Sambodhi 1989 Vol 16

Author(s): Ramesh S Betai, Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 43

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Intuition probes into the nature of God and intuitive scers shrink from precise statement and definitions because definition involves relation and comparison, which are obviously the function of reason. It is due to this reason that the seers and the mystics all over the world take recourse to symbolic language in order to give expression to the deeper spiritual experiences of their life. To Dr. Radhakrishnan, logic and language are the lower forms or a diminution of intuitive knowledge, and thought is a mcans of partially manifesting this knowledge. Thought can thus reveal reality, but necds verification as it involves the duality of knowing and being. "Strictly speaking logical knowledge is non-knowledge, Avidyā, is valid only till intuition arises. Intuition is experienced when we break down the shell of our private egoistic existence, and get back to the primeval spirit in us from which our intellect and our senses are derived."12 In intuition, the ego disappears' and 'the individual becomes the instrument of the Universal', lifted above the limitations of the ego. If intelligence has its being turned towards the Universal Self it develops intuition or true knowledge or wisdom. "Intuitive knowledge is not non-rational; it is only non-conceptual. It is rational intuition in which both immediacy and mediacy are comprehended."13 The intuitive consciousness is the totality of vision. Radhakrishnan agrees with British Idealist Bradley when lie says "We can form the general idea of an absolute experience in which phenomenal distinctions are merged, a whole becomes immediate at higher stage without losing any richness."14 Intellect and intuition
The intellect breaks the qualities into static concepts. It gives us superficial knowledge of reality. Intuition reveals the truth of it. Intellect locs not impart knowledge of Reality; it is valid only so long as the intuition does not manifest in us. In intellectual knowledge, the distinction between the subject and the object remains always there. It is verified and developed through progressive inquiry. To know reality, we must transcend discursive thinking. Intuition is direct and immediate perception. In all creative works of art and discovery, intuition is essentially involved. "Direct perecption or simple and steady looking upon an object is intuition. It is not a mystic process, but the most direct and penetrating examination possible to the human mind.”
Reality is life, movement, concrete continuity and logic gives us concepts which are dead, inmobile and timeless. If all knowledge were conceptual, the reality would have remained unknown for ever.
Intellectual knowledge is one of abstraction. Intuition reveals the knowledge of the thing in itself.