epistemology - dr. james k. herndon
TRANSCRIPT
How do YOU
know ??
Epistemology…
Yoga-KnowingIntegral Insights from
Radhakrishnan’s Epistemology,and the Intuitive-Yogic Connection
J.K.K. HerndonUniversity of Pune
when
why
The Process of Philosophy… The Grand Lines of Philosophy…
and their Related Questions
University of MarylandUniversity College, Asia Division
J.K.K. Herndon, Assistant Professor
How do you know ??
In a Nutshell…I. Whole-Person Knowing – what Radhakrishnan calls integral experience – is a legitimate form of epistemology.
II. These realms of knowing categorized by Radhakrishnan bear a striking correspondence to the fourfold elements of the complete human personality identified by Patanjali.
III. It follows that theseassociated epistemological domainscan be further developed and even strengthened over time by employing the appropriately compatible yogic practices.
““May our study impartMay our study impartthat inward light!that inward light!
May it grant us the powerMay it grant us the powerto stir the soul to effort!”to stir the soul to effort!”
Motto, Andhra UniversityMotto, Andhra University((UpaniṣadsUpaniṣads))
Integral ExperienceWhole-person knowing
“…the reaction of the whole man to the whole reality.”
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
“…it is the whole mindthat will reach the whole object.”
The heart has its reasons,that reason can never know.
Blasé Pascal - L 423/S 680
Blasé Pascal
“We know truth,not only by the reason,but also by the heart,
and it is in this last waythat we know
first principles…”
“The two operations of our understanding,intuition and deduction…
on which alone we have said we must relyin the acquisition of knowledge.”
Rene Descartes
The Epistemic Two-Step…
1. Intuited SparkEffortless
InvoluntaryEnjoyable
2. Rational DevelopmentArduous
IntentionalDaunting
Aldous Huxley – Perennial Philosophy…
“Human beings are capable not merely of knowing about the Divine Ground by inference; they can also realize its existence by a direct intuition, superior to discursive reasoning. This immediate knowledge unites the knower with that which is known.”
Huxley goes on to explain that this knowledge is “of the heart – a super-rational intuition – direct, synthetic and timeless.”
Introduction, Bhagavad-Gita, pp. 13-15
“The only real valuable thing is intuition.”
Albert Einstein
What is Man…
that Thou art mindful of him ?
INDIVIDUALITY
Mind / BodySpiritual / Physical
Psychic / Biological Being / Non-Being
Self / self
NON - DIVIDED – DUALITY
Lower MindBiological
Sensory Knowledgeself – individual consciousness
Higher MindPsychic
Intuitive KnowledgeSelf – universal consciousness
Radhakrishnan’sFourfold Domainsof Epistemology
Ordinary SensesEmotive IntuitionRational IntuitionSpiritual Intuition
Patanjali’sFourfold Categories
of Human Personality
Active ElementEmotional ElementRational Element
Volitional Element
ClassicalFourfold Varietiesof Yoga Practice
Karma YogaBhakti YogaJnana YogaRaja Yoga
Yoga Knowing…
ELEMENT: PRACTICE: DOMAIN:
Active Karma Senses
Emotional Bhakti Emotive
Rational Jnana Rational
Volitional Rāja Spiritual
How many senses do you have ?
65
Nothing we use or hear or touchcan be expressed in wordsthat equal what we aregiven by the senses.
Hannah Arendt
Karma Yoga – The Path of Action
“…no one can remain even for a moment without doing work;
every one is made to act…”
Bhagavad-Gītā 3:5
““The eye cannot choose but see,The eye cannot choose but see,We cannot bid the ear be still,We cannot bid the ear be still,
Our bodies will feel where’er they be,Our bodies will feel where’er they be,Against or with our will.”Against or with our will.”
WordsworthWordsworth
“Some offer hearingand the other senses
into the fires of restraint;
Some offer soundand the other objects of sense
into the fires of sense;
Some offer all the works of the senses…into the fire of the yoga of self-control…”
Bhagavad-Gītā 4.27
Offering The Works of the Senses
“…a sincere personcontrols the senses…
and engages theorgans of action
in the path of work…”
Bhagavad-Gītā 3.7
The Senses & Karma-Yoga
““May our study impartMay our study impartthat inward light!that inward light!
May it grant us the powerMay it grant us the powerto stir the soul to effort!”to stir the soul to effort!”
Motto, Andhra UniversityMotto, Andhra University((UpaniṣadsUpaniṣads))
…is most suitablefor him who is
neither very tired of,nor very attached to,
the world.”
Bhāgavata XI.20.7
Bhakti Yoga – The Path of Devotion
“…the wise one,who is ever in constant union with the Divine,
whose devotion is single-minded,
is the best.
For I am supremely dear to him, and he is dear to Me.”
Bhagavad-Gītā 7.17
(samādhi can be attained)
…by devotion to Īśvara.
Yoga Sutras 1:23
Bhakti Yoga - The Path of Devotion
knowledge ofthe ultimate reality…
is born of realization
Yoga Sutras 3:53
Jñāna Yoga – The Path of Knowledge
“Ignorance can be defined as regarding the perishable
as the imperishable, the impure as the pure,
unhappiness as happiness, and the non-self
as the self.”
Patanjali Yoga Sutras II:5
The Path ofSpiritual Vision
as the master’s head is crowned with light
…spiritual vision is gained.
Yoga Sutras 3:33
How beautifully likenedWe are to the moon,In each of us shinethThe light of the sun.
“When the five senses of perceptiontogether with the mind are at rest,
when even the intellecthas ceased to function…
that, say the sages,is the supreme state.”
Katha Upaniṣad 111:10
Without Vision…My people perish
Darshan… by Divine Decree
What Time is it?
Philosophy Must Change Us…
All you have been, and seen, and done and thought,All you have been, and seen, and done and thought,Not you but I, have seen and been and wrought…Not you but I, have seen and been and wrought…
Pilgrim, pilgrimage and Road,Pilgrim, pilgrimage and Road,Was but Myself toward Myself;Was but Myself toward Myself;
And your arrival, but Myself at My own door…And your arrival, but Myself at My own door…Come, you lost Atoms, to your centre draw…Come, you lost Atoms, to your centre draw…Rays that have wandered into darkness wide,Rays that have wandered into darkness wide,
Return, and back into your Sun subside.Return, and back into your Sun subside.
QUESTIONS