Once upon a time, when we were small kids, we were taught that water exists in three states- solid, liquid and gas. We were told that its properties are different in different states. We were also told that heat could transform water from one state to another, and that in its liquid state, water took the shape of the vessel in which it resides.
We sometimes wonder why there are so many Gods and Goddesses in the Hindu religion. And then, to complicate matters, some people also say that there is only one God; that all these Gods and Goddesses are simply different manifestations of that single God. This sometimes confuses us- how can God be one and also be many? If he is one, why does he have so many manifestations? How can he be both निर्गुण and सगुण? Why is it said that it is easier to worship him in his सगुण form? Why all these differences?
And somehow, we never wonder why does water have so many forms? Why can it be solid and liquid and gas? How can ice, water and water-vapor all be water? They are all obviously different- ice is very cold, and it is solid- we can hit and break it with a hammer, and we can see it, but water-vapor is not cold, and we cannot see it, and we can try to hammer it all we like but we will only tire ourselves as a result, and liquid water- it is simply amazing- it takes the shape of any vessel we put it in! And we can also drink it! It is the cure for our thirst. Then how can all these be the same thing? How can all these be water?
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Existence
For the educated- the ones brought up on science, it is not difficult to believe that certain "things" exist that are beyond some of our senses. For example, there are things we cannot see but can smell and/or feel (air, LPG). So, it would not be hard for them to agree with the following statement-
Just because something cannot be seen does not mean that that thing does not exist.
Going a little further, one can even think of things that are beyond all our senses, but whose existence has been conclusively proven by science. Take the UV Rays for example. As far as I know, we humans cannot see them, feel them, smell them, hear them or taste them, but science says that they exist. And I guess that the basis of the proof of their existence is 'inference'. I am tempted to add 'inference' as the sixth sense that we possess, but I will try to resist the temptation for now. So, I guess, that an educated person may also easily agree that-
Just because something is beyond my five external senses does not mean that that thing does not exist.
Or, equivalently, there may be things that exist, that are beyond my external senses.
It should also be not too difficult to accept that the realization of the existence of something that lies beyond the reach of my senses cannot be had by the use of these senses alone- the use of some additional tool is necessary for such a realization, and that tool may conveniently be called an 'additional sense'. In the case of UV rays, that 'additional sense' was the brain, or possibly a certain portion of the brain that deals with logic and inference. If I had said that I would believe in the existence of UV rays only if I can 'perceive' them using my five senses and nothing else, I guess I would never have believed in their existence. So, if I were to depend on, and use, only my five senses, I think it would not be possible for me to realize that things beyond these senses may also exist. And if someone tried to explain about UV rays to me, I would not be able to understand.
Just like there is existence beyond the five senses, is it not possible that there is existence beyond the-senses-and-the-mind (or brain)? Beyond logic? Beyond inference? I do not think that it is possible to disprove, or understand, such an existence using only those tools beyond which this existence may lie.
It is said that God is beyond the reach of our senses and the brain.
Just because something cannot be seen does not mean that that thing does not exist.
Going a little further, one can even think of things that are beyond all our senses, but whose existence has been conclusively proven by science. Take the UV Rays for example. As far as I know, we humans cannot see them, feel them, smell them, hear them or taste them, but science says that they exist. And I guess that the basis of the proof of their existence is 'inference'. I am tempted to add 'inference' as the sixth sense that we possess, but I will try to resist the temptation for now. So, I guess, that an educated person may also easily agree that-
Just because something is beyond my five external senses does not mean that that thing does not exist.
Or, equivalently, there may be things that exist, that are beyond my external senses.
It should also be not too difficult to accept that the realization of the existence of something that lies beyond the reach of my senses cannot be had by the use of these senses alone- the use of some additional tool is necessary for such a realization, and that tool may conveniently be called an 'additional sense'. In the case of UV rays, that 'additional sense' was the brain, or possibly a certain portion of the brain that deals with logic and inference. If I had said that I would believe in the existence of UV rays only if I can 'perceive' them using my five senses and nothing else, I guess I would never have believed in their existence. So, if I were to depend on, and use, only my five senses, I think it would not be possible for me to realize that things beyond these senses may also exist. And if someone tried to explain about UV rays to me, I would not be able to understand.
Just like there is existence beyond the five senses, is it not possible that there is existence beyond the-senses-and-the-mind (or brain)? Beyond logic? Beyond inference? I do not think that it is possible to disprove, or understand, such an existence using only those tools beyond which this existence may lie.
It is said that God is beyond the reach of our senses and the brain.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
An Evening Sky
There is a painting.
And hence, there must be a painter.
This is logical inference.
That there is the painted sky
With myriad colors,
And effortless transitions
From one color to another.
And hence, there must be a painter.
How can this be sheer stupidity?
It lifts my spirits
To imagine
That God must have hired
Some beloved painter
And tasked him
To paint the sky
Each day
And each moment
With the most beautiful colors
Till eternity
And hence, there must be a painter.
This is logical inference.
That there is the painted sky
With myriad colors,
And effortless transitions
From one color to another.
And hence, there must be a painter.
How can this be sheer stupidity?
It lifts my spirits
To imagine
That God must have hired
Some beloved painter
And tasked him
To paint the sky
Each day
And each moment
With the most beautiful colors
Till eternity
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