A Scientific Understanding of Meditation and Yoga by Anirudh Kumar Satsangi

In Bhagavad-Gita Lord SriKrishna says to Arjun:

“I taught this immortal Yoga to Vivasvan (sun-god), Vivasvan conveyed it to Manu(his son), and Manu imparted it to (his son) Iksvaku. Thus transmitted to succession from father to son, Arjun, this Yoga remained known to the Rajarisis (royal sages). It has however long since disappeared from this earth. The same ancient Yoga has this day been imparted to you by Me, because you are My devotee and friend, and also because this is a supreme secret”.

“In this world two course of Sadhna (spiritual discipline) have been enunciated by Me in the past. In the case of Sankhyayogi, the Sadhna proceeds along the path of Knowledge. Whereas in the case of Karmayogi, it proceeds along the path of Action”.

“The Yoga of Knowledge and the Yoga of Action both lead to Supreme Bliss. Of the two, however, the Yoga of Action (being easier to practice) is superior to the Yoga of Knowledge”.

Yoga of Knowledge is the path of spiritual realization (acquiring transcendental knowledge through a philosophical search of truth), and Yoga of Action is the path of God realization through dedicating fruits of one’s work to God. The path of meditation (Raja Yoga) and path of love and devotional service (Bhakti Yoga) also lead to control of mind and self-realization. For people of different constitution and affinities, different paths are appropriate.

 

Romila Thapar writes in A History of India, volume one :

Yoga (Application) which was based on the control of the body physically and implied that
a perfect control over the body and the senses led to knowledge of the ultimate reality. A detailed anatomical knowledge of the human body was necessary to the advancement of yoga and therefore those practicing yoga had to keep in touch with medical knowledge.

Now I have described Practice of Meditation and Yoga using scientific terminology: Mind and brain are two distinct things. Brain is anatomical entity whereas mind is functional entity. Mind can be defined as the function of autonomic nervous system (ANS). It is claimed that mind can be brought under conscious control through the practice of meditation. But how? ANS is largely under hypothalamic control which is situated very close to optic chiasma (sixth chakra or ajna chakra). Protracted practice of concentration to meditate at this region brings functions of ANS say mind under one’s conscious control.

ANS is further divided into parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS). On the basis of these facts I have discovered a mathematical relationship for spiritual quotient (S.Q.). Spiritual Quotient can be expressed mathematically as the ratio of Parasympathetic dominance to Sympathetic dominance. PSNS dominates during meditative calm and SNS dominates during stress. In this formula we assign numerical values to the physiological parameters activated or suppressed during autonomic mobilization and put in the formula to describe the state of mind of an individual and also infer his/her level of consciousness.

Meditation is the art of looking within and science of doing nothing. We don’t use anything in meditation. We just try to concentrate to meditate at some point in human anatomy known as ‘chakra’ in Indian System of Yoga. The current of mind is flowing outward through the senses and unconsciously. The mind comes at rest gradually through regular practice of meditation. Then comes self realization and enlightenment. Protracted practice of meditation under qualified guidance will help to manage all sort of psychological problems.

Emotional Quotient can also be expressed mathematically as the product of I.Q. and Wisdom Factor. E.Q. stands for Emotional Quotient. An intelligent person may not be wise. But a wise man will always be intelligent. An intelligent person having certain level of positive emotions can be said as wise. An intelligent person lacking wisdom will turn autocrat. A wise man will always be a democrat who respects others existence.

Some may raise doubt that how could be the Wisdom quantified? The answer is simple -if Mental Age of I.Q. can be quantified then Wisdom can also be quantified, of course, comparatively with more efforts. Wilhelm Stern had given the formula of I.Q.. It is, Mental Age/ Chronological Age x 100. Spiritual Quotient (S.Q.) leverages both E.Q. and I.Q.

Radha Soami Faith is a branch of Religion of Saints like Kabir, Nanak, Paltu, and others. Soamiji Maharaj is the founder of this Faith. You may call It like New Wine in Old Bottle.

Maslow has given Hierarchy of Needs. At the top of it is need for self-actualization or self-realization.

In our society we should learn To Live and Let Live and help to satisfy others need. When the lower order needs, physiological and sociological both, are satisfied then only a person think to satisfy need for self-realization in true sense. Else he/she may spend all his/her life to satisfy at the most the need for self-expression instead of self-realization.

It is, therefore, the duty of every responsible person of our society to give serious thought over it.

For the satisfaction of need for self-realization i.e. establishment of harmony of individual consciousness with that of universal consciousness we need following three things:

1. Master or Guru (A Self-Realized Soul)
2. Secret of Levels of Universal Consciousness
3. Method for traversing the path.

Comments

[Anirudh Kumar Satsangi]

Deepak Chopra has given a formula of spiritual quotient in terms of Deed (D) and Ego (E). According to Deepak Chopra S.Q.=D/E. According to him if E is ‘zero’ the S.Q. will be infinite. This appears to be very fascinating but it is highly abstract which can not be measured experimentally accurately and precisely. However, this formula has immense value to understand S.Q.
I have also discovered a mathematical relationship for S.Q about eight years back in 2001. I have used physiological parameters which can be measured accurately and precisely and can be tested and verified experimentally. According to this formula S.Q. can be expressed as the ratio of parasympathetic dominance (P.D.) to sympathetic dominance (S.D.). Parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which is largely under hypothalamic control. Hypothalamus is situated very close to the Sixth Chakra. During practice of meditation at Sixth Chakra these centres are galvanised which has very positive effect on practitioners spiritual, emotional, psychological and physiscal well being

[Anirudh Kumar Satsangi]

Pyusa (Pineal) Yoga or Shiva Yoga

According to His Holiness Srikumarswamiji, The International Esoteric & Yoga Centre, Tapovan Dharwar

"Physiology has recognized the importance ot the middle brainand of the endocrine glands, it has therefore set a value upon the pituitary and pineal glands. A special relationship unites the pituitary gland with the roof of the third ventricle on the one hand, and on the other with the whole system of ductless glands throughout the body. The third ventricle is a narrow slit lying near the base of cerebral hemishphere and separating the two thalami from each other. At the posterior end of this slit a small nodule of grey matter projects backwards and overhangs corpora quadrigemina of the mid brain. This is the pineal gland of Piyusa granthi. It represents all that remains of a third eye which used to adorn the fore-head of some of the lizare ancestors in far-off times. This type of lizard is found only in New Zealand and it dates back to the end of Palaeozoic period in the Permian epoch. One of this lizard’s features is that it has a quite well developed third eye behind and between the usual two This is known as the pineal eye and is represented in man by the pineal gland.

The pineal gland is a rudimentary organ in most people but it is evolving though slowly. It is possible to quicken its evolution into a condition in which it can perform its function of apprehending events comprehensively and not piece meal. The full development of this organ helps the Yogi to transcend mathematical time, which is only an illusion produced by the succession of states of consciousness, as one travels through eternal duration. In Yoga Shastra this pineal gland is sometimes spoken of as third eye, the function of which takes place externally through the middle of the forehead. This third eye is now atrophied, simply because the tendency of man has grown downwards and it has got immersed in sexual pleasures. Only when man outgrows lust or libido and makes it as light as possible, that this third eye will reopen, that this pineal gland will flower out in brilliance.

Scientist opine that the pineal gland is a relic of the third eye, hence it is vestigial. But the adepts affirm that it is embryonical and threrefore it is capable of being developed. The whole process of Piyusa (Pineal) Yoga is intended to bring about the development of this dormant pineal gland”.