Concept of God
and the Power of Prayer and Meditation
M.B. Sharan
Senior Professor of Psychology
School of Humanities & Social Sciences
IIT, Patna
E-mail: mithilasharan@yahoo.co.in
God is a word that has interested human beings from time immemorial. Nobody
really knows how long human beings have been thinking about God. There are so
many theories and abstractions that there would be no way to record them.
However, history says that “God” came into being in English language before the
12th century AD. Since everything on earth – animate or inanimate –
had a spirit for ancestors, everything symbolized God. All were true, and all
had their unique functions. As societies advanced, gods were conceptualized in
all aspects of life, and people began to worship them in a systematic way. All
these became essential because people realized that gods and goddesses were
playing an important role in their lives. It did not matter whether the
god/goddess worshipped was an alligator, a 200 year old tree, a circle of
stones, or a Giant Brain. Most people simply had faith in God without
questioning Him. They also did not like to seek any proof as they had developed
an inherent belief in God. Since they experienced the hands of God everywhere,
they worshipped Him or Her in their own ways. Scholars indicate that between 800
BC and 200 AD, the concept of an ultimate reality,
Brahman, came to being in Hinduism in
order to define the greater Truth. It was beyond all concepts and beyond all
descriptions. And since then, different religions have believed in the same
Creator God in different names as the ultimate reality, and all other gods or
goddesses as His reflections.
God in Philosophy and Science
Today, there are many concepts of God. However, each concept believes in
something somewhere that has created the Universe with divine intelligence: All
is God; God is Great; God is One; God is the Almighty and Supreme; God is beyond
Space, Time, and Causation; God includes Everything, Everywhere, All the Time;
and many more. From these concepts it is clear that in different religions, God
has been conceived as a Supernatural Power. Since this power is invisible,
nobody has been able to define Him or Her exactly. Phelan has rightly said that
if we cannot measure the outer edge of the expanding Universe, how can we dare
to define its Creator? Any definition of God, therefore, must be open ended with
a scope to grow. In spite of these limitations, some philosophers and scientists
have always tried to know Him and to find out some acceptable proofs for His
existence. And, very often, they have cited the following three kinds of
arguments to support His existence:
The Causality
Argument:
Thomas Aquinas (13th century
philosopher) was probably the first to use the argument that if every effect had
a cause, there has to be an ultimate cause. And that ultimate cause can be
nothing but God. He has given the following five arguments to prove the
existence of God:
The Time
Argument:
Muslim philosophers have
argued that if the Universe had
a beginning at all, the beginning cannot rest on nothingness but God. The key
here is the concept of infinity. Surely, if we have to go back infinitely
without arriving at a beginning, there could be a great problem with having
arriving at the preset moment.
The Design
Argument:
William Paley (18th century
philosopher) concluded that all living creatures are too complicated to have
arisen by chance. For him, the Universe was clearly showing direction and an
instrument for a goal. Therefore, the Universe must be a product of an
intelligent designer. And that designer has to be no less than God. Marilyn
Adamson puts the following five straightforward reasons to support his claim:
Apart from these philosophers and other thinkers, many scientists have also
believed in God. For example, for Newton, all the particles which made matter
and the forces between them were created by God because they were not a subject
to further analysis. Not only that, God had also created the fundamental law of
motion and set the whole Universe in motion which continues to run till today,
like a machine. That means, whenever scientists failed to explain something
further, they attributed this to chance or God. Even Einstein, like Newton and
Galileo, had to believe in the fact that a Greater Power had created and
maintained the Universe.
God in Quantum Physics
Though quantum physics has changed the Newtonian worldview completely, it has
established God in its laboratory by supporting His different concepts. For
example, to support that God is everywhere all the time, it says that everything
in the Universe, including us, is energy, and that energy moves in a circular
fashion. At the microscopic level, we are a whirling mass of electrons and
energy atoms spinning rapidly. In fact, everything in the Universe is comprised
of energy and we are intimately connected with this sea of energy, this sea of
whirling electrons. Thus, energy is the sub-atomic particles that in turn make
up atoms and finally matter. This energy exists as waves spread out over space
and time. Our thoughts, feeling, words, and actions are also different forms of
energy. What we think, feel, say, and do in each moment comes back to us to
create our realities. Thus, everything is energy in the Universe which is
present everywhere all the time. Quantum physics says further that it is the act
of observing an object that causes it to be there where and now we observe it.
Since energy exists as waves, when we exercise observation, they become
particles localized as a space-time event. And, as soon as we withdraw
observation, they become, a wave again. That means, it is the observation,
attention and intention which literally create that thing as a space-time event.
Perhaps the most awesome implication of quantum mechanics is the possibility
that the Universe only functions because it is continually observed by “someone”
who never blinks His eyes or sleeps. This is the reason why some people define
God as “Self-energetic Awareness.”
It is thus clear that no solid object is solid. It is made up of rapidly
flashing packets of energy – billions and trillions of packets of energy. They
flash in and flash out of that space where the ‘object’ is. They do not just
stay there. When we watch a movie, we just see a person walking across the
screen smoothly. Yet, in reality, it is just a film reel with 24 slightly
different frames a minute so our eyes do not detect the gap between the frames.
Even each of those frames is a composition of billions of light photons flashing
at the speed of light. That is what our world is – a rapid flash that causes an
illusion of being ‘solid’ and ‘continuous’.
Physicists have also discovered that quantum ‘particles’ make decisions. They
are powered by intelligence. Not only that, they also know instantly, what
decisions are being made by other particles anywhere else in the Universe. This
synchronicity across space and time is instantaneous. That means, they
‘communicate’ without taking any time or crossing any space. So, what is the
intelligence that powers them? Well, it is the “Mind of the Source” - God. If
the Mind of God did not exist, we would not exist. Thus, the Creator God is the
power with which we are conscious and the planets, the Sun, the Solar System,
the Galaxy, and the Universe are the effects of thinking of the Mind of God.
The latest discoveries ranging from transpersonal psychology and the
increasingly important new discipline of science of consciousness, to quantum
physics also lead to a similar perception that there is a universal field of
consciousness. This kind of consciousness cannot be a part of the brain but a
part of the mind known as Universal Mind or Superconscious Mind. The
consciousness research by transpersonal psychologist, Stanislav Grof confirms
that in transpersonal experience, it is possible to transcend the usual
limitations of the body, ego, space, and linear time. These experiences are able
to bring us into contact with the collective consciousness. Such experiences
were for a long time in the case of Eastern traditions of wisdom which is now
supported by Western science. Thus, consciousness can be described as a
universal field of intelligence underlying the whole of material creation. From
all these it can be safely concluded that God exists and exists for ever. Since
God is a metaphysical reality, for different persons and for different
occasions, He exists in different forms. For some, He is the Creator God; for
some, the Intelligent Designer God; for some, the Grand Architect God; for some,
the Almighty and Supreme God; and for some, the Infinity God. However, as a
whole, He is “One”, and all others are our abstractions or attempts to
understand Him, or to put a “human face” on Him.
Realization of God
We have seen that God is not a physical reality. Therefore, nobody can see Him
directly. He can be only realized and experienced. When we look around, we find
that, in the Universe, all manifestations are of God and are one with Him. In
Him, they live and move and have their beings. This Supreme Intelligence that
moves in the earth is manifested in the tiniest molecule as perfectly as in a
great planet. How wonderful it will be to realize that there is only one force,
one power, one presence, and that is God. This realization, however, will not
come to us through any act of our own but through our belief, trust, and faith
in Him. If we exercise patience, faith, and the attributes of God, we are bound
to have the opportunities to realize Him. We are like an iceberg in the ocean.
When we get such opportunities, we melt under the warmth of God’s touch and
become ocean. Then only we experience God in everything, everywhere, and all the
time.
Indian philosophy also says clearly that the goal of human life is
self-realization or enlightenment – and that is the real blessing being born in
human incarnation. The aim of all mystical traditions is the same. It can even
be said of most major religions of the world as each one started off as a path
to God or self-realization with specific practices and instructions. There is
also the assurance that some others before us have already walked that path and
reached the goal. Those people even have left accounts of their journey. Now, it
is for us to choose a path and follow its practices and instructions to
experience God.
Though there is no ‘short-cut’ to reach God, the Bhagavad-Gita suggests the path
of Karma Yoga as an easy way. It
constitutes performing actions as an agent of God – that is without a feeling of
expectation of the fruits thereof. However,
Karma Yoga must be supported by
Bhakti
Yoga. Bhakti Yoga is based on Love
and Devotion. The devotee uses the combined energies of all emotions and
transmutes them, sublimating them into the highest of all emotions,
Prem (Love), which is pure,
unconditional and divine love. The devotee is, in fact, not even seeking
enlightenment or God, he or she is just overflowing with his/her love for God
which is the greatest virtue one can cultivate. This path obviously suits and
appeals to many because no ‘mind and body control’ of
Raja Yoga, and no ‘intellectual and
intuitive powers’ of Jnana Yoga are
required in this path. Moreover, Love for the creation of God and His all beings
always goes on increasing and bringing compassion, tolerance and helpfulness to
others.
Spiritual Growth
In this material world, we are conscious of the material growth but not of the
spiritual growth. We should be equally aware of the spiritual progress that
includes both a broadening of understanding of the relation with God, and a
definite improvement in capacities for more useful lives. In the human form of
life, consciousness (cetana)
intelligence (buddhi), mind
(manas), and senses
(indriyas) are developed to some
extent. But we are lacking completely spiritual development. Therefore, a human
being needs to learn about how to start inner journey to make deeper inquiry
(jijnasa) – the spiritual inquiry.
Einstein has rightly said that “knowing the plan of God is more important and
the rest are details. By this inquiry,
sambandha, the relationship between the self and God will be established and
the pure spiritual knowledge of the self will be understood.” Through regular
prayer and meditation, such developments can be easily achieved.
Prayer
Prayer is the concerted effort of our physical consciousness to become attuned
to the consciousness of the Creator. It is the attunement of our conscious mind
to the spiritual forces that manifest in the material world. It also means
entering into the closet of the inner self and pouring the ego out so that the
inner being may be filled with the Spirit of God. Thus, prayer is a process of
attuning ourselves to reach a higher point of view – of wholeness, of
understanding, of oneness with Spirit.
Most of us can recall times when we asked in prayer for something but did not
receive. The law of faith says very clearly that “whatever you ask in prayer,
you will receive, if you have faith.” When we pray and ask with faith in Spirit,
we bring the creative Forces into play and the results are assured provided
there are no other laws in operation at that time to counter our request. For
example, we might have created some negative forces which are still in
operation. Now, unless those negative forces are resolved, our prayer will not
be granted. Therefore, we need to develop full faith in God by sorting out our
negative forces first before we start praying.
Faith is an attribute of the soul. As we become cognizant of the physical body
through the senses, so we become aware of the soul through the activity of its
attributes. We can move step by step to have a complete faith in God. First, we
should release our doubts and fears by requesting the Spirit to guide us. As our
mind becomes clear from doubts and fears, we start having hopes. Then, as those
hopes are realized, we gain confidence in our guidance; and as our confidence
grows, we begin to trust. And, our experience says that when we truly trust the
Spirit within, we get what we want. This is faith which lifts us to the higher
dimensions of consciousness and we realize that the infinite power and
intelligence of God are guiding us in every aspect of our life. That is why
Barnabas says that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen.”
Prayer is also described as talking to God - “communication with God through
single-minded devotion.” It is an act of thanksgiving, a feeling of surrender,
and a reconfirmation of faith in a divine power. Since God urges us again and
again to pray to Him, to place our trust in Him, and to turn our motivation to
Him, prayer is sure to give us good results. Dada Vaswani maintains that every
prayer is answered. The trouble with us is (i) we do not know how to ask God for
something, and (ii) how to recognize His answer. Otherwise, He answers every
time in our favour in the following four ways:
Prayer is thus connecting to the divine, recognizing and clearing the karmic
events of the day, and speaking about our pains and desires. We should be,
therefore, honest with ourselves and with God. We should not ask for anything
which we do not need, and we should never insist for something. Whatsoever is in
our favour, He is sure to give us at His own. Sometimes we insist for something,
and then He gives that. But it goes against us in future. Therefore, whenever we
are asking for something, we should always add a sentence to our prayer: “Oh
God, You give this provided it is in our favour.”
Meditation
There are three primary levels of spiritual energy: physical, mental, and
spiritual. The physical level is the realm of the physical body and ego which
includes all those currently in the physical existence as well as those recently
crossed over into the spirit realm. The mental level is the realm of the body
and soul which includes teachers and spirit guides. The highest level, the
spiritual level, includes guardian angels and angels. This level is known as the
“Supreme World” – the true plane of God. One can reach all these levels little
by little through meditation.
According to Seale, meditation starts with stilling the mind. Therefore, we sit
quietly with our eyes closed, back straight, feet flat on the floor or legs
folded in a lotus position, and hands resting comfortably on our lap. Then, we
take a few deep breaths, allowing our body to relax, and breaths find its own
natural, relaxed, and easy rhythm. There is nothing else in our conscious
awareness except the breaths. We may notice a great deal of distraction going on
in our mind as we attempt to focus our attention solely on our breaths -
inhaling and exhaling. But gradually, distraction goes down. Then, step by step,
layer by layer, we go deeper in our consciousness. This process should continue
until we realize that we have reached a point of absolute quiet and stillness.
This state of mind, however, will be hardly for a few seconds in the beginning.
But, gradually, we go deeper and deeper and feel calmer, more centred, and more
grounded. We should take our own time to float in this state of mind for a
while, and then, when we feel that meditation is complete for now, we should
open our eyes. This exercise should continue throughout life. They are not meant
to be learnt quickly and easily, because then we would only be learning the
lesson on one or two levels of awareness. Life lessons are those on which we
continue a lifetime, because we keep going deeper and deeper in our
understanding and learning process. In this lifelong journey, a time comes when
we realize that we can still our mind for a longer period. At that time, we are
unaware of the passing time, and we do not become tired. Our breathing becomes
very light and we do not feel disturbed by any noise. Over time, very gradually,
the inner light, divine wisdom, vision, and truth awaken in us. This is the time
our God enters our heart and starts loving and talking.
Meditation is thus the emptying of ourselves of all that hinders the Creative
Force from rising along the natural channels of our physical bodies to be
disseminated through the sensitive spiritual centres in our physical bodies. It
is arousing the mental and spiritual attributes to an expression of their
relationship with their Maker. Only when we are in deep concentration, we know
God and realize that He sups with us. It is the spiritual ladder that reaches
from the earth to the heavens, from errors to Truth, and from pains to
happiness, peace, and enlightenment. It is a magnificent power with which we
develop compassion, fearlessness, renunciation, love, and freedom from the cycle
of births and deaths. Thus, when we discipline our lives to listen and respond
to our souls, we are living in alignment with the universal flow, listening to
soul as divine self, and creating a life of joy and peace.
Bibliography
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Reed, H. (1968). Awakening your psychic
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Seale, A. (2002). Intuitive living. New Delhi: New Age
Books.
Sharan, M.B. (2011). Metaphysical realities in psychology and management. New
Delhi: Concept Publishing House.