BT Young Scientist: Cork students win special award for crop study

Science and Health

A group of students from Co. Cork have been recognised at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2025 for an agricultural science project using total leaf-area as a predictive tool for determining below-ground growth of selected root-crop plants.

Alvy Fitzgerald, Anna Duggan, Leah O’Sullivan from St Mary’s Secondary School, Mallow claimed the Teagasc Special Award and 1st Junior Group in the Biological and Ecological category for their outstanding scientific achievements.

The award-winning project, was titled “An Investigation into using Total Leaf-Area as a predictive tool for determining below-ground biomass at all stages in the growth of selected Root-Crop Plants”.

BT Young Scientist

Teagasc said that the project “showcased the students’ dedication, creativity, and passion for scientific inquiry in agricultural research”.

“Their teamwork showcased not only their academic skills but also their talent for tackling real-world problems with creative solutions,” the authority added.

The team worked to develop and present their project under the guidance of their teacher Rory Coote.

Teagasc said that the project stood out for its thorough research, experimental methodology, and the potential impact in improving the efficiency and sustainability of root crop farming.

Alvy Fitzgerald said the team was amazed by the accuracy of their model in predicting plant growth.

While her teammate Anna Duggan explained that they used a drone to scan the leaf area this year, instead of the manual method they tried last year.

The idea for the project stemmed from a first-year science class, where the students learned about photosynthesis and grew curious about the connection between leaf size and root crop growth.

Leah O’Sullivan, the final member of the team, said that “a future in agricultural science is definitely on the horizon” for the students.

Award

The Teagasc Special Award, presented by the Professor Frank O’Mara, director of Teagasc, recognises the project that best demonstrates a thorough understanding of the science of agricultural or food production.

The students will also be invited to visit one of the Teagasc sites to learn more about our work in this area.

“The students should be incredibly proud of their remarkable achievements, and we wish them continued success in their scientific journeys.

“Their dedication, curiosity, and passion for scientific discovery are truly inspiring.

“This accomplishment not only showcases the exceptional talent within their school but also underscores their commitment to addressing real-world challenges in agriculture and food research,” Professor O’Mara said.

1,000 students from schools across the island of Ireland took part in this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

BT Young Scientist: Cork students win special award for crop study

Science and Health

A group of students from Co. Cork have been recognised at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2025 for an agricultural science project using total leaf-area as a predictive tool for determining below-ground growth of selected root-crop plants.

Alvy Fitzgerald, Anna Duggan, Leah O’Sullivan from St Mary’s Secondary School, Mallow claimed the Teagasc Special Award and 1st Junior Group in the Biological and Ecological category for their outstanding scientific achievements.

The award-winning project, was titled “An Investigation into using Total Leaf-Area as a predictive tool for determining below-ground biomass at all stages in the growth of selected Root-Crop Plants”.

BT Young Scientist

Teagasc said that the project “showcased the students’ dedication, creativity, and passion for scientific inquiry in agricultural research”.

“Their teamwork showcased not only their academic skills but also their talent for tackling real-world problems with creative solutions,” the authority added.

The team worked to develop and present their project under the guidance of their teacher Rory Coote.

Teagasc said that the project stood out for its thorough research, experimental methodology, and the potential impact in improving the efficiency and sustainability of root crop farming.

Alvy Fitzgerald said the team was amazed by the accuracy of their model in predicting plant growth.

While her teammate Anna Duggan explained that they used a drone to scan the leaf area this year, instead of the manual method they tried last year.

The idea for the project stemmed from a first-year science class, where the students learned about photosynthesis and grew curious about the connection between leaf size and root crop growth.

Leah O’Sullivan, the final member of the team, said that “a future in agricultural science is definitely on the horizon” for the students.

Award

The Teagasc Special Award, presented by the Professor Frank O’Mara, director of Teagasc, recognises the project that best demonstrates a thorough understanding of the science of agricultural or food production.

The students will also be invited to visit one of the Teagasc sites to learn more about our work in this area.

“The students should be incredibly proud of their remarkable achievements, and we wish them continued success in their scientific journeys.

“Their dedication, curiosity, and passion for scientific discovery are truly inspiring.

“This accomplishment not only showcases the exceptional talent within their school but also underscores their commitment to addressing real-world challenges in agriculture and food research,” Professor O’Mara said.

1,000 students from schools across the island of Ireland took part in this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

Interview with Ms. Catherine Germier-Hamel, Chairwoman of EuroCham’s Tourism & Hospitality Committee and Founder & CEO of Millenium Destinations

Travel

Interview with Ms. Catherine Germier-Hamel, Chairwoman of EuroCham’s Tourism & Hospitality Committee and Founder & CEO of Millenium Destinations 17 January, 2025 Posted by: EuroCham Cambodia <!– General, Media 43 Comments –> This week Senior Communications Officer Stew Post sat down with Ms. Catherine Germier-Hamel, Chairwoman of EuroCham’s Tourism & Hospitality Committee and  Founder & CEO of…

Jail for tourist who threatened to crash flight at Changi Airport after his holiday plans were disrupted

Travel

SINGAPORE: Upset about disrupted holiday plans, a tourist twice threatened to crash his flight while waiting to board at Changi Airport.Moncrieff Marli Curtis Philip, a 36-year-old Australian, was jailed for eight weeks on Wednesday (Jan 15) after pleading guilty to one count of using threatening words to cause alarm.

A second similar charge was considered in sentencing.

The court heard that sometime before Nov 20, 2024, Moncrieff took a Jetstar flight from Perth to Phuket, stopping over in Singapore.

Moncrieff had been planning this trip for a while and it cost him a good deal of money, the prosecutor said.

However, he was denied entry in Phuket as a page of visas was torn out of his passport. He was placed on a flight to Singapore, where he was also denied entry for the same reason.

At Changi Airport, immigration officers helped Moncrieff to retrieve prescription medication for anxiety and depression from his check-in luggage.

He was then brought to a holding room at a boarding gate to wait for Jetstar flight JQ96 back to Perth.

At about 5.40am on Nov 20, 2024, Moncrieff was being escorted to the flight as the first passenger to board the plane.

Upset at how his holiday plans had turned out, he made a threat, saying: “I want the aircraft to crash and kill everyone.”

A flight attendant heard him say this and was alarmed. She consulted her managers and the captain, and they decided to remove Moncrieff from the flight.

They searched Moncrieff and his luggage but did not find anything incriminating.

They then handed him over to local authorities, who brought him to Jetstar’s arrival counter to wait for another repatriation flight at the airline’s expense.

While waiting, Moncrieff was talking to his girlfriend when he said: “If they put me on another flight, I will tell them I will crash the plane again.”

These words were overheard by an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer.

Moncrieff was agitated when he said this, although he did not raise his voice or use vulgarities, the prosecutor said.

Given the severity of what she had heard, the ICA officer asked Moncrieff what he had said in order to confirm it. He repeated the threat.

The ICA officer tried to calm him down, but he remained upset, and continued asking the officer to send him to prison and saying that he wanted to die.

The officer made a police report after discussing the matter with her colleagues, and Moncrieff was arrested later that day.

“MERE WORDS CAN HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES”

Deputy Public Prosecutor Shaun Lim asked for eight to 12 weeks’ imprisonment.

Mr Lim highlighted the fear that Moncrieff’s remarks caused and the negative impact of the case on Singapore’s reputation as an air hub.

He argued that the context of Moncrieff’s threats, which were made in an airport, warranted a significant jail term for deterrence.

Moncrieff was represented by lawyers from Pro Bono SG’s Ad Hoc Pro Bono Scheme, who sought one to two weeks’ imprisonment.

At the start of his mitigation, Moncrieff apologised to the judge for his reaction at a previous hearing when he was told his charges had been upgraded.

“I just want to apologise for how I reacted in my demeanour. I understand this is your courtroom, you sit in the highest seat,” he said to Principal District Judge Toh Han Li.

Defence lawyer Mr Benedict Koh then addressed the court. He referred to a document from Moncrieff’s psychologist in Australia that reflected a diagnosis of anxiety and depression.

Mr Koh noted that the document was not a forensic psychiatric report, which is what the court typically requires to establish that a psychiatric condition contributed to offending behaviour.

He said that the defence had difficulties obtaining such a report in such a short time given the urgency of the case, and asked the judge to give Moncrieff “the benefit of the doubt”.

Mr Koh said the background to the offences was that Moncrieff had “placed great hope” in his intended holiday and invested significant financial resources and annual leave into the trip.

On top of the stress of losing that holiday, Moncrieff had been away from home for two months and missed two bereavements in Australia during that time, he said.

The lawyer also quoted from an apology letter written by Moncrieff, who said he felt sorry for causing the situation and did not intend to alarm people who were “just doing their jobs”.

Prosecutor Mr Lim said he would not insist on a forensic psychiatric report to show a contributory link to the offences, and that Moncrieff showed a degree of remorse higher than is usually seen.

But he stressed that the court’s sentence cannot be interpreted as “licence for frustrated persons to give vent to their emotions”, given the security concerns when it comes to airports.

While emotions ran high in Moncrieff’s case, this was not unusual in an airport where factors like missed or delayed flights are present, he said.

In sentencing, Judge Toh observed that “mere words can have serious consequences”.

Noting the current climate where aviation security is of utmost concern, the judge said the sentence had to consider general deterrence.

He accepted that Moncrieff’s threats caused no harm beyond checks of his possessions and his removal from the flight. No flights were diverted and emergency responders were not activated.

But Judge Toh said he could not take Moncrieff’s psychiatric condition into account as there was no evidence of a contributory link to the offences.

“To the contrary, it seems to me that the accused understood the seriousness of his words as he contemplated the thought of being sent to jail,” said the judge.

Editor’s note: The charge for which Moncrieff was found guilty has been corrected in this article. We apologise for the error.

Jail for tourist who threatened to crash flight at Changi Airport after his holiday plans were disrupted

Travel

SINGAPORE: Upset about disrupted holiday plans, a tourist twice threatened to crash his flight while waiting to board at Changi Airport.Moncrieff Marli Curtis Philip, a 36-year-old Australian, was jailed for eight weeks on Wednesday (Jan 15) after pleading guilty to one count of using threatening words to cause alarm.

A second similar charge was considered in sentencing.

The court heard that sometime before Nov 20, 2024, Moncrieff took a Jetstar flight from Perth to Phuket, stopping over in Singapore.

Moncrieff had been planning this trip for a while and it cost him a good deal of money, the prosecutor said.

However, he was denied entry in Phuket as a page of visas was torn out of his passport. He was placed on a flight to Singapore, where he was also denied entry for the same reason.

At Changi Airport, immigration officers helped Moncrieff to retrieve prescription medication for anxiety and depression from his check-in luggage.

He was then brought to a holding room at a boarding gate to wait for Jetstar flight JQ96 back to Perth.

At about 5.40am on Nov 20, 2024, Moncrieff was being escorted to the flight as the first passenger to board the plane.

Upset at how his holiday plans had turned out, he made a threat, saying: “I want the aircraft to crash and kill everyone.”

A flight attendant heard him say this and was alarmed. She consulted her managers and the captain, and they decided to remove Moncrieff from the flight.

They searched Moncrieff and his luggage but did not find anything incriminating.

They then handed him over to local authorities, who brought him to Jetstar’s arrival counter to wait for another repatriation flight at the airline’s expense.

While waiting, Moncrieff was talking to his girlfriend when he said: “If they put me on another flight, I will tell them I will crash the plane again.”

These words were overheard by an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer.

Moncrieff was agitated when he said this, although he did not raise his voice or use vulgarities, the prosecutor said.

Given the severity of what she had heard, the ICA officer asked Moncrieff what he had said in order to confirm it. He repeated the threat.

The ICA officer tried to calm him down, but he remained upset, and continued asking the officer to send him to prison and saying that he wanted to die.

The officer made a police report after discussing the matter with her colleagues, and Moncrieff was arrested later that day.

“MERE WORDS CAN HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES”

Deputy Public Prosecutor Shaun Lim asked for eight to 12 weeks’ imprisonment.

Mr Lim highlighted the fear that Moncrieff’s remarks caused and the negative impact of the case on Singapore’s reputation as an air hub.

He argued that the context of Moncrieff’s threats, which were made in an airport, warranted a significant jail term for deterrence.

Moncrieff was represented by lawyers from Pro Bono SG’s Ad Hoc Pro Bono Scheme, who sought one to two weeks’ imprisonment.

At the start of his mitigation, Moncrieff apologised to the judge for his reaction at a previous hearing when he was told his charges had been upgraded.

“I just want to apologise for how I reacted in my demeanour. I understand this is your courtroom, you sit in the highest seat,” he said to Principal District Judge Toh Han Li.

Defence lawyer Mr Benedict Koh then addressed the court. He referred to a document from Moncrieff’s psychologist in Australia that reflected a diagnosis of anxiety and depression.

Mr Koh noted that the document was not a forensic psychiatric report, which is what the court typically requires to establish that a psychiatric condition contributed to offending behaviour.

He said that the defence had difficulties obtaining such a report in such a short time given the urgency of the case, and asked the judge to give Moncrieff “the benefit of the doubt”.

Mr Koh said the background to the offences was that Moncrieff had “placed great hope” in his intended holiday and invested significant financial resources and annual leave into the trip.

On top of the stress of losing that holiday, Moncrieff had been away from home for two months and missed two bereavements in Australia during that time, he said.

The lawyer also quoted from an apology letter written by Moncrieff, who said he felt sorry for causing the situation and did not intend to alarm people who were “just doing their jobs”.

Prosecutor Mr Lim said he would not insist on a forensic psychiatric report to show a contributory link to the offences, and that Moncrieff showed a degree of remorse higher than is usually seen.

But he stressed that the court’s sentence cannot be interpreted as “licence for frustrated persons to give vent to their emotions”, given the security concerns when it comes to airports.

While emotions ran high in Moncrieff’s case, this was not unusual in an airport where factors like missed or delayed flights are present, he said.

In sentencing, Judge Toh observed that “mere words can have serious consequences”.

Noting the current climate where aviation security is of utmost concern, the judge said the sentence had to consider general deterrence.

He accepted that Moncrieff’s threats caused no harm beyond checks of his possessions and his removal from the flight. No flights were diverted and emergency responders were not activated.

But Judge Toh said he could not take Moncrieff’s psychiatric condition into account as there was no evidence of a contributory link to the offences.

“To the contrary, it seems to me that the accused understood the seriousness of his words as he contemplated the thought of being sent to jail,” said the judge.

Editor’s note: The charge for which Moncrieff was found guilty has been corrected in this article. We apologise for the error.

Tech billionaires Musk, Bezos, Zuckerberg to attend Trump’s presidential inauguration

Technology

Tech Billionaires, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg will attend U.S President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, according to reports.
The CEOs of Tesla, Amazon, and Meta will be prominently featured at Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, sitting alongside the Republican Cabinet nominees and other elected leaders.
Mr Bezos’ Amazon and Mr Zuckerberg’s Meta are among the companies that have donated to Trump’s inauguration, each giving US$1 million (S$1.3 million).
Musk – the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and the majority owner of X – has become one of Trump’s closest allies.
Musk shares Trump’s hard-right politics and put millions of dollars into supporting his presidential campaign.

Donald Trump has tapped Musk to co-lead an advisory commission aiming to slash federal spending and bureaucracy, which while dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency, or “DOGE,” will not be an official US agency.
Meta CEO Zuckerberg signalled a rightward political swerve last week when he announced Facebook and Instagram would scrap fact-checking in the United States, a response to what he characterised as censorship by governments and so-called legacy media.
The founder of Amazon also owns The Washington Post, one of the many newspapers Donald Trump has railed against for years.

Physical sciences and the science of Spirituality

Science and Health

        One may ask, why in this age of scientific research and progress, are we ignoring the modern physical sciences and going in the supposedly reverse direction to the study of the science of Spirituality? According to the saying ‘Old is gold’, to make spiritual progress it is the eternal science of Spirituality alone and not modern physical sciences which is useful.
1. Meaning of the word science
        Science has various meanings such as specific knowledge, scientific knowledge, philosophical knowledge, direct knowledge and knowledge of Brahman (God in His aspect as the Creator of the universe). However, generally knowledge that is acquired through the sense organs by analysis and experimentation of gross substances and natural phenomenon following a specific order and procedure is called Vidnyān (Science).
        According to the Holy text Shrī Dāsbodh, the meaning of modern science is as follows.
        Sākshittva (A state of an observer) is the act pertaining to vruttī (Basic nature), whereas unmanī (Thoughtless state) is nivrutti (Cessation of participation in worldly affairs). Pure science is the point where the awareness that ‘I know’ dissolves. ll 50 ll
        In front of Parabrahman (Supreme God), ignorance dissolves and knowledge disappears. Even the vidnyān-vrutti (Experiences) disappears (Only advait [Non-duality] remains). ll 51 ll
2. Science is a branch of Spirituality
        When we say ‘science’, almost always we think of ‘modern science’. Rationalists and average people think that ‘science’ and ‘Spirituality’ are two separate aspects. Spirituality means the knowledge of infinity, that is, knowledge of all subjects ! Then, why would Spirituality not include science ? It can be said that science is a branch of Spirituality.
        Theoretically, Sanatan Hindu Dharma has described two types of sciences: Parāvidyā and Aparāvidyā.

Parāvidyā means supreme science.

Aparāvidyā means inferior sciences.

        To understand more about it please read article “Why the society came to consider ‘science’ and ‘Spirituality’ as two separate aspects and why it is not so in reality.
3. Limitations of physical science
A. Physical Science cannot save us from unhappiness every time and cannot help overcome unhappiness caused by spiritual causes. New inventions of physical science providing happiness are suicidal.
B. There is an increase in man’s unhappiness and downfall of moral values due to physical science
C. Physical Science is incomplete, untrue and transient, whereas Spirituality is complete, true and eternal. The ‘Truth’ in science constantly undergoes changes The ‘Truth’ in Spirituality never undergoes change
D. What a person understands immediately through sādhanā (Spiritual practice), it takes several years, enormous funds and huge manpower for physical science to understand
E. Through science, only gross knowledge is obtained; whereas, through Spirituality (Meaning sādhanā here) along with the gross, we obtain knowledge of the subtle.
F. Physical sciences are unreliable. On the contrary, science of Spirituality is a complete and reliable science.
G. Physical science fails to go to the root cause of problems and find solutions.
H. Physical science does harmful effects on man’s life.
I. There is no guarantee that scientific knowledge will not be misused, but there is a guarantee that spiritual knowledge will not be misused. The knowledge of Spirituality is received only by the deserving, it is not misused, Only people with faith and sāttviktā use spiritual knowledge and mantras for their spiritual progress and for the welfare of the world.
J. The immortality of the Nation is decided by the establishment of Dharma (Righteousness), not by scientific progress.
To understand more about it please read article “Limitations of Physical Science”
The difference between physical sciences and Spirituality is understood from the table ahead.

Physical Sciences
Spirituality

1. Origin
Western countries
Eastern countries

2. What is it called?
A. InformationB. experience
Spiritual knowledgeSpiritual experience

3. What is that which perceives the information/spiritual knowledge called?
Jiva
Inferior spiritual knowledge – Jivatma, superior spiritual knowledge – Shivatma (A God-realised soul) (Note 1)

4. What is that information/spiritual knowledge about?
Gross aspects such as the word, touch, form, taste, odour, emotion, thought etc.
Initially – Subtle-fragrance, subtle-sound etc. so also subtle aspects such as aura, waves etc. Finally – Atma

5. From where is the information/spiritual knowledge obtained?
Externally. The five sense organs, mind and intellect too are external with respect to the jiva
Initially from the Guru and later from within. The jiva undertaking spiritual practice and the God-realised soul acquire spiritual knowledge from within, that is, from the soul

6. Medium of obtaining information/spiritual knowledge obtained
Information is acquired externally through the five senses and internally through the mind and intellect
Divine knowledge is realised through the sixth sense, that is, the jiva undertaking spiritual practice and the God-realised soul

7. Difference in meaning
Absent
May be present, for instance, the implied meaning is interpreted differently by people at different spiritual levels

8. What are they connected with?
A. Maya (Note 2)B. IgnoranceC. Objects containing the trigunsD. As Brahman exists in unlimited forms in Maya, for example, in food, speech, sound etc. the subjects are endlessE. GrossF. Entire CreationG. Things which undergo dissolutionH. Psychology is one branch of science in which the sub-conscious mind is studied with the objective of eliminating unhappiness
Brahman, the AtmaSpiritual KnowledgeTrigunatit (Objects beyond the three components)The sole object is the eternal and infinite BrahmanSubtleThe creator of everythingThe eternal BrahmanThe universal mind, Brahman is studied in order to attain Anand

9. Objective
Achieving temporary happiness
Attaining eternal Anand

10. Methodology
A. Understanding the difference between various objects (Dvait [Duality])B. Relative to an object: Relative to place, time and object. Hence, it has limitation of place and timeC. Dependent on the object (Place, time and the object are required)
Perceiving the similarities or oneness between various objects (Advait [Non-dualiry])Not relative to an object: Not relative to place, time and object as everything is nothing but BrahmanIndependent of the object (Place, time and the object are not required)

11. State in which information/spiritual knowledge is acquired
Waking state
A. Samadhi (Super conscious state)B. Sahajavastha (Natural state of communication with God)C. Sadhna Mukti (Liberation when still embodied)

12. New creation
Impossible, Highlighting what already exists or charging in
Possible

13. Dehabuddhi (Body awareness)
Present
Absent

14. Dvait (Duality) / Advait (Non-duality)
There is duality between intellect and information
Since the one in pursuit of Brahman merges into it, there is advait

15. Duration of the experience/spiritual experience
A. ShortB. Whatever is learn through experience in this birth has to be learned again in the next, for example, writing reading etc (Note 3)
Depends upon the duration of the superconscious state, continuous in the natural state of communication with God and external in liberation (Mukti)Whenever is learned through spiritual experiences in this birth is carried forward to the next one (Note 4)

16. Quality
Inferior (Note 5)
Supreme

17. Extent
Limited (Note 5)
Unlimited

18. End
Occurs, for example, when it is discovered that all types of energies are created from single energy, it will be the end of physics. After the discovery of that basic element from which all elements are created, it will be the culmination of chemistry
Does not occur

19. Boredom
May occur
Does not occur

20. contentment
Temporary, since after realising one ‘Truth’, one feels like knowing the next
Present. After one acquires the spiritual experience of self-realisation, nothing more is left to be experienced. Hence, one experience Anand

21. Definition
‘विगतं ज्ञानं यस्मात् तत्’, means, that from which Dnyan (knowledge) has departed is Vidnyan (Science); this is how the word science can be humorously but meaningfully defined
‘सा विद्या या विमुक्तये’, means only that which liberates is called spiritual knowledge. This spiritual knowledge is acquired only through the science of spirituality

22. Fame
Occurs fast, since it is useful in day-to-day life
Occurs slowly, since there is hardly any connection with day-to-day life

23. Relation with other subjects
Absent
All subjects including the physical sciences are a part of Spirituality (Note 6)

24. Extent
Temporary
Eternal

25. Effect
Attitude of enjoying materialism increases
Bhav of sacrifice increases

26. Bhav towards Sadhana
Absent
Bhav that acquiring spiritual knowledge is sadhana

27. Spiritual progress
Does not take place
Takes place

Note 1

The Jīvātmā (Individual who has undertaken sādhanā) is one which has experienced the Ātmatattva (Soul Principle) to some extent. Rather, it is the individual which has got inferior level of spiritual experiences. Inferior spiritual experiences are related to the five subtle sense organs, mind and the intellect, for example, experiencing fragrance in the absence of an incense-stick, knowing the answer to a query.

Shivātmā is one which has almost blended with Shiv (God Principle), that is, the individual which has got superior level of spiritual experiences. Superior spiritual experiences are in relation to siddhīs (Higher supernatural powers), Ānand (Bliss) and Shānti (Peace).

Note 2 – Hence, this is like running after a mirage. By doing so, one never gets the Truth.
Note 3 – Knowledge as understood by the intellect is collected in the cells of the brain. When the cells of the brain start decaying due to old age, many aspects are not remembered. Conversely, as spiritual experiences are experienced by the Jīvātmā and the Shivātmā, they are never forgotten.
Note 4 – Knowledge as understood by the intellect is not useful in the next birth, for example, in all births we have to learn ‘A, B, C, D…’ Conversely, spiritual experiences of the Jīvātmā and the Shivātmā are registered in the next birth also.
Note 5 – ‘Physical sciences are incomplete in one sense since at any given point in time some of its questions remain unanswered. If ever they are solved, new questions arise.’
Note 6 – Gautam Budhha has said that waves of Tama component are18 times subtler than waves of light.
4. It is necessary that modern science and Spirituality go hand in hand
        The famous scientist Einstein said, ‘Science is handicapped without religion and religion is blind without science’. Inventions made by modern scientists have their seed in the knowledge amassed by our ancient Sages and Seers. This proves that our ancient Sages and Seers had a scientific temperament. Swami Vivekanand also promoted understanding of science. During those times, institutions that respected Swami Vivekanand were told by Him to teach the subject of science in the schools administered by them. The best aspect is that due to modern science our life has easy and it saves time (For example, using a washing machine saves time spent in washing clothes). Hence, one should utilise this time for performing more and more sādhanā. In short, while making use of science, one should not move away from the path of sādhanā, and should see to it that both go hand in hand.
5. Supporters of science should forego their
rigid stance and personally experience Spirituality
        Supporters of science take a rigid stance that there does not exist anything whose cause-and-effect aspect cannot be proved by intellect (For example, God). The cause-and-effect aspect in all the incidents in the world cannot be understood merely by the intellect. That is why, supporters of science who consider that knowledge obtained with the help of sense organs is only true cannot reach the ultimate Truth. Once knowledge of the soul is obtained with the help of sādhanā, one can understand the ultimate Truth.
Reference: Sanstha’s Holy Text on ‘Introduction to Spirituality‘ and ‘Spirituality‘

Physical sciences and the science of Spirituality

Science and Health

        One may ask, why in this age of scientific research and progress, are we ignoring the modern physical sciences and going in the supposedly reverse direction to the study of the science of Spirituality? According to the saying ‘Old is gold’, to make spiritual progress it is the eternal science of Spirituality alone and not modern physical sciences which is useful.
1. Meaning of the word science
        Science has various meanings such as specific knowledge, scientific knowledge, philosophical knowledge, direct knowledge and knowledge of Brahman (God in His aspect as the Creator of the universe). However, generally knowledge that is acquired through the sense organs by analysis and experimentation of gross substances and natural phenomenon following a specific order and procedure is called Vidnyān (Science).
        According to the Holy text Shrī Dāsbodh, the meaning of modern science is as follows.
        Sākshittva (A state of an observer) is the act pertaining to vruttī (Basic nature), whereas unmanī (Thoughtless state) is nivrutti (Cessation of participation in worldly affairs). Pure science is the point where the awareness that ‘I know’ dissolves. ll 50 ll
        In front of Parabrahman (Supreme God), ignorance dissolves and knowledge disappears. Even the vidnyān-vrutti (Experiences) disappears (Only advait [Non-duality] remains). ll 51 ll
2. Science is a branch of Spirituality
        When we say ‘science’, almost always we think of ‘modern science’. Rationalists and average people think that ‘science’ and ‘Spirituality’ are two separate aspects. Spirituality means the knowledge of infinity, that is, knowledge of all subjects ! Then, why would Spirituality not include science ? It can be said that science is a branch of Spirituality.
        Theoretically, Sanatan Hindu Dharma has described two types of sciences: Parāvidyā and Aparāvidyā.

Parāvidyā means supreme science.

Aparāvidyā means inferior sciences.

        To understand more about it please read article “Why the society came to consider ‘science’ and ‘Spirituality’ as two separate aspects and why it is not so in reality.
3. Limitations of physical science
A. Physical Science cannot save us from unhappiness every time and cannot help overcome unhappiness caused by spiritual causes. New inventions of physical science providing happiness are suicidal.
B. There is an increase in man’s unhappiness and downfall of moral values due to physical science
C. Physical Science is incomplete, untrue and transient, whereas Spirituality is complete, true and eternal. The ‘Truth’ in science constantly undergoes changes The ‘Truth’ in Spirituality never undergoes change
D. What a person understands immediately through sādhanā (Spiritual practice), it takes several years, enormous funds and huge manpower for physical science to understand
E. Through science, only gross knowledge is obtained; whereas, through Spirituality (Meaning sādhanā here) along with the gross, we obtain knowledge of the subtle.
F. Physical sciences are unreliable. On the contrary, science of Spirituality is a complete and reliable science.
G. Physical science fails to go to the root cause of problems and find solutions.
H. Physical science does harmful effects on man’s life.
I. There is no guarantee that scientific knowledge will not be misused, but there is a guarantee that spiritual knowledge will not be misused. The knowledge of Spirituality is received only by the deserving, it is not misused, Only people with faith and sāttviktā use spiritual knowledge and mantras for their spiritual progress and for the welfare of the world.
J. The immortality of the Nation is decided by the establishment of Dharma (Righteousness), not by scientific progress.
To understand more about it please read article “Limitations of Physical Science”
The difference between physical sciences and Spirituality is understood from the table ahead.

Physical Sciences
Spirituality

1. Origin
Western countries
Eastern countries

2. What is it called?
A. InformationB. experience
Spiritual knowledgeSpiritual experience

3. What is that which perceives the information/spiritual knowledge called?
Jiva
Inferior spiritual knowledge – Jivatma, superior spiritual knowledge – Shivatma (A God-realised soul) (Note 1)

4. What is that information/spiritual knowledge about?
Gross aspects such as the word, touch, form, taste, odour, emotion, thought etc.
Initially – Subtle-fragrance, subtle-sound etc. so also subtle aspects such as aura, waves etc. Finally – Atma

5. From where is the information/spiritual knowledge obtained?
Externally. The five sense organs, mind and intellect too are external with respect to the jiva
Initially from the Guru and later from within. The jiva undertaking spiritual practice and the God-realised soul acquire spiritual knowledge from within, that is, from the soul

6. Medium of obtaining information/spiritual knowledge obtained
Information is acquired externally through the five senses and internally through the mind and intellect
Divine knowledge is realised through the sixth sense, that is, the jiva undertaking spiritual practice and the God-realised soul

7. Difference in meaning
Absent
May be present, for instance, the implied meaning is interpreted differently by people at different spiritual levels

8. What are they connected with?
A. Maya (Note 2)B. IgnoranceC. Objects containing the trigunsD. As Brahman exists in unlimited forms in Maya, for example, in food, speech, sound etc. the subjects are endlessE. GrossF. Entire CreationG. Things which undergo dissolutionH. Psychology is one branch of science in which the sub-conscious mind is studied with the objective of eliminating unhappiness
Brahman, the AtmaSpiritual KnowledgeTrigunatit (Objects beyond the three components)The sole object is the eternal and infinite BrahmanSubtleThe creator of everythingThe eternal BrahmanThe universal mind, Brahman is studied in order to attain Anand

9. Objective
Achieving temporary happiness
Attaining eternal Anand

10. Methodology
A. Understanding the difference between various objects (Dvait [Duality])B. Relative to an object: Relative to place, time and object. Hence, it has limitation of place and timeC. Dependent on the object (Place, time and the object are required)
Perceiving the similarities or oneness between various objects (Advait [Non-dualiry])Not relative to an object: Not relative to place, time and object as everything is nothing but BrahmanIndependent of the object (Place, time and the object are not required)

11. State in which information/spiritual knowledge is acquired
Waking state
A. Samadhi (Super conscious state)B. Sahajavastha (Natural state of communication with God)C. Sadhna Mukti (Liberation when still embodied)

12. New creation
Impossible, Highlighting what already exists or charging in
Possible

13. Dehabuddhi (Body awareness)
Present
Absent

14. Dvait (Duality) / Advait (Non-duality)
There is duality between intellect and information
Since the one in pursuit of Brahman merges into it, there is advait

15. Duration of the experience/spiritual experience
A. ShortB. Whatever is learn through experience in this birth has to be learned again in the next, for example, writing reading etc (Note 3)
Depends upon the duration of the superconscious state, continuous in the natural state of communication with God and external in liberation (Mukti)Whenever is learned through spiritual experiences in this birth is carried forward to the next one (Note 4)

16. Quality
Inferior (Note 5)
Supreme

17. Extent
Limited (Note 5)
Unlimited

18. End
Occurs, for example, when it is discovered that all types of energies are created from single energy, it will be the end of physics. After the discovery of that basic element from which all elements are created, it will be the culmination of chemistry
Does not occur

19. Boredom
May occur
Does not occur

20. contentment
Temporary, since after realising one ‘Truth’, one feels like knowing the next
Present. After one acquires the spiritual experience of self-realisation, nothing more is left to be experienced. Hence, one experience Anand

21. Definition
‘विगतं ज्ञानं यस्मात् तत्’, means, that from which Dnyan (knowledge) has departed is Vidnyan (Science); this is how the word science can be humorously but meaningfully defined
‘सा विद्या या विमुक्तये’, means only that which liberates is called spiritual knowledge. This spiritual knowledge is acquired only through the science of spirituality

22. Fame
Occurs fast, since it is useful in day-to-day life
Occurs slowly, since there is hardly any connection with day-to-day life

23. Relation with other subjects
Absent
All subjects including the physical sciences are a part of Spirituality (Note 6)

24. Extent
Temporary
Eternal

25. Effect
Attitude of enjoying materialism increases
Bhav of sacrifice increases

26. Bhav towards Sadhana
Absent
Bhav that acquiring spiritual knowledge is sadhana

27. Spiritual progress
Does not take place
Takes place

Note 1

The Jīvātmā (Individual who has undertaken sādhanā) is one which has experienced the Ātmatattva (Soul Principle) to some extent. Rather, it is the individual which has got inferior level of spiritual experiences. Inferior spiritual experiences are related to the five subtle sense organs, mind and the intellect, for example, experiencing fragrance in the absence of an incense-stick, knowing the answer to a query.

Shivātmā is one which has almost blended with Shiv (God Principle), that is, the individual which has got superior level of spiritual experiences. Superior spiritual experiences are in relation to siddhīs (Higher supernatural powers), Ānand (Bliss) and Shānti (Peace).

Note 2 – Hence, this is like running after a mirage. By doing so, one never gets the Truth.
Note 3 – Knowledge as understood by the intellect is collected in the cells of the brain. When the cells of the brain start decaying due to old age, many aspects are not remembered. Conversely, as spiritual experiences are experienced by the Jīvātmā and the Shivātmā, they are never forgotten.
Note 4 – Knowledge as understood by the intellect is not useful in the next birth, for example, in all births we have to learn ‘A, B, C, D…’ Conversely, spiritual experiences of the Jīvātmā and the Shivātmā are registered in the next birth also.
Note 5 – ‘Physical sciences are incomplete in one sense since at any given point in time some of its questions remain unanswered. If ever they are solved, new questions arise.’
Note 6 – Gautam Budhha has said that waves of Tama component are18 times subtler than waves of light.
4. It is necessary that modern science and Spirituality go hand in hand
        The famous scientist Einstein said, ‘Science is handicapped without religion and religion is blind without science’. Inventions made by modern scientists have their seed in the knowledge amassed by our ancient Sages and Seers. This proves that our ancient Sages and Seers had a scientific temperament. Swami Vivekanand also promoted understanding of science. During those times, institutions that respected Swami Vivekanand were told by Him to teach the subject of science in the schools administered by them. The best aspect is that due to modern science our life has easy and it saves time (For example, using a washing machine saves time spent in washing clothes). Hence, one should utilise this time for performing more and more sādhanā. In short, while making use of science, one should not move away from the path of sādhanā, and should see to it that both go hand in hand.
5. Supporters of science should forego their
rigid stance and personally experience Spirituality
        Supporters of science take a rigid stance that there does not exist anything whose cause-and-effect aspect cannot be proved by intellect (For example, God). The cause-and-effect aspect in all the incidents in the world cannot be understood merely by the intellect. That is why, supporters of science who consider that knowledge obtained with the help of sense organs is only true cannot reach the ultimate Truth. Once knowledge of the soul is obtained with the help of sādhanā, one can understand the ultimate Truth.
Reference: Sanstha’s Holy Text on ‘Introduction to Spirituality‘ and ‘Spirituality‘

TNC Daily Open: Tech Stocks Struggle to Rebound

Technology

This report is from today’s TNC’s Daily Open, our international markets update. TNC Daily Open keeps investors informed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are.
What To Note Today
Nasdaq still lags behind other significant indexes.
Tuesday was the second day the Nasdaq Composite underperformed, as the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average increased while the Nasdaq Composite fell. The majority of Asia-Pacific markets declined on Wednesday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell by 0.1% as the country’s business confidence improved, according to the January Reuters Tankan survey.
South Korea’s President Yoon arrested
The Corruption Investigation Office for High Ranking Officials in South Korea arrested President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday. The arrest was the CIO’s second attempt, the first being blocked by the president’s security team and the first for a sitting South Korean leader. The announcement was met with a subdued response from South Korean equities.
Consequences of the worldwide bond sell-off
The possibility of fewer interest rate reductions in the United States and growing government debt are driving a sell-off in global bond markets, economists said CNBC. Higher rates make borrowing more expensive for both governments and corporations, which could lead to tax rises and a decline in corporate profits. In addition to exerting pressure on foreign currencies, the increase in U.S. yields makes it more difficult for central banks worldwide to lower interest rates.
Microsoft pauses hiring while Meta reduces jobs.
About 5% of Meta’s lowest-performing staff would be let go, CNBC confirmed on Tuesday. CEO Mark Zuckerberg told staff members about the decision in a memo published on the company’s internal forum on Tuesday. According to an internal memo, Microsoft also intends to stop hiring in some of its consulting business in the United States.
Musk is sued by the SEC for his Twitter shares.
Elon Musk was sued by the SEC on Tuesday.
The billionaire allegedly committed securities fraud in 2022 by keeping his active Twitter investment a secret, which enabled him to purchase shares at “artificially low prices.”
Bottom Line
The tech crash in the market is still going strong.
The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.23% for the second consecutive day, trailing the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average, which increased 0.11% and 0.52%, respectively. The Magnificent Seven equities all experienced a decline, although Meta, Tesla, and Nvidia recorded the largest losses.
News of layoffs and hiring freezes coincided with the decline in tech shares, further compounding the sector’s suffering.
According to an internal memo, Microsoft plans to reduce marketing spending, travel expenses, and hiring in a portion of its consulting operation to save money.
Meanwhile, Meta declared in an internal message on Tuesday that it would be “letting go of about 5% of our worst performers.” (I guess it’s similar to how one “enters” free speech or “exits” fact-checking.) Additionally, Zuckerberg forewarned staff that 2025 would “be an intense year.”
Naturally, Zuckerberg’s warning was aimed at Meta. Still, it may also apply to tech firms struggling with significant investments in AI without the income to support such large expenditures.
However, as we move into the fourth quarter earnings season, there are indications of confidence in the business climate for this year.
Infrastructure Capital Advisors founder Jay Hatfield stated, “We do think earnings will be stronger.”
“In the fourth quarter, the economy is doing well. By then, businesses usually find out whether they have an issue, and since the Trump administration is pro-business, they are likely to be fairly hopeful about the future. Thus, we believe that the majority of CEOs have a rather positive outlook for 2025.”
On Tuesday, investors shifted from tech to utilities, financials, and materials, and the positive CEOs may guide other industries.
The consumer price index, expected to decline later today, will determine whether this sectoral rotation continues.

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