Biological and Technological Education

Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the Anglican church, recently accused government of treating religious faith being an “eccentricity” practiced by “oddities”. But should religion and Spirituality have a role to play in the manner human society is governed?

Religion can be defined as a set of institutionalized beliefs and practices based on some divine or supernatural power(s). Religion is organized, each of the world’s major religions have millions (or billions) of followers, and churches possess a hierarchy of priests or ministers to guarantee the religion’s teachings are appropriately fulfilled. Religion is based on faith instead of demonstrable truth. As well as the worship of the unseen supreme power religion also provides a code of conduct for daily life on earth, often with the commitment of reward for any life well lived and punishment for transgression.

Spirituality is our personal quest to discover and recognize a greater reality than that perceived through our physical senses. Spirituality may be the seed that religion emerges. It is our personal interpretation of religious doctrine and earthly experience. It’s that knowledge, buried deeply within ourselves, in our true nature. Given our inevitable physical mortality, Spirituality is exactly what ultimately gives purpose to our existence. Religions can provide a roadmap for our Spiritual journey, though the precise route taken is personal and unique.

Politics is the process of governing human society. Undoubtedly human progress owes much to the capability to organize our efforts towards the common good. Politics may be the formalization of the organization, producing clearly defined laws for each organized region (county, state, country…) and stated penalties for violation. Politics takes great shape around the world from enforced dictatorship towards the most evolved, but nonetheless flawed, form of governance that is democracy.

All political systems are essentially vulnerable given that they involve the few imposing their will upon the many. People will be led so long as their leadership is deemed acceptable. Because the strength of the numerous exceeds those of the few the ruling minority, even dictators, must ensure their leadership is sufficiently acceptable to not provoke mass revolt. Thus, to some greater or lesser extent, all governments reflect the desire from the governed.

While incarnate in human form we inhabit two realms: the physical world of which the body interact and are part; and also the greater, but unseen, Spiritual reality that is our eternal home. As physical beings inside a finite world we think and behave as individuals; though we might (like a species) exhibit admirable selflessness, we inevitably prioritize the private survival and luxury of ourselves and our close ones. As Spiritual entities individuality ceases to exist, we are all part of the one source. As such, there might be no selfishness, in order for there is ultimately no self.

If life on the planet is considered as a return trip from your Spiritual source, then the degree that we incorporate religious faith, or more accurately Spiritual principles, into our governance is really a barometer in our journey’s progress. The option is ours, but the greater our development along our earthly path the greater we understand the futility of transient personal gain in contrast to the lasting fulfillment that comes from Spiritual awareness and progress.

A great paradox of the technological era is the fact that despite each wondrous new invention the requirements on our time become ever greater and also the promise of a leisure society seems further away than ever before. Take for instance the ubiquitous mobile phone; before these little marvels appeared, being outside meant being off duty, nowadays we are on call 24/7. Or the Internet, the truly fantastic global computer network that places an enormous amount of knowledge at our fingertips; the trouble is we’re now so overloaded with information we often can’t start to sift the (little) meaningful content in the (mass of) dross.

As humans we face the formidable challenge of simultaneously inhabiting two worlds – namely the fabric plane by which we’re temporarily incarnate, and also the Spiritual source of which we’re eternally part. Unsurprisingly it is the material realm that places by far the higher demands upon our attention, because of the purpose of our current existence may be the adventure from the flesh.

Ten Minutes a Day

However, to provide perspective to earthly experiences and maximize fulfillment, we have to allow our Spiritual side a little time and space to convey itself too. This “offline” time not just aids our Spiritual development but also our material life, by permitting us to step back and see the wood from the trees.

Lots of people begin the quest of re-connecting using their Spiritual side with the most effective of intentions, but are over-ambitious in their self-expectations. The key is to help keep it simple, otherwise you won’t get it done. It is best to meditate for ten, as well as five, minutes each day, four days per week than not to meditate to have an hour or two every single day.

Despite allocating 99% of our resources to the external, physical, plane it’s greedy and will demand even the additional 1% that is associated with our inner, Spiritual, dimension. The less we originate from the demands from the physical, the much more likely we’re to obtain the discipline to maintain the regime.

There are many methods for allowing our inner/Spiritual self to express itself, and the correct one(s) for you personally will end up apparent with practice. Whatever method you employ, be selfish and make sure this is truly “me” time. Choose the most appropriate time and place, go ahead and take phone off the hook, switch your cell off, and set a “do not disturb sign” on your door.

“Meditation” (in the broadest sense) takes many forms, from sitting cross-legged in some remote place, to chilling in a city center cafe engulfed within the inner-plane, or contemplative walking. You could try:

breathing, while allowing your mind to go where it’ll. This can be both physically and mentally beneficial.
emptying your mind. Harder of computer sounds, however when the inevitable thoughts arise provide them with neither attention nor try to expel them; just accept them and let them go.
repeating some word or phrase over and over, this might be a mantra (some particularly meaningful word, in whatever language) or perhaps an affirmation (statement of something you intend to achieve or produce).
visualization, ie seeing with your mind’s eye, perhaps a simple color or shape, re-creating a real place in as much detail as you possibly can, or maybe “seeing” your idealized future.
concentration, eg performing mental exercises for example counting backwards in various multiples can detach you from the worries of the moment, but vary the task lest it become automatic and therefore cease to be a highly effective distraction.
prayer, holding a personal dialog God (by whatever name you realize this power) expressing your concerns and hopes both on your own and the wider world.
staring at some fixed reason for space, and allowing the mind to go where it’ll.

For many, background sound can help the process. Choose gentle, almost monotonous instrumentals (lyrics requires your attention) like the modern genre, or appropriate classical. Alternatively, choose an appropriate inspirational message, for some of your sessions.

Your Spiritual time doesn’t even need to be spent physically passive. You will probably find yourself able to better detach by walking, preferably anyway, possibly combined with your iPod. At least there’s less chance you will be disturbed, and also the sheer grandeur of our planet can provide perspective to your inner musings.