The Relevance of Vedic Culture in Current Times - Essay Example

A Critical Analysis On The Relevancy Of Vedic Culture In Current Times The relevancy of Vedic culture in the current times is a study that is debatable from a scientific point of view because there are aspects of it which remain unclear and blurred. But spiritually, it does hold an enlightening stance on global existence. Vedic culture as discussed in the study is seen as a relevant factor in contributing towards todays society which needs to provide spiritual basis for the things that science can yet not perceive. The Vedic knowledge that is highly interlinked with the Hindu religion holds significance in spiritual and soul healing. The knowledge is related from mathematics to art forms and does involve spiritual healing and medication of the soul. It aims to cure diseases related by providing for the spiritual well-being of the individual. Religions do pay a higher regard to soul searching and spiritual uplifting, and it is seen that the Vedic culture that is influenced more by the Hindu religion pays soul a higher pedestal. It has also been seen as a vital part of many subjects and their study. Stephen Knapp argues about how relevant the Vedic culture is in our present environment and how it is contributing in the progress of the world. The increase in the Vedic culture and its popularity in the present times only sheds more light on the matter of its importance. The ever growing trend has also led to some skepticism from the scientific side which accounts not everything to the spiritual dynamics of the human mind but also logical ones as well. Logic dictates the scientific world and not everything can be justified in the light of energies but it needs proper facts and proofs, which at times Vedic culture fails to provide. There are aspects of the culture that fail to justify and give logical reasons to the happenings. The major issue here in discussion is how art is used in Vedic culture as a significant transcendental state of the human mind where connecting with higher deities is seen as a purpose. In Hindu culture, arts is seen as a way of connecting with the universe and different art forms hold significance by helping in connecting with the universe. The purpose is to liberate the soul of worldly possessions and be free but the author here moderately fails to convey the proper meaning of mental and spiritual liberation through arts. There are different forms of art and an individual might have various indulgences in the art form. There can be psychological aspects of the mental state that cannot be justified through Vedic culture like mental instability that is not discussed. This research paper focuses on the validity of psychology and mental state of mind when going through the process of mental liberation and how art in any form can depict mental instability as well. Imagination is an important factor among psychologists that helps determine the state of human mind, so just not viewing it as a higher purpose of human existence there need to be factors that justify the condition that ascends a person during spiritual essence or “darshan”. The author has laid emphasis on spiritual exploration and the essence of liberating the soul through the form of arts that include dance, paint and other mediums mostly used in the Hindu culture. The dances and paintings, speaking religion wise, are usually of sacred value and are seen as common religious practices that occur throughout India. People not belonging to the same religion might face other realities or feelings relating to a certain work of art, that particularly does not have to be sacred or a symbol of spiritual liberation. The thinking aspect of the human mind differs from each other and what one might think is not what the other would agree to, so there comes a barrier of thought process, interpretation and logical analysis. These aspects differ for each individual and this is the basis of identity for people all around the globe. These aspects are usually influenced by the society and the environment that the individual is brought up in. There are pure scientific reasons and validity of beliefs which Vedic culture at times fails to elaborate. The author Stephen Knapp talks about spiritual uplifting and getting to know the higher truth and reality of life through the lens of arts. This mostly discussed the influence and art forms of the Hindu culture and includes the traditional dances as well. In other words, through meditation in the form of arts and devotional experiences that may and may not be religiously influenced can lead up to different forms of arts. These can act as an outlet for the liberation of the human soul from the worldly illusions and provide an individual with the path to spiritual reality. The term put forth is “Darshan”, which is the state of meeting God or speaking in terms of Hindu religion Gods associates as well. The author uses the style of words that revolve more around the Hindu religion but convey the meaning of nirvana state of mind. The illumination of consciousness is a mental state discussed by the author as well. The whole argument put forward revolves around spiritual states and that how it is achieved through art works. This however, fails to justify the scientific validity of the state of mind. Humans have long before practiced forms of experiencing universe with boost up adrenaline rushes and psychedelics as well. Not to mention, what a person experiences is truly up to their own capabilities of mental health which are shaped up through gradual processes and do not rely on sudden experiences. What liberation is like for individuals is a matter of importance which is not widely discussed since, it could have both negative as well as positive effects on the being after the specific state of mind is achieved. The Vedic importance does not have to be total positive and implications can be seen in the psychological aftermath which is not elaborately discussed. Art and the imagination put forward in the depiction of state of mind does not always have to be positive and can relish on the negative aspects of human imagination as well. The state of exploring the negative side and the hallucinations caused by too much indulgence is something that has been overlooked by the author. Hallucination is an aspect where people indulge a lot in their imagination and this can be a barrier leading towards an insane state of mind. The author fails to discuss the negative energies encountered during the process of achieving soul liberation and that the mere form of meeting God or his associates can be a form of hallucination or something that a strong imagination would make up. There is a lack of understanding that not every aspect of it has to be positive and towards building up a pathway about meeting the universe. But it can be accounted to strong imagination and devotion towards a certain thought which may cause hallucinatory aspects of the human mind to gain more control. Another flaw which is not as broadly discussed is the tendency to have a psychological disorder and the chances that a person experiencing the form of spiritual liberation just might suffer from a mental disease. The probability of having a mental condition is the same as developing other physical diseases. This is talked about in the study as well that diseases are a natural occurring that impact humans in specific ways. In the current time with the advancement of science and the progress in medicine, there are chances to detect a mental incapability which might actually be a major defect that a person is unconscious of and had no clue of existence. Again, the point is how can a person actually differentiate between a mental disorder and a true form of soul liberation that connects him with the universe. The chances of both to occur are at equal levels so the distinguishing pathway is both narrow and blurred along the lines which makes it hard to understand the concept scientifically. In conclusion, the form of arts can be a true soul liberating experience and have proved to serve as a mental depiction of ones state of mind. The way a person perceives things and then evaluates them is one way art flourishes and progresses. There are, however, boundaries related to religion and psychology that are not discussed more openly in the study. There can be mental implications and other defects in the thought process. The true state that distinguishes is however unclear and not talked about. The author accomplishes the goal of talking about spirituality and the Vedic culture in the form of arts as a significant factor in achieving the state of mind but what influences and impacts it is not clear. The state itself is discussed but then again there are no distinguishable aspects of it from psychological insanity. Science aims to justify each and every happening. Vedic culture discussed by Stephen Knapp however fails to give a clear cut boundary between the psychological aspects of the matter. Works Cited Knapp, Stephen. "Vedic culture: As relevant today as ever." 17 Jul. 2009. Web. 29 Nov. 2014. Read More