Spirituality
History of Western Thought pt. 3
This has been a fascinating study one to get the thinking person reflecting on life; the meaning of life and the nature of reality. From this study we see that science is approaching the same destination as theists but by a longer route – although some scientists reject the uncertainty principle as evidence of God's existence. The ancient, Greek philosopher Anaximander (610-540 BC) thought the ultimate structure of matter was what he called the "infinite" i.e. a timeless, unchanging substance (later defined as energy) which encompasses everything e.g. plants, animals, earth, sky, humans etc. Everything emerges from the confrontation of opposites e.g. hot, cold etc. It is the "infinite" (let's call it "God") which transforms into reality the everyday things we see around us. But being itself neutral, without opposites, the "infinite" is not changed (but remains constant) thereby preserving nature. Energy causes change by continually transforming itself from one form to another but itself remains constant and is never diminished.
According to Heraclitus (540-480 BC) everything is in a continual state of change so that nothing is ever the same – but always in a state of becoming. In other words nothing is permeant other than the "infinite" which being constant never changes. The world is a constant struggle between competing opposites which is necessary if change is to occur. This is interesting for it follows that "strife" is necessary to hold nature together. However, what we humans see is not a true reflection of what actually is which brings us back to Heisenberg and the uncertainty principle which was a remarkable discovery. What it means is that at the micro level (but not the Macro level) Newton's theory breaks down making exact calculations impossible only probabilities. Furthermore, it is the act of observing that disturbs a wave and transforms it into a particle. This is an odd fact the result of photons shining light onto electrons under a microscope. What it tells us is that it is mind that creates matter and not the other way round as science has long held. There follows another consequence which is that human-beings do not "see" what they think they see only an illusion. For example an arrow flying through the air appears to the observed as one continuous picture - but that is a mistaken understanding. What is actually observed is a sequence of disjointed pictures (a bit like blinking rapidly) or sitting in a cinema watching a movie. And this applies to everything in nature whether it is a chair, a tree or a mountain.
But change isn't only constant it is unidirectional which is where it gets really interesting meaning that nothing, not even humans, are ever the same e.g. it is not possible to step into the same river twice etc. All that has been said so far places doubt on so much that human-beings take for granted. But it also tells us that God is that original mind which brought everything into being and now upholds creation. Mass is energy and energy is mass. God is mind (i.e. energy) and is therefore the unchanging source and creator of everything but is not changed (in his being and nature) by it. However, human-beings are not equal to God (God created humankind a little lower than the angels) but do share God's nature and characteristics. In that sense human-beings are incorporated into God's essence as they become one with him. Some apparently achieve union with God mystically while others achieve it through faith, service, commitment, suffering and other forms of spirituality.
Science often challenge the existence of God pointing to the evil and suffering in the world. Theists often counter this with arguments from the cross, free-will and morality etc. Other belief systems understand suffering as, for example, the consequences of striving. Elsewhere I have written extensively about suffering and the Christian response to it. All I would say here is that while few people relish suffering often regarding it as pointless (even though some of the greatest prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures suffered greatly in body and mind) there is a more positive interpretation. For in my view suffering can be considered (for some) as a gift by God to be used as other gifts of God are used to bless others. I cannot go into reasons why here. And the Apostle Paul affirms this by embracing suffering as character-building encouraging his hearers not to turn away from it. I agree with that approach. Suffering brings patience, insight, encouragement and faith – all important spiritual qualities. Suffering, therefore, is a positive experience. This brings us back to Heraclitus and his theory of opposites i.e. in "strife" bringing about change. The opposites in this case being good health versus bad health producing a change of perspective for the sufferer (by deepening of faith and insight) and a reality check for the observer who then looks for meaning in life. Without "strife" which, according to Heraclitus, is "justice" everything would collapse in destruction. It is not too difficult to see that suffering, like everything else, serves a positive purpose. People might not like to suffer but God gives the grace to cope with it. And today's suffering is not yesterday's suffering nor even the suffering of tomorrow because, change being everywhere, we too are being transformed as we interact with and trust God. Modern spiritually teaches being content with not knowing. And that's good to remember as in life we see through a glass darkly; but we reset assured that the process of nature is constantly in the mind and will of God as indeed we all are.
DRM
19th January 2015
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