Science, Religion & Spirituality

[DrDln]

Science, Religion & Spirituality

Science, Religion & Spirituality arrives at a time when youth is returning to a kind of religion where spirituality is on the rise. There is no longer value in articles with titles such as “Is God Dead?” Today we are using science to complement our spirituality. This new notion prompted the writing of this book that combines Eastern religious traditions and Western scientific knowledge to develop practical spirituality. This guide teaches how to observe the mind, to live in gratitude, and to discard expectations. The benefits of focusing on our spiritual-self include tranquility, increased production, a resurgence of vitality, mental clarity and joy of living. There is even a test to know your spirituality level. This book is not about creating a new religion, sect or movement, but in fact is about loving every religion.

There are books on god and religion, and on spirituality. But this is one book that presents reconciliation between science and god/religion. A rare blend that brings science and spirituality together which are generally treated as oil and water. "Science, Religion & Spirituality" (Similar to Human Genome leader Collin's belief) explains that Science and God can co-exist.

Truth cannot contradict itself. Truth from science and truth from God/Religion must eventually converge into one grand whole, a unified knowledge of the laws that govern our universe. Those who fight over superiority of one over the other are blinded by ignorance about both.

In the past, East has lived religiously-- that is one pole-- and because it has lived religiously it has not been able to produce good science. The West has lived scientifically, and because of its science it has lost track of spirituality. Now for the first time in this space age and internet: the earth is becoming one global village. This is the time when the reconciliation between science and religion can be seen, can be understood.

The author has an advanced degree in life sciences and molecular biology from the West, and a fascination with yoga, breathing, religion, and spirituality from the East, crafted out of studies at Yale University, U.S.A., and Punjab University, India. Therefore, he presents quite successfully: Eastern and Western synthesis of science, religion, and spirituality.

The book consists of nine chapters and each chapter starts with an appropriate quote by some famous spiritualist, divine personality, prophet, philosopher or by the author itself: Chapter 1, The Power of Spirituality; Chapter 2, Religious Practices and New Consciousness; Chapter 3, The Universal Divine Mind; Chapter 4, A Free Mind; Chapter 5, Spiritual Living I; Chapter 6, Spiritual Living II; Chapter 7, God and Spirit; Chapter 8, Evil–The Absence of Goodness; Chapter 9, Full Living. The chapters precede by ‘A Word’ of introduction, and are followed by ‘Test of Your spirituality Level,’ and References.

The book introduction starts with a popular quote by Albert Einstein: “Religion without science is blind. Science without religion is lame” However, Dr. Dhillon goes even further to prove reconciliation between science and religion.

There are 3 chapters that describe: How concept of god and spirituality help us coping with stress. These describe virtues such as surrender, forgiveness, prayer, positive thinking, and control over mind. There is information about relieving fear of death and disease, and creating a state of mind without fear. Concept of soul and reincarnation, evil, hell, and heaven are explained from both scientific and religious point of view. There is another chapter on: How our attitude and actions are related to pain and pleasure, love, friendship, and happiness. An understanding of science, religion, and spirituality will put us on a road to love and happiness irrespective of our faith.

[DrDln]

It’s religion based on spirituality, which helps many of us deal with ups and downs in life and keeps the mind tranquil. And it’s spirituality which helps us deal with life-crises.

There is no value anymore in articles that gave titles such as “Is God Dead?” If he was, the likely culprit was science, whose triumph was deemed so complete that "what cannot be known (by scientific methods) seems uninteresting, unreal.” Now we are using science to complement our spirituality. It is this new notion that we need to explore.

American youth are returning to religion but a different kind of religion. A major poll reveals a breadth of tolerance and curiosity virtually across the religious spectrum. And everywhere, a flowering of spirituality (Newsweek, September 5, 2005, Spirituality in America). Furthermore, survey shows that more than 95 percent of Americans believe in God, while 90 percent meditate or pray (Dean Hamer, Harvard University, "The God Gene"); but regular church attendance is declining in America and Europe.

Everywhere we look, the spirituality is on the rise. In Catholic churches the worshipers pass the small hours of the night alone contemplating spiritual communion with God. God to them is just more than somebody you visit on Sunday. For those who've chosen this new flavor of Catholicism, the nourishment comes daily. Younger generation of American Muslims finds its shared faith is erasing the old boundaries that separated their immigrant parents. They are looking to achieve a more God-centered Islam. There are Jews who are seeking God in the mystical thickets of Kabbalah, in order to experience an intimate connection to the Almighty. Zen and innumerable other threads of Buddhism, whose followers seek enlightenment through meditation and prayer, find the divine within that helps them make peace with themselves. Also, in the rebirth of Pagan religions the followers look for God in the wonders of the natural world (Jerry Alder, Newsweek, 2005). Personal- transcendent experience of God is at the heart of much of what we do.