Introduction to spiritual research studies – Interview with Dr. Nandini Samant

In 2008, SSRF embarked upon a long-term collaborative spiritual research project. This project differed from the usual method of spiritual research conducted by SSRF. This time, an array of biofeedback and other equipment was used to measure different variables in a set of controlled experiments. The results were then corroborated with explanations obtained through an advanced sixth sense. After a period of detailed experiments and later, analysis, the research findings are now ready for publication. We spoke to Dr. Nandini Samant, MBBS, DPM, who is the Principal Investigator of the project, to understand the background of the research undertaken by the study team.

Question: What is spiritual research?

Dr. Nandini Samant: We define the term ‘spiritual dimension’ as all that is beyond the scope or understanding of the five senses, mind and the intellect. The word ‘research’ is defined as a diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc.

Put simply, spiritual research means a systematic investigation into a dimension that is beyond the five senses, mind and intellect. It is done using the advanced sixth sense.  For example, if we were handed a pen that we have never seen before, then through the five senses, mind and intellect we would be able to note its colour, manufacturer, efficacy in writing smoothly etc. But with advanced sixth sense, we would also be able to note when it was manufactured, who it belongs to, who would own it in future, when it would be discarded etc.

Question: Why did this spiritual research project include the use of modern measuring equipment?

Dr. Nandini Samant: As per spiritual science, the quotes of Scriptures and Sages are an authority in themselves. The reason is that the Sages were God-realised souls. The Scriptures are the works of such God-realised souls. Hence, they do not need additional validation. Even today, people across the world experience firsthand the truth in what is prescribed by spiritual science. Unfortunately, they are in the minority as there has been a decline in the understanding of spiritual science, as well as in spiritual practice as per the six basic principles in society. Due to this lack of spiritual practice, the sixth sense of the majority of the world’s population is poorly developed. Hence, they cannot comprehend the subtle dimension. They can only comprehend the research conducted within the scope of the five senses, mind and intellect. This is the conventional scientific research that the world knows about.

That is why we conducted some experiments on various aspects of our day-to-day life such as our food and drink, dress, the music we listen to, aspects of spiritual practice such as chanting, praying, the meditative state, Saints etc., using modern equipment. This was to help modern man understand and experience firsthand the truth in the principles of Spirituality.

This is our attempt to help the average person bridge the gap between his known world of conventional research and the unknown world of spiritual research by going from the known to the unknown.

Question: Why is it called spiritual research despite the use of equipment?

Dr. Nandini Samant: The reason is that we complemented the observations of the research using equipment, with input from our subtle-knowledge section. After taking the readings provided by the equipment and analysing them, we showed them to seekers in our subtle-knowledge section. We asked them to explain to us what was actually happening in the spiritual dimension when that particular reading was taken, as well as to tell us the reason underlying the reading. In some cases we were surprised to learn that similar readings were noted for totally different reasons.

For example, in the case of the comparative study using the electrosomatographic technique on the effect of consuming non-vegetarian and vegetarian food on the Kunḍalinī chakrās of seekers with and without negative energy distress, we found that 80% of the subjects without negative energy distress and 100% of the subjects with distress showed an improvement in the activity of their chakrās after consuming non-vegetarian food. However, the reason underlying the improved activity of the Kunḍalinī chakrās for subjects with and without negative energy distress was totally different. The details are explained in the article on this experiment.

Question: Did you encounter any limitations of the equipment used in these research studies?

Dr. Nandini Samant: In the course of this spiritual research, it has become increasingly clear that modern equipment and the interpretation by modern science of the readings provided by it limit the research method. This will be clear to you as you read the articles on the individual experiments.

Please also refer to the article Commentary on the limitations of modern equipment used in research studies