After Charles Darwin published ‘On the origin of species' in 1859, there has been a constant clash between faith and reason. Since the second half of the 19th century, scientists could produce organic compounds like urea, methane, alcohol, acetylene, and benzene from inorganic chemicals. Therefore, scientists concluded that there is nothing different about the organic world – whatever happens within the living system can be reproduced in the laboratory. It gave rise to the mechanical concept that life emerged from matter.
In his book ‘Life, Matter, and their Interactions’, author Dr. T.D. Singh (a scientist and spiritualist) delves into some very important questions such as:
Ø What is life?
Ø What is matter?
Ø How do life and matter interact?
Ø What is consciousness?
Ø What happens to life after physical death?
Ø Why do we search for meaning and purpose?
Ø Is life temporary or eternal?
Ø Why do we give importance to the existence of God?
Although many scientists proclaim that life originated from a random combination of molecules, the author shows that life is beyond protein molecules. Life is beyond DNA, RNA, and genes.
Even in the presence of organic and inorganic compounds, no one can revive a dead body. This proves that there is a Divine Intelligence.
In this book, the author talked about two paradigms for studying life and its origin – the divine paradigm and the materialistic paradigm.
The author asks the readers that if by biotechnology, it were possible to produce an exact clone of Einstein, will that person possess the same intelligence and personality as Einstein? The answer is a resounding no. A person is much more than his/her genes, DNA, and RNA.
With the help of chemical equations, the structure of DNA, and quotes from Nobel laureates, the author justifies that a human being is much more than his/her genome. Life is beyond matter.
Molecules lack purpose and meaning. If we were only a bunch of molecules, why do we look for purpose and meaning in life? Why do love and compassion exist?
Scientists cannot create a living cell in the test tube even if they have all the cellular chemicals.
The author gives the formula:
Living Being = Genome (Physical Body) + Mind, Intelligence & Ego (Subtle Matter) + Spiriton (Life Particle)
The author quotes from Charles Darwin’s autobiography where Darwin confessed that he can no longer enjoy poetry, Shakespeare, music, and pictures. Darwin said that the loss of these tastes is a loss of happiness. His mind has become a machine for grinding laws out of facts.
The author warns that if we develop a mechanical concept of life and live by it, we would also become like Darwin.
There are so many questions that science can never be able to answer through mathematical equations. This book is a must-read for people who are enthusiastic about both science and spirituality.
The writing is friendly and not didactic. The author encourages us to find our own conclusions. The book is rich in illustrations and quotes. I love the author’s balanced approach towards science and spirituality – the approach that we all should have to live beautifully.
I would like to rate the book 5 stars. It is an important book that must be read to understand the mystery of life.