A Case Study of a Man of God

Continued from previous part 2...

Introduction

States of altered consciousness in the life of Sri Ramakrishna are described in the previous articles. He used to go into intense ecstasy while worshipping or listening to music or songs pertaining to gods and goddesses. Similarly he had many spiritual visions and experiences in the bhava in his childhood as well as adult life.

In India, many sages have attained such states in the past, but their documentation, description, and detailed analysis from the scientific point of view are not available.

Many people have observed the state of Samadhi in the life of Sri Ramakrishna. All these are recorded and authenticated by his close associates, which included doctors, his learned devotees, and family members. We need not doubt these facts.

Before attempting explanations of such states it would be worthwhile to enumerate or discuss various views on consciousness as such. A dialogue is possible only when the topic under discussion is perceived in the same meaning. Thus, it depends on the definition of consciousness with which one starts his search or research in the field of human psychology or philosophy that specific conclusions can be drawn regarding true nature of reality.

What is Consciousness?

There are various views about 'consciousness'. In recent times, the nature of human consciousness and its relationship with matter, brain, and mind have been the subject of extensive debate among physicians, psychologists, neurologists, and philosophers. Without going into the various views, we shall restrict ourselves to possible physiological explanations of altered state of consciousness produced by spiritual practices. Modern physiology recognizes only one state of consciousness i.e., waking consciousness. Sleep is taken as a special state of 'unconsciousness'. Medically following grades can be enumerated:

1. Grade 0 = Fully Conscious
2. Grade 1 = Drowsy
3. Grade 2 = Responds to painful stimuli only
4. Grade 3 = Only superficial reflexes, corneal etc., are present
5. Grade 4 = Deeply unconscious
6. Death = Absence of all vital functions

In the process of evolution we can say that consciousness evolves as primitive (insects, plant life, microbes), intermediate (higher animals) and highly evolved (human) consciousness.

Present day scientists have narrow ideas about the consciousness; their definitions are more or less provisional. They define consciousness as a product of individual brain. Western science of psychology defines altered state of consciousness, ASC, as that state in which the individual feels a qualitative (as well as quantitative) shift in the pattern of his mental functioning - both of cognition and expression. Or such a pattern is clearly observed closely and reliably by his associates in life or in an experimental setting.

Vedantic view of Consciousness

The hypothesis based on the presumption of 'individual consciousness' brings about different versions and conclusions from those derived by the scientists of spirituality - the saints and the mystics.

According to Vedanta philosophy, consciousness is the only subject/witness or absolute all-pervading existence, also called as Self, God, Atman, or Brahman. In its purest form, this Consciousness as universal truth, existence, and bliss is reflected in universal love and freedom. Matter reflects these aspects in varying degrees according to its organization. Through the prism of space, time, and causation 'one consciousness' appears as divided in 'many individual consciousness'.

Matter evolves to express the consciousness in clearer and clearer forms. A particular arrangement reflects a specific aspect of consciousness. Thus one may speak of stone consciousness, tree consciousness, animal consciousness, human consciousness, etc. Again, the quality and type of arrangement of mind and brain determines the purity of expression of human consciousness. Therefore, we see both selfish people and saints in the same society.

Religion, as a science of spirituality and the technique of sadhana, is an attempt to purify oneself to express higher and sublimated level of consciousness. A stage is reached when one can identify oneself with Universal Consciousness instead of identifying with limited and mind consciousness. Such a state we call as samadhi, a desirable 'altered state of consciousness'.

In this transcendental journey of crossing the body-mind consciousness so as to reach the Absolute Consciousness:

a) Various visions of God and beatitude are encountered,
b) The person experiences certain attitudes or bhava (spiritual moods) which are beneficial to his character and ethical-moral upliftment,
c) Values like selflessness and altruism are born, and,
d) The state of samadhi (mystic introversion) can be reached.

Explanations based on modern day science

With intense effort of concentrating the mind on a 'single form' or 'an idea', during the sadhana period, it is likely that some changes in the human anatomy, physiology, and psychology may become visible through the development of various centers in the brain.

Modern researchers in the medical field are also coming to similar conclusions. Recent developments in the field of neurology, neuropsychiatry, neuro-biochemistry, and investigative techniques (CT scan, PET, MRI, and EEG) have made it possible to correlate the functions of mind with anatomical and physiological changes. Based on these studies the modern day biologists and evolutionary scientists have come to the conclusion that, indeed, the brain can grow or develop, and thereby the person may reach the state of higher consciousness. As a result of intense spiritual practice, this may be possible by one or more mechanisms, for example:

a) Certain centers in the brain may be suppressed, while others may show stimulation to grow,
b) Dormant connections between the nerve cells may be opened up, c) New connections might develop between the brain cells and the centers,
d) Quality and the quantity of neurotransmitters -chemicals which transfer messages from one cell to another-may be altered to bring about such state of consciousness,
e) New centers may develop, as has happened in human beings during evolutionary leap from 'ape to man'.

A few references can be cited:

(1) Scientists believe they have discovered a 'God module' in the brain, which could be responsible for man's evolutionary instinct to believe in religion. A study of epileptics who have known to have profoundly spiritual experiences has located a circuit of nerves in the front portion of the brain that appears to become electrically active when they think about God. Initial results suggest that the phenomenon of religious belief is 'hard wired' into the brain.

According to the team of neuroscientists from the University of California at San Diego the seizure causes an over-stimulation of the nerves in a part of the brain dubbed as the "God module". There may be dedicated neural machinery in the temporal lobes concerned with religion. This may have evolved to impose order and stability on society, the team reported.

The results indicate that whether a person believes in a religion or even in God may depend on how enhanced his part of the brain is! The study involved comparing epileptic patients with normal people and a group who said they were intensely religious. Electrical monitors on their skin- a standard test for activity in the brain's temporal lobes- showed that the epileptics and the deeply religious displayed a similar response when showed words invoking spiritual beliefs. If the research is correct and the 'God module' exists then it might suggest that individuals who are atheists could have a differently configured neural circuit.

(2) The brain has the capacity for continuously changing its structure, and ultimately its function, throughout a lifetime. This capacity, known as brain plasticity, allows the brain to respond to environmental changes or to changes within the organism itself. The brain is altered not only by sensory experience but also by hormones and other chemicals, including those produced by the brain, or taken as drugs.

Plasticity is most obvious during development, but the adult brain still retains the capacity to compensate for injury or age-related neuron loss by changing its structure. This implies that some change in brain structure also occurs with experience. The change is most likely to be in the number, or in the efficiency, of connections between neurons.

Mechanisms controlling plasticity include those factors that directly change synapses or create new ones. Various endogenous factors in the brain play an important role in stimulating the growth of new connections. These factors may be hormones or neurotransmitters. They may also be unique compounds known as trophic factors, which include a variety of chemicals such as nerve growth factor and fibroblast growth factor. The brain during development initially produces most trophic factors in order to assist in generating connections in the first place. Other factors may be produced only at certain times such as puberty or pregnancy. This reflects the unique plasticity of the brain at critical life periods. The expression of trophic factors may also be influenced by constant stimulation by repetition of name of God -japam, Yoga and meditation.

(3) More connections among the estimated hundred billion neurons of brain mean a better functioning brain. Connections come from inherited growth patterns and in response to stimuli, including internal stimuli like imagined sensations. The receives information at the periphery and encodes it as nerve impulses. When these electrical impulses reach the brain, they trigger the release of messenger chemicals, which in turn induce electrical impulses as they travel from one neuron to another. This electrochemical process, the basis of brain communication, sometimes stimulates growth of new dendrites.

Until recently, experts believed that genes program most dendrite growth. But it is now demonstrated that the brain has unexpected flexibility - what scientists call plasticity. This plasticity promises to redefine basic concepts. The left side of the brain of a right-handed person specializes in handling music, poetry, and mathematics. Yet after recovery from brain-surgery or stroke, some patients enjoy piano lessons, and learn mathematics also. Somehow, knowledge and capability traveled from one side of his brain to the other.

Such transfers seem to defy biology. Does an undiscovered conduit exist, or does each side have dormant capacity to assume functions of the other? The ability to transfer is highest before adolescence, during the years of peak dendrite growth. But transfer, albeit limited and slow, also occurs when portions of an adult brain are affected as a result of injury or stimulation.

Discussion and Conclusion

It is likely that while the natural evolution takes thousands of years to effect these changes, some persons can achieve the same results in a few years of time through conscious and deliberate meditative efforts to control the mind. When the energy is focused inwards, the changes can be brought about in the internal world, much the same way the physical scientists use energy to bring about the truths from and changes in the external nature. These changes in the anatomy and physiology of the brain might be responsible for expressing the different quality of consciousness.

By not opening up our minds to new possibilities - which are proved, as cited above, in the life of Sri Ramakrishna - we are behaving most unscientifically and losing a great opportunity to enjoy the vision of evolution unfolding in front of us. Only because the word 'religion' is attached to it, should we discard this subject without giving it the due respect it deserves, and should we not try to establish the truth or otherwise in it? If after proper research we fail to find any substance in it, it will be all right to say an end to all this, but before that we may be labeled as scientific fanatics and a great loss may accrue to humanity as a whole.

Let us conclude, in the words of Swami Saradananda:

"One is amazed to study the physical changes of the Master-Sri Ramakrishna-- under the influence of his strong emotions and has to remark that his bodily (and mental) changes have gone beyond the facts so far discovered by physiology and indicate the beginning of a wonderful revolution in it"

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C S Shah

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A Case Study of a Man of God : 3 Continued from previous part 2... Introduction States of altered consciousness in the life of Sri Ramakrishna are described in the previous articles. He used to go into intense ecstasy while worshipping or listening to music or songs pertaining to gods and goddesses. Similarly he had many spiritual visions and experiences in the bhava in his childhood as well as adult life. In India, many sages have attained such states in the past, but their documentation, description, and detailed analysis from the scientific point of view are not available. Many people have observed the state of Samadhi in the life of Sri Ramakrishna. All these are recorded and authenticated by his close associates, which included doctors, his learned devotees, and family members. We need not doubt these facts. Before attempting explanations of such states it would be worthwhile to enumerate or discuss various views on consciousness as such. A dialogue is possible only when the topic under discussion is perceived in the same meaning. Thus, it depends on the definition of consciousness with which one starts his search or research in the field of human psychology or philosophy that specific conclusions can be drawn regarding true nature of reality. What is Consciousness? There are various views about 'consciousness'. In recent times, the nature of human consciousness and its relationship with matter, brain, and mind have been the subject of extensive debate among physicians, psychologists, neurologists, and philosophers. Without going into the various views, we shall restrict ourselves to possible physiological explanations of altered state of consciousness produced by spiritual practices. Modern physiology recognizes only one state of consciousness i.e., waking consciousness. Sleep is taken as a special state of 'unconsciousness'. Medically following grades can be enumerated: 1. Grade 0 = Fully Conscious 2. Grade 1 = Drowsy 3. Grade 2 = Responds to painful stimuli only 4. Grade 3 = Only superficial reflexes, corneal etc., are present 5. Grade 4 = Deeply unconscious 6. Death = Absence of all vital functions In the process of evolution we can say that consciousness evolves as primitive (insects, plant life, microbes), intermediate (higher animals) and highly evolved (human) consciousness. Present day scientists have narrow ideas about the consciousness; their definitions are more or less provisional. They define consciousness as a product of individual brain. Western science of psychology defines altered state of consciousness, ASC, as that state in which the individual feels a qualitative (as well as quantitative) shift in the pattern of his mental functioning - both of cognition and expression. Or such a pattern is clearly observed closely and reliably by his associates in life or in an experimental setting. Vedantic view of Consciousness The hypothesis based on the presumption of 'individual consciousness' brings about different versions and conclusions from those derived by the scientists of spirituality - the saints and the mystics. According to Vedanta philosophy, consciousness is the only subject/witness or absolute all-pervading existence, also called as Self, God, Atman, or Brahman. In its purest form, this Consciousness as universal truth, existence, and bliss is reflected in universal love and freedom. Matter reflects these aspects in varying degrees according to its organization. Through the prism of space, time, and causation 'one consciousness' appears as divided in 'many individual consciousness'. Matter evolves to express the consciousness in clearer and clearer forms. A particular arrangement reflects a specific aspect of consciousness. Thus one may speak of stone consciousness, tree consciousness, animal consciousness, human consciousness, etc. Again, the quality and type of arrangement of mind and brain determines the purity of expression of human consciousness. Therefore, we see both selfish people and saints in the same society. Religion, as a science of spirituality and the technique of sadhana, is an attempt to purify oneself to express higher and sublimated level of consciousness. A stage is reached when one can identify oneself with Universal Consciousness instead of identifying with limited and mind consciousness. Such a state we call as samadhi, a desirable 'altered state of consciousness'. In this transcendental journey of crossing the body-mind consciousness so as to reach the Absolute Consciousness: a) Various visions of God and beatitude are encountered, b) The person experiences certain attitudes or bhava (spiritual moods) which are beneficial to his character and ethical-moral upliftment, c) Values like selflessness and altruism are born, and, d) The state of samadhi (mystic introversion) can be reached. Explanations based on modern day science With intense effort of concentrating the mind on a 'single form' or 'an idea', during the sadhana period, it is likely that some changes in the human anatomy, physiology, and psychology may become visible through the development of various centers in the brain. Modern researchers in the medical field are also coming to similar conclusions. Recent developments in the field of neurology, neuropsychiatry, neuro-biochemistry, and investigative techniques (CT scan, PET, MRI, and EEG) have made it possible to correlate the functions of mind with anatomical and physiological changes. Based on these studies the modern day biologists and evolutionary scientists have come to the conclusion that, indeed, the brain can grow or develop, and thereby the person may reach the state of higher consciousness. As a result of intense spiritual practice, this may be possible by one or more mechanisms, for example: a) Certain centers in the brain may be suppressed, while others may show stimulation to grow, b) Dormant connections between the nerve cells may be opened up, c) New connections might develop between the brain cells and the centers, d) Quality and the quantity of neurotransmitters -chemicals which transfer messages from one cell to another-may be altered to bring about such state of consciousness, e) New centers may develop, as has happened in human beings during evolutionary leap from 'ape to man'. A few references can be cited: (1) Scientists believe they have discovered a 'God module' in the brain, which could be responsible for man's evolutionary instinct to believe in religion. A study of epileptics who have known to have profoundly spiritual experiences has located a circuit of nerves in the front portion of the brain that appears to become electrically active when they think about God. Initial results suggest that the phenomenon of religious belief is 'hard wired' into the brain. According to the team of neuroscientists from the University of California at San Diego the seizure causes an over-stimulation of the nerves in a part of the brain dubbed as the "God module". There may be dedicated neural machinery in the temporal lobes concerned with religion. This may have evolved to impose order and stability on society, the team reported. The results indicate that whether a person believes in a religion or even in God may depend on how enhanced his part of the brain is! The study involved comparing epileptic patients with normal people and a group who said they were intensely religious. Electrical monitors on their skin- a standard test for activity in the brain's temporal lobes- showed that the epileptics and the deeply religious displayed a similar response when showed words invoking spiritual beliefs. If the research is correct and the 'God module' exists then it might suggest that individuals who are atheists could have a differently configured neural circuit. (2) The brain has the capacity for continuously changing its structure, and ultimately its function, throughout a lifetime. This capacity, known as brain plasticity, allows the brain to respond to environmental changes or to changes within the organism itself. The brain is altered not only by sensory experience but also by hormones and other chemicals, including those produced by the brain, or taken as drugs. Plasticity is most obvious during development, but the adult brain still retains the capacity to compensate for injury or age-related neuron loss by changing its structure. This implies that some change in brain structure also occurs with experience. The change is most likely to be in the number, or in the efficiency, of connections between neurons. Mechanisms controlling plasticity include those factors that directly change synapses or create new ones. Various endogenous factors in the brain play an important role in stimulating the growth of new connections. These factors may be hormones or neurotransmitters. They may also be unique compounds known as trophic factors, which include a variety of chemicals such as nerve growth factor and fibroblast growth factor. The brain during development initially produces most trophic factors in order to assist in generating connections in the first place. Other factors may be produced only at certain times such as puberty or pregnancy. This reflects the unique plasticity of the brain at critical life periods. The expression of trophic factors may also be influenced by constant stimulation by repetition of name of God -japam, Yoga and meditation. (3) More connections among the estimated hundred billion neurons of brain mean a better functioning brain. Connections come from inherited growth patterns and in response to stimuli, including internal stimuli like imagined sensations. The receives information at the periphery and encodes it as nerve impulses. When these electrical impulses reach the brain, they trigger the release of messenger chemicals, which in turn induce electrical impulses as they travel from one neuron to another. This electrochemical process, the basis of brain communication, sometimes stimulates growth of new dendrites. Until recently, experts believed that genes program most dendrite growth. But it is now demonstrated that the brain has unexpected flexibility - what scientists call plasticity. This plasticity promises to redefine basic concepts. The left side of the brain of a right-handed person specializes in handling music, poetry, and mathematics. Yet after recovery from brain-surgery or stroke, some patients enjoy piano lessons, and learn mathematics also. Somehow, knowledge and capability traveled from one side of his brain to the other. Such transfers seem to defy biology. Does an undiscovered conduit exist, or does each side have dormant capacity to assume functions of the other? The ability to transfer is highest before adolescence, during the years of peak dendrite growth. But transfer, albeit limited and slow, also occurs when portions of an adult brain are affected as a result of injury or stimulation. Discussion and Conclusion It is likely that while the natural evolution takes thousands of years to effect these changes, some persons can achieve the same results in a few years of time through conscious and deliberate meditative efforts to control the mind. When the energy is focused inwards, the changes can be brought about in the internal world, much the same way the physical scientists use energy to bring about the truths from and changes in the external nature. These changes in the anatomy and physiology of the brain might be responsible for expressing the different quality of consciousness. By not opening up our minds to new possibilities - which are proved, as cited above, in the life of Sri Ramakrishna - we are behaving most unscientifically and losing a great opportunity to enjoy the vision of evolution unfolding in front of us. Only because the word 'religion' is attached to it, should we discard this subject without giving it the due respect it deserves, and should we not try to establish the truth or otherwise in it? If after proper research we fail to find any substance in it, it will be all right to say an end to all this, but before that we may be labeled as scientific fanatics and a great loss may accrue to humanity as a whole. Let us conclude, in the words of Swami Saradananda: "One is amazed to study the physical changes of the Master-Sri Ramakrishna-- under the influence of his strong emotions and has to remark that his bodily (and mental) changes have gone beyond the facts so far discovered by physiology and indicate the beginning of a wonderful revolution in it" previous part 2... \| previous part 1... * C S Shah More Articles: Religion with God \| Religion without God Religion Vs Spirituality \| Food for Thought Compassion: Musings \| Talking to Manifest Personality Development \| Human Cloning and Ethical Considerations (Top)