Breaking through conventional scientific paradigms

This post's title is adopted from a very nice article by Natalie Teplitsky. Was going through excerpts of "Quantum Questions" by Ken Wilber. The opinions of the "Mystical" twentieth century physicists on the relation between physics and mysticism were presented. The theorists included Schrodinger, Einstein, Heisenberg, Eddignton, James jean, Bohr, De Broglie. All these people felt that physics neither corroborated nor opposed mysticism. According to them, trying to draw the conclusions of science and extending it to prove/disprove religion was sheer nonsense. In light of that, i find it relevant to quote Sir Jean:

" The essential fact is simply that all the pictures which science now draws of nature, and which alone seem capable of according with observational fact, are mathematical pictures...They are nothing more than pictures-fictions if you like, if by fiction you mean that science is not yet in contact with ultimate reality. Many would hold that from the broad philosophical standpoint, the outstanding achievement of twentieth-century physics is not the theory of relativity with its welding together of space and time, or the theory of quanta with its present apparent negation of the laws of caustion, or the dissection of the atom with the resultant discovery that things are not what they seem: it is the general recognition that we are not yet in contact with ultimate reality. We are still imprisoned in our cave, with our backs to the light, and can only watch the shadows on the wall"

Allusions to Plato's hyopthetical cave are made generously

ISKCON experience

Four of us drove a third across the country to this utopic place amongst the hills in west virginia conceived by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. We spent about 2 days there. Some of the things that struck me were -
1) The pleasantness and calmness permeating the campus.
2) Palace of gold - An absolutely exquisite construction by Prabhupada's devotees that express their love to him.
3) The trance like state the chant "Hare krishna..." ,in its various tones and notes, can put you in.
4) Probability of getting brainwashed is very very high.

Being an acceptant of the vedanta philosophy, i knew that i might have to face certain incongruencies with the 'Hare krishna' mission which i was willing to.

Devotees believe:

• Buddha, Jesus were sent to the earth(by krishna) at different times to awaken the people.
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the 15th century was the reincarnation of Krishna and spread the message that only by chanting "Hare krishna.." can anyone be united with the lord. Without that they have no chance.

There are many many more. The only reason these people believe so is because they are predicted and highlighted in the scriptures. A classic case of intolerance towards any other path.

I understand that a leap of faith demands dispelling all reason and they can be equally right as any one else.

I am not even worthy of introducing any caveats here, but, i would implore people to not give up their ability of free perception, not to become fanatically indoctrinated.

LOVE AND TOLERANCE BE ALL.

*Some people felt that i had wrongly branded ISCKON. I retract any of those statements that might cause discomfort to certain people.*