A
Here’s a bullet-point gist of your massive excerpt, capturing the key ideas and links between Bohm, Shankara, neuroscience, and Ramanuja:
David Bohm and Implicate Order
Bohm observed the deep interrelatedness of the universe; coined “implicate order”.
Reality as we perceive it is the explicate order, derived from a deeper, unified implicate order.
Space, time, and separate particles are abstracted forms; underlying reality is unbroken wholeness.
Analogies:
TV image = explicate; unseen signal = implicate.
Folded paper with cuts → unfolded pattern: cuts = implicate, pattern = explicate.
Water tank with cameras → 2D projections of higher-dimensional reality.
Bohm’s theory aligns with Shankara’s vivartavada: effect appears without changing the unchanging cause (Brahman).
Co-worker Basil Hiley: mind and matter unified in implicate order; can be mathematically analyzed.
Mani Bhaumik: implicate order = unity of consciousness and primary field; mirrors Vedantic insights.
Shankara’s Advaita Vedanta
Brahman = sat (being), chitta (awareness), ananda (bliss) = satchidananda.
Atman in each person is part of Brahman; avidya (ignorance) hides this.
Realization: Atman unites with Brahman → transcendent self (kutastha).
Brahman is ultimate reality; the empirical world (nama-rupa) = surface phenomena, like Bohm’s explicate order.
Neuroscience & Neurotheology
Neurotheology: studies correlation between brain activity and spiritual experience.
Techniques: SPECT imaging, brain mapping, meditation studies.
Key findings:
Deep meditation quiets orientation association area, reducing ceaseless brain activity.
Neuroplasticity shows brain can reorganize, adapt, and access higher states.
Self-transcendence: brain allows perception of universal, formless reality; ego dissolves.
Experiments:
Carmelite nuns → mystical union with God, time distortion, ego dissolution.
Neurotransmitters (serotonin) increase during deep meditation → blissful state.
Genetic predisposition for spirituality exists (God gene, Dean Hamer); spirituality ≠ religion.
Neuroscience aligns with Shankara: pure awareness is primary, brain enables access to universal consciousness.
Philosophical Comparison: Shankara vs Ramanuja
Shankara (Advaita):
Brahman = nirguna (attribute-less).
World of multiplicity = maya/illusion; liberation via jnana (knowledge).
Ramanuja (Vishishtadvaita):
Brahman = saguna (with attributes); includes individual souls and matter as real.
Empirical world is not illusion; souls have distinct existence.
Liberation via bhakti (devotion) and surrender to Ishwara (personal God).
Introduced satkaryavada: effect has independent attributes, though dependent on cause.
Integration
Bohm’s implicate order scientifically validates Shankara’s view: underlying reality is unchanging and whole.
Neuroscience supports the idea that human consciousness can access higher, unified reality, matching mystical experiences.
Ramanuja provides a personalized, devotional approach to relate to this supreme reality.
Both philosophies address human need for connection: Shankara emphasizes intellectual realization; Ramanuja emphasizes devotion and surrender.
A
No comments:
Post a Comment