Spirituality + Science + Social Justice
Admittedly, I hadn't considered social justice as a piece of this critical blend for healing ourselves and this planet. The ideas of grown into and co-created around the potentially flourishing gift that we could give back to the world in the form of an alchemical purity of Spirituality and the positive brilliance of a somewhat-reined Science were to merge, life on this planet, NOW, as we know it, would ascend. But the social justice piece speaks to where we are now, in this time and space. It is just as critical, because it creates a triad, and has the potential to even bridge the science and spirit elements. In an earlier post, I've mentioned karmic shame, and breaking cycles. This lends to what true social justice could be, and I would like to write a bit about this and its elements of diversity as I work my way through the density of spirituality and science and what this mean to me, today -- but it come in a new post as it's also very dense and layered and I would like to keep each post somewhat digestible. :)
So, for now, I'll say this is Part One: Science + Spirituality //
Throughout time and space into the now, pervading modern day, the mucky context that both spirituality and science have found themselves has deeply polluted each, and through it has created a great chasm of polarity: Science (a religion to some) on one side and Spirituality (a religion, or packaged within religion, to others) on the opposing. This separation is detrimental to the healing of our planet.
Spirituality -- for thousands of years -- has, for the general population (read: all of those who didn't want to be killed or oppressed) operated under the guise of religion and for the purposes of maintaining power and control. I know Christianity is often the scapegoat, but as it's the largest and most followed religion in the West, I'll start here. Originally writing the Bible, and then forcing upon citizens the strict adherence to these teachings laws of the text allowed for a select few men to maintain a hierarchy and enforce an impossible caste system; it allowed for the rich to stay rich and in power and left the poor without, their overall lives devoted to providing and producing food and necessary goods for those sitting on the thrones, in whatever jewel and ignorance-encrusted form they appeared, above them. I like to imagine those original scribers of the Bible, those priests and clergymen, close to 3,000 years ago, experiencing moments of synchronicity and magic (the sort we witness all the time, being citizens of this mysterious planet) and interpreting it to their own will. Applying their own agenda to these witnessed signs and then scribing, based on their interpretations, just what should be and what shouldn't. [I will mention here that I have nothing against Christians who recognize and accept all living creatures as a necessary part of the great fabric of our existence, who recognize our intercorrelation. I have met many Christian sisters and brothers of this nature -- to whom "Jesus" and "love" are interchangeable. If the guidance (and there is much valuable guidance in there, however juxtaposed it may be from other parts of the text; valuable insight like "love thy neighbor as thyself and so forth) from the Bible serves up peace on a platter to some, this is lovely, and brings peace to the collective unconscious -- and this is what the world needs now, more than every. Pervasive and expansive acceptance and love for one another. But also, a mutual encouragement to do better. To wake up to the truth of our existence: Things need to change.
I am certainly a Pagan, though am hesitant to use any label at all here to categorize myself since there tends to be much stigma around labels in general by those who reject any sort of system (and through this, an increased and heated polarization where one need not exist.) I actually feel that every being is a Pagan in their soul; just many haven't sifted through the sludgy human layers to discover this soft inner core that desires healing for ourselves and the earth. The energy encased in many moments has been building, though, creating what is the movement to unite and come home to ourselves and through it, and if we're to this forward trot into a canter, perhaps we need to embrace and encourage everyone -- perhaps it's only through kindness and compassion, reminding each other that we are here to hold each other through each of our processes -- that small shifts will grow into larger ones. But when I get into manifesto-writing, stand-up-and-rile-up mode, it's hard to believe that true change will happen without both small-scale and large-scale revolution taking place.
This leads here: For those who reject Spirituality all together (often, the essence of Spirituality being masked as some form of organized religion), Science has become God.
I've observed that the sort of staunch Atheism that operates as a part of the divide among so many of us comes from an early-in-life rejection of religion, whether it be due to some sort of experience or witnessing of religious trauma (being chastised and told one is wrong or sub-par in some way for expressing an element of their truth; or by a total and complete bombardment of religion, perhaps to the point of oppression, justified and excused because a religious text claims it to be truth so it must be. There are also, of course, independent-minded thinkers who simply don't accept monotheism, polytheism, or theism of any sort, simply because it seems entirely implausible. These are all fully grounded reasons to reject religion all together.) The only problem I see with this -- however justified it is by a historic perversion and pattern of destruction by the hands of those in religious power -- is that the notion of Spirituality is often dismissed entirely when Religion is.
Science has created great, groundbreaking strides for our species, and for the planet at large. The ability to build and create and share ideas with someone on the other side of the world instantaneously is an amazing thing -- provided it is used for the good of humanity, of course; just had to throw that in there. :) But it continues to grow, such is the nature of science. Science has been twisted and utilized to create and enact destruction in the same ways as it has been used to create generative forms of positivity (in whatever form they come) for inhabitants of our planet. And as with anything powerful that we give our attention to, it will continue to grow. But growth is not always positive. You can't go anywhere these days without practically (and often actually) bumping into people, faces down and noses buried in iPhones, planning, distracting ourselves in any way we can from what's directly in front of us: the present moment; the magic of right now. While science leads us to connect in many ways (and the way this shows up is always differing), through the manifestation of science, we lose the most innate and primal form of connection there is: that of the one with ourselves, that of the one with whom we meet in this physical reality -- the people with whom we have come to share space for a reason. In all of time and space, someone you and this person in front of you have chosen to be there simultaneously. In this shared space, there is a message here that that person holds for you, and you for them; and when we are identifying with an iPhone rather than with the i (which is also you), this connection is lost. [Side-note: This is not to say that the connections being made via technology are not viable and entirely critical for a thriving planet and creation growing in generative ways; my point is that we need to look around ourselves a bit more: one eye on the microscope, one on the telescope.)
The truth is, the planet on which we live has been created perfectly: we know this simply because it sustains the life we are all so lucky to have for a little while -- for all of the life that exists (and when it's able, thrives) here for a little while. As far as we know, Earth is the only planet that sustains this sort of thriving life: the kind moved forward through breath. And the truth is, for now, she's all we've got. Science continues to try to search for other life-giving planets (and movies like Interstellar (2014) lead us to the concerning notion that in a number of years, we'll have to set out in search of another planet that will sustain the sort of life that we have here, now. This search is preemptive, but the concern is not. The true snag with relying so heavily on science is that is has brought us to believe that it can surpass and overtake what is already perfect. The mystery of our planet may always remain a mystery to our veiled human senses; science simply can't prove all of it. So for now, all we can do is trust that this world sustains us perfectly in its nature (and through nature). This is not to say that modern medicine hasn't taken us far, along with myriad other results that have been derived from the brilliance of many of science's discoveries. So, if we didn't utilize destructive habits and could simply trust that nature will provide the bounty we need if we turn to it with care and love, it will create and provide, as good mothers are set up to do by their very nature. (Often it's as simple as what products we buy: an eco-friendly soap or Tide (poison to the earth), biodegradable toilet paper that will become one with the earth after its use, artificially-scented, three-ply toilet TP that adds to the injection of toxins into our earth that we hide away as if it doesn't exist (and therefore can't harm us). A Mini Wake-Up Call: I promise you that the earth-friendly 1-tier stuff gets the job done in just the same way, and the health of our planet over the comfort of your derrière should always take priority; please, please know this. Obvious, maybe, but if it weren't for our home, our planet, the comfort level of your literal ass would be a total nonissue anyway.
It's time to flip the script: We are all one. Let hierarchy crumble to the ground: If exaltation exists, let it be for the earth. Let us find exaltation for those who have found alignment with the earth; let those who tend with love to the land and its creatures, home-good-creating merchants, and mothers raising kind children be exalted in just the same way that conscious leaders and movers and shakers are, because we're all the same. The world needs more small farmers, cultivating, encouraging, tending to and harvesting earth's bounty. We need each of us to recognize the creator within, and to step into the process of creating more of those unique gifts. Let the the visionaries create space for collaboration to occur.
We are all able to share in what we need without someone else's destruction or a lower quality of life. It will take some time, but no, the idea that buying a shirt made in China is providing that Chinese worker with a job is hugely problematic, and continues to support a flawed system. Each country is uniquely set up to provide its inhabitants with just what they need, and if there's something else we'd like that grows native in another land, we don't need to rely on control and power to seize it. There's a reason indigenous cultures relied on trade, and that warfare only existed within these cultures if it were over honor (Read: honor does not equate to the sort of control and power that it finds itself wrapped in our Western corner of the world.) Everyone has some unique gift to offer our world, and if each of us were encouraged to explore, discover, and nourish our gift(s), imagine the thriving (yet still human-inhabited) world we might be able to re-create.
We are all able to share in what we need without someone else's destruction or a lower quality of life. It will take some time, but no, the idea that buying a shirt made in China is providing that Chinese worker with a job is hugely problematic, and continues to support a flawed system. Each country is uniquely set up to provide its inhabitants with just what they need, and if there's something else we'd like that grows native in another land, we don't need to rely on control and power to seize it. There's a reason indigenous cultures relied on trade, and that warfare only existed within these cultures if it were over honor (Read: honor does not equate to the sort of control and power that it finds itself wrapped in our Western corner of the world.) Everyone has some unique gift to offer our world, and if each of us were encouraged to explore, discover, and nourish our gift(s), imagine the thriving (yet still human-inhabited) world we might be able to re-create.
But; the re/co-creation of this ideal world does not come from the assumption that science can re-create what our precious planet has already created perfectly.
The answer lies with the bees.
The answer lies with the bees.
Science cannot and will not create what bees are able to sustain, which is pure, thriving aliveness. If the counter-intuitive method of pesticides and toxins being sprayed on food in order to create more food and in the process the bees die out, all of life on this planet will cease to exist. Yes, that includes us. It is said that close to 90% of the world's flowering plants require insect pollination to thrive [read: flowers and plants, corn and grains for animals' sustained life = food (if you're down with that) / crops and vegetables and herbs = food and remedies for us and many other species with whom we co-exist). There is no fix for this necessary pollination if the largest pollinators, bees, were to go. I suggest looking into local beekeepers' associations where you are, or reaching out and accessing whatever resources are available to you (trust this: resources always appear when you reach out for them with intention. Put action towards a desire and it will manifest if it's in your life's true, best interest.)
Over-reaching monsters of corporations pay their scientists (I know you, dear, passionate reader, just because you are reading this, are aware that the right amount of money somehow, sickly, has the ability to create and perpetuate any sort of lie or agenda that those who hold it desire?] to spread the word to the world that GMOs and pesticides truly have no harm on us, and in fact, will aid in feeding a starving world. Here's the thing: Western culture, and other power-hungry cultures like this one, have created the hierarchy that has lended to a starving world.
Over-reaching monsters of corporations pay their scientists (I know you, dear, passionate reader, just because you are reading this, are aware that the right amount of money somehow, sickly, has the ability to create and perpetuate any sort of lie or agenda that those who hold it desire?] to spread the word to the world that GMOs and pesticides truly have no harm on us, and in fact, will aid in feeding a starving world. Here's the thing: Western culture, and other power-hungry cultures like this one, have created the hierarchy that has lended to a starving world.
We wouldn't need to find some false replacement for what is already perfect if perfection wasn't being threatened. We need more beekeepers, small farmers, and pollinators of all sorts to spread this message. (This leads me a new point altogether, which is the set up of the hive and each type of bee having its role and performing it perfectly in relation to the success of the whole, is a model upon which society, in my opinion, should look to for guidance.) Beekeepers are passionate people, and they're eager to help to spread their crucial and lovely message and mentor budding beekeepers. (I would also suggest reading Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins if you need more of an in to the metaphysical nature of the bee and its potent medicine.) Humble science has shown us these facts: it's the machine that has manifested from branches of science (e.g. that monstrous It-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named leading the pack) that is convinced it can both destroy and provide simultaneously, and money and power drive this arrogant and ignorant belief structure.
To blend these two messages: science has shown us much, and provided us with the ability to extend lifespans through medical research and exploration in health-related fields. It has allowed people on one side of the world to connect with people on the other instantly and co-create just as quickly. The purpose of all of this is creation and growth and ascendence -- as is true of spirituality: it is always guiding us towards further creation and expansion through the simple magic of life, when we stop to notice it. If science and spirituality can blend together to allow us to co-create and witness all of this potential, to see it in its most positive, generative form, we might recognize that we have all the tools we need, right here and right now. In looking to the flow for guidance and trusting our pure and unrestricted inner knowing that lies deep within the collective heart of all species, we realize that it is creation, in all its myriad forms is why we are here. [Just for clarity's purposes, I will note here that I am NOT referring simply to physical procreation; the misguided belief -- that populations of humans should just grow and grow without any sort of direction or intention -- is why social justice is such a key contributor to this triad of continued positive planetary evolution.]
To blend these two messages: science has shown us much, and provided us with the ability to extend lifespans through medical research and exploration in health-related fields. It has allowed people on one side of the world to connect with people on the other instantly and co-create just as quickly. The purpose of all of this is creation and growth and ascendence -- as is true of spirituality: it is always guiding us towards further creation and expansion through the simple magic of life, when we stop to notice it. If science and spirituality can blend together to allow us to co-create and witness all of this potential, to see it in its most positive, generative form, we might recognize that we have all the tools we need, right here and right now. In looking to the flow for guidance and trusting our pure and unrestricted inner knowing that lies deep within the collective heart of all species, we realize that it is creation, in all its myriad forms is why we are here. [Just for clarity's purposes, I will note here that I am NOT referring simply to physical procreation; the misguided belief -- that populations of humans should just grow and grow without any sort of direction or intention -- is why social justice is such a key contributor to this triad of continued positive planetary evolution.]
Well, you know We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be all right?
All right, all right
You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're all doing what we can
But if you want money
For people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be all right?
All right, all right
You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free your
mind instead
-- The Beatles (Lyrics written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney)
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