Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rteacher]

I don't think I'm advocating mixing "pure science" with religion. The relation between pure and applied science is already a little muddled, and there is always fierce competition for grants at universities among physical and social science departments. Some major universities (at least a couple) have departments conducting scientific research in paranormal phenomena. Why can't a broader course be offered that scientifically investigates the difference between spirit and matter?

I think that religion serves important social and spiritual functions in society. Many people seem satisfied with basically sentimental, dogmatic, apparently "unscientific" belief systems propagated by the major organized religions in western countries. Others, including more intelligent, naturally skepical types, have more faith in the (often atheistic) gods of science to solve the basic problems and mysteries of life. I think that there are significant numbers of sincere seekers that realize the limations of material science vis-a-vis the Absolute Truth, but who nonetheless would prefer more scientific approach to religion as offered by the spiritually progressive culture of ancient India.

Why do most material scientists reject the Vedic version? For starters, there was pernicious false propaganda made by influencial British empire-makers, envious Christian and Jewish leaders - and so-called Indologists all of whose aim was to discredit the spiritual foundation of ancient India by denying the authenticity of the Vedas. www.salagram.net/WesternIndologists-page.htm
Moreover, if Vedic literatures such as the Ramayana were to be taken literally- instead of as myth or fable - then it would indicate that intelligent life existed in that time period - more than 864,000 years ago (in the Treta Yuga - //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugas ) We would also be obliged to accept the existence of beings endowed with remarkable mystic powers, beings with subtle bodies, transmigration of souls, and avatars of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. (eawc.evansville.edu/essays/dasa3.htm )
Although the originally Vedic science of astrology cannot offer "replicability" of results due to the individual's exercise of free will among various options at any juncture of space-time it does resemble pure science, both in its study and application, in its observation, experimentation and categorization of cause and effects.
www.natalcharts.biz/vedic_astrology
Unlike the the ascending scientific process of accepting natural laws after thorough observation, experimentation, reasoning, etc., Vedic science accepts revealed knowlege spoken at the time of creation and compiled in writing about 5000 years ago as axiomatic truths. Despite organized attempts to discredit it, much of the Vedic world view is supported by careful findings of research. www.afn.org/~bvi/mission.htm/Bhak.Inst.
www.humandevolution.com/devorevu.html

[Rteacher]

OK...I'll admit I'm shamelessly trying to keep this topic alive. And, just what the hell is my goal?:... to draw at least a thousand "views."

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Rteacher]

Ah!...I should've started earlier with this forum tonight. Now, it's getting late and I'm too tired to string coherent thoughts together - so my proving the existence of the soul will have to wait till tomorrow...

[Rteacher]

I actually spent a couple hours last night producing an absolutely great thesis proving (well, more-or-less...) the existence of pure spirit within (and without) the material world, but when I tried to "preview" and "submit" it the dang internet slowed down to like absolute zero - so it got lost in cyberspace. I'll try again tonight (I have to get to work in a few minutes...)

One point relating to the original thread is that archeologists rely mainly on discovering bones to date ancient civilizations. In Vedic culture - spread all over the world in "pre-historical" times - the custom was to always cremate bodies, leaving no bones. At the highest levels of spiritual perfection (commonly achieved in a much earlier age of "goodness," Satya yuga, millions of years ago) were those who completely spiritualized their material bodies and - from a material point of view - just disappeared without a trace.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Rteacher]

I don't imagine that would be a very fun date...

[Rteacher]

...In Vedic culture they don't keep the ashes together in urns, - they scatter them in the ocean or in sacred rivers, lakes or ponds . (And I can't prove the existence of the soul this weekend 'cause I'm busy in Seoul, and I left my notes back in my "Korean hicksville" apartment...) I just read an interesting interview - on my motel PC - with (late Beatle and spiritual seeker) George Harrison wherein he discusses the spirit-soul and Vedic culture: http://introduction.krishna.org/Articles/2000/08/00066.html

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Rteacher]

Rest assured, I can talk about religion and (to a lesser extent) philosophy extemporaneously for hours at a time (...it was really easy preaching to stoned hippies in Key West in the mid-70s) But I realize that I need to make careful arguments solidly based on logic and reason to convince you and other skeptical academic types on this forum. Science is definitely not my forte, but I'll take a stab at presenting a concise thesis with some scientific jargon - borrowing heavily from the work of others. Not wanting to plagiarize (like the "old" J.B. ) I mainly need my notes to properly reference my quotes with website links, etc.