Capt Ashok Kumar

Army veteran, sports enthusiast, martial arts practitioner, rural development enabler, IPR and Communication prowess

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

Happy #Interstellar day to all who celebrate!

On this day exactly 10 years ago, #ChristopherNolan's epic science fiction film #Interstellar was released. One of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time, the film melded esoteric concepts from philosophy, science, theology and humanism to deliver a taut and elevating mass media experience worthy of a deeper study.

And that is exactly what I and @DrSatyaSr did! And presented our paper at a recently concluded international conference on consciousness - #DSC2024 (https://t.co/v0AcZzm7kD).

Ready for a thread 🧵? The biggest calling card of the film might surprise you! (1/n)

@NolanAnalyst @chhabs @anupamachopra @Su4ita @ReelReptile @baradwajrangan @Namrata_Joshi @RajeevMasand @shubhragupta @suchin545 @SukanyaVerma @Plebeian42

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

#Interstellar is a perfect example of how popular media can be a vehicle for bringing deep philosophical and existential ideas to the masses.

But while the film's science has been studied extensively, its deep spiritual undercurrents have been surprisingly under-explored. The spiritual pull of the film is something that even the audience feels strongly as the film progresses, yet it is intangible (and sometimes even incongrous) as they get swept up in its storytelling cresendo.

This is because the film has deep parallels with core elements of Eastern Mysticism like #UltraTranscendentalMeditation as defined in #ReligionOfSaints from the time of #SaintKabir, and currently practiced under Ra Dha Sva Aa Mi Faith led by Most Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi Sahab. (2/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

Space Travel As An Allegory Of Spiritual Travel

The film starts with the protagonist, Joseph Cooper, a former NASA test pilot, exclaiming, “Its like we've forgotten who we are....explorers, pioneers...not caretakers!”

This sets the stage for the film’s vast interstellar canvas by alluding to humanity’s evolutionary instinct to explore and inhabit territory. It also becomes a metaphor for humankind’s history of spiritual exploration, pointing also to the dual nature of spiritual travel which involves -

1. Physical travel to seek a supreme spiritual master aka Sant Satguru. And thereafter,

2. Internal spiritual travel as part of #UltraTranscendentalMeditation aka Surat Shabd Yog in #ReligionOfSaints / Ra Dha Sva Aa Mi Faith. (3/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

But humanity's instinctive spirit of exploration needs to now turn inwards, because the human frame holds the path to achieving Ultimate Truth & Reality.

Humanity should strive to explore spiritual regions as readily as it explores land and space. #ReligionOfSaints believes this can be done through Nishkaam Karma, where man’s egoless efforts and Sant Satguru’s grace and love go hand-in-hand to achieve spiritual upliftment.

The human body encompasses the entire apparatus for achieving this. An internal path has been laid down which can be traversed by practicing Surat Shabd Yog under the Sant Satguru’s love and guidance. (4/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

#ReligionOfSaints / Ra Dha Sva Aa Mi Faith believes that the human microcosm can communicate with the universe macrocosm to achieve Moksha.

This has been shown in a scientific paper by Most Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi Sahab, where the 18 sub-grand divisions of the macrocosm which are spread across the 3 grand divisions of Pind Desh, Brahmand, and Nirmal Chetan Desh, are connected to the 18 microcosmic apertures in the human body, i.e., 6 Chakras, 6 Kamals, and 6 Padams.

(6/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

Love in #ReligionOfSaints / Ra Dha Sva Aa Mi Faith is a Conscientious Trinity that involves –

1. Love in Almighty towards Jeevas to place a return path to Him in the human microcosm, and send Sant Satguru to initiate their redemption.
2. Love for humankind which inspires Sant Satguru to help Jeevas perform #UltraTranscendentalMeditation practices / Surat Shabd Yog to return back to Almighty &
3. Love in Jeeva for Sant Satguru which makes him/her put disciplined effort in #UltraTranscendentalMeditation practice / Surat Shabd Yog to reunite with the Almighty.

(7/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

Thus love and concentrated attention of the spirit force on microcosmic apertures can forge a direct connection between the physical and the metaphysical, the internal and the #Interstellar.

#Interstellar journey as shown in the film is, ironically, still a pipe dream today. But a practitioner of #UltraTranscendentalMeditation practices / Surat Shabd Yog can go on this journey with the Sant Satguru’s help!

(8/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

The Film & Faith: Parallels (Part 1)

1. Wormhole or Aperture Travel through Divine Intervention - When the film showcases a 'divine' intervention that leads to a ‘tear’ in the spacetime fabric (aka a ‘wormhole’) enabling travel faster than the speed of light, it has parallels with practitioners of #UltraTranscendentalMeditation / Surat Shabd Yog traversing multiple spiritual regions instantaneously through apertures in their bodies, with the grace & love of the Sant Satguru.

2. Love as the Launch Force - This scene also has parallels with a practitioner’s first steps, wherein the love kindled in him by the Sant Satguru, helps him launch ahead into the unknown. In the film, the protagonists do the same based on their longing for their loved ones. (9/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

3. Spacecraft as a Metaphor for the Human Body - The rattling of the spacecraft is also a metaphor for the human body when it begins the practice of #UltraTranscendentalMeditation / Surat Shabd Yog, wherein it goes through an excruciating wringing process (not unlike death). But the gentle hand of the Sant Satguru reassures the disciple to move forward. This is similar to female protagonist Dr Amelia Brand’s emotional arc when a hand reaches out to her inside the spacecraft.

(10/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

The Philosophy of Love in Film & Faith: Parallels (Part 2) & One Difference

Dr Brand defines her own, and the film’s, philosophy of love when she says, “Love…its observable…powerful…maybe it’s some evidence, some artefact of higher dimensions that we can’t consciously perceive…love is the one thing we’re capable of perceiving that transcends dimensions of time and space. Maybe we should trust that, even if we can’t yet understand it.”

(11/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

This is the core philosophy of #ReligionOfSaints / Ra Dha Sva Aa Mi Faith as well, which leads to the conclusion that -

Love, or the Spirit Force, in both Film & Faith, is the Omnipresent, Omnipotent & Primal Universal Force that inspires and energises both protagonists & practitioners to traverse and transcend the dimensions of the physical world.

The only difference being that while the love in the film is earthly, the one in the faith is spiritual! (12/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

Submission as ‘Way of Salvation’ in Film & Faith: Parallels (Part 3)

In the film's denouement, the protagonist lets go of all his ego and effort, submitting completely to a higher power. A practitioner of #ReligionOfSaints / Ra Dha Sva Aa Mi Faith goes through the same process.

This action of the protagonist gives him entry into the 4-dimensional place (mirroring Nirmal Chetan Desh - region of pure spirit), a refulgent creation of higher order beings (mirroring the final destination Nij Dham - abode of the Supreme Being). This is shown as a spacetime tesseract (mirroring the spiritual reservoir of Pure Consciousness, Light, Energy, Bliss and Shabd) that empowers him to traverse spacetime to connect back to his daughter in their shared past, influencing her to change the future. (13/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

This gives rise to a trinity of ‘salvations’ inside a trinity of ‘salvations’, using the popular culture connotation of the word here.

1. The protagonist effects his own salvation by contacting and coming back to his daughter.
2. Which effects a trinity of salvations for the daughter wherein -
a. Her life’s work gets validated...
b. The work saves humanity...
c. All of which help bring her father back.
3. Humanity’s salvation comes from finding a new home for itself that averts its extinction.

(14/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

Films like #Interstellar prove cinema can be a mass influencer for esoteric ideas -

1. It can bring high-spirituality concepts in a blockbuster format to affect and influence millions of people at a time.
2. It can elevate and educate people to eliminate their core ailments and strive for "Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man."
3. It can ultimately help Homo Materialis seek Homo Spiritualis!

All of which are #Interstellar's & #ChristopherNolan's greatest legacy and service to humanity!

Fin. (n/n)

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

Day 3 underway with excellent papers by Prof Roy and now Prof Prakash. #DSC_NSC_2024 #DayalbaghScienceOfConsciousness (Inter) #NationalSystemsConference @DeiDayalbagh #SystemsSocietyofIndia @UWaterloo @kieluni @ASU @unibirmingham @UBC @WesternU

https://t.co/Y4UfuQigfs

#Dayalbagh #DayalbaghWayOfLife

[Ankur Ashok @_ankurashok]

A Landmark Day indeed!
Kudos to #Dayalbagh #DEI

@AmarUjalaNews @htTweets @aajtak @ndtv @ABPNews @IndiaNewsNetwk @the_hindu @AajHindi @JagranNews @BBCHindi @timesofindia
#DayalbaghWayOfLife
#RaDhaSvaAaMiFaith
#ServiceToHumanity #HealthcareForAll
#AYUSH
#HomeopathicMedicalCollege

[Navin P Srivastava @np_001]

#DayalbaghEducationalInstitute (DEI), founded in 1917 and honored with Deemed University status in 1981, remains at the forefront of holistic education, seamlessly blending academic excellence with a commitment to selfless service. In a significant milestone, #DEI has received approval for its #HomeopathicMedicalCollege, marking its first step toward establishing a full-fledged medical college. This endeavor embodies #DEI's mission to provide compassionate healthcare to "the last, the least, the lowest, and the lost," reflecting its unwavering dedication to uplifting underserved communities through quality education and healthcare.

Guided by the visionary leadership of Most Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi Sahab, Waqt Sant Satguru of the Ra-Dha-Sva-Aa-Mi Faith, #Dayalbagh, #Agra 282005 has become a center for societal upliftment, spiritual growth, and sustainable development. DEI’s efforts in education, healthcare, and community service remain rooted in this profound vision of bettering humanity.

We, as DEI alumni, express our deepest gratitude to @ForHomeopathy @moayush @IndianGovt @PMOIndia @CMOfficeUP and @UPGovt for their unwavering support in realizing this noble cause, helping DEI bring holistic healthcare and education to those in need.

@AmarUjalaNews @htTweets @aajtak @ndtv @ABPNews @IndiaNewsNetwk @the_hindu @AajHindi @JagranNews @BBCHindi @timesofindia

#DayalbaghWayOfLife
#DayalbaghModel
#RaDhaSvaAaMiFaith
#HolisticEducation
#ServiceToHumanity #HealthcareForAll
#DEI
#Gratitude
#IndianGovt
#UPGovt
#Agra
#up
#BharatGaurav

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

Closing panel and consensus building for #DSC_NSC_2024 now underway to conclude the 6th International Conference on #DayalbaghScienceOfConsciousness & 47th (Inter) #NationalSystemsConference @De@DeiDayalbagh

@UWaterloo @kieluni @ASU @unibirmingham @UBC @WesternU

https://t.co/Y4UfuQigfs

#Dayalbagh #DayalbaghWayOfLife

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

A lifetime dream was also achieved today 🥳. Got to present a paper at the #DayalbaghScienceOfConsciousness Conference with @DrSatyaSr. Our deepest gratitude in the lotus feet of all Gracious and Ever Merciful Lord for giving us this memorable opportunity 🙏🏼. Over the moon tonight! 🙂 @DeiDayalbagh #DSC_NSC_2024 #Dayalbagh #DayalbaghWayOfLife

[Shubham Ashok @ShubhamAshok_]

The much awaited lecture by Prof Wolfgang J. Duschl of @kieluni on the Direction & Length of Arrow of Time.

https://t.co/Y4UfuQigfs

#DSC_NSC_2024 #DayalbaghScienceOfConsciousness (Inter) #NationalSystemsConference @De@DeiDayalbagh #SystemsSocietyofIndia #Dayalbagh #DayalbaghWayOfLife