September 28, 2007
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A Spiritual Quest
John has been musing on the topic of religion and science and on whether they can co-exist. I consider myself a rational person. Not a scientist per se, but I accept science. I don’t fight it.
I am also on a spiritual quest. I’ve realized lately that this is the simplest and most direct way to express my purpose in life. It isn’t what I decide to do; it’s something I recognize about myself. It is what I am. Whether I want it or not (but I do), this is what calls me. It’s why I write, and if I never write another story, if all I get out of writing is that I become a more enlightened being, better husband, son, father, friend, teacher, student whatever, then that’s the down side. That’s failure (as a writer), and it won’t be bad. I want to know why I’m here. I want to grow to be better. I want to know (myself, what God is, the meaning of it all). I want to learn what I’m supposed to be here to learn, what I need to become empowered, fearless and happy.
And I would suggest that this is why we are all here, even if we don’t know it.
I’ll venture to suggest something else too. The people that fight science also fight spirituality. Though cloaked in “religion” they spend much of their lives in waiting for the day that they will meet “the father” (at death). Some even hope (it’s true – I’ve met some) that the end of the world comes in their lifetime. They fight their spiritual purpose, by denying that they are here for a reason. To be truly spiritual one needs to embrace this life.
Comments (2)
Dear Prometheus,
Another blogger, Mark (mbiberg ) recommended your blog to me (It was on 9/25 but it takes me a while to "make the rounds" of comments sometimes) I did drop by but didn't comment at that time, but now I have a bit of time to say hello, and read a few entries. You've been blogging on this blog since 2001! That's an accomplishment in itself. I'm starting to burn out a bit and I've only had a Xanga blog since 2004. Mine is a "writer's blog" as well. I don't "journal' like a lot of folks do. I'm serializing three "novel" sized memoirs on my blog. I sometimes post a bit of fiction, and post a lot of my poetry, but sometimes I just want to "call it a day" but know I won't. I'm sorta riffing on your entry previous where you mentioned taking a "Xanga break" or otherwise establishing another blog for your serious writing.
As for this entry, I believe in what I call the Universal Mind. (I am sproradically writing a blog called "The Universal Blog" ) I agree with your assessment that there are a lot of folks who fight both spirituality and science. I left organized religion, specifically the Pentecostal faith, because too much emphasis was placed on "the end times".
We all die, sooner or later. My parents died when I was in my 20s. I've had three best friends die early (one at 37, one at 47, and one at 51) I feel it's best to live in the now and not concentrate on our end until it comes, which is possibly sooner than we think.
Thought provoking post.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
Pro,
Thanks for the comment......it gives me hope that I can articulate the many ideas and thoughts that I have inside.
I enjoyed your post today (especially the existentialist in me). I recently read an essay by Sam Harris that is applicable to your post. It can be read here: The Problem with Atheism . I think it is relevant to the points you made about why we do things.
MB
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