Spiritual Dimension of Health (4) Measuring the Immeasurable

If defining spiritual reality is difficult, studying its complex effects are even more difficult. Statistics are useful for recording the phenomenon; the present scientific methods and equipment register gross events. To pursue and discover subtler truths and spiritual laws we have to follow another method whose usefulness has been verified since ancient times. First, we need to trust the word of those who have so awakened. Secondly, we must begin to observe ourselves and the movements of subtler levels in us. The effects of those subtle movements escape the conventional data collection since most of us are not conscious of these subjective psychological events. ‘We are asleep there’, to use an Upanishadic image. The scientist must first and foremost make himself the field of his observation and record his experiences. Such cumulative records over a period of time would be very helpful for all who wish to explore this dimension. But simultaneously we should avoid the rash attempt to codify the experience. Our mind always likes to formulate laws but the spiritual field being very subtle and plastic escapes the rigidities of human logic. Thus, if in a certain state of consciousness, say ‘Peace’, the patient recovers or is even cured of an acute emergency like a heart attack or appendicitis, we can truthfully record it. We can equally record the effect of negative emotions in health and disease. But we should not rush immediately to reduce it into a system. Peace for example may not always cure if the patient is not receptive to it. It may not always be readily accessible either. And even though not reproducible, a single event of ‘cure by peace’ is significant and opens doors of enormous possibilities for those who can or will.