Hare krishna!
I want to become a theoretical physicist (a typical scientist) when I grow up. I also don't want to leave devotional service, but actually the thing is that if I pursue to become a theoretical physicist then my interest in bhakti will automatically reduce because of the worldly science. So, I would be forced to either leave science or bhakti because if I took bhakti then I would also loose interest in science and doing both simultaneously would also not be possible .also many ISKCON monks and srila prabhupada constantly criticize physicists.For example Hg amogh lila prabhu g always criticize big bang and god particle theory which are important topics in physics.I dont think I would have any interest in bhakti if I choose theoretical physics as a career
Please guide
Replies
Hare KRsna PRabhuji,
PAMHO.
You need to connect with HG Rasaraj Prabhuji. He is a practicing scientist as well as a very senior desciple of Srila Prabhupada. He is taking classes on zoom on Sunday evenings to close group of people. You could try finding out his contact details or message me in inbox. I can find out his email id.
I have seen him interact with IIT Madras students, taking deep interest in what they are studying and directing their research.
True scientist will understand that nothing works without a higher power.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Hare Krishna,
@Paarth Prabhu, science and spirituality (or scriptures) discuss two distinct aspects of reality. Consider the knowledge in the scriptures as a broad circle, with a section that agrees with modern science, such as mathematics, a section that differs from modern science, such as the year when the Ramayan occurred, which is a point of contention, and a major portion that transcends modern science, such as the existence of a spiritual world, where God exists in many different forms, and that He exists as a blue-black covered boy. This is something that science cannot prove or refute, and this is what transcends modern science. When we practice Bhakti, we concentrate on the portion that teaches us how to go beyond this world, which is the most valuable gift, and spirituality is also where we acquire ideals and principles for improving our lives.
Some people consider science and spirituality to be completely contradictory, yet this is not the case. Both can coexist, but only if we understand their respective scopes.
Science looks for material explanations for material phenomena, which means it looks for quantifiable, measurable aspects of the observed reality. However, we must be aware that there is also a personal agent at work.
Consider a game of billiards. If you put a camera on top of the billiards table, you'd see a stick coming from one direction and a ball from another direction and then going into a hole somewhere. The motion of the balls and the stick can be explained using the laws of physics. For example - why did the ball fall into this hole, maybe because of this momentum and angle, and so on. But if we broaden the scope of the camera further, we see the billiards stick is being held or controlled by an expert player. So, what is it that causes the ball to fall into the hole? Both the player's expertise and the principles of physics provide explanations for why the momentum occurred. And these two explanations are not contradictory, but they are complimentary. Similarly, we may see the physical mechanics that cause certain events, which science can explain, and we can also perceive agents orchestrating these mechanisms, which is a part of spiritual awareness. This world is complete, which means Krishna or God has put everything in its proper place. As a result, we don't have to view scripture as a rival to science; rather, scriptures provide knowledge of things that are beyond the scope of scientific awareness. The fundamental idea is that life has a spiritual element to it, and we cannot find fulfillment or the ultimate aim of our lives until we develop our spiritual side. Thus, spirituality might be viewed as a natural extension of science.
According to contemporary cosmological ideas, the Big Bang marked the beginning of the universe. This may be true, but only when seen within a certain limited aspect of reality - like the limited scope of the camera in the example of a billiards game above. Science is correct in looking for material explanations for material phenomena, but it does not widen its view. Who was the cause of the Big Bang's explosion? What caused such an explosion? Why are there so many planets floating in the air? If gravity is the cause, then who made this law of gravity?
Like you mentioned, many spiritual guides consider some of these scientific theories to be incorrect. This is true if we consider the context, time, location, and conditions in which these claims were made and to whom they were stated. Many scientists entirely deny the existence of a reality beyond scientific explanation, and this is where they go wrong.
One school of thought within science is to look for explanations within the scope of the material world. But numerous experts, like Wilder Penfield and Charles Sherrington, have stated that consciousness cannot be reduced to the brain. As a result, different groups of scientists are making different claims. It's a battle between science and science. Some scientists argue that science is a source of all explanations, whereas others argue that this is not the case. As a result, science should not be considered a single body of knowledge. There are several scientists with various viewpoints within science, and a significant majority of scientists acknowledge spirituality, with many believing in God and the soul. As a result, we do not need to reduce science to its most extreme statements. For example, examine the works of these notable scholars in the fields of science, literature, and religion, as well as in world-class academics, and draw inspiration from them.
Garuda Das Kavirāja (HG Garuda Prabhu) - Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Christopher Newport University, Virginia and Director of Studies in Religion,
Ravi M. Gupta (HG Radhika Ramana Prabhu) - Charles Redd Chair of Religious Studies and Director of the Religious Studies Program at Utah State University,
Chaithanya Charan (HG Chaitanya Charan Prabhu) - Former Engineer, Now a Full-time Monk and Author of the famous thespiritualscientist.com (link)
Mr. Timothy Kiernan (HG Shaunaka Rishi Das) - Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS)
Mr. Michael A. Cremo (HG Drutakarmā dāsa) - Researcher and Archaeologist, and among other people.
These are role models, persons who have embraced science, religious studies and bhakti as well and are specialists in both fields.
The substance of truth products may not always be what they claim to be in the rational scientific community, and in such circumstances, we must treat some of their works with a smile and take it with a pinch of salt. Scientists are also humans with a need for reputation, an ego, and money, and to obtain funds, they may sometimes make sensationalistic assertions (such as that humans descended from monkeys) and report them to the public media. But consider what would happen if the notion of evolution—that humans descended from a monkey—was proven to be entirely false in the scientific community? Because their study was/is based on this law, so many universities would stop working and lose funds, so many publications would not be financed by the government, and lakhs of people would lose their jobs. So there are several reasons why we are encouraged to believe in nonsense ideas, which go far beyond just one.
Science can improve things. Spirituality, on the other hand, has the potential to improve people's lives. The outward world can be improved through science, while the inner world can be improved via spiritual activities. As a result, by understanding the scope of both, we may go forward in our lives while balancing both. So, if theoretical physics is of interest to you, you can pursue a career in it and become one of the finest in the field while continuing Bhakti Yoga practice, maintaining respect for the scientific community and their ideas, as well as understanding the truths of reality through Krishna Conscious scriptures.
A little-known truth dedicated to individuals who believe that we humans descended from monkeys -
nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya
yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ
mūḍho ’yaṁ nābhijānāti
loko mām ajam avyayam
Bg. 7.25
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- Check out this video 'Forbidden Archaeology' by Michael Cremo | Talks at Google (link)
- Opinions expressed in this post are solely my own and do not express the views of my employer, any group, institute or spiritual organization.
Hare Krishna Paarth prabhu,
Very nice field you have opted for you further studies. Look one who studies it to the core of any subject will understand to end of physics or science after a certain depth there is immpossible to find the end of it. You keep diving deep but you wont be able to find answers for some things. At that point all of us accept that okay this is not answerable through out limited intellect. There is something beyond matter which is moving these electrons, protons and keeping them revolving in orbits around the nucleus. That shakti or the force is God. Even great physicist Enstien who diced thru matter and studied upto the core. Bowed to Bhagwad gita. All worldly knowledge is worth while if we know that there is something higher power who is operating everything.
Enstien said EGO= 1/ knowledge.
When you have knowledge you first get is pride. .. and when we dive deep and deep into that subject we will understand that all knowledge will end in humblness when we bow down to the Supreme Lord who created this whole world. Finally.. Electrons, protons nucleus are all particles of matter are made by someone. That is not you ...If you say Hydrogen and Oxygen combine to form water also. Someone must have made those elements is the question... they don't come into existence simply from nothing.
The space between the tinest particle called the black space is still not know what is it.? gravitational force is discorvered but the who made this all is a still a question unanswered. If we go to the core even more puzzling question appear which no one can resolve and they just speculate or make theories.
One thing is for sure. Knowledge will make you wise and humble if you are a devotee then it will make you more devotional and you will really bow down then in surrender truly like what Enstien did.
https://biologos.org/common-questions/are-gaps-in-scientific-knowle...
there are many unsolved questions in science which finally point the existence of God. Devotee who already knows the potency of God, Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. There is no fear for him to be lost in the material worldly subjects when read in depth.
That’s why in the book, Biology Today, Nobel Laureate chemist Albert Szent-Gyorgyi admitted, “In my search for the secret of life, I ended up with atoms and electrons, which have no life at all. Somewhere along the line, life ran out through my fingers. So, in my old age, I am now retracing my steps….”
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That is real surrender after slicing and dicing dissecting whole science and coming to the conclusion that there is some superior power who is running this whole Brahmanda.
See, If you are interest in bhakti and you are knowing the potency of Supreme Lord then your study is only going to add to that firm belief of existence of God, then only your real surrender will start. All knowledge is going to make you more humble from inside.
But to leave all and become brahmachari is it possible for you? Are you having so much surrender bhav as HG Amogh Lila Prabhu ji.. He totally dedicated his life for God. 100% dedication. But you are having interest in settling down in life with family and kids is it not? Because I have seen your other questions in the forum.. your senses are not controlled unlike prabhu ji's. There is no comparision between you and HG Amogh Lila prabhu ji .. One has to chose some field which he or she can completely dedicate give 100% then only they get success in material world or in spiritual world.
If you chose to become a physicist and it is your passion then go into the depth of it. Like Enstien and finally totally surrender to Krishna because all great people finally humbly bowed down to Lord after knowing and studying in depth. If you already know the greatness of Krishna then give up all material world and become a Brahamchari like HG Amogh Lila Prabhu ji. See there should be 100% surrender and commitmment. Not just today a wave came I want to beocme scientist.. tomorrow another wave came I want to become a devotee.. another wave came I want to see beautiful girls and enjoy the material worldly things.. In this way you become nothing but Jack of all trades and master of none, thats all .. I maybe sounding harsh in my statement but that is the ultimate truth. If you believe in Krishna offer dedicate completely for Krishna. Hanging here and there in between in this way we cannot become anything.
But you see many great doctors and philosophers after studying thoroughly understood that there are many questions not known to science and this made them humble and surrender to God completely also. The level of surrender in that case is highest. Or people like HG Amogh Lila Prabhu ji or HG Amerandra Das prabhu ji who are young in and they have this innate quality that they pocess after many birth realization at a young age to completely surrender to Lord. Where as we are not so great as them, we like to be in material world at the same time want to practice KC. To come to their platform of total surrender we need to lose all the past karmic effects. For that we have to do japa and accumulate some punya.
So, I don't say that you leave all and become a monk. I wont say that you don't pursue you passion and dream to become a theoretical physicist. But at the same time know that all knowledge should end finally at the feet of Lord Sri Krishna and to Know that Lord is Supreme and is having authority over every thing even your passion, your dreams and your career, your choices.. all are going under the direction of Supreme Lord. Every subject in this material world which you study is never ending and too vast... and no one can find clues even if we reach to the depth of all the subjects. Only Krishna can know. And so that is how we surrender. But just by immitating some great man we cannot become them right. We cannot become HG Amogh prabhu or some Enstien. We have to do some dedicated effort in those fields to become and reach to their level.
Rest is your wish and Lord's plan.
Hare Krishna.