Post by eferrerburnette on Nov 13, 2015 3:12:14 GMT
Why is Faqir Chand's experiences important in understanding the projective nature of religious visions and miracles?
In the book the Unknowing Sage, Faqir Chand gives details of his life experiences. On many occasions one of his disciples came to him and spoke about a hardship they were experiencing and how they prayed to him. They also claimed that Faqir appeared to them in that time of need and helped them resolve their problem. Faqir was very shocked to learn of these type of stories, considering he had no knowledge of his manifestations to his disciples, since he was not aware of them. The moment which truly shed light on this was described on the video Faqir Chand: Inner visions and Running Trains. Faqir was in military battle in Iraq in 1919. He was the station Master in Hamidia when they were attacked by the rebels. His major said to call up and request more ammunition because they were low and if they were attacked again they would not survive. He did send the request, to their headquarters, in his fear and despair, Hazur Data Dayal Ji appeared to him and told him not to fear that the rebels would come back only to collect their death. Faqir informed his Major who followed his guidance and did not attack when the rebels came. When the battle ended Faqir returned to Baghdad, where he was put on a raised platform and worshiped. They claimed that in the battlefield they were in danger and that he appeared to them and gave them direction towards safety. Faqir was unaware of their needs since he was dealing with his own fear of battle. He did not even have time to think of them. That is when Faqir realized that the he and other Gurus do not physically manifest themselves to their followers. Instead it is the faith the followers have which cause the visions and miracles to happen.
What is meant by the phrase, "philosophy done well is science; philosophy done poorly remains philosophy.”
What it meant by this statement is that philosophy and science go hand in hand. Philosophers try to use empirical facts similar to those in science to try to answer the never ending questions of humanity. As science advances, so have philosophers changed their frame of thinking to match the new discovered facts of science. If a philosopher ignores the facts of science he is basically only making assumptions. Even Faqir Chand agreed with Mark Juergensmeyer during his interview found in the Unknowing Sage: “Science is knowledge, similar to a Guru that you learn from” (Lane & Ram Kamal 68). Without the knowledge of science philosophers would be making uninformed statements which cannot be supported by facts. While many philosopher make theories about humanity and our origins, it is the ones who use mathematical equations and proven scientific methods that have the most credibility and influence. This is because at the end of the day people want what is closer to the truth instead of philosophical theories based only on personal experiences.
In the book the Unknowing Sage, Faqir Chand gives details of his life experiences. On many occasions one of his disciples came to him and spoke about a hardship they were experiencing and how they prayed to him. They also claimed that Faqir appeared to them in that time of need and helped them resolve their problem. Faqir was very shocked to learn of these type of stories, considering he had no knowledge of his manifestations to his disciples, since he was not aware of them. The moment which truly shed light on this was described on the video Faqir Chand: Inner visions and Running Trains. Faqir was in military battle in Iraq in 1919. He was the station Master in Hamidia when they were attacked by the rebels. His major said to call up and request more ammunition because they were low and if they were attacked again they would not survive. He did send the request, to their headquarters, in his fear and despair, Hazur Data Dayal Ji appeared to him and told him not to fear that the rebels would come back only to collect their death. Faqir informed his Major who followed his guidance and did not attack when the rebels came. When the battle ended Faqir returned to Baghdad, where he was put on a raised platform and worshiped. They claimed that in the battlefield they were in danger and that he appeared to them and gave them direction towards safety. Faqir was unaware of their needs since he was dealing with his own fear of battle. He did not even have time to think of them. That is when Faqir realized that the he and other Gurus do not physically manifest themselves to their followers. Instead it is the faith the followers have which cause the visions and miracles to happen.
What is meant by the phrase, "philosophy done well is science; philosophy done poorly remains philosophy.”
What it meant by this statement is that philosophy and science go hand in hand. Philosophers try to use empirical facts similar to those in science to try to answer the never ending questions of humanity. As science advances, so have philosophers changed their frame of thinking to match the new discovered facts of science. If a philosopher ignores the facts of science he is basically only making assumptions. Even Faqir Chand agreed with Mark Juergensmeyer during his interview found in the Unknowing Sage: “Science is knowledge, similar to a Guru that you learn from” (Lane & Ram Kamal 68). Without the knowledge of science philosophers would be making uninformed statements which cannot be supported by facts. While many philosopher make theories about humanity and our origins, it is the ones who use mathematical equations and proven scientific methods that have the most credibility and influence. This is because at the end of the day people want what is closer to the truth instead of philosophical theories based only on personal experiences.