FNL_INSPIRED Vol 2_Spring

REDFeather MIND | BODY | SPIRIT 39 THE MEETING OF Science & Spirituality by Anthony “Sensei Tony” Stultz “Dear Sensei Tony: Where Do Science and Spirituality Meet?” I always like to start addressing a question by defining the terms that we are exploring. Let’s start with science. The word itself comes from the Latin for “knowing.” What kind of knowing is science? It is the gathering of knowledge about our incredible universe. It is a rational process that uses experimentation to prove or disprove information and hypotheses. Most humans living today are directly affected by and rely upon science whether they are aware of it or not. Anyone who uses a radio or a cell phone or goes to an emergency room in a medi- cal crisis is relying on this particular knowledge of how things actually work. What about the word “spiritual”? The etymology of spir- itual is found in the root word “spirit,” which refers to our respiration or breath. Without being able to breathe, we die. We might say it’s the ultimate reference point for being alive. So, we could understand the word “spir- itual” as a reference to what ultimately matters in life. This is another kind of “knowing,” but, in this case, it re- fers more to a kind of discernment, similar to the word “gnosis,” which we could say is an intimate awareness of what really matters most. When we find the intersection between science and spirituality, it comes down to two forms of knowing. One is about the knowledge of how things work, and the other is the wisdom of using that knowledge to real- ize what really matters. Science is the servant of spirit. Knowledge is the servant of wisdom. The problem is that folks often get this very wrong. We turn science into an idol, and idolatry is when we take something that is pointing to something beyond itself, an icon, and shut the bigger reference out. We box it up and think we have contained it, but this is a delusion, and this de- lusion leads to suffering. Science is information. It can be used for evil ends or it can be used to save a life. Wisdom is knowing the difference. So, let us return science to its harmonious place, as a heuristic doorway into the wisdom of Oneness, as a language to describe this wondrous web of existence. We need to teach our scientists how to see the ways in which we can yield spiritual metaphors and practices from the universe. Likewise, we need to teach our cler- gy to learn to speak through the empirical language of science, not as a limit but as an inspiration for limitless imagination. When we do, science will give us the tech- nology to make the lame walk, and spirituality will give us the eyes to see how it all comes together and what really matters. And that will make a better life for you and me. The Three Principles of Oneness: How Embodying the Cosmic Perspective Can Liberate Your Life | Size: 6” x 9” | 160 pp | Binding: hard cover ISBN: 978-0-7643-5813-5 Anthony Stultz is an ordained Buddhist minister and interna- tionally recognized mindfulness expert. He is the spiritual director of the Blue Mountain Lotus Soci- ety and founder of the Blue Lotus School of Mindfulness Arts.