Shradhha v/s Curiosity (Jijnasa)

Are we curious enough or do we merely rely on our senses?

- Shri Dilip Tralshawala

Faith v/s inquisition. Faith - knowing the unknown, knowledge of reality. Inquisition seeking answers to a variety of questions.

The Indian scriptures deal with knowing the highest form of knowledge - spiritual/ spirituality.

How does one gain mastery over spiritual study? Through Shradhha, generally translated as faith. Patanjali vide Sutra 1/ 20, describes essential characters for practicing spirituality; principal amongst them is Shradhha followed by Virya (enthusiasm), Smriti (memory), Samadhi (awareness) and Prajna (wisdom).

In this high-tech world that we are living in, if one desires self-development, two options are available: physical v/s metaphysical or commonly referred to as scientific. It is believed that reality or existence consists of the physical and is experimentally verifiable by the five senses.

It is also a firm belief that the human mind and intellect with its instinct of curiosity are sufficient for one's optimum development. Quantum physics and various such findings are challenges for which advanced mathematics and hypothetical approaches are of help. But inclusion of consciousness or any divine or mystical propositions are not acceptable.

Thus, like Shraddha for spirituality, one can consider the equivalent principle of Jijnasa or curiosity.