|
|
|
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Voyager - May
2008 The Spirit of Science
Graham Nicholls The scientific method has always seemed to me to hold a certain poetry. It is a simple yet profoundly effective way of learning about our universe and ourselves. But my interest in science did not begin with a teacher in a classroom or a background versed in scientific understanding. In fact it was through strange psychical perceptions that began in my early childhood and developed as I approached my teens. In the truest spirit of science, it was a desire to understand what was happening to me that lead me to explore what science had to say about my experiences. Many great scientists have shared a sense of the almost spiritual power of the scientific method, of observing the world around us, and beginning to unfold its secrets. They have held that same childlike wonder in trying to learn the reason things are the way they are. They have also seen no stark opposition between spirituality and science, they have seen that both are a part of our enquiry into the human condition. Science informs us about the nature of the universe around us, while spirituality can be an exploration of the universe within. Albert Einstein for example greatly admired Mohandas Gandhi, he saw another kind of truth and power in Gandhi's ideas. He saw in his religion an enquiry into truth in the sense of compassion, liberation and peace. The kind of truth often referred to by spiritual leaders throughout history. Einstein stated 'I believe that Gandhi's views were the most enlightened of all the political men in our time.' Einstein even embraced the notion of Ahimsa or Non-violence, central to Gandhi's philosophy, and took on the vegetarian principles it implies. Isaac Newton, who first began to unravel the laws of nature some two hundred years before Einstein, was also deeply inspired by alchemy and religious interpretation. Max Planck, considered the founder of quantum theory, envisioned a God present in the expression of the universe. He saw a form of spirituality that was engaged and philosophical, not limiting and unquestioning. Charles Darwin had much the same view, that to know the true origins of things was beyond our limited perceptions. Even within contemporary culture, Jocelyn Bell-Burnell who discovered the first Pulsar, is a Quaker and sees the world through this peaceful and non-dogmatic religion. Richard Dawkins even interviewed her about the moment she made her discovery in his documentary Break the Science Barrier to illustrate how a purely scientific discovery can hold much the same kind of power as a spiritual one. I think he probably wanted to exclude the spiritual dimension to Bell-Burnell's life, but she in fact does not see the need for that division. What all these scientists share is an understanding of science underlined and enriched by their spiritual philosophies. I doubt any of these individuals saw things in absolute terms of black or white. I believe that the things that we don't know about our own nature and the universe can motivate and inspire us. In my view embracing possibility whilst enquiring and exploring is what a modern spirituality as well as science should be. What I see in modern spirituality is a place to explore the world informed by the lessons of religion, science, and culture. What is starting to form in our time is not a cherry picking of ideas, but rather a refining of the many influences around us into something that has never existed before. It is a core spirituality that looks to the underlying goals of religion, free of dogma, and embracing what science is revealing. © Graham Nicholls 2008 Graham Nicholls will be giving a talk on his psychical experiences, artistic projects and his philosophy on June 20th 2008 and giving a seminar on his psychical techniques and approaches on June 22nd. To find out more visit: http://www.shahmai.org/gen.html or for details of his talk and seminar see: http://www.londoncollegeofspirituality.co.uk/Lecture%20Graham1.html and http://www.londoncollegeofspirituality.co.uk/Workshops%20Third%20Eye%20Graham.html
He has had psychical experiences since early childhood and in his teens began to explore out-of-body experiences. These experiences have now formed an integral part of his spiritual understanding. He has studied many mystical traditions and travelled to locations of spiritual significance across the world. He is also currently in the final stages of a book that charts his personal journey from his childhood in the sometimes harsh environment of inner London to an experience in 2002 that has lead him to a deeper personal understanding. For more details see his personal website - click here |
Graham
Nicholls is the director of the Shahmai Network, an organisation focused on a
modern understanding of spirituality as an evolving process both personally and
socially. He is also an internationally acclaimed artist who creates work
designed to allow the participant to explore their unconscious mind through
specially designed environments. This work has been praised by the BBC,
What’s on in London, The Telegraph as well as many other magazines and
websites. 