The Most Important Spiritual Questions of our Time


Posed to Five Spiritual Teachers

by

What is Enlightenment? (magazine)

Publisher - Moksha  Foundation Inc.

Response from

Dr. Vijai S. Shankar MD.PhD.

(unpublished)

 

 

WIE: Thank you for your time on the phone discussing my query about posing a question to Dr. Vijai Shankar for the next issue of our magazine. The issue is exploring the question: "Can Enlightenment Save the World?" As one dimension of our inquiry, we are asking the following question to five spiritual teachers. Our plan is to print their answers of up to 250 words, along with a photograph. We hope that Dr. Vijai will be interested in participating in this forum. We would like to have all the responses by the end of next week (Jan. 12) if possible, but let me know if an extension is needed. Also, if he would prefer to give a spoken response by phone, I may be able to arrange that.



Here is the question:

"An inquiry into the most important spiritual questions of our time"

As we enter the 21st Century, there are few who would disagree that the world in which we live appears to be in crisis. Indeed, with widespread environmental destruction, a rapidly accelerating species extinction rate, a population explosion, and unchecked technological experimentation, many leading futurists, scientists and social thinkers warn of potentially catastrophic changes ahead that may threaten the very survival of life as we know it. However, among those who have dedicated their lives to the spiritual quest, the question of how the individual should respond to this apparent crisis is a matter of some disagreement. On one hand, a growing number of contemporary "spiritual activists" are convinced that the spiritual vision must be brought to bear on all the problems of the world. Yet on the other, some teachers of enlightenment, of non-duality, have stated that if we truly enter into the spiritual vision, we will discover that everything is already perfect as it is. As a teacher of non-duality, what do you think? Does the world need to be saved?

VS: The responses are in two parts. Firstly, it address the caption. Secondly an in-depth understanding of your question. 

WIE: "An inquiry into the most important spiritual questions of our time"

 

VS: A question is merely a question. There is no such thing as a spiritual question. The rudiments of a question are to be questioned. If a question can be answered then it can no longer remain as a question. Which means it is not real, and that which is not real how can it be important? An answer too, if it is an answer should remain as such, which cannot be questioned. Find that one question which cannot be answered and that answer which cannot be questioned.

WIE: As we enter the 21st Century, there are few who would disagree that the world in which we live appears to be in crisis. Indeed, with widespread environmental destruction, a rapidly accelerating species extinction rate, a population explosion, and unchecked technological experimentation, many leading futurists, scientists and social thinkers warn of potentially catastrophic changes ahead that may threaten the very survival of life as we know it. However, among those who have dedicated their lives to the spiritual quest, the question of how the individual should respond to this apparent crisis is a matter of some disagreement. On one hand, a growing number of contemporary spiritual activists are convinced that the spiritual vision must be brought to bear on all the problems of the world.


VS:
They have answered this relative question with their relative understanding.



WIE: Yet on the other, some teachers of enlightenment, of non-duality, have stated that if we truly enter into the spiritual vision, we will discover that everything is already perfect as it is. 


VS: They too have answered your question. What is the problem? you have the material for your publication.


WIE: As a teacher of non-duality, what do you think? Does the world need to be saved?


VS: Has Shankar told you that he is a Teacher? You have asked the thinkers and the matter is over. But, find out if you are in the world or is the world in you?


VS:
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE RESPONSE TO YOUR STATEMENTS IN YOUR QUESTION, THEN ENJOY READING AND PUBLISHING IT TOO!


VS: Seeing the world is a phenomenon of light "BINDU" and thinking about the world, a phenomenon of sound "NAADA". 

 

If a mirror had a mind it would ask questions. The mind is a "Question-asking Mirror". This is its function. Its function is not to receive answers. If this was so, then one answer would be conclusive. An answer is immediately converted into questions by the mind and will only accept the answer it likes, while discarding that which does not serve its purpose. If Shankar can give, as many answers as there are minds only then, all will be happy. This is not possible! Next, why does one have to think about truth? If one has the knowing then there is no point in thinking about it. Even if one does not know, then too, there is no point in thinking about it! So, thinking is foolishness.

 

Thinking and seeing are parallel to each other. To the "Question-asking Mirror" these appear to be synchronized. So, one believes what he sees, and sees only what he wants to see! This is the deception. For, one cannot see a thought but can only think a thought. Therefore, those who are thinking are not seeing! "BINDU" is not perceived. Lastly, words have no meaning at all. Repeated hearing of words creates an illusion of meaning. This illusionary meaning constitutes "knowledge". The "Question-asking Mirror" takes only the meaning it wants from the word it hears! Words on the other hand are mere sounds! "NAADA" is not perceived. The understanding that the world is a play of light and sound as a SINGULAR MOVEMENT is enough. The world is changing every moment whether anybody likes it or not.


WIE: Regrettably, in the end we weren't able to use Dr. Shankar's answer to our question in this issue. Please convey our thanks to him for answering, though. We will hang on to the answer, in the event that an opportunity avails itself to use part of it in the future.

 

VS: Thank you so kindly for informing us that your spring issue could not publish Dr. Shankar's response to the one question that was also asked of other 'spiritual teachers'. Please know that there's no need for any regrets. Your inability to publish is understand. 

 

 

© Copyright V.S. Shankar, 2003

 

 

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