The neo-Vedic way of studying science

Dear Readers,

After a long time I am writing to you. Another experience of mine to share with you; another one of my personal opinions to bring forth for your critical evaluation. And hope this turns out to be an enjoyable read for you.

For a long time I have wondered what is the proper way to study the basic sciences. In my very limited exposure to the vast field of science, I have struggled a lot. Struggled to find out what truly the dry equations or complexly phrased laws really mean. Struggled to imagine what train of thought leads a scientist to a certain conclusion. There were times when in this sort of struggle I went absolutely clueless. The solution, the reality, would present itself every now and then for a fleeting moment of time and then again pass out of sight. After having endured such tiring and fruitless pursuits for hours together, there have been times when I finally nailed it. I always enjoyed this sort of exercise. But all the while felt that I was lacking a systematic approach to uncovering the answers to my questions. Then recently I came to know about a pattern of study that was followed in the Vedic ages. And lo and behold! This seemed to be the perfect method to uncover scientic truths. So now I would go about describing the method and how it helped me.

In the Vedic age there was no paper to take notes, no books to refer to; just the words of the guru (you can say teacher if you wish. But I prefer guru). The guru’s words need to be retained in the memory of the student, after only one hearing. Having memorised what the guru has taught, the student needs to understand and realise the teachings. As per Vedic literature this entire process has been divided into three stages — Shravana, Manana, Nididdhyasana. I will describe these one by one.

Shravana:

This is the stage where a student is required to listen to the words of the guru with rapt attention. Mind the importance of attention. This attention, as I will later explain, becomes a vital point in successful scientific investigations.

Manana:

At this stage the student is to ponder over the guru’s words to ensure they are understood. Any clarifications or arguments from the student’s end comes at this point. At the end of this stage the student is supposed to emerge with a clear understanding of the guru’s words.

Nididdhyasana:

This is the third stage and expresses best the tremendous heights of Vedic culture. A somewhat closely associated English word for this might be “realisation”. This portion is where the student needs to meditate upon the concept just grasped. And continue meditating unless it becomes a living reality. Unless it becomes an integral part of ones nature. Unless it becomes so natural a truth as does the activities of seeing, speaking or listening.

Applying Vedic study technique to scientific investigation:

Now I will put forth my observation regarding the utility of the above mentioned technique in the field of scientific investigation. Before I move ahead let me put forth my understanding of what science is. For me it is a formal search for truth backed by rigorous testing. So now let’s explain the utility of the stages of Shravana, Manana and Nididdhyasana in such search for truth.

Shravana:

This stage was all about listening to the guru, attentively. Today we have printed paper and hence instead of listening we often end up reading. However be it reading or listening or seeing, the essence of all these activities is that they indicate towards some form of information input. We need to let something in through one of the senses. But when something enters us if there is a filter in the entrance the input gets distorted.

Science begins through observation. Observation of nature or this existence (material or immaterial). These observations are stimulated through books, lectures or everyday sights. It is important that this observation of nature does not get distorted. Because if it does we mistake at the very beginning of the journey. The things that cause these distortions are our own previous impressions. Water poured in an unclean pot changes the character of water. To study the true nature of water a clean pot is needed to hold the water. Similarly to make sure our observations are correct, unbiased, undistorted we must become an empty clean pot, a blank page before observing. Such is the nature of Shravana that needs to be implemented in today’s setup.

Manana:

Having ensured that our observation is uncorrupted, we contemplate what that observation indicates. What might have caused it? Arguments and counter-arguments ensue. After persistent effort we get some sort of clarification regarding the true nature of the observation. We understand the law behind the phenomenon.

Nididdhyasana:

Having developed an understanding of the phenomenon all we need to do is just keep the entire thing in front of our mental plane. We just need to keep observing the observed effect and its cause. I have found that often after such constant focus some deeper truths get revealed. It goes from being a simple scientific equation to an existantial truth that we feel in our hearts. It becomes a part of us.

True that everytime I read a book or found a proof I did not necessarily follow the steps in the proper order. But the idea behind the individual steps definitely helped in preparing the mind for any sort of scientific investigation.

There were two major points that I derived out of this entire process.

First, when we observe we need to observe with an unbiased, clear mind. Give up the impression of being knowledgeable; stand like an infant in front of nature and observe what she has to show.

Second, instead of searching your memory database for a possible solution, sometimes just focus on the phenomenon itself. Meditate upon it. Often the solution just emerges out of thin air for a fleeting moment. The rest is just providing this hazy solution a strong framework of logic and mathematics and putting it to test.

I hoped you enjoyed it and if you have ever felt the same way in your science quest then all the better; I have someone to back me up. Let’s keep moving with our individual quests then, till we meet again.