It is difficult to get attracted to and develop love for transcendental knowledge. It is not easy to formulate the concept of supra-mental existence by reason alone. And unfortunately at this stage of evolution of human intellect, persons with intuitive realization of such superconscious states are also very few. Is it possible with efforts to take first step on the royal path of divine knowledge?

To enable us to see clearly through this dilemma many prophets and sages have guided the masses through their own knowledge of superconscious states. While it may appear that Jesus Christ sought the blessings of the Father in Heaven through prayers and surrender of will, Lord Buddha appears to recommend path of austerity, self-effort and intense yearning. Former may, therefore, appear to be the path devotion and grace, and the later may be posited as path of knowledge or self-effort.

The Question of Utility

Much to the dismay, however, 'scientific mind' doubts the very existence of supersensory states and knowledge. This is because the results of application of scientific laws and inventions are visible in a relative short period of time in the form of technological achievements.
 
Moreover, such scientific revolution has apparently benefited the humanity by advancement in the fields of comfort, health, wealth, and leisure. On the other hand, search in the field of spirituality and religion (superconscious states of knowledge) obviously yields no immediate gains for the masses. Moreover, austerities, forbearance, and discipline that are necessary to train the mind and get results in search of God appear to be anathema to its very purpose. Superficially it is seen as a contradiction, in that, to get happiness and comfort, one is required to lead life of hardship and renunciation! It is not easy to comprehend the subtlety of this necessity.

Therefore, quest of spiritual realization was (and is!) labeled as unscientific and superstitious. Utility of pursuit of excellence in the realm of religion and spirituality was (and is) seen as deliberate design to fool the masses and maintain superiority of priests and persons of higher caste order of organized religion.

In such a situation, atheist and agnostic philosophies gained ground supplemented by Marxist claim of 'religion is the opium of the masses'. Concepts like 'scientific temper' and 'reason and rationality' gained respectability in the psyche of intellectuals and intelligentsia. And as the dictum goes, 'as the superiors behave, so do the subordinates'. Therefore, we see the irony of prevailing 'scientific culture' with majority knowing nothing about science!