HRDF Workshops

SCIENCE & PSYCHOLOGY OF MANTRA, MAGIC AND MIRACLE

Miracle-mania is a condition unique to man. No other living being suffers from this ailment. The urge to see the impossible happen, or to experience the supernatural, is all pervasive and no section of human society is free from it. Perhaps this human frailty is the biggest hurdle in the promotion of scientific temper among the masses. Conducting workshops is part of our program of action against blind faith and superstition.

Target Groups: Teachers, Students, Social Activists, Families, and General Public.

Duration: We have been conducting five-day training workshops for teachers and others under the aegis of the National Council of Science & Technology Communication (Government of India). But this is not always possible. However, short-duration workshops could be arranged by HRDF on it own, ranging from a few hours to a few days, depending on the audience or the degree of understanding required.

Methodology: A peculiar trait of man is the lack of interest in things or phenomena that are simple, common, general or universal in nature. On the other hand, what interests man more are things or phenomena that are difficult, less common or rare, or have the attributes of being in some way very special. Indeed, if we take this analogy to its logical conclusion, we find that things or phenomena that do not exist at all-like supernatural feats, ghosts and spirits, heaven and hell, and re-incarnation or life-after-death interest man the most. It is this urge to experience the supernatural through mantra, magic, miracle, rituals, etc that is behind miracle-mania, blind faith and superstition.

The proposed workshops, exhibitions or interactions with people are aimed at focusing on such aspects in simple lay-man's language, together with live demonstrations and explanations of items of miracle and magic to convince the participants of the scientific basis of such phenomena. Several display panels have been developed to make the entire subject matter easy to understand.

Overall Impact:

• Development of a rational and scientific outlook
• Eradication of superstitions and blind faith in the supernatural
• Development of self-confidence (as a consequence of the above)
• Promotion of creative and inventive faculties among children (as a consequence of learning the 'tricks' behind the so-called miracle and magic).

Live Demonstrations: These workshops/exhibitions are not like magic shows, because here the stress is on learning and understanding the science and psychology behind supernatural feats. Therefore, only about 10-15 items of magic/miracle could be demonstrated during a one-hour program. Following is a sample list of such items, although there are many more items that could be demonstrated during a program of longer duration:

Swagat-ke-Phool Sending water to heaven Water of India The cup of poison Blocking water in a tumbler by paper Blocking water in a tumbler by a handkerchief Calling Bhairon Baba Eating fire Trapping Grahas in a pot of rice Psychology of a brush Producing Bhabhuti from air Lifting a heavy body by fingers

Cutting a rope and joining without a knot Piercing a Trishul into tongue Making a bottle climb up and down a rope Cutting a banana by magic Catching a ghost Funeral of a ghost Lighting Havan by mantra Stopping the pulse Stopping the heart Turning a body into a beam Turning a plain paper into a currency note

Program Expenses: The program organizers would have to bear following expenses:

•  Honorarium for Resource Person: Delhi - Rs 500; Out - Station - Rs 750 per day/program

•  To-and-fro traveling expenses

•  Expenses on materials

•  For exhibitions one additional Assistant Resource Person (Rs 400/day) would be required

•  Lodging & Boarding expenses

Contact: Badiuddin Khan
Phone: +91-11-26312545
E-mail: bkhan_2002@yahoo.com