written 5 June 2022
published 12 June 2022
Last year, a poll found that for the first time, less than half of Americans identified with an organized religion, yet almost 70 percent identified themselves as spiritual. The more dogmatic the religion, the larger the recent decline in affiliation. I consider this a hopeful trend. As Deepak Chopra says "Religion is belief in someone else's experience. Spirituality is having your own experience."
I define spirituality as the direct experience of an individual's inherent relationship with a meaningful transcendent reality. Religion is a business formed to promote a particular spiritual tradition, usually organized to enhance social, economic, and political power. Spirituality is an experience, beyond the limited concept of words. Religion codifies everything into words. As concepts, not direct experience, they easily become dogma, frozen in time. This creates divisions, often leading to violence. All religious communities have mystical subsets, who prioritize the value of experience over words. Religious fundamentalists, as keepers of dogma, tend to view mystics as heretics, and occasionally kill them.
The quantum physics revolution, beginning a little over a century ago, has been rigorously tested, with everything from nuclear weapons, lasers, and computers as validating proof. But quantum mechanics injected consciousness into Newtonian physics, which had assumed matter was dead in order to escape lethal Catholic dogma. Matter is now understood to be non-local, bound by relationships that transcend space and time. Newtonian physics defined consciousness, when considered at all, as a consequence of material complexity. But quantum physics shows consciousness, which has also been demonstrated to be non-local, affects matter.
The Newtonian assumption that matter is a stable finite "thing" has been replaced by the quantum wave/particle duality. When looking for discrete particles, one experiences particles. When looking for resonant waves, one experience waves. Experience is modified by conscious choice of perspective. There is growing awareness within western physics that consciousness, not matter, is the ground of reality, an idea that has been known in eastern philosophy for millennium.
At first glance, my experience seems to be finite, occupying a particular perspective. But as I delve deeper, I find relationships which can be guides to living more fully. My spiritual path arises out of quantum mechanics and Buddhism, inspired by addition from mystics of all traditions. This has allowed me to avoid much of the baggage that comes with dogmatic religions.
This I believe.
Unity Consciousness, which can be called the Divine (although any specific name is inadequate and limits understanding), is the transcendent ground of all reality. Material reality manifests as space/time, a 4 dimensional membrane completely expressed within, and shaped by, Unity Consciousness. Material reality can be viewed as the skin of the Divine.
My personal awareness is a subset within the Divine. Therefore, every part of myself, the material world, and all other beings, are expressions of the Divine. Within the perspective of linear time, increasing material complexity supports greater self-awareness within matter. Life is an opportunity to evolve from my limited, fear defined personality, into a deeper awareness of being an inherent part of the Divine. Embracing this perspective leads to the following operational conclusions.
The foundation of evil is denial of Unity, the first ignorance, an inaccurate perspective which engenders fear. Resonance with Unity is experienced as love. Life challenges, and supports, each individual to increase awareness of their resonance with Unity Consciousness. Therefore, at every opportunity, choose love over fear, embracing the truth of Unity over the illusion of material separation. Be happy and laugh often. Life is good, beneficial, nurturing, and joyous.
Be present, aware that each moment is unique. The point of action is in the NOW. In resonance with the Divine, we create our own reality, by belief, imagination, practice, and intention. The opportunity for learning is ever present. Take responsibility for your part. There are no "accidents". Life is a metaphor. The balance between Be-ing and Do-ing is inspired intention.
Be honest (internally and externally) in every thought and action into reality. It is the best policy in the long run, even if uncomfortable in the moment. Be grateful (internally and externally) for every gift from reality.
Life is massively interconnected, so the Golden Rule is not a moral commandment, but a relational fact of nature, like gravity. Love, respect, and honor yourself as the Divine manifesting. Love, respect, and honor everyone else as the same Divine manifesting. Namaste.
