Practical application Of Knowledge

The nineteenth century German physicist Helmholtz used to say:”there is nothing more practical than a good theory.”

We value and cherish ideas and concepts not only because they are true, but also because they can be applied in practical life.

The practical aspect of philosophy is known as ‘praxis’. It was Karl Marx who stressed the importance in modern life. According to him, the purpose of philosophy is to bring about social transformation. Vedanta has remained the living philosophy for more than three thousand years because it helped countless people to solve the problems of life by solving the ultimate mystery of life and death. Its continuing relevance has increased all the more in modern times.

Human Problems

Philosophical concepts must help people to fulfill their needs and solve the problems of life. Problems of modern human society are of three main types: economic, psycho social and existential.

Economic problems are problems about providing necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, healthcare etc. and also the modern comforts and luxuries.

Psycho social problems include mental problems of individuals living in the stressful conditions of modern life and social problems such as violence, crime, immorality, drug addiction, etc.

 Existential problems include meaninglessness of life, loneliness, anxiety, sense of guild, problems of love etc.

These problems can be solved by acquiring appropriate knowledge which are inherent in the four levels of existence or being, Matter, Life, Mind, and Consciousness.

We need to recall, that consciousness has two aspects, the immanent and the transcendent. It is immanent consciousness that manifests itself as inherent knowledge in Matter, Life and Mind. Western countries and some Eastern countries have to a large degree managed the economic problems.

More about Existential Problems

The third type of problem is existential, such as meaninglessness, loneliness etc. They defy solutions by science and technology. In recent decades these problems have assumed serious proportions not only in the West but also in other countries.

Existential problems defy solutions because their root-cause lies deep in the human soul. These problems are caused by alienation of the ego from the source, the real Self known as Atman. Modern man lives like a stranger in his home or like an exile in his own country. Carl Yung, modern man is in search of his soul. The Atman (soul) is the real source of all the happiness, knowledge, beauty, power etc. that we seek in the external world. It is the alienation of the ego from this source that is the main cause of the feeling of loneliness, meaninglessness, insecurity and other existential problems which haunt modern society.

Importance of Transcendental Knowledge

The Atman (soul) represents the transcendental aspect of consciousness. It is the true Self of man which is inseparable from the Supreme Self known as Paramatman, Brahman, and God.

Since in the yoga tradition God is  regarded as the Supreme Self, it is Self and God-realization, that is, the realization of atman (soul), Brahman  corresponds to “God realization”.

There are several levels of this transcendental realization which the psychologist Abraham Maslow called peak experiences. Although mystical experiences are well known in other religious traditions, it is in India that these transcendental experiences developed into a science of transcendental consciousness.

Direct realization of transcendental consciousness confers several benefits, some of which are hereafter mentioned.

a)     In the first place, it restores to man his true Self-identity. With the elimination of self-alienation, the existential problems mentioned earlier disappear.

b)    There is a basic spiritual urge in all human beings to transcend their limitations, to go beyond sorrow and to attain everlasting joy, peace and fulfillment. All this can be attained only through Self-realization.

c)      Love is a direct self to self contact, an ‘I-thou’ relationship, as stated by Martin Buber. Love is the sense of unity at a deeper level of personality. This sense of unity is derived from the oneness of the atman (soul) with Brahman (God). As stated in the Upanishads, the husband is loved not for the sake of the husband but for the sake of the atman (soul); the wife is loves not for the sake of the wife, but for the sake of the atman (soul). Only through the realization of the atman (soul) can a person have true, unconditional love for all things.

d)    All knowledge of transcendental consciousness enables us to face the mystery of death. The survival of consciousness after death is the greatest challenge to science and the greatest support to religion.

Importance of Immanent Knowledge

India has devoted more than three thousand years to the pursuit of transcendental knowledge and has accumulated a vast storehouse of spiritual knowledge which is meant for all humanity. From what has been presented, it should be clear, that the two aspects of immanent and transcendent consciousness have important roles to play in human life. Immanent knowledge inherent in Matter, Life and Mind is necessary to attain physical health, material prosperity and mental accomplishments. Transcendental knowledge is necessary to make life meaningful, to attain the highest fulfillment and to serve humanity with unselfish love.