Brief Syllabi
L0_Summary: Course Overview
Introduction; Eligibility for delegates to register for the Correspondence Course; Course contents: Lectures and Tutorials; Subjects dealt in the course; Unique Course features; Broader Course Goals; Program Instruction; Certification Program Assessment and Dissertation; Course summary.
Textbook
- Lecture Notes on Course Overview (L0_Summary)
L1_Summary: Scientific Methods
Introduction; Elements of a Scientific Method; History of modern science: Gravitational and Classical Physics, Thermodynamics and Quantum Physics; Characteristic Features of Science; Good qualities of a scientist; Conclusions/Summary
Textbook
- Lecture Notes on Scientific Methods (L1_Summary)
References
- Singh T. D., (2011). Man and Nature – Scientific and Vedantic Perspectives, Vedanta and Science Series, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
L2_Summary: Spirituality
Introduction; Elements of Spirituality; Logical basis of Spirituality; Nature of Spiritual Process, Vedic Perception of the Reality: Astika and Nastika Vedic schools, six schools of Vedanta and their theological basis, Empirical Vedanta, Spiritual Vedanta – Karma, Jnana, Dhyana and Bhakti; Perception of Reality in Christianity and Islam; Prayers – Exploration from Vedanta; Reality Axioms in Bhagavata Culture; Essentials for Genuine Spiritual Progress; Spirituality is Transcending Religion; Spiritual Evolution; Conclusions and Summary
Textbook
- Lecture Notes on Spirituality (L2_Summary)
References
- Singh T. D., (2006). Reality of God’s existence, Vedanta and Science Series, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
- Singh T. D., (2008). The Science of Inter-religious dialogue, Vedanta and Science Series, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai.
L3_Summary: Synthesis of Science and Spirituality
Introduction; Deductive nature of mathematical reality; Common and Diverse Features of Science and Spirituality; Foundations for Synthesis of Science and Spirituality – Limitations of scientific approach (with special reference to Godel’s incompleteness theorem and Heisenberg uncertainty principle), Reality based on inference, Divinely inspired science, Rational analysis of Science, Coherence between modern scientific theories and empirical Vedanta, Common extensions of science and spirituality, Holistic View of the Reality based on Synthesis approach; Synthesis from Vedantic Perspectives; Synthesis for World Peace; Summary and Conclusions.
Text book
- Course notes on Synthesis of Science and Spirituality (L3_Summary)
References
- Tattvajijnasa (2007), Magazine of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, Vol. 1, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
- Seven Nobel Laureates on Science and Spirituality (2004) Edited by Dr. T. D. Singh, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
- Singh T. D. (2005). Essays on Science and Religion, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
- Singh T. D., (2006). God is a Person – Reflections from two Nobel Laureates, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata
- God, Intelligent Design and Fine-Tuning – A Dialogue between T. D. Singh and Michael J. Behe (2005), Edited by Dr. T. D. Singh, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
- Singh T. D., (2008). The Science of Interreligious Dialogue, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
L4_Summary: Cosmology and Cosmogony
Introduction; Timeline of Cosmology; Scientific Cosmological Models – Newton’s space-time, space-time curvature, Einstein’s GTR, Fine tuning theory, Weak anthropic principle, Big Bang theory and its scientific basis, string theory; Consciousness and Purpose – The Missing Links; Theistic Cosmology – Scientific Views; Glimpses of Vedantic Cosmology; Supporting Views for Vedantic Cosmology from Modern Science; Supporting Views for Philosophical and Theological Perspectives; Vedantic Unified Theory; Synthesis Approaches; Conclusions
Textbook
- Lecture Notes on Cosmology and Cosmogony (L4_Summary).
References
- Singh T. D. (2004). Life and Origin of the Universe, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
L5_Summary: Origin and Evolution of Life
Introduction; Scientific Symptoms of Life; Origin of life theories: Chemical and biochemical evolution theories and their scientific basis; Origin of Life: Challenges; Thermodynamic perspectives of Origin of Life models; Introduction to Neo-Darwinian evolution; Neo-Darwinian evolution theory – Scientific Perspectives, Challenges – Fossil record, Homology, Intelligent design theory and its scientific basis, Other evidences; Vedantic Perspectives – Origin of Life, Evolution; Synthesis perspectives, Summary and Conclusions
Textbook
- Lecture notes on Origin and Evolution of Life (L5_Summary)
References
- Singh T. D., (2005). Life and Spiritual Evolution, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
- Singh T. D., (2006). Life, Matter and their interactions, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
L6_Summary: Consciousness
Introduction; Approaches in Consciousness studies (with special reference to Artificial Intelligence); Quantum Mechanics and Consciousness; Quantum and artificial intelligence theories; Philosophical theories; Philosophical Projections: Mirror test, fMRI and EEG based bio-feedback experiments, sign-language approaches; Vedantic Postulates with appropriate scientific insights; Scientist Views on Consciousness; Can Machines be Conscious; Quantification of Consciousness; Summary and Conclusions
Textbook
- Lecture notes on Consciousness (L6_Summary).
References
- Science, Spirituality and the nature of reality – A discussion between Sir Roger Penrose and Dr. T. D. Singh, (2005), Edited by Dr. T. D. Singh, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
- Singh T. D., (2012). Consciousness – Scientific and Vedantic Perspectives, Vedanta and Science Series, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
L7_Summary: Conclusions
Systematic methods are important; Rational study of science; Vedanta as alternate paradigm; Scientist perspectives supporting Vedantic paradigm; Analogies/Reflections; Checklist for Course delegates; Summary.
Textbook
- Lecture Notes on Conclusions (L7_Summary)
T0_Summary: Overview of Tutorial Modules
Introduction; Benefits of Holistic education; Brief summary of the tutorial modules with applications of science-spirituality synthesis in the following: Holistic Life Skills, Inferential and Deductive (Experential) God Science; Holism in scientist views; holistic personality development and management, values and ethics, social harmony, career success and growth, communication skills, positive thinking, personal conflict resolution and smart decision making; analytical, research and creative aptitude; multi-disciplinary science-spirituality research; dissertation in science-spirituality; holistic health management, holistic stress management; philosophical exploration of science and spirituality; ultimate meaning and purpose life; mysticism, western philosophical view, Vedantic philosophical view, awareness of the self and environment.
Textbook
- Notes on Tutorials Summary (T0_Summary)
T0_Supplement 1: Overview of Holistic Life Skills
Introduction; Summary of Holistic Life Skills; Role of science, philosophy and spirituality in fostering life skills; Case study – Analyzing Positive Thinking from Scientific and Spiritual Methodologies; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Overview of holistic life skills (T0_Supplement1)
T1_Summary: The Science of God
Introduction; God and inductive inference; Logical basis of inference; Inferential Proofs of God; Signatures of God; The Mystery of Consciousness and Purpose; Super-scientific aspects of God experient; Vedantic Axioms and Nature of God; Vedantic experiential-science on God realization; Vedantic lifestyle and God experient; God Experient in Christianity and Islam; Questions and Answers; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Science of God (T1_Summary)
References
- Singh T. D., (2006). Reality of God’s existence, Vedanta and Science Series, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata
- Singh T. D., (2008). The Science of Inter-religious dialogue, Vedanta and Science Series, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T2_Summary: Scientist or Saint? – Holistic Views of Founding Fathers of Science
Introduction; Holistic views of founding fathers in Mathematics; Founding fathers of physics; Founding father of chemistry; Founding Fathers of Life sciences; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Holistic Views of Founding Fathers in Science (T2_Summary)
References
- E-zine of Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
T1_Supplement 1: Spirituality in World Religions
Introduction; Principles of Holism in Comparative Religious Studies; Spiritual Axioms in World Religions; Common and Diverse Principles in World scriptures; Bhagavata school – synthesis of World Religions; Prayers in World Religions; Questions and Answers; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Spirituality in World Religions (T1_Supplement1)
References
- Singh T. D., (2008). The Science of Inter-religious dialogue, Vedanta and Science Series, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata
- Wilson A., (1991). World Scripture – A comparative anthology of sacred texts, International religious foundation, New York.
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T3_Summary: Holistic Personality Development and Management
Introduction: Skill set of a holistic personality; Potential of science-spirituality synthesis approach; Nurturing the Holistic Personality through the Bhaktivedanta approach; Identification of innate qualities; Evolutionary Yoga; Cultivation of saintly qualities and practice them at work; Holistic Time management; Case studies; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Holistic Personality Development and Management (T3_Summary)
References
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T4_Summary: Values and Ethics
Introduction; Brief Overview of ethical/moral/value conflicts due to psychological factors, interactions with others, organizations/communities/countries, science and technology; Salient features of Human values system; How to Evolve one’s Value system; Vedantic solutions for ethical/moral/value conflicts; Common questions and answers; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Values and Ethics (T4_Summary)
References
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T5_Summary: Social Harmony
Introduction; Conventional approaches to resolve social conflicts; Limitations of conventional approaches; Synthesis model for conflict resolution; Bhaktivedanta spirituality – The out of the Box approach for social conflict resolution and social engineering; Glimpses of God centric communism in the Bhaktivedanta spiritual tradition; Questions and Answers; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Social Harmony (T5_Summary)
References
- Singh T. D., (2008). The Science of Inter-religious dialogue, Vedanta and Science Series, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T3_Supplement 1: Science-Spirituality Synthesis for Career Success and Growth
Introduction; Science-spirituality basics for career growth and success; Science of life guidelines for career success and growth; Spirituality of life guidelines for career success and growth; Questions and Answers; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Science-Spirituality Synthesis for Career Success and Growth (T3_Supplement1)
References
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T3_Supplement 2: Science-Spirituality Synthesis to Amplify Communication Skills
Introduction; Common problems in communication; Synthesis based guidelines for effective voice communication; Synthesis based guidelines for effective writing communication; Questions and Answers; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Science-Spirituality Synthesis to Amplify Communication Skills (T3_Supplement2)
References
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T3_Supplement 3: The Art of Positive Thinking
Introduction; Conventional approaches to resolve negative thinking pattern; Limitations of conventional approaches; Vedantic Perspectives on Positive and Negative Thinking; Vedantic Perspectives on Positive Thinking to Ultimate Reality; Questions and Answers; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on The Art of Positive Thinking (T3_Supplement3)
References
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai (with special reference to Chapters 3 and 18)
T3_Supplement 4: Science-Spirituality Synthesis for Personal Conflict Resolution and Smart Decision Making
Introduction; Scientific and spiritual insights to face challenges in life; Science-spirituality synthesis based solutions for personal conflicts; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Science-Spirituality Synthesis for personal conflicts resolution and smart decision making (T3_Supplement4)
References
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T6_Summary: Science-Spirituality Synthesis for Analytical, Research and Creative Aptitude
Introduction; Phases of research, creative and analytical (RCA) aptitude; Inductive and deductive approaches for ARCA; Synthesis based guidelines to enhance ARC aptitude; Troubleshooting personal limitations during ARC skill development; Science-spirituality synthesis based guidelines for analytics aptitude; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Science-Spirituality Synthesis for analytical, research and creative aptitude (T6_Summary)
References
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T7_Summary: Multi-disciplinary Research in Science-Spirituality
Introduction; Empiricism driven science-spirituality research; Spirituality driven science-spirituality research; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Multi-disciplinary research in science-spirituality (T7_Summary)
References
- Singh T. D. (2005). Essays on Science and Religion, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T8_Summary: How to do a dissertation in Science-Spirituality
An overview of the dissertation Project structure from technical perspective; Illustrative example of a term project entitled “The Science of the Soul”; Summary
Textbook
- Tutorial Notes on How to do a Dissertation in Science-Spirituality (T8_Summary)
References
- Tattvajijnasa (2007), Magazine of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, Vol. 1, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata
- Singh T. D., (2005). Life and Spiritual Evolution, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
- Singh T. D., (2006). Life, Matter and their interactions, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
T9_Summary: Holistic Health Management
Introduction; Common practices to avoid diseases; Scientific basis of modern medicine; Limitations of modern medicine; Alternative medicine and its scientific basis; Basic concepts of various meditational practices; Scientific basis of meditation; Transforming meditation into spirituality; Integrated medicine (Meditation + Medication); Vedantic Lifestyle and its Scientific basis; Questions and Answers; Conclusions
Textbook
- Tutorial Notes on Holistic Health Management (T9_Summary)
T9_Supplement1: Holistic Stress Management
Introduction; Acute/Chronic Stress Symptoms; Conventional stress management strategies; Principles of holistic stress management; Questions and Answers; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Holistic Stress Management (T9_Supplement1)
References
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T10_Summary: Philosophical Exploration of Science and Spirituality
Introduction; Mathematisation of Nature; Crisis of science and paradigm shift; Modern scientific conception of the absolute truth; Validity of the scientific conception of the reality; Philosophical perception of the Reality; Features of Absolute truth as per Bhagavata Paradigm; Conclusions.
Textbook
- Notes on Philosophical exploration of science and spirituality (T10_Summary)
References
- Singh T. D., (2006). Life, Matter and their interactions, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
- Singh T. D., (2011). Man and Nature – Scientific and Vedantic Perspectives, Vedanta and Science Series, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
T11_Summary: Ultimate Meaning and Purpose of Life
Science and Meaning/Purpose of Life; Views of famous personalities; Views of Western Philosophers; Views of Indian Philosophers/Statesmen; Vedantic Perspectives; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Ultimate meaning and purpose of life (T11_Summary)
References
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T12_Summary: Mysticism – The Meeting Point of Science and Religion
Introduction; Mysticism in science; Mysticism in religion; Mysticism as a platform for the synthesis of science and religion; Questions and Answers; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Mysticism – The Meeting point of Science and Religion (T12_Summary)
- Singh T. D. (2012). Mysticism – The Meeting Point of Science and Religion, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata.
T13_Summary: Western Philosophical View of the Reality
Introduction; Ancient philosophical views; Medieval philosophical views; Modern philosophical views; Questions and Answers; Understanding philosophy through Vaisnava Vedanta; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Western Philosophical Views on the Reality (T13_Summary)
References
- Masih Y., (1999). A Critical History of Western Philosophy, Motilal Banarasidass Publishers
- Sinha J. N. (1989). Introduction of Philosophy, Current distributors
- Durant W. (1963). The story of Philosophy, Pocket Books, London
T14_Summary: Vedantic Philosophical View of the Reality
Introduction; Glimpses of Advaita vada; Philosophical insights on Advaita vada; Scriptural insights on Advaita vada; Glimpses of Vishistadvaita vada (Qualified Monoism); Glimpses of Dvaita vada; Glimpses of Dvaita-advaita vada; Glimpses of Suddh-advaita vada; Glimpses of Acintya Bheda-abheda vada; Is Acintya-bheda abheda an amalgamation of all Vaisnava philosphies; Questions and Answers; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Vedantic Philosophical Views on the Reality (T14_Summary)
References
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T14_Supplement1: Awareness of the Self and Environment – Scientific, Philosophical and Vedantic Perspectives
Introduction; Scientific self-awareness; Philosophical self-awareness; Spiritual self-awareness; Questions and Answers; Conclusions
Textbook
- Notes on Awareness of the Self and Environment – Scientific, Philosophical and Spiritual Perspectives (T14_Supplement1)
References
- Bhaktivedanta Swami A. C. (1986). Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Mumbai
T15_Summary: Conclusions of Tutorial Modules
Take home messages of tutorials; Inspirational quotes for the synthesis of science and spirituality
Textbook
- Tutorial Notes for Conclusions of Tutorial Modules (T15_Summary)