Correlating Evolution theory of Darwin and spirituality

The main aspect in the theory of evolution proposed by Darwin is that any organ is developed to meet a need. Similarly, any organ is suppressed when the need disappears. In the case of a man the tail disappeared since its use was not there due to the efficiency improved in the hands in driving away the flies. Therefore, evolution based on need is the real guiding factor in the case of living beings. Even in the spiritual field the same basic concept is maintained. When some people found out that the happiness could be obtained through their own materialistic effects, the need for God disappears and therefore, the concept of devotion is suppressed. Such people have become atheists. The so called theists exhibit over development of devotion related to the existence of God basically due to the same requirement of need to take the help of God in their materialistic efforts to derive happiness in the world. Such need-based devotion is spontaneous and natural.

Spiritual preachers based on such need-based devotion can enjoy the spontaneous propagation of their knowledge and fame. But such need-based devotion is not true love to God and therefore God is displeased with it. The real devotion, which pleases God, is only reverse of this, which is the development of devotion in absence of any need from God. Such type of true devotion is opposite to the above spontaneous and natural devotion and therefore a special hectic effort (sadhana) is needed. Only a qualitative minority in the world can appreciate the spiritual preachers based on such devlopment of true devotion. Therefore, a true spiritual preacher will not aspire for fame of the majority, which is not actually possible. The natural tendency existing in the theory of evolution is inherent to the living beings and hence need based devotion appeared in the spiritual field also without any effort.

The theory of evolution proposed by Darwin is confined to living beings only. If you consider the evolution of the entire cosmos, Einstein’s theories are also to be considered. The science says that the cosmic energy in the state of invisible waves of high frequency is in space itself. The special theory of relativity proves that the space bends around the object and this shows that the space is nothing but finest form of energy. Hence, there is nothing like nothing (vacuum) even according to the latest science. Such space is the first primordial energy in the subtlest form and this is called as akasha. The visible effects of the primordial energy like light etc are denoted by the word Agni. Vayu (Air), apah (liquid) and prithivi (solid) represent the matter in the three states. From these five elements the life is evolved, which is the plant kingdom (Prithivyah oshadhayah … Veda). Gradually the animal kingdom with the latest human being is evolved. This represents the energy, matter and awareness, which are gradually evolved one after the other. Such evolution is mentioned in Vedas (Akashat vayuh). Since the visible energy like light is produced after the existence of atoms only; the primordial energy, the gaseous state in which the atoms and molecules move freely and the visible energy like light are produced in sequence as per Veda (Vayoragnih). The final conclusion is that energy (primordial), matter and awareness are produced in sequence. Since the nervous energy or awareness is produced from the inert energy functioning in the nervous system by oxidation of oxygen gas, the gradual production of awareness from energy and matter is justified in Veda as well as in the theory of evolution in science. The formation of matter from energy is clearly proved by Einstein through the law of equivalence of mass and energy. Therefore, the theory of evolution proposed by Darwin associated with the Einstein’s theories will certainly prove the evolution of universe from the energy or space in sequential manner. But Veda mentions one more item indicated by the word Atman as the ultimate cause from which the primordial energy or space was generated (Atmana akashah… Veda). You cannot say that the word Atman means awareness here, because, awareness (purushah) is mentioned as the third generated product in the chain of evolution. A generated product in the chain cannot be the first ultimate cause.
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At the Lotus Feet of His Holiness Sri Dattaswami

Anil Antony

Universal Spirituality
Universal Spirituality for World Peace
antonyanil@universal-spirituality.org

You said "The main aspect in the theory of evolution proposed by Darwin is that any organ is developed to meet a need. "

I understand you are speaking in generalities and that in any discussion of evolution there is necessarily a boiling down of principles otherwise a single point of discussion could go on for hundreds of pages. (I believe this is the reason many people reject evolution for a "simpler" explanation). in any case though I must object to your opening statement. Darwin believed in natural selection and chance. This is not the same as you state. Organs are not developed to meet any need. Nature is constantly tinkering and making changes. If these changes are beneficial then they are passed on. Similarly, organs are not suppressed when no longer needed. Men still have nipples for instance.

Evolution is about chance changed increasing or decreasing survivability.

The first creation that came from God is space or inert energy. Akasa (space) and Tejas (inert energy) are one and the same because space is a form of inert energy only. Matter, work, light, heat, sound, electricity, magnetism and awareness are also other forms of inert energy. Our imagination cannot cross the limits of space. The link or process of production between God and space is also unimaginable like God. This link is beyond space and God is beyond this link. The space is called as Mahat. The link is called as Avyaktam which means unimaginable. The Parabrahman is mentioned as purusha. The Veda says that Avyaktam is beyond space and purusha is beyond Avyaktam (Mahatah paramavyaktam avyaktat purushah parah).

God is first. Space is second. Air is third. We can explain the generation of third from second, but not the second from first. Second and third are imaginable items. Space or energy became air. Air means atoms. This is energy condensing into matter. This process of condensation is explicable and debatable. This process is parinama or vivarta. If matter is different from energy only by quantitative way it is vivarta like water condensed to ice. Vivarta brings only physical difference. The parinama is qualitative difference like milk becoming curd. Before the creation of matter, only energy exists. If energy is condensed, it should be vivarta process only, which is physical. But if all the mater is energy only, how the qualitative difference came between items of matter? There cannot be qualitative difference between blocks of ice having various sizes. One block of ice may be more concentrated (or condensed) but it cannot bring a qualitative difference. But the qualitative difference between the milk and curd is practically experienced in the world. Milk and curd are also condensed products of same energy and may have quantitative difference. Thus this point of contradiction brings the unimaginability, which is the characteristic of God. Therefore, the presence of the unimaginable power of God (Maya) is everywhere in the world. The Gita says that this Prakruti is also Maya (Mayam tu prakrutim). Thus the entire world is affected by the hidden power of God (Maya), which is known by deep analysis.

When the energy and work are essentially same, the different quantities of energy-drops (electrons) giving rise to different properties mean different works of God giving rise to different properties. Here the wonder is that the working material and work are one and the same in essence. Therefore, the unimaginable God does wonderful works and His work it self is the working material. The work is power of God, which it self is the working material. All this creation is work without any separate working material because the working material itself is a form of work. According to science also, any material (matter) is a form of energy and work is also a form of the same energy. Thus, this wonder exists in science, which says that matter is a condensed form energy. For the process of condensation, space is required and the space should be different from energy for the process of condensation to take place. But space is a form of energy as per the special theory of relativity. In such case, how the energy is condensed? Because, space is also energy. This is another wonder. Like this, when this nature (Prakruti) is analyzed, it is a wonder (Maya) only as said in Gita (Mayam tu..). Thus, Maya becomes the inner substratum of the world. God is the substratum of Maya (Mayinam tu…Gita). Thus, God is the final substratum of this world. The generation of matter on condensation of energy and the transformation of matter in to energy by dilution are wonders in the context of space being the energy. Thus, the generation, maintenance on substratum and dissolution are works of Maya, which mean wonders of God. Such wonder is for souls only and is well known to God and therefore it is not a wonder to God. Thus, Maya is a logic or science for God, just like the nature is a logical science to the souls. It is only higher logic or super science of God which is above the level of souls.