This article was originally written in 1981 when I was working as a Research Associate in High Energy Physics at Ohio State University. Reading Rawel Singh’s recent article that he submitted to the SikhNet News reminded me of this article I wrote 27 years ago, and so I dusted it off and updated it for publication here. – Guruka Singh Khalsa
THERE has always been science, and there has always been religion as long as the human race has walked on this mother Earth. In fact, these two are not only related to each other, but they are really, in essence, identical.
Examining the meaning of the word “science” we can see that it is derived from the Latin “sciens” which is the present participle of “scire” which means “to know or to understand”. Many people completely misunderstand the word ‘religion.’ It comes from the Latin word ‘ligare’ which means to tie or fasten. It is the same root as the word ligature or ligament. It means to be connected, tied. So the actual meaning of religion is to experience that state of being connected or tied to the One – to our origin and our Infinity.
In sum, science is the technology of knowing or understanding the essence of the universe, and religion is the actual experience of one’s own identity with that essence.
The Nature of Religion
We must fundamentally understand that true religion is experiential. That is, religion is not what we usually consider it to be, i.e., a set of beliefs or ideals, or even a philosophy or manner of behavior, but it is, in fact, the moment to moment experience of one’s origin, the source of one’s being, God.
Where can this experience be found? The answer is: everywhere! For it is not really a question of where at all, but one of how. Obviously if one is experiencing the living presence of God, which is by nature infinite and inexpressible, the experience can only be that, an experience. It cannot be written or told. Over and over in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib we hear the phrase:
“Nanak tells that story which can never be told…”
Both science and religion are the attempt to tell “that story which can never be told”, to share the experience of the infinite and inexpressible with our fellow travellers on this beautiful spaceship we call Earth. Science and religion are identical in purpose, but they are opposite in method. In fact, one might almost say that science is religion without a heart, and religion is science without a head; two opposite approaches to the identical task: to express the inexpressible so that others may share it.
The Nature of Science
The task that science has set itself is to describe the essential nature of the entire universe precisely and mathematically in the totality of its creation. The irony of this task is that it is endless in nature. The supposed ultimate goal of science, to propose a theory that explains neatly and logically how everything in the universe operates and fits together into a whole, is actually an impossible task. The reason that it is impossible is that science itself is part of our constantly growing, evolving, moving, and ecstatic universe. The very act of scientific observation affects not only the specific process under observation, but also the entire creation.
When, at the dawn of the twentieth century, Albert Einstein proposed his general theory of relativity, and Max Planck proposed his principle of uncertainty, the world was stood on its ear. Suddenly the seemingly explainable, mechanical nature of the world as understood by science until then, was dissolved in a sea of uncertainty. The sudden and unexpected announcement by Einstein that everything in the universe is connected to everything else, and that every action no matter how seemingly small affects the whole, and Planck’s discovery that absolute measurements within the realm of time and space were impossible because both could not be measured simultaneously, made the hard facts of science suddenly seem a lot less solid. The realization that all scientific models and theories are only approximate, and that their verbal interpretations always suffer from the inaccuracy of language itself was now inescapable.
It now seems that the totality of science’s accomplishments is asymptotic in nature. An asymptotic function, of course, is one that approaches a limit without ever reaching it. In other words, while the scientific method can approach closer and closer to its goal of describing the essential nature of the universe, it can never actually get there. It is like Zeno’s bridge, crossing it takes forever. The discovery and exploration of the subatomic world of modern physics has revealed a reality that transcends both language and reasoning. At the dawn of the twentieth century science and religion entered the common ground of inexpressibility.
The Image of the Infinite
All religions seem to have begun with the transcendental experience of a single individual or a small group in individuals. Let’s take as our example here, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith. As a young man, Guru Nanak underwent an ecstatic and transforming experience; an experience in which he understood the essential nature of existence. It is said that after undergoing this experience, his first impulse was to express in words what had happened to him. The great poem we call “Japji” was the product of that effort. The first part of the Japji, known as the root or “Mool” mantra is the expression, in as few words as possible, of Guru Nanak’s experience of reality.
Ek Ong Kar | The Creative Power and the Creation are ONE |
Sat Nam | Its Identity is TRUTH |
Karta Purkh | It is the Doer of everything |
Nirbau | Beyond fear |
Nirvair | Beyond Revenge |
Akal | Beyond Death |
Moorat | Image of the Infinite |
Ajooni | Unborn |
Saibhang | Full of Light |
Gur Prasad | To experience this is the Guru’s Gift |
Jap | MEDITATE! |
Aad Such | PRIMAL TRUTH |
Jugaad Sach | TRUE FOR ALL TIME |
Hebi Sach | TRUE AT THIS MOMENT |
Nanak | O NANAK |
Hosee bi Sach | FOREVER TRUE |
The utter simplicity of the Mool Mantra is striking. It is the very essence of which all religions are made. It is interesting to realize that the very first line of it expresses exactly the same concept which is the foundation of all modern relativistic science: E=MC2
Ek Ong Kar:
This primal truth is expressed in various ways in all the world’s religions. Let’s take as another example the Taoist symbol called the “Tai C’hi”, which many people know as the “yin-yang” symbol.
The Tai C’hi is an attempt to express the experience of the infinite in an image or picture. In reality the Tai C’hi is not a two dimensional image but a four dimensional one. While such a symbolic representation is difficult to express in words, I hope that you will bear with me while I attempt to do so. Examining the Tai C’hi, we notice that in the center of the black teardrop shape is a point of white, and in the center of the white teardrop is a single black point. Now imagine that the “tail” of the white teardrop actually continues “behind” the symbol itself and is connected to the white dot at the center of the black half, while the “tail” of the black half comes around the “front” of the image and connects to the black dot at the center of the white half. Got it?
Ok, now imagine that the Tai C’hi is not static, but that it is in constant flowing motion within itself. i.e. that the white portion is constantly flowing out of the center of the black portion and the black portion is continuously being born out of the center of the white portion.
In other words, the Tai C’hi is not a circle divided into a black half and white halves, but an attempt to express in a beautifully simple image the constant process of creation, growth and evolution itself. It is a picture or image of “Ek Ong Kar”. It is an “Akal Moorat” a timeless, infinite image.
The Power of the Word
In the Christian bible, in the book of John, is written: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
What is the Word of which John was speaking?
For thousands of years the sacred texts of India, the Vedas, Shastras and Smritis, have taught that sound vibration holds the key to the mysteries of the universe, to the actual creation and sustenance of our world, and to the means of extricating ourselves from its bonds. In the Vedic tradition, the world we see, the world of phenomena is said to be the visible manifestation of the infinite combinations of sound patterns, all derived from the soundless sound (Anahat Shabd) of the One who is both the Creator and the Creation. To express it another way, the Word of which John is speaking is the Anahat Shabd of the Vedic teachings; the continuous vibrating of the Creator/Creation in action.
The latest research in astronomy validates the creation of the universe as beginning with this cosmic sound.
-Washington Post
Monday, April 30, 2001
This sound continues today. Once we accept that what we call “time” is really only a matter of appearances, and that what we know as “past”, “present”, and “future” are in reality just ways of describing what appear to us to be different parts of what is actually a continuous, infinite, timeless process, then we can begin to understand that the actual manifestation of that process is vibratory in nature.
In fact, new research shows that what is conducted by our nervous system is in fact, sound vibrations. so, in order to explore the nature of creation itself, we must correlate the sciences of biology, subatomic particle physics, chemistry, and mathematics because sound vibration is the integrating phenomenon of life, the common denominator, through which and by which everything in the universe operates.
The ancient Indian texts explain that sound is the cause and not the effect of vibration and that there can be sound without any vibration even without the usual media of conveyance such as air, water, or so called solid matter. This is the concept of the “Anahat Shabd”, the driving energy and force behind all manifestation; the “soundless sound” or “unstruck melody” which is the infinite, endless continuum… indivisible, unfragmented and unimaginably potent… the most powerful source of all… the sound of the Creator/Creation constantly creating itself.
This constant hum of creation, the primal AUM, is the vibratory activity of all energy and matter. The power within the atom’s core is but a minute pinpoint of this infinite energy, and yet even this is able to utterly destroy cities, nations, and even our planet itself. With the exception of the work of a few advanced scientists (most of whom were ostracized by the traditional scientific community) such as Nikola Tesla and John Keely, the relatively coarse instruments of modern science have barely begun to probe this infinite energy source. The Anahat Shabd, the “soundless sound”, is the subtlest element of all. It is the etheric essence, finer than earth, air, water, or fire, beyond the speed of light… all pervasive, the source of cohesion, of electricity, of magnetism and gravitation, of all that exists. The modern physicist E.C.G. Sudarshan has described the etheric essence of the Anahat Shabd in scientific terms as follows:
This is the secret of the power of the Word. If the creative activity we know as God is manifested through vibration, and if the entire universe as we perceive it is nothing but a constantly changing pattern of vibrations, then the knowledge of how to consciously create vibrations which affect the vibratory continuum in a specific manner is the knowledge of how to consciously participate in the creative process itself. This is the ancient science of sound that is known as “mantra”.
In the Japji of Guru Nanak, he speaks in great length and depth of the Anahat Shabd and of the effects of both listening and speaking:
In sound is naming and praising.
In sound is all knowledge and song
In sounds spoken and written.
In sound lies the destiny.
Guru Nanak, Japji Sahib, pauri 19
Ant Na Vekhan Sunan Na Ant
Ant Na Jaapai Kiaa Mant?
Ant Na Jaapai Keeta Aakaar
Ant na Jaapai Paaraavaar.”
There is no end to seeing and hearing
There is no end in sight…
What Mantra lies within God’s mind?
The structure of the universe is infinite.
Endless vibrating expansion.
Guru Nanak, Japji Sahib, pauri 24
Suniai Sidh Peer Sur Nath.
Suniai Dharat Dhaval Akash
Suniai Deep Loa Pataal
Suniai Poeh Na Sakai Kaal
Nanak, Bhagataa Sadaa Vigaa
Suniai Dookh Paap Kaa Naas.
Suniai Eesar Baramaa Ind
Suniai Mukh Saalaahan Mand
Suniai Jog Jugat Tan Bhed
Suniai Saast Simrit Ved
Nanak, Bhagataa Sadaa Vigaa
Suniai Dookh Paap Kaa Naas
Suniai Sat Santokh Giaan
Suniai Ath Sath Kaa Ishnaan
Suniai Par Par Paaveh Maan
Suniai Laagai Sahej Dhiaan
Nanak, Bhagataa Sadaa Vigaas
Suniai Dookh Paap Kaa Naas
Suniai Saraa Gunaa Ke Gaah
Suniai Sekh Peer Paatishaah
Suniai Aande Paaveh Raaho
Suniai Haath Hovai Asagaaho
Nanak, Bhagataa Sadaa Vigaas
Suniai Dookh Paap Kaa Naas.”
Listening… saints, heroes, masters.
Listening… the earth, the power, the ethers.
Listening… high and low realms, oceans of light.
Listening… beyond time.
O Nanak!
God’s lovers bloom forever.
Listening destroys all pain and error. || 8 ||
Listening… men become gods.
Listening… praise comes from the mouth of the most negative person.
Listening… the way of yoga and the body’s secrets.
Listening… all holy books and scriptures.
O Nanak!
God’s lovers bloom forever…
Listening destroys all pain and error. || 9 ||
Listening… Truth, patience, wisdom.
Listening… bathing at all holy places.
Listening…reading and reading gains honor.
Listening…concentration comes easy.
O Nanak!
God’s lovers bloom forever.
Listening destroys all pain and error. || 10 ||
Listening… deep oceans of grace.
Listening… kings, emperors, saints.
Listening… blind ones find the Path.
Listening… the unknown is known.
O Nanak!
God’s lovers bloom forever.
Listening destroys all pain and error. || 11 ||
Guru Nanak, Ja pji, pauris 8 – 11
All religions use sounds to affect consciousness. From the shaman’s drum at the peyote meeting to Gregorian chant and the Latin Catholic liturgy, the effects of sound on the human consciousness, and on the perception and creation of reality, are universally experienced. If all matter is in reality the interplay and patterns of waves of sound, then it requires no great leap of imagination to see that all form in nature is the outpouring of causative sound. If God as the constant Creator can form and change the vast array of the plane of matter, then we as co-creators can use the science of sound to form and change the patterns of the world and of our own inner beings. In the Vedic view of the cosmos, the whole universe is an ocean of sound and light of varying degrees of density or luminosity. It is understood that sound proceeds even light.
God and the Superforce
During the latter part of the twentieth century the forefront of scientific research has been theoretical physics. Theoretical physics consists of the postulation and subsequent proof of the actual manner in which the universe is constructed. Most people are aware that the “stuff” of reality is made up of molecules, and that molecules are made up of atoms. Most are also aware that atoms are made of so-called particles known as protons, neutrons, and electrons.
These things were understood at the turn of the century, but with the arrival of Neils Bohr’s quantum mechanics in the early part of the twentieth century, a whole new world of sub-atomic particles has opened up. As physicists began to discover and name these new particles they were looking for an underlying symmetry, a pattern that would make sense both logically and aesthetically, just as all patterns in nature seem to have an inner rhythm and beauty to them.
The Newtonian image of the atom, that of a tiny “solar system” with a sun/nucleus made up protons and neutrons, and a whirl of little planet/electrons surrounding it has now become obsolete. It now appears that what at first seemed to be three different basic types of particles, and later was understood to consist of these particles made up of, and interacting with, smaller component particles, mesons, neutrinos, quarks, and charmed particles, etc., are in fact simply one energy; one energy that is constantly transforming itself into different frequencies of vibration, spinning right and lift, up and down… a constant flow of changing ripples and waves in one cosmic sea of energy.
Compare the description of God given by Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Nanak, in his poem “Sukhmani Sahib,” The Jewel of Peace, to the quantum concept of the universe described above.
The entire Creation is One with God.
But we call its parts by different names.
Prabh bhavai soi phun hog.
God is the Doer of everything.
Pasrio aap hoe anat tarang.
Whatever He wills happens.
Lakhe na jaah Parbrahm ke rang
Jaisi mat dee taisa pargaas.
God is an ocean, pervading everywhere,
filled with endless waves of creation.
Parbrahm karta abinas.”
His play cannot be described.
But each man has a vision of Him according to the light granted to him.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Sukhmani Sahib, Ashtapadi IX
The appearance of separate and definable “particles” is only an illusion, a trick of perception that occurs in the same manner that a baseball seems to be suspended in mid-air in a short exposure photograph, when in fact it is hurtling through the air quite fast and is, in actuality, in another place completely by the time we ever see the photograph. Even with the “high-speed photography” possible with our modern atomic accelerators such as Cern in Geneva, and Fermilab in Chicago, the “snapshots” of our bubble chambers and tracking emulsions are much to slow to catch the divine dance of energy as it actually occurs. In fact, it is our minds that are too slow to catch the divine dance! But it can be experienced, and this experience, beyond the limitations of time and space, beyond the mind and its symbolic and linear thinking, is the experience of constant ecstasy and immense joy which is the very flow of the Anahat Shabd itself.
In addition to the illusion of separate particles of matter, science is now beginning to discover that what was previously thought of as separate types or kinds of energy are really only one. The very latest concept of modern physics is the idea of a so-called "Superforce." What were previously thought to be the five basic separate energies of the universe, electricity, magnetism, weak atomic bonding force, strong atomic force, and gravitation, each with it’s own mathematical expression and laws, are currently beginning to be understood as merely separate expressions of ONE force, which physicists call the Superforce. These energies are constantly transforming themselves into each other, just as the “particles” of matter are constantly transforming themselves into each other.
The One appears as many in all His manifested forms
Ek Ong Kar – There is One Creator/Creation. This is the fundamental discovery of modern science. That not only is all matter convertible into energy, and vice versa, but that energy and matter are simply different appearances of the very same thing. And that not only are energy and matter the same thing, but that the constant interplay of this energy is the very play of God itself, the divine play of “lila”.
The religious experience is the experience that we and God and God and we are one and the same. It is only our minds, our egos that make us ever feel that we are observing, that we are separate from other forms of consciousness and energy. But science is the process of observation, and observation implies an observer. How wonderful it is to realize that there is only One observer… and that He is constantly observing Himself through His/our eyes, and enjoying it immensely! The modern scientific view that consciousness is within everything has been expressed by E.H. Walker:
The Heart of Science and the Head of Religion
Earlier we said that science is sometimes thought of as religion without a heart, and religion as science without a head. The current evolutionary state of human consciousness is that these two are finally becoming one. Religion is giving its heart to science, and science has given its head to religion.
In the latter decades of the 20th century, and the beginning of the 21st, we are experiencing the continuing explosion of information sharing and group consciousness on this planet. A network of computers, televisions, radios, electronic cables, optical fibers, and satellites links our entire planet electronically. Ideas and images that affect us all are instantly transmitted and shared with others of our species all over the globe. We have even begun to acknowledge and connect to the consciousness of other species, as John Lilly’s research with dolphins has shown.
The group subconscious described by Carl Jung is now openly reflected in a visible planetary group consciousness. The age of blind faith is over. The age of belief without knowledge died with the advent of instantaneous global information sharing. We have irrevocably entered the age of conscious knowledge, experience, and responsibility. The union of science and religion is now taking place. The people of planet Earth can no longer march under a banner that reads:
but are joining together under a new banner which proudly proclaims:
The Age of Khalsa
This is the age of the joining of all the Dharmas. This is the age of sudden transformation. Not since the incredible evolutionary speedup that marked the beginning of mankind’s use of the forebrain, the factor that separated us from the apes, has such a quantum leap in consciousness happened on this planet. We are entering the age of the Khalsa – an age of purified and subtle creative behavior and consciousness – an age of the self-sensory human being.
The religion of the future, which is evolving out of the union of science and traditional religion, is the worship of God as Universal Truth.
I’d like to close with my translation a poem of the Khalsa, originally written in Gurmukhi, and transmitted to this Earth by the most pure, humble, and devoted channel I have ever met, Yogi Bhajan. From the volume called the “Furmaan Khalsa”, The Inner Command of the Pure Ones, here is the poem called “Lohe da Mandir”, The Temple of Steel:
– By Guruka Singh Khalsa
Truly incredible and enlightening article…
Thanks for sharing.
G
Thanks for such a thought-provoking and informative article.I differ with you at one point regarding Mool-Mantra.Whole Japji consists of MOOLMANTRA,TWO SLOKS and 38 PAURIS. MOOLMANTRA is upto GURPRASAD and 1st slok is from JAPP(which is the start of JAPJI SAHIB)and is upto “NANAK HOSI BHI SACH” followed by 38 PAURIS and ending at SLOK “PAWAN GURU PANI PITA….
Please correct me if I am wrong
Thank you so much for sharing!!
Really inspiring.
this article is inspiring and well written :)
Your article beautifully explains the relationship between religion and science, speaking of “Anahat Shabd” it is said that, when a person goes deep in meditation, he/she is able to hear a very subtle sound ringing in the ears, you only hear it when everything around you goes quiet, turn the tv/radio/talk off and all of a sudden you start hearing this beautiful sound vibration, once you start to attune with it, you can hear it even when you are not in meditation, its very consistent and what’s great about it is, you actually start enjoying it, the more you hear it, the more you want to be with yourself and simply immerse yourself in this sound, I wonder if anyone else has experienced this, or is this what Japji sahib talks about, the deeper you go the greater the understanding and peace.
Thanks
love it it was intelllegent n thought provoking sat bachan :)
This article is well written and clearly explains the relationship betweeen science and religion. I am doing a research paper on Bible and Quran for my eng class and this article helped out a lot. So, thank you for sharing this information.
Thank you so much for sharing it, it is really inspiring and you’re a wonderful writer too.
May guru’s blessings be with you ALWAYS..you’re sharing a piece of your heart with so many people ;-)
waheguru!!
Thanks for this article!!
i was hoping someone would do this..
it’s all vibrations!!
what ever frequency u vibrate at,that is what u will see and get in life.
remember though as maharaj says ‘the gems and treasure are within u’ – ie if u looked in the mirror and saw a frown, how would you make it smile?? try and adjust the frown by touching the mirror? or by you yourself smiling??obviously the latter.. that everything we perceive the world to be is just a reflection of how we feel in the inside.. so the answer is to feel one with yor own self/soul and then you will see god in others..
the world is just a mirror of how u feel in the inside..so think positive! don’t let negative thoughts from your mind takeover..
you need to feel whole yourself as what we’re looking for ie god..is inside each and everyone of us.. then when ur vibing on a high frequency, like a magnet u attract things of the same vibrational frequency.. afterall thats all humans are.. vibration/soul/energy – some of us with low dark energy and some with light high energy.. (depending on the thoughts in your mind/mindset)hence why countless times in guru granth sahib.maharaj says ‘vibrate on the naam’ because whatever you’re soul is vibrating on is what u become(in this life and the next)– waheguru! so do not vibrate on your mind thoughts..vibrate from your inner being…god!!
this is the reason we get stuck in the 8.4mil cycle of birth and death(of the mind,soul never dies) sorry about my grammar, i’m in a rush lol..
because instead we vibrate on our thoughts through out most of our lives..even when we sleep our thoughts are so on ‘re-play’ we even dream stuff up! so when our given amount of breath runs out(time of physical death) we are less likely to think of god,as maharaj says the ‘manmukh will have no warning when death comes..’ so we’re more likely to be stuck in the same thoughts..thoughts and drama of the mind.. and we all know that at the time of death u become whatever your last thoughts were attached to.
we have got creative power inside of us.. so we can make anything we want to manifest now..the only way u can do this though is b free of your limited mind and vibrate on a higher level!!
you can change your circumstances sangat ji!!
so if your always present in the now, and you don’t let past regrets/anxiety or future hopes or fear burden u.. u will be completely conciouss in the NOW..the only reality that exist..do not let your mind distract u with constant thoughts and new drama as form and shape only manifest through the mind.. access the POWER OF NOW and be free from the mind/egoic activity.. be free of pain and suffering whenever u feel like it.
a great book that i would recommend is ‘The Power of Now’ author Eckhart Tolle.. also see eckharttolle.com – the above book is life-changing!
also search for sukhbir singh blog spot.. ‘create your own reality’ seminar leader!! so amzing!
waheguru ji ka khalsa,waheguru ji ki fateh!!!!
saran kaur
hello,
Â
i really liked what saran kaur has written.Is it possible that i can have her email and communicate to her about this topic abt our thoughts manifest, as i hv been serching on this topic for some time now.
hi sonia..
of course u can have my email..its [email protected]
i don’t really sign in to this account but will look out for any messages from yourself..and then i will give u my other email address.
tc
Thank you for sharing this. This article not only strengthens my belief in God, but also helps me to see science in a new light. Thank you!
Over and over in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib we hear the phrase:
“Nanak tells that story which can never be told…â€
Where in SGGS this phrase specifically appears repeatedly. Please give the phrase and page number. I will appreciate it.
WAHEGURU JI KAA KHAALSAA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH
Dr. Dhillon please cite the original phrase in punjabi, i might be able t look it up
WAHEGURU JI KAA KHAALSAA WAHEGURU JI KI FATEH
Singh Khaalsa ji: That was my question. Your article says:
“Over and over in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib we hear the phrase:
“Nanak tells that story which can never be told…â€
My question is: Where in SGGS this verse specifically appears repeatedly. Please give the versus in Punjabi or English and page number. I will appreciate it. I am asking these versus in SGGS. Hope it is clear. Thanks.
Ang 13 (Sohila 1st Mehl)
“This world is caught up in corruption and skepticism. Only those who know God are free. Only those who are awake in God and drink the Nectar of the Name can tell that story which can never be told.”
Ang 1206 (Raag Sarang 5th Mehl)
“As one can only hold one’s breath so long, no one can understand its coming in and going out. Such is that person whose heart is enlightened by the Lord — his story can never be told.”
Thanks Singh ji. I appreciate.
Singh Ji: Could you please cite the exact versus that you have translated?
I am not sure on those pages (13 and 1206) which verses you’re referring. I will really appreciate.
I like your philosophy behind the article and, in general, agree. Because I have a full book on “Science, Religion & Spirituality.” with somewhat similar philosophy. Thanks.
yea! it is about time for people stop been afraid to make the connection. I have had the privelge of been pregnant with the spirit. before than I didnt even know that it was possible for a male to experiece that. The poetical expressions and stories of hearts that expresses itself through God has the essence of" joy" without any strings attached. we need religious power. not idle power. ..just like we need the power of science. rather than the conformity of illusions are rather . disallusions. amen. these struggle between gnosis and ether are rediculous. when it should be obvoisous, well at least to me that they go hand.