Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

Spiritual Evolution

AuthorHouse

Contents

Prologue-Why this book? Why now?.....................................................ixPart I: Breaking Down Personal Spiritual Barriers....................................xvChapter 1 Early teachings............................................................1Chapter 2 Conflict...................................................................8Chapter 3 Breakdown..................................................................35Chapter 4 Resurrection...............................................................43Part II: Rebuilding A Spiritual Theory Using Integrative Science.....................61Chapter 5 Divine Beauty in Discovery.................................................63Chapter 6 A Complex Adaptive Dance...................................................94Chapter 7 The Emergent Spirit........................................................124Chapter 8 Enlightenment-A path not a place...........................................138Chapter 9 The Way Forward............................................................151Index................................................................................183

Chapter One

-If the truth of everything has already been defined by those that came before us; the very existence of the unknown Universe would be an awful waste of time and space-

IN THE BEGINNING

From the time we are born through the time of our earliest life teachings (typically from our parents, youth pastors, clergy, rabbis, clerics, schools, etc ...), we are given a template, a starter set of instructions, if you will, from those that most directly have a vested interest in how and what we think. While the 'rules' are often given with the best of intentions, we as children are vaguely aware that we are being compelled toward some form of group compliance. In plain words, we are being told what to believe, how to fit in, how to live, and how to die. All of these are predefined by our local culture, religion and society.

The indoctrination of individuals depends extraordinarily upon whom you were born to, what geographic region you live in and what level of personal liberty exists during the time in which you come into this life. We initially comply with this indoctrination due to our innocence, naivety and desire to please. As children we did not have the wisdom, will or evidence to challenge our parents and culture. Therefore, for better or worse, we were easily shaped and molded by the ideals of our caregivers.

Much of what is taught is sound advice, such as "thou shalt not kill" and the like. Such basic wisdom for living and getting along with others is fairly common to the World's current religions. It is in the minutia and literal extremes where failure of peaceful coexistence arises. We may ask ourselves during adolescence, 'Why is this so?', 'Why do we believe our way and our neighbors another way?' or 'What makes our belief right?' Unfortunately, for most of us, our questions are charged as insubordination, a challenge to authority, blasphemy or faithless. As a result, our thoughts are persecuted in one of the following ways.

1. Who are we to question those who have preceded us?

2. Have you no respect for the teachings presented?

3. Who do you think you are? (Great question by the way!)

4. Or the most terrifying of all, the dreaded paraphrase, "If you do not believe in the word of purely on faith, you are unworthy of the holy kingdom of eternal 'good' life and will forever (burn, freeze, be tortured or insert the suffering of choice) in eternal damnation."

Honestly, what is a young mind to do with the last ultimatum, such an obvious threat, especially with little to now access to credible information or proof? If today's religious doctrines were held to the same academic standards that most science is held to today, it is seriously doubtful that many ideas could pass muster. Add to this the seemingly incoherent global messages and news bombarding our youth today and it is no wonder that most teens and adults alike have astonishingly high levels of anxiety, fear and stress in this day and age.

As parents and adults we ask ourselves, 'Why do kids today seem so directionless, rebellious, lost or in extreme cases suicidal?' Not all, but part of that may be because of the contrary messages they receive. Kids are taught to preserve, believe in, and cherish their particular brand of spirituality (commonly confused with religion), above others. The fundamental act of distinguishing one's religion as above another, by definition, creates separation. We create an illusory mental model in our subconscious mind that pits 'us against them', thus separating our 'community' of 'being' from others.

There are positive effects of organized religion. For instance, religious institutions provide a sense of community. Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of need discusses a sense of belonging and safety as basic human needs that must be met to achieve happiness. Although various organized religions provide that sense of community it often comes at a very high price, can be fickle or all together an illusion. Members only belong if they conform to the consensus of belief. The moment that belief is challenged, the illusion disappears, and what remains is condemnation, rejection or outright exile. In the dark ages this was the practice of noble fiefdoms.

However, good works of many organized groups include helping with the rearing of families, feeding those in need and giving aid to those less fortunate. Acts of compassion like these are to be commended and encouraged. Just be aware what the cost is versus the value. What is the price you pay?

Negative consequences of institutionalized religion are often feelings of imposing pressure, the sense that everything has been thought through already and there is nothing new to learn or solve in the area of existence. People chronically suffer from ignorance, stifling views and fear of anything outside their defined domain. All too often, these fears express themselves in higher levels of human suffering such as wrongful and immoral persecution of "non-believers", hate crimes, religious war and ethnic execution deemed as "cleansing". There is not a more deplorable or more self-destructive business than destroying all others who don't agree with you. These dangers are exceedingly unsustainable in modern day where mankind has the technological capability, not only destroy our entire human race if we react as segregated fiefdoms, but also all living creatures on the surface of our planet.

Most of this feeling of separation appears in tradition Western religions. Learning a lesson from Eastern traditions such as Buddhism, teaches compassion for all sentient beings. Perhaps we can apply this sense of connectedness. One way to successfully navigate through this maze of hatred is by embracing our similarities. We need to let go of our differences and jointly discover a new level of spirituality, humanity and compassion that is inclusive of one another rather than exclusive.

THE "RULES"

-It is important to learn the rules. Then you not only know when to apply them, but most importantly when they don't apply-

Early in our lifetime, we are taught...