The Logic of the Absolute

I am forunate enough to be in association with people who are very deeply involved in Krishna Consciousness. I myself is not a dedicated devotee of the movement so its not my intention to propagandize or advertise it. But I am always open to any conversation which enlightens the belief and the truth about God. Because of that reason, I always receive some wonderful articles like the one below from the yahoo group which I like to treasure and sometimes wish to share with other audience editing them. Its not about Krishna Conscious, its more about God and believing him. Please read on..

Given proof of God, would a materialist know how to read it? People often ask us, “Can you prove the existence of God?” Proof indicates a conclusive demonstration that establishes the validity of an assertion, in this case the assertion that God exists.

But as soon as we speak of a demonstration, the next question is “To whom shall we demonstrate?” If we speak of evidence or data, we must know who will see and hear it. In other words, who will judge the results of a particular experiment, test, or trial.

Consider a hypothetical example. Doctor Waterport, the famous scientist, has just discovered a sophisticated formula that solves a technical mathematical problem. He proudly calls his colleagues together and presents them with thirty pages of ultratechnical symbols. His fellow scientists pore over the pages and conclude, “Yes, this is the answer we’re looking for.” If Dr. Waterport were to show the proof to an ordinary person on the street, the person wouldn’t even know how to hold the pages right side up. Because he’s not trained in mathematics, the proof would be meaningless to him. Conclusion: Proof demands a qualified audience.

Certainly, any valid proof must be logical. But how we apply logic depends on our previous experience. For example, suppose an apple tree is growing outside your window. One morning you hear a sound like that of an apple hitting the ground, and when you look outside you see a ripe apple lying beneath the tree. Logically, you conclude, the apple has just fallen from the tree.
Your logical statement rests on your previous observation that the apple tree produces apples, that the apples fall to the ground, and that they make a certain sound when this occurs. And your statement appears logical to those with similar experience.

So we apply logic in terms of our experience. Therefore, how can we expect to make God logical to a person who has had no spiritual experience? How can God appear logical to a person to whom the very terminology of the science of God is unintelligible? Thus it is ludicrous when those who are spiritually blind, deaf, and dumb -demand that God be made “logical” to them and that His existence be “proved.”

In general, it is illogical for a person untrained in some field of knowledge to demand that a particular fact pertaining to that field of knowledge be logically demonstrated to him. For example, if someone who has no idea what a number is demands that I logically demonstrate that two plus two equals four, I can’t do it. Similarly, if a spiritual ignoramus demands that God be logically demonstrated to him, his very request is illogical. So how can the illogical demands of atheists be met?

We can easily provide innumerable proofs of God—provided we are free to stipulate that the judge of the data be a person who is spiritually trained. Devotees of the Lord who are advanced in Krishna consciousness can logically, evidently, and demonstratively deal with the reality of the soul and God. But materialistic fools demand that God, a non-material being, be reduced to a material formula.

It is patently absurd to demand material proof for a non-material entity. Mathematical or physical laws describe predictable ways in which material things interact. God and the soul are not material and thus cannot be reduced to material descriptions.

This does not mean, however, that the soul is outside the jurisdiction of logical discussion. Consciousness itself is spiritual, not material, and thus the study of consciousness, or spirit, is not beyond the scope of human beings.

In fact, all fields of knowledge depend on tangible perception of the soul, since all sciences depend on a conscious scientist who works with consciousness, which is spiritual, not material. In other words, spiritual awareness is intrinsic to all types of awareness, although materialistic people do not recognize that consciousness is spiritual.

So there is no lack of data to prove the existence of spirit, since consciousness itself is spiritual. The problem is that foolish intellectuals whimsically designate consciousness a material, not a spiritual, entity. But as soon as we accept the simple truth that consciousness itself is spiritual, we find that in every stage of awareness and in every field of knowledge our perception of all manner of data is resting on a spiritual experience—the experience of being conscious. And when consciousness studies itself, it reaches the stage called spiritual consciousness, or self- realization. Ultimately, when the self-realized person fixes his consciousness on the source of all consciousness, he reaches the realization of Krishna , the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

For one who has not perceived the superior pleasure of Krishna consciousness, it will seem illogical to restrict his material enjoyment. A Krishna conscious person, however, perceives that spiritual consciousness is far more pleasurable and satisfying than material consciousness. He further perceives that sinful activities—activities against the laws of God—harm that consciousness. Thus it is entirely logical for a Krishna conscious person to obey the laws of God, just as it is logical for an ordinary citizen to obey the laws of the state.

Ultimately, we must come to the stage of absolute logic, which refers to absolute perception, a perception of things with eternally recognizable properties and eternally established relationships. For example, God is the supreme master and enjoyer and we are His eternal servants. Thus it is absolutely logical for us to serve Him, for we are then situated in our natural, constitutional position. To serve a mundane employer may be logical, but it is not absolutely logical, since after the employer’s death, or upon his bankruptcy, serving him is illogical.

In conclusion, logic is a secondary process that follows the primary process of consciousness. We are conscious, for example, that numbers have particular values and properties, and based on this perception, we can state that a particular mathematical equation is either logical or illogical. Similarly, by purifying our existence through the practice of Krishna consciousness, we can perceive the values and properties of God, and thus we can discern that a particular statement about God is either logical or illogical. By confirming our analysis with the Vedic literatures, which are standard reference works of spiritual science compiled by realized devotees, we can perfectly understand the science of God in Krishna consciousness.

Courtesy by: Sivakumar Balasubramanian

OSCAR FEVER !!

It was 90 deg F last week and today its almost hitting 100 F. It will be 110 F by sunday. It will so hot when everybody get hooked in to it. Alright, I am not talking about my temperature or about fiction story.

Ta da!!! I am talking about the OSCAR FEVER which is been slowly affecting all over the world like every year during this month. Yep, people get OSCAR FEVER as soon Feb shows up in their calendar.

OSCAR - 79th Academy Awards which is the one and only show which has highest viewers just ahead of the American Football viewers. Because obviously nobody ever understand American football otherthan people who live in America and nobody watches otherthan people in america :-) So its always been the number one show which is been awaited by people all over the world and watched by millions across nation.

Why it is HOT? Its so HOT not just because people been waiting for almost a year to know who is going to get the best actor,best actress and best pictures awards. Its not just HOT because people wanted to hear and see the crazy speech & expressions of the winners. It all comes second to one thing. Its so HOT because of the Red carpet walk by lovely wonderful HOT Hollywood ladies. Its been awaited and watched by millions especially by womans and more importantly by young lads.

People get glued to their television set from the start just to watch the Red Carpet walks to see the beautiful dress and worst dress wore by lovely ladies and not to mention other stuff.

I been watching OSCAR every year ever since I got here and if I remember correctly I never missed a year. I always try to watch it from the start like any other yound lad if not atleast the the ceremony part of it.

Alright now to the past and facts.

GLADIATOR(2000), A BEAUTIFUL MIND(2001), CHICAGO(2002), LORD OF THE RINGS(2003), MILLION DOLLAR BABY(2004), CRASH(2005). All these are the names of the films which have been made on the life of a real character, that have been adjudged as the best films at the Oscars during the last five years.

For this year we have the nominees for the Best Picture are,

BEST PICTURE

BABEL

THE DEPARTED

LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

THE QUEEN

My Pick:Following the trend, I think i am going to go with THE QUEEN which has high reviews.

Next comes the Best Actor, we have nominees for the Leading Actor are,

ACTOR -- LEADING
Leonardo DiCaprio – BLOOD DIAMOND
Ryan Gosling – HALF NELSON
Peter O’Toole – VENUS
Will Smith – THE PURSUITOF HAPPYNESS
Forest Whitaker – THE LAST KINGOF SCOTLAND

My Pick:I am going to go with Forest Whitaker who seems to have done well in this movie.

Finally there comes the Best Actress, we have the nominees for the Leading Actress are,

ACTRESS - LEADING
Penélope Cruz – VOLVER
Judi Dench – NOTES ON A SCANDAL
Helen Mirren – THE QUEEN
Meryl Streep – THE DEVIL WEARSPRADA
Kate Winslet – LITTLE CHILDREN

My Pick:I know there are young ladies(Penelope Cruz, Winslet) on the list and I would love them to get an OSCAR. But unfortunately I would have to go Helen Mirren who got high scores and reviews for her excellent acting in the movive THE QUEEN.

Now we are in our favorite category which we always look out for any movies from India. Nothing made to this list after Lagaan. Unfortunately, WATER was nominated as Canada movies since our people opposed it so much Deepa Mehta has to go and release from Canada. We can only take the credit that it was directed by Indian and taken fully in TN, India. Otherthan that we can 't claim anything.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
AFTER THE WEDDING
DAYS OF GLORY (INDIGÈNES)
THE LIVES OF OTHERS
PAN’S LABYRINTH
WATER

My Pick: I havn't seen any of the movie in the list. I would be happy if WATER gets its but who knows. We can only gamble.

Try to catch a glimpse of the action and get glued to TV this SUNDAY FEB 25th at 5PM PST(7CT & 8EST) to watch the most awaited show of the year. You can't escape, so get hooked into the OSCAR FEVER...

International Mother Language Day!!

Wow!! I was really taken back when I saw the awareness processions and meetings in some parts of TN in connection with the Mother Tongue Day or Mother Language Day while I was watching the SUNTV(Tamil TV Network) news today. Is there a really a day to honor and celebrate our mother tongue? Looks like there is one.

I heard about Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Heart Day, AIDS Day, Teachers Day, Childrens day and never to forget the most well know Valentines Day. But I never heard one to celebrate and honor our Mother language/Tongue.

I am really happy to see people actually observing that day because I am lover of my mother tongue. Obivously everybody loves their mother tongue which needs to be honored and celebrated. It might not have any special effect in the western world because they really speak one and only language which is English. Thats the reason I don't see any special cards from Hallmark which always try to make buck of it. :-)

But it really matters for people in the countries which has lots of different languages spoken and used. Especially in India, it really matters makes a lot of sense. As per my knowledge, we have around 800 different languages with around 2000 dialects. We have 23 official languages in our country. Too many languages but each of them has their own heritage which needs to celebrated and remembered by their own people.

As usual, my buzzing brain wants to know how exactly this day start to be commenrated as Mother language Day ?

I found some interesting facts as below:

Feb21 - International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by UNESCO's General Conference in November 1999. The International Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. Half of the world’s 6000 to 7000 languages are in danger of extinction.- International Mother Language Day, celebrated annually aims to promote the recognition and practice of the world’s mother tongues, particularly minority ones.

The main objective is by "Favouring the promotion of linguistic diversity and the development of multilingual education from an early age helps preserve cultural diversity and the conditions for international understanding, tolerance and mutual respect."

Check out this site for more info: UNESCO.ORG

Language is the root of our culture and by showing our pride towards honoring it. I think it makes real sense to honor and celebrate our mother tongue while there are other nonsense unimportant days celebrated in the work. It also gives the opportunity to talk about it to our kids and increase their awarness.

Atleast start saying out loud that "I AM PROUD TO SPEAK MY Mother language {Hindi, Kannada, Telugu or any of you language}".

I am saying it loud, "I AM PROUD TO SPEAK MY MOTHER LANGUAGE TAMIL".

Also try to keep a habit to speak only in your mother language whenever you talk to your friends who know your mother language instead of using some other language. Like for example, (Translation - Speak to Tamilians in Tamil to increase Tamil awareness)

An Interesting Conversation...

I came across this nice email which I never seen before about the existence of God in connection with science. I thought it will be good to share it. Read along..

AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION.

An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty. He asks one of his new students to stand and.....
Prof : So you believe in God? Student : Absolutely, sir.
Prof : Is God good? Student : Sure.
Prof : Is God all-powerful? Student : Yes.
Prof : My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm? (Student is silent.)
Prof : You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fellow. Is God good? Student : Yes.
Prof : Is Satan good? Student : No.
Prof : Where does Satan come from? Student : From...God.. .
Prof : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world? Student : Yes.
Prof : Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct? Student : Yes.
Prof : So who created evil? Student does not answer.
Prof : Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they? Student : Yes, sir.
Prof : So, who created them? Student has no answer.
Prof : Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God? Student : No, sir.
Prof : Tell us if you have ever heard your God? Student : No, sir.
Prof : Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter? Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Prof : Yet you still believe in Him? Student : Yes.
Prof : According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son? Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Prof : Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has. Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat? Prof : Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold? Prof : Yes.
Student : No sir. There isn't. (The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it. (There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)
Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness? Prof : Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Prof : So what is the point you are making, young man? Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Prof : Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Prof : If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do. Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)
Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher? (The class is in uproar.)
Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain? (The class breaks out into laughter.)
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir? (The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable. )
Prof : I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son. Student : That is it sir... The link between man & god is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive.

VOIP Phones in India

VOIP - Voice over IP technology is been widely used for various purpose including local phone connections in USA. After VOIP phone/Internet phones came to the market, traditional phone companies faced a huge challenge and set back in their business. VOIP Phone companies offered all or most of the features for a small or cheaper flat rate compared to the traditional companies which charged seperate rate for each features.

I been using VOIP Phone(Vonage) since 2003. It makes it easier to get connected if you already have the Internet connection at home. Otherwise you have to the internet cable connection to have the VOIP phones. It saved me lot of money. For a flat rate of $14.99, I am getting all the features any phone company can offer including 500 free long distance minutes not to mention in-network mins are free. If you think, your speaks a lot then you can always select unlimited mins plan for just $24.99 comparing to $50-60 with tradition phone companies like att or verizon.

There were some hesitation when VOIP Phones came to the market but with very high marketing campaign by different VOIP phone companies, it really changed the perpective of people to have phone from Internet. Recently, lot of friends subscribed for additional phone line and they sent to India for their parents to get connected. If their parents have broadband internet connection, you just plug in the modem sent by the company and you are connected. You can just make as a local call to any USA phone numbers. Thats so simple as it seems. There are few VOIP phone companies already provide international portable phone numbers which can be used in different countries. Also many small call centers in India make use of this VOIP phones to reduce their cost of calling abroad.

VOIP really changed the way the phone works comparing to the olden days. You have to wait in line for submitting the application and then wait for your landline to get approved. Now its all done faster and it can get faster with VOIP. Around 10-15 years ago, you end up paying 100 rupees for a min of call to USA. Now its all free if you have VOIP phone in India.

Why don't we see many companies coming up in India to use this VOIP technology to revolutionlize the phone industry. Telecommunication is booming like anything and the charges are way below the average call charge from 2-3 years ago. If VOIP comes into picture, then it will really bring down the landline charges and no need for wire running around all over our streets and potholes to be digged everytime they run wireline to the streets. Also it will make the phone available to any villages in the country. We just need a satellite internet connection and we have the phone working in that village.

Don't you all think VOIP is the way to go to have all over villages connected to the main stream people with VOIP phones?!

Its a Bandh or bad showcase in Karnataka ?!

Is a true strike(Bandh) to show the opposition to the Tribunal on their judgment or just a mockery act to show that they are crazy on opposing tamilians ? I am not sure.
What exactly happened in Karnataka is just showcase of how wild people can go on this ordeal ? Its the replica of what happened 10 -15 years ago. Its starting to happen again. Its getting big and worse than ever. Rather than the actual water dispute itself, its getting more personal between people of two states.
Bangalore, the silicon valley of the country was deserted on Feb 12 with closing down of all the government businesses, multinational software companies, transportations, stores etc., Burning the vehicles, taking their toll on with Tamilians, Tamilians in Karnataka are calling for help from central government, shutting down tamil cinema shows and movie theaters and more violent activities against tamil community. Don't they realize that they are destroying their own property and spoiling their money by destroying public property ?! People are making a big hungama of the situation and taking advantage to bring their fire out. Isn't it just a shame ?!
When it happened 10-15 years ago, its was not a big deal because bangalore was never in the worlds radar screen. Now the situation is entirely the other way around. Everybody is watching especially bangalore since its a big hub for the worldwide software operation. Its makes a real impact on the people.
I am not saying they should not show their opposition at all. Where did Gandhi's peaceful process of showing the oppositions go ? Why can't they just show their opposition by taking a march during bandh without destroying any public and people properties. Politicians and local parties took this change as the right time to gain popularity among people.
Before it ever get started, Bandh had an impact on the Air show in bangalore. As an aftermath effect, Sony Ericson WTA championship was delayed a day and Serena williams pulling out of it. This shows how our country image is been tarnished by this violent act.
I am not trying to support anybody. I am just trying to say that stick to the fact that we are fighting for the water dispute and not a language or state dispute. Also there are better ways to show opposition than a mockery act of violence.

Cauvery Dispute - Is there ever an end ?!

I been hearing the cauvery water dispute since I was 10 years old. Its been going on and on and never seems to have come to an end and it won't. The very dispute which split the people of two states(TamilNadu & Karnataka) and made them rivalries has shown ugly face again.

It was never about the farmers who are still suffering on both sides because of this dispute.Its all about politics and just happens because politicians wanted it to happen. Its all for their gain. As every other issue, everything gets politicized if the political party things it can gain people attention and advantage out of it. Its went very well in this cauvery water dispute case for the past 15 years and its still continuing to hit the headlines to bring nation attention now too.

The very issue which started as a simple water sharing problem has now emerged as the one of big monster which scares many people and take them to their life or death moments. Its has already costed many people life and still the deciding factor for many of lives.

Today, there were lot of Tamil families moved out of Karnataka to save their life if somethings happens. Really surprising but joking (I felt ) fact is that how come a Bangalore - silicon valley of our country can become a crazy valley all of a sudden. I couldn't imagine how come people gets so mad about this ordeal and go mad by striking the public and destroying public property. Most of the companies shut down their operation and informed their foreign allies about the issue. How can one explain this sort of things ?

It shows the true color of the fact that the city got physically transformed itself to give the perspective as a silicon valley but people never changed all these years. They carried over the same vengeance which was created long time ago by the political parties by putting more fuel into and creating another crazy chapter of this cauvery ordeal.

I know how hard to coup when it all happens because I myself suffered when I was working in Bangalore in 1997, ten years ago. Its really scary when you think about getting hit any momemt if somebody found that you are tamilian in the city. Your life is not in your hand. I thought it might have changed all these years, but it still happens again today when they announced the judgment. I couldn't believe it.

Why can't they just accept the fact that was given after 10 years of analysis and investigation? If they can't obey the judgment given by a bench every time, then whats the purpose of the investigation and central bench ?! Its just waste of money for investigation if every things goes in drain.

Do the people ever going to accept the fact and go with it? Does the politicians ever going to get to say enough is enough and lets accept the ruling and get on with the true growth of country ?! Nobody knows.. Time can only answer.. Lets hope things change..