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consciousness and receives the message of other souls; the field is the physical medium of transmission of message. 6. Conclusions
The doctrine of karma based on the direct experience of omniscient explains the secrets of our existence. It presents the truths that are experienced by every living organism. The doctrine states that the organisms exist at two levels, a gross level in the form of material body and a subtle level in the form of fields. The functioning of the material body cannot be fully explained without consideration of the subtle fields. Every cell of the body has a subtle counterpart, which is the medium of manifestation of the soul. The cell and its constituent part like DNA are indeed very complex structures, but their operation is not independent, it depends heavily on the flow of information from the subtle counterpart. The advancements in life sciences have provided minute details of the material body and have also revealed its limitations. It is now clear that the functioning of a complex system like a cell is possible only with the help of some source of intelligence, the soul. Not only the physiological structure and operation of the body but also the conduct and behavior of the living organism is guided by the subtle fields. The diversity in organisms can be easily ascribed to subtle fields of karma. Variation in karma makes every individual, rather every organism, a unique specimen. The advancements in science have enabled us to appreciate how the doctrine of karma operates scientifically. The scientific evidence is now mounting to validate the various tenets of the doctrine.
Further understanding of our existence will depend on study of the subtle part. Science has a long way to go to acquire this capability. It would be discovered in due course that the subtle counterpart is much more powerful than the gross part of our existence. By controlling the subtle part abilities like clairvoyance and telepathy, among many others, could be achieved. But this is not the ultimate aim of life. As we go deep in the subtle world we would realize that although it is the place of many physical powers, it really limits the powers of the soul, which is infinite. To invoke the powers of the soul is the path of spirituality, which cannot be traversed by physical means. Spiritual powers are far more superior to physical powers and are likely to attract the attention of the scientists of future, so much so that science may merge with spirituality. Spirituality can reveal the absolute truths whereas science can only provide the relative truths. A truth seeker is likely to give up science and pursue spirituality, give up the lure of physical powers and take resort in the powers of the spirit. The full powers of the spirit can be realized not with the physical bodies, including the subtle, but without them. On getting rid of all the bodies the soul experiences unlimited bliss, the ultimate and purest state where all the desires have come to an end. The science then looses its existence, the absolute truth prevails.
Arhat Vacana, 23 (4), 2011
