biology, neuroscience, psychology, ecology and philosophy of science; and from the side of spirituality, following traditions and spiritual masters are represented: PÀtaðjala Yoga, Trika Œaivism of Kashmir, VedÀnta, Buddhism, Christianity, Theosophy, and Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda and J. Krishnamurti. The deliberations included topics such as Awareness in plants, Neuroplasticity and Habit, appropriate use of terms such as "Consciousness" and "Energy" in different contexts, clarifying several issues concerning the on-going dialogue. The contributing scholars have built "bridges of understanding", thus encouraging the reader to proceed further in this quest.

Table of contents

• Inaugural Address
• Introduction
• 1. Science and Spirituality
• 2. The Perilous Bridge of Vijñāna: A Perspective from Pātañjala Yoga and Psychology
• 3. Perception and Awareness in Plants
• 4. Trika Śaivism of Kashmir and Its Insights for a Dialogue with Science
• 5. In Search of Rationality in Our Habit: Spirituality in the Light of Neuroplasticity
• 6. Rabindranath Tagore’s Belief in Holistic Science
• 7. Neuroscience and Freedom
• 8. Sacred Secularity as Synergy of Science and Spirituality
• 9. A Non-dualistic Relational Model of Reality: Science and Buddhist Insights
• 10. Swami Vivekananda’s Concept of the Harmony of Science and Religion
• 11. Two Complementary Quests for Truth: J. Krishnamurti’s Approach
• 12. Science and Spirituality: Compatible Paradigms?
• 13. Thought: Its Genesis and Growth in the Light of Theosophy and Neuroscience
• 14. Vedānta and the Possibility of a Heart-centric Education
• 15. Ancient Indian and Modern Scientific Perspectives on Ecology
• Contributors
• Index