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longer fear them as evidence of divine wraths as we used to do. Since life-sciences have to deal with much more complex phenomena than those of lifeless matter, their development came much later than that of natural sciences. Here also, physiology-science of body-developed first while psychology-science of the mind-developed later. Until very recently endocrinology (science of endocrinesthe ductless glands) was a little known branch of life-scien. ces. Recent advance of modern science in this field has revealed that the secretions from endocrines have tremendous influence on human nature and behaviour. Through the growth of our knowledge in psychology we are able to understand the (psychological) roots of internal fear, hate, cruelty and such other emotional distortions. The analysis of human mind with the discovery of its power of projection and its hidden subconscious components makes it unnecessary to ascribe mere mystical and ritual form to meditation. And with the substitution of knowledge for ignorence in the field of co-ordinatory neuro-endocrine systems and their profound influence upon the mental states and tendancies of an individual, myths and superstitions about meditation are being replaced with scie-ntifically established facts.
Age-old Wisdom
The scientific approach however should not be interpreted as viewing the age-old wisdom of philosophy to be entirely false or useless; for just as theological dogma cannot negate findings of science, no scientific discovery can ever negate an eternal truth. The significance of philosophical wisdom lies in the fact that the realisation of truth is not ani inference of intelligence but a matter of experience, i.e. the truth must be realised by one's own efforts. And hence modern sciences and ancient philosophy together can pave the way for more truths and knowledge which may be woven into wisdom and used for the benefit of mankind. All that is necessary is that the ancient methodology and interpretation of the philosophical wisdom be expanded, modified and
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