SUPERSTITION: DR SHRINIWAS KASHALIKAR

We do hundreds of activities daily; without any element of belief or disbelief. We do them inevitably as an inseparable part of our life. We never even have any doubt about whether they are right or wrong; and scientific or unscientific.

Thus we are unquestioningly (blindly) involved in the biological compulsions such as breathing, eating, sleeping; sex. We are unquestioningly (blindly) involved in social needs such as marriage, celebrations, sports, and entertainment and so on. We are unquestioningly (blindly) involved in our pursuits of pleasures (and multiplying pleasures) through our business, power politics, performing arts, sports and so on.

In short; we never question the scientific veracity; of a thing; when it comes to gratifying our senses of taste, smell, hearing, vision, and touch and so on.

This is because; there is no moment to moment need of rationalism. It is not possible also to use rationalism at every moment and in every activity. As said earlier; our metabolic, endocrine, autonomic and even cerebral activities go on; without the help of rationality.

Superstition is a state of being deficient in perspective, thinking, emotions and instincts. It is a state of being fossilized in pettiness. A superstitious person requires all-round nourishment and empowerment to rise above superstition. There are many traditional practices including NAMASMARAN, which help in this.

Rationality has a certain role to play; and it does so; during education; in overcoming superstitions . But for every superstition; it cannot be an antidote. Insistence of rationality in every walk of life; is unrealistic and devoid of the comprehension of human nature.