Neither the scientists nor speculative philosophers have yet arrived at any conclusion concerning the cosmic situation. All they have done is posit different theories about it. Some of them say that the material world is real, others say that it is a dream, and yet others say that it is ever existing. In this way different views are held by mundane scholars, but the fact is that no mundane scientist or speculative philosopher has ever discovered the beginning of the cosmos or its limitations. No one can say when it began or how it floats in space. They theoretically propose some laws, like the law of gravitation, but actually they cannot put this law to practical use. For want of actual knowledge of the truth, everyone is anxious to promote his own theory to gain certain fame, but the actual fact is that this material world is full of miseries and that no one can overcome them simply by promoting some theories about the subject. The Personality of Godhead, who is fully cognizant of everything in His creation, informs us that it is in our best interest that we desire to get out of this miserable existence. We must detach ourselves from everything material. To make the best use of a bad bargain, our material existence must be one-hundred-percent spiritualized. Iron is not fire, but it can be turned into fire by constant association with fire. Similarly, detachment from material activities can be effected by spiritual activities, not by material inertia. Material inertia is the negative side of material action, but spiritual activity is not only the negation of material action but the activation of our real life. We must be anxious to search out eternal life, or spiritual existence in Brahman, the Absolute. The eternal kingdom of Brahman is described in the Bhagavad-gita as that eternal country from which no one returns. That is the kingdom of God.
And what is the nature of the kingdom of God? It is described in the Bhagavad-gita (15.6) as follows: “That abode of Mine is not illumined by the sun or moon, nor by electricity. One who reaches it never returns to this material world.”
Besides this earth, there are innumerable other planets distributed all over the universe, and some are considered superior places and some inferior places. In any case, all planets within the jurisdiction of the external energy, material nature, require the rays of a sun or the light of fire for their existence, because the material universe is a region of darkness. Beyond this region, however, is a spiritual realm, which is described as functioning under the superior nature of God. That realm is described in the Upanisads thus: “There is no need of sun, moon, or stars, nor is that abode illumined by electricity or any form of fire. All these material universes are illumined by a reflection of that spiritual light, and because that superior nature is always self-luminous, we can experience a glow of light even in the densest darkness of night.” In the Hari-vamsa the spiritual nature is explained by the Supreme Lord Himself as follows: “The glaring effulgence of the impersonal Brahman [the impersonal Absolute] illuminates all existences, both material and spiritual. But, O Bharata, you must understand that this Brahman illumination is the effulgence of My body.” In the Brahma-samhita this conclusion is also confirmed.
Compiled from words of A.C.Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada
I’m not trying to discredit your post or anything, but I noticed a glaring fallacy in it.
It’s called ‘begging the question’ and is when you try to prove something using that something as the proof.
You mention how science cannot prove anything about reality in the absolute, that it only has theories, but then you lean on an as-of-yet empirically unprovable God to try to prove things about reality…
Granted, I too believe in God, but I’m also a philosophy major and things like that bug me
Dear Zacharias,
Thank you for visiting my blog and making a comment regarding which.
I had no empirical knowledge of your existence. Then you communicated with me. Now I know of your existence. In the same way God has communicated with us throughout the ages. But do we listen? Hence the name of my blog
By definition God is not knowable via material senses. Hence one name for Krsna is Adoksaja, “One who is beyond sense perception”, hence not amenable to empirical method.
He is known through His communications. We can only know Him as He reveals Himself.
“I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them I am covered by My internal potency, and therefore they do not know that I am unborn and infallible.” Bhagavad-gita 7.25
I know that you believe in God, so do not take this in any negative way.
Okay, I am satisfied.
And I’m glad that you believe that God cannot be known through material senses, this is right in line with the Orthodox distinction between God’s knowable ‘Energies’ and his completely unknowable ‘Essence.”
Thanks for making an intelligent counter-argument!
And have a good day!