Science is the study of the world outside,
Swami Chinmayananda
Philosophy is the study of the world within!
The human race has forever been in a quest to understand the cause behind all creation. This quest to unravel the mystery of creation has in effect led to our exhaustive study of our universe, all living beings and the laws that govern it. We understand this exhaustive study as ‘Science”. Science has in turn diversified into various branches; from Biology, Chemistry, Physics to Geography, Cosmology, Medicine and so on. We have invested a lot in the deeper understanding of the outside world hoping that we can someday unravel the mystery and cause of all creation.
However, the ancient books of the Vedas have a different view. The ancient Rishis however realised that the mystery cannot be solved by conventional methods of study and research. They understood that the ‘Truth’ is within and the way to realise this truth, the existential reality is to turn our focus inwards.
Thus most of the Vedas teach a path of contemplation and meditation as the practical way to turn our thoughts inwards, within us and realise the ‘consciousness’. This ‘consciousness’ is what the Vedas and the Upanishads teach is the Supreme reality and the cause behind all creation.
This is the difference today between what we study as conventional knowledge of the material world through various subjects. The Vedic knowledge on the other hand is unique and is probably the only available literature to direct our thoughts towards realising our ‘CONSCIOUSNESS’, the truth within ourselves. Even the study of the mind or psychology is in reality only an understanding of our superficial thoughts and worries and doesn’t really delve into the deeper realms within ourselves.
While we should be proud of the richness of this unique literary wealth we treasure, the Vedic knowledge should also be studied & appreciated by our generation.