1. Let logic be our minister not our master

2. Doubt is a sign of int, but not the only sign of int Samshayo atha viparyaso Nishchayah smrtir eva ca Svapa ity ucyate buddher Lakshanam vrttitah prithak Doubt, misapprehension, correct apprehension, memory and sleep, as determined by their different functions, are said to be the distinct characteristics of intelligence. (SB 3.26.30 )

3. But doubt is not the only sign of int Doubt is one of the important functions of intelligence; blind acceptance of something does not give evidence of intelligence. Therefore the word samshaya is very important; in order to cultivate intelligence, one should be doubtful in the beginning. But doubting is not very favorable when information is received from the proper source. In Bhagavad-gita the Lord says that doubting the words of the authority is the cause of destruction. (SB 3.26.30 purport )

4. The utility and the futility of doubt Can show us what is wrong, but can’t show us what is right Be skeptical about skepticism

5. What logic can and can’t do: Can do: Examine the rationale for spiritual experience Evaluate the contents of spiritual experience Cannot: Create spiritual experience Replace spiritual experience Only the practice of spirituality can provide experience

6. Logic as master or minister? Logic as master becomes a tyrant that locks us into a meaningless and purposeless existence Logic as minister helps us separate real spirituality from shadow- and psuedo-spirituality

7. How we decide what we do Culture: everyone does it Tradition: we have always done it Logic It makes sense Mood: It feels good The only infallible authority is scripture

8. Categories of understanding within spiritual knowledge 1.Things we understand on first hearing eg design requires designer 2.Things we understand after deliberation Eg. I am not the body 3. Things we understand after purification Eg. Krishna’s relationship with the gopis 4. Things we may not understand in this lifetime Eg. How we fell from the spiritual world