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The Future Science from a Theosophical Perspective - Pablo Sender
The Future Science from a Theosophical Perspective - Pablo Sender
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“The Future Science from a Theosophical Perspective”
Mainstream science, for the most part, does not consider Occult Science true science. However, recognized paradoxes in modern physics could perhaps be a signal that eventually the two shall meet. The current course and momentum of mainstream science, does not seem to point to a major welcoming of Occult Science. However, as we saw in examining evolution, change does necessarily occur in linear, logical or (apparently) sequential steps. Nature seems to change, as often as not, with something like intuitive leaps, and thus, looking at what has happened so far may not be a wise strategy for predicting the future, even in science.
Discussion questions
1- How do you think the average mainstream scientist in Blavatsky’s time would have reacted to the above statement? How do you think the average, mainstream scientist today would react to Blavatsky’s statement above?
2- It has been said that in Atlantis every scientist was a priest and every priest was a scientist. How do you think the Atlantean scientist-priests would have reacted to Blavatsky’s statement above?
3- Can you make an argument for the fact that since the dominant momentum in Western society is materialism, we too have a group of scientist-priests dominating our culture?
4- Another aspect of the Atlantean story is that Atlantean society, lead by these scientist-priests, grew out of balance in that there was a heavy emphasis on technical progress with less and less emphasis on ethics and compassion, eventually leading to disaster.
4a- Do you think that technological catastrophes occur because advancements are similar to spiritual siddhis, powers, that are used for selfish ends and thus, take the users off the path?
4b- Do you see any evidence that our society is already headed in this top-heavy technology orientation?
4c- How might the environmental awareness that is entering mainstream mass culture affect the future of science?
5- Our examination of evolution has already shown us that change seems to happen largely as a result of enigmatically propelled leaps, not necessarily by a neatly traceable, linear line of progression. Thus the future science will not necessarily be a logical progression of past science. The new generation of ‘Indigo’ children are said to be, among other things, gifted in technology and highly independent, creative, and intuitive.
5a- Do you know of children/teens who seem to fit this Indigo description?
5b- Do you think it possible that these new Indigo generations may help to steer our science in a new direction? Could they be a group manifestation of the “men with peculiar and mental capacities” as mentioned in the SD above? If so, how would you predict their probable influence on science and culture in general?
6- What can encourage science to leave its “proud isolation” and work in concert with philosophy, religion, theosophy, social science, and the arts? And/or, what are the obstacles to a unified vision that balances equally all of these disciplines? How can these obstacles be overcome?
7- Do you believe that mainstream science dictates the conscious and unconscious beliefs of the masses or is the opposite true?
8- How could mainstream science play a part in aiding the “moral and spiritual sufferings of the world”?
9- “It is interesting to note that the matters on which considerable differences of opinion arise are…matters which do not bear on life and conduct, but on those which, however interesting as knowledge, are outside that which is need for the guiding of human life.”
-Annie Besant
9a- Give an example, in any field or context, of a matter or debate which instigates considerable differences of opinion but which does not bear on life and conduct and compassion.
9b- Give an example of a focus of concentration which would bear on life and conduct and compassion.
10- “Life and conduct are immensely influenced by a knowledge of the astral and mental worlds—which include purgatory and heaven—of thought and desire-forms, of the lower auras, and other matter of that ilk. This great class of super-physical investigations is the class mot useful to the ordinary man.” (A. Besant, Investigations into he Super-Physical)
Do you agree with Besant that this sort of study and investigation affects life and conduct? Why is this so?
11- How would you shape the essential mission statement of a school with Besant’s observation quoted in question #10 above in mind?
12- Share any experiences of your own of extra-sensory perception.
13- Do you foresee a time in the not-too-distant future when science and spirituality will be somewhat synonymous?
Proposed activities
Read aloud these statements by Blavatsky and Koot Hoomi.
"Precisely because the test of the London newspaper would close the mouths of the skeptics -- it is unthinkable. See it in what light you will -- the world is yet in its first stage of disenthralment if not development, hence -- unprepared. Very true, we work by natural not supernatural means and laws. But, as on the one hand Science would find itself unable (in its present state) to account for the wonders given in its name, and on the other the ignorant masses would still be left to view the phenomenon in the light of a miracle; everyone who would thus be made a witness to the occurrence would be thrown off his balance and the results would be deplorable. Believe me, it would be so...." --The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett
Occult philosophy divulges few of its most important vital mysteries. It drops them like precious pearls, one by one, far and wide apart, and only when forced to do so by the evolutionary tidal wave that carries on humanity slowly, silently, but steadily toward the dawn of the Sixth-Race mankind. For once out of the safe custody of their legitimate heirs and keepers, those mysteries cease to be occult: they fall into the public domain and have to run the risk of becoming in the hands of the selfish — of the Cains of the human race — curses more often than blessings."--Vol. 1, Page 558 THE SECRET DOCTRINE.
"[W]ill you permit me to sketch for you still more clearly the difference between the modes of -- physical called exact -- often out of mere politeness -- and metaphysical sciences? The latter, as you know, being incapable of verification before mixed audiences, is classed by Mr. Tyndall with the fictions of poetry. The realistic science of fact, on the other hand, is utterly prosaic. Now for us poor and unknown philanthropists, no fact of either of these sciences is interesting except in the degree of its potentiality of moral results, and in the ratio of its usefulness to mankind. And what, in its proud isolation, can be more utterly indifferent to every one and everything, or more bound to nothing, but the selfish requisites for its advancement than this materialistic and realistic science of fact?...Exact experimental Science has nothing to do with morality, virtue, philanthropy, therefore can make no claim upon our help, until it blends itself with the metaphysics."--FIRST LETTER OF K. H. TO A. O. HUME
Break into small groups. Pretend that you are the Masters endeavoring to aid humanity on the course of spiritual evolution. You have decided to increase awareness of the doctrines of reincarnation and karma in a substantial way because humanity has shown a vast growth in character development. The increased awareness will result from the manifestation of proof of both karma and reincarnation accepted in the mainstream scientific world.
1- Outline a brief plan to do this and then draft a letter written by a Master (your group) which will be precipitated in the near future to some worthy Theosophist. Include in the letter
a) a list of evidences of growth by a significant portion of humanity as exhibited by “x, y, and z.”
b) why you believe that as the majority of humanity comes to believe strongly in the doctrine of reincarnation and karma, every day conduct, ethics, and compassion will be great affected
c) how you plan to execute this discovery and acceptance of proof of reincarnation and karma in the mainstream scientific community.
2- Also in your group, make a list of works of art—in any genre or medium—which deal with the topics of karma and/or reincarnation.
3- Groups may share their letters and their bibliographies. A combined list of works could be sent to the Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library so that we can keep a growing and up-to-date bibliography. (library@theosophical.org or Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library / Theosophical Society in America / 1926 N Main Street / PO Box 270 / Wheaton IL 60187)
Resources:
Books/Audios/Videos
- Bilimoria, Edi D., The Snake and the Rope: Problems in Western Science Resolved by Occult Science, T B492 SR
- Brown, David Jay, Conversations on the Edge of the Apocalypse: Contemplating the Future with Noam Chomsky, George Carlin, Deepak Chopra, Rupert Sheldrake, and Others, 215 BRO CEA
- Hyslop, James H., Science and a Future Life, 129 HYS SFL
- Kaku, Michio, Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel, 530 KAK PI
- Krishna, P., Science, Education, and Spirituality, AR 4709-3
- Laszlo, Ervin, Quantum Shift in the Global Brain: How the New Scientific Reality Can Change Us and Our World, 501 LAS QSGB
- Lévi, Eliphas, The Paradoxes of the Highest Science: in which the most advanced Truths of Occultism are for the First Time Revealed (in Order to Reconcile the Future Developments of Science and Philosophy with the Eternal Religion), T L578 PHS
- Sheldrake, Rupert, The Rebirth of Nature: The Greening of Science and God, 113 SHE RN
- Toms, Michael, At the Leading Edge: New Visions of Science, Spirituality, and Society: Fourteen Interviews from the Acclaimed New Dimensions National Interview Series, 501 TOM ALE
- White, John Warren, Future Science: Life Energies and the Physics of Paranormal Phenomena,133.8 WHIJ FS
- Wijers, Louwrien, Art Meets Science and Spirituality in a Changing Economy, VR 0789
- Wilber, Ken, A Theory of Everything: An Integral Vision for Business, Politics, Science, and Spirituality, 191 WIL TE
Download handouts
“The Future Science from a Theosophical Perspective”
Mainstream science, for the most part, does not consider Occult Science true science. However, recognized paradoxes in modern physics could perhaps be a signal that eventually the two shall meet. The current course and momentum of mainstream science, does not seem to point to a major welcoming of Occult Science. However, as we saw in examining evolution, change does necessarily occur in linear, logical or (apparently) sequential steps. Nature seems to change, as often as not, with something like intuitive leaps, and thus, looking at what has happened so far may not be a wise strategy for predicting the future, even in science.
Discussion questions
1- How do you think the average mainstream scientist in Blavatsky’s time would have reacted to the above statement? How do you think the average, mainstream scientist today would react to Blavatsky’s statement above?
2- It has been said that in Atlantis every scientist was a priest and every priest was a scientist. How do you think the Atlantean scientist-priests would have reacted to Blavatsky’s statement above?
3- Can you make an argument for the fact that since the dominant momentum in Western society is materialism, we too have a group of scientist-priests dominating our culture?
4- Another aspect of the Atlantean story is that Atlantean society, lead by these scientist-priests, grew out of balance in that there was a heavy emphasis on technical progress with less and less emphasis on ethics and compassion, eventually leading to disaster.
4a- Do you think that technological catastrophes occur because advancements are similar to spiritual siddhis, powers, that are used for selfish ends and thus, take the users off the path?
4b- Do you see any evidence that our society is already headed in this top-heavy technology orientation?
4c- How might the environmental awareness that is entering mainstream mass culture affect the future of science?
5- Our examination of evolution has already shown us that change seems to happen largely as a result of enigmatically propelled leaps, not necessarily by a neatly traceable, linear line of progression. Thus the future science will not necessarily be a logical progression of past science. The new generation of ‘Indigo’ children are said to be, among other things, gifted in technology and highly independent, creative, and intuitive.
5a- Do you know of children/teens who seem to fit this Indigo description?
5b- Do you think it possible that these new Indigo generations may help to steer our science in a new direction? Could they be a group manifestation of the “men with peculiar and mental capacities” as mentioned in the SD above? If so, how would you predict their probable influence on science and culture in general?
6- What can encourage science to leave its “proud isolation” and work in concert with philosophy, religion, theosophy, social science, and the arts? And/or, what are the obstacles to a unified vision that balances equally all of these disciplines? How can these obstacles be overcome?
7- Do you believe that mainstream science dictates the conscious and unconscious beliefs of the masses or is the opposite true?
8- How could mainstream science play a part in aiding the “moral and spiritual sufferings of the world”?
9- “It is interesting to note that the matters on which considerable differences of opinion arise are…matters which do not bear on life and conduct, but on those which, however interesting as knowledge, are outside that which is need for the guiding of human life.”
-Annie Besant
9a- Give an example, in any field or context, of a matter or debate which instigates considerable differences of opinion but which does not bear on life and conduct and compassion.
9b- Give an example of a focus of concentration which would bear on life and conduct and compassion.
10- “Life and conduct are immensely influenced by a knowledge of the astral and mental worlds—which include purgatory and heaven—of thought and desire-forms, of the lower auras, and other matter of that ilk. This great class of super-physical investigations is the class mot useful to the ordinary man.” (A. Besant, Investigations into he Super-Physical)
Do you agree with Besant that this sort of study and investigation affects life and conduct? Why is this so?
11- How would you shape the essential mission statement of a school with Besant’s observation quoted in question #10 above in mind?
12- Share any experiences of your own of extra-sensory perception.
13- Do you foresee a time in the not-too-distant future when science and spirituality will be somewhat synonymous?
Proposed activities
Read aloud these statements by Blavatsky and Koot Hoomi.
"Precisely because the test of the London newspaper would close the mouths of the skeptics -- it is unthinkable. See it in what light you will -- the world is yet in its first stage of disenthralment if not development, hence -- unprepared. Very true, we work by natural not supernatural means and laws. But, as on the one hand Science would find itself unable (in its present state) to account for the wonders given in its name, and on the other the ignorant masses would still be left to view the phenomenon in the light of a miracle; everyone who would thus be made a witness to the occurrence would be thrown off his balance and the results would be deplorable. Believe me, it would be so...." --The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett
Occult philosophy divulges few of its most important vital mysteries. It drops them like precious pearls, one by one, far and wide apart, and only when forced to do so by the evolutionary tidal wave that carries on humanity slowly, silently, but steadily toward the dawn of the Sixth-Race mankind. For once out of the safe custody of their legitimate heirs and keepers, those mysteries cease to be occult: they fall into the public domain and have to run the risk of becoming in the hands of the selfish — of the Cains of the human race — curses more often than blessings."--Vol. 1, Page 558 THE SECRET DOCTRINE.
"[W]ill you permit me to sketch for you still more clearly the difference between the modes of -- physical called exact -- often out of mere politeness -- and metaphysical sciences? The latter, as you know, being incapable of verification before mixed audiences, is classed by Mr. Tyndall with the fictions of poetry. The realistic science of fact, on the other hand, is utterly prosaic. Now for us poor and unknown philanthropists, no fact of either of these sciences is interesting except in the degree of its potentiality of moral results, and in the ratio of its usefulness to mankind. And what, in its proud isolation, can be more utterly indifferent to every one and everything, or more bound to nothing, but the selfish requisites for its advancement than this materialistic and realistic science of fact?...Exact experimental Science has nothing to do with morality, virtue, philanthropy, therefore can make no claim upon our help, until it blends itself with the metaphysics."--FIRST LETTER OF K. H. TO A. O. HUME
Break into small groups. Pretend that you are the Masters endeavoring to aid humanity on the course of spiritual evolution. You have decided to increase awareness of the doctrines of reincarnation and karma in a substantial way because humanity has shown a vast growth in character development. The increased awareness will result from the manifestation of proof of both karma and reincarnation accepted in the mainstream scientific world.
1- Outline a brief plan to do this and then draft a letter written by a Master (your group) which will be precipitated in the near future to some worthy Theosophist. Include in the letter
a) a list of evidences of growth by a significant portion of humanity as exhibited by “x, y, and z.”
b) why you believe that as the majority of humanity comes to believe strongly in the doctrine of reincarnation and karma, every day conduct, ethics, and compassion will be great affected
c) how you plan to execute this discovery and acceptance of proof of reincarnation and karma in the mainstream scientific community.
2- Also in your group, make a list of works of art—in any genre or medium—which deal with the topics of karma and/or reincarnation.
3- Groups may share their letters and their bibliographies. A combined list of works could be sent to the Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library so that we can keep a growing and up-to-date bibliography. (library@theosophical.org or Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library / Theosophical Society in America / 1926 N Main Street / PO Box 270 / Wheaton IL 60187)
Resources:
Books/Audios/Videos
- Bilimoria, Edi D., The Snake and the Rope: Problems in Western Science Resolved by Occult Science, T B492 SR
- Brown, David Jay, Conversations on the Edge of the Apocalypse: Contemplating the Future with Noam Chomsky, George Carlin, Deepak Chopra, Rupert Sheldrake, and Others, 215 BRO CEA
- Hyslop, James H., Science and a Future Life, 129 HYS SFL
- Kaku, Michio, Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration into the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation, and Time Travel, 530 KAK PI
- Krishna, P., Science, Education, and Spirituality, AR 4709-3
- Laszlo, Ervin, Quantum Shift in the Global Brain: How the New Scientific Reality Can Change Us and Our World, 501 LAS QSGB
- Lévi, Eliphas, The Paradoxes of the Highest Science: in which the most advanced Truths of Occultism are for the First Time Revealed (in Order to Reconcile the Future Developments of Science and Philosophy with the Eternal Religion), T L578 PHS
- Sheldrake, Rupert, The Rebirth of Nature: The Greening of Science and God, 113 SHE RN
- Toms, Michael, At the Leading Edge: New Visions of Science, Spirituality, and Society: Fourteen Interviews from the Acclaimed New Dimensions National Interview Series, 501 TOM ALE
- White, John Warren, Future Science: Life Energies and the Physics of Paranormal Phenomena,133.8 WHIJ FS
- Wijers, Louwrien, Art Meets Science and Spirituality in a Changing Economy, VR 0789
- Wilber, Ken, A Theory of Everything: An Integral Vision for Business, Politics, Science, and Spirituality, 191 WIL TE
Tags: future, future science, science
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alistair on -
My goodness, where would one begin. There's a lifetime's work encoded in some of those T&S questions and one could probably quite easily establish a whole 'Theoversity' upon them, there being no shortage of proposed research areas. I'll consider some of them alongside the suffocating pile of work next to me at the moment.
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