"The End of Faith" by Sam Harris is a polemic against Faith defined as blind belief in ideas without good reasons. Given this definition, traditional religion falls squarely in the site of his aim, although his arguments apply to any set of beliefs that are blindly accepted without debate.
Harris proposes that as we enter the 21st century, the danger of non-rational thinking is higher than ever, especially as it manifests in religions (Islam in particular), because of the sheer amount of destruction that can be accomplished by modern weapons technology. While the fundamentalist mentality is most attacked by Harris, the moderates of religions come under fire as well because their politically correct tolerance supports a "don't ask, don't tell" kind of context that gives bad ideas a free ride in our society.
His writing style is clever, direct, incisive and aggressive as he describes the lunacy of many traditional religious ideas.
Atheists do not escape criticism because of the fundamentalist tendencies of some individuals or groups. Also, for hostilities to forward thinking ideas that leave open the possibility of mystery or other ways of knowing. Harris supports meditation and mindfulness as practices that can lead to a higher quality of life by improving the focus of the mind on the current moment rather than always living in the past or future.
Ultimately, "The End of Faith" is a call to embrace a rational, reasoned, scientific approach to ethics. It is also an encouragement to explore and discover other ways of knowing beyond the strictly rational with the requirement that any claims be subjected to the arena of discussion and debate that all scientific ideas must pass. Finally, we are pushed to drop the baggage of thousands of years of bad ideas and focus on the important questions with a sober approach that will help us steer clear of mass delusion and destruction and perhaps find a way to move forward and save the planet as well as humanity.
Showing posts with label Meditation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Meditation. Show all posts
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Scientific Fundamentalism
Last night I heard Deepak Chopra refer to Richard Dawkins as a scientific fundamentalist. I don't know if I know about the particular label as applied to Dawkins, but I can relate to the concept. Chopra was referring to scientific fundamentalism as anyone who subscribes to a materialistic world view that does not allow for possible mystery.
This would be the explicit denial that there can be anything beyond the material world. By "anything beyond" I don't mean in the supernatural sense. I mean it in the sense of a transcendent, unnameable Source of all that is. I believe this is what Chopra meant when he said science cannot explain higher level concepts such as inspiration, love, beauty, etc.
In other words, a scientific fundamentalist refuses to allow for anything that is not scientifically verifiable or falsifiable. Something along the lines of logical positivism I guess.
I mentioned in a previous post that Sam Harris was taking the discussion of atheism to a higher level by incorporating his insights from his time studying Eastern spiritual practices. To me this approach goes beyond scientific fundamentalism. Harris is allowing for the possibility of knowing a more transcendental reality through meditation practices. This perspective is an appropriate scientific stance, one that does not dogmatically assert that there is a binary choice between scientific materialism and supernaturalism.
To the contrary, there are many degrees along the spectrum. Believing that it is possible to access a higher reality through meditation or other spiritual practices is not believing in a supernatural realm. It is believing that there are higher and higher levels of consciousness available to us that we miss while we are lost in thought or focusing on the NEXT moment rather than being fully present in the current one.
Spirituality should be conceived as more of a holistic awareness and consciousness rather than belief in the supernatural. Faith should be defined as the opposite of fear and behaving as if it is impossible to fail rather than the irrational belief in things that do not make sense. Scientific Fundamentalism, with a rejection of any ideas that might have their roots in religion, dogmatically rejects the possibilities of higher forms of consciousness beyond logical thought.
This would be the explicit denial that there can be anything beyond the material world. By "anything beyond" I don't mean in the supernatural sense. I mean it in the sense of a transcendent, unnameable Source of all that is. I believe this is what Chopra meant when he said science cannot explain higher level concepts such as inspiration, love, beauty, etc.
In other words, a scientific fundamentalist refuses to allow for anything that is not scientifically verifiable or falsifiable. Something along the lines of logical positivism I guess.
I mentioned in a previous post that Sam Harris was taking the discussion of atheism to a higher level by incorporating his insights from his time studying Eastern spiritual practices. To me this approach goes beyond scientific fundamentalism. Harris is allowing for the possibility of knowing a more transcendental reality through meditation practices. This perspective is an appropriate scientific stance, one that does not dogmatically assert that there is a binary choice between scientific materialism and supernaturalism.
To the contrary, there are many degrees along the spectrum. Believing that it is possible to access a higher reality through meditation or other spiritual practices is not believing in a supernatural realm. It is believing that there are higher and higher levels of consciousness available to us that we miss while we are lost in thought or focusing on the NEXT moment rather than being fully present in the current one.
Spirituality should be conceived as more of a holistic awareness and consciousness rather than belief in the supernatural. Faith should be defined as the opposite of fear and behaving as if it is impossible to fail rather than the irrational belief in things that do not make sense. Scientific Fundamentalism, with a rejection of any ideas that might have their roots in religion, dogmatically rejects the possibilities of higher forms of consciousness beyond logical thought.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Mindfulness
I feel pretty inadequate to write something coherent on such a huge topic. But the point of my blog is to put my impressions into words no matter what level of knowledge or expertise I might have about a particular subject. I became freshly interested in this topic this week when I watched a GoogleTalk titled Mindsight. The information contained in the YouTube video stimulated connections between other approaches to the topic I have experienced through spiritual meditation and some reading about practices in Eastern Religion, especially Buddhism.
What is mindfulness? What does it mean to be mindful? Are there benefits to becoming more mindful? How do we become more mindful?
Fundamentally, mindfulness is the state of being completely present in the moment. Our focus is centered on the immediate experience and we are attuned to the relationships in play. It is the intention to give attention to the present and at the same time be aware of our awareness.
Being mindful involves bringing the present into focus and de-emphasizing the past, future or other distractions that are not part of our primary focus. We give our conscious attention to the present environment with intention. We give our attention to the relationships in the present environment and do not sleepwalk through our experiences.
One of the primary benefits that results from increasing our mindfulness is improved mental health. From a spiritual perspective, we slow down and become aware of the reality in which we find ourselves. We experience a oneness and act from our unified center. We experience a higher degree of control over our emotions and reactions. We have the ability to pause before acting. We eliminate unnecessary distractions and noise in life that increase our stress and drama.
From a scientific perspective, what we are really doing when we increase our ability to be mindful is building the mind muscle. Not the brain, but the mind. The pre-frontal cortex of the brain houses the areas that we most associate with the concept of mind. This area allows us to conceive and experience abstractions such as freedom, morality, creativity, intuition and control of fear. Mindfulness practices strengthen this part of the brain, therefore strengthening the mind in these areas as well as increasing our potential for empathy and compassion.
We become more mindful by following a daily centering practice where we intentionally concentrate on something fundamental, such as our breath. Mindfulness meditation is a style of meditation that has undergone the most scientific study. There are other practices such as Yoga and centering prayer that probably work as well but have not been studied to the extent of mindfulness meditation.
While the practices mentioned above (and others) qualify as pure mindfulness practices, other activities where we concentrate intentionally and intensely and gently deal with distractions by bringing our attention back to the focus of our concentration are also mindful practices. This includes activities such as reading, playing music, writing, producing art. However, it is arguable that there are many more such activities, anything that invites us to be completely in the moment that are also mindfulness experiences. It is possible that these are secondary mindfulness practices that benefit from a more primary mindfulness experience such as meditation.
What is mindfulness? What does it mean to be mindful? Are there benefits to becoming more mindful? How do we become more mindful?
Fundamentally, mindfulness is the state of being completely present in the moment. Our focus is centered on the immediate experience and we are attuned to the relationships in play. It is the intention to give attention to the present and at the same time be aware of our awareness.
Being mindful involves bringing the present into focus and de-emphasizing the past, future or other distractions that are not part of our primary focus. We give our conscious attention to the present environment with intention. We give our attention to the relationships in the present environment and do not sleepwalk through our experiences.
One of the primary benefits that results from increasing our mindfulness is improved mental health. From a spiritual perspective, we slow down and become aware of the reality in which we find ourselves. We experience a oneness and act from our unified center. We experience a higher degree of control over our emotions and reactions. We have the ability to pause before acting. We eliminate unnecessary distractions and noise in life that increase our stress and drama.
From a scientific perspective, what we are really doing when we increase our ability to be mindful is building the mind muscle. Not the brain, but the mind. The pre-frontal cortex of the brain houses the areas that we most associate with the concept of mind. This area allows us to conceive and experience abstractions such as freedom, morality, creativity, intuition and control of fear. Mindfulness practices strengthen this part of the brain, therefore strengthening the mind in these areas as well as increasing our potential for empathy and compassion.
We become more mindful by following a daily centering practice where we intentionally concentrate on something fundamental, such as our breath. Mindfulness meditation is a style of meditation that has undergone the most scientific study. There are other practices such as Yoga and centering prayer that probably work as well but have not been studied to the extent of mindfulness meditation.
While the practices mentioned above (and others) qualify as pure mindfulness practices, other activities where we concentrate intentionally and intensely and gently deal with distractions by bringing our attention back to the focus of our concentration are also mindful practices. This includes activities such as reading, playing music, writing, producing art. However, it is arguable that there are many more such activities, anything that invites us to be completely in the moment that are also mindfulness experiences. It is possible that these are secondary mindfulness practices that benefit from a more primary mindfulness experience such as meditation.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Dr. Om Prakash
I recently attended a presentation by Dr. Prakash in North Dallas. He was born in Delhi, India and worked with Ghandi in the mid-20th century. His main theme is meditation and the benefits that regular practice can give to anyone disciplined enough to practice it. He has been a practicing psychologist most of his life, and at 85 still works 11 hours a day. He attributes his longevity and productivity in large part to his disciplined meditation practice.
Much of his presentation provided scientific, medical and metaphysical explanations and support for the benefits of meditation. One point he made is that we tend to over-use our left brain, which is heavily required for functioning in our busy, technological lives. We are constantly using logic and language to get through the day. Meditation relaxes the left brain and helps the right brain, the creative brain, to wake up and take up more of the load. This shift occurs almost immediately when you begin meditation but shows the most long term and daily benefit if meditation is adopted as a daily practice at regular times.
Prakash meditates in 20 minute sessions, 3 times a day. His reasoning is that our days are divided into three parts: work, leisure, sleep. So he meditates before starting each different section of the day. In the morning, the best time to meditate is right after a morning shower. This allows the mind to be fully awake and alert rather than groggy from sleep. After work, when we tend to be stressed and off-center, a session can relax our mind before we begin our leisure activities. One last session can be done just before bedtime to ensure a good night's sleep.
3 times a day for 20 minutes might be too much for a beginner. It takes practice to allow ourselves to slow down and actually relax. Starting with twice a day for 10 minutes each might be a good way to begin. The first time you meditate, 10 minutes might seem like a long time. Also, some instruction in a particular technique can help.
Prakash recommends a breath control technique. In this you close your eyes, focus on the front of your forehead just above your eyebrows in the center. Breath in slowly, wait a second or two, then exhale. Clear your mind, focus on your breathing and continue keeping your mind clear of anything else. Relaxing music can also help.
It was inspiring to see someone of his age so engaged and energetic.
Much of his presentation provided scientific, medical and metaphysical explanations and support for the benefits of meditation. One point he made is that we tend to over-use our left brain, which is heavily required for functioning in our busy, technological lives. We are constantly using logic and language to get through the day. Meditation relaxes the left brain and helps the right brain, the creative brain, to wake up and take up more of the load. This shift occurs almost immediately when you begin meditation but shows the most long term and daily benefit if meditation is adopted as a daily practice at regular times.
Prakash meditates in 20 minute sessions, 3 times a day. His reasoning is that our days are divided into three parts: work, leisure, sleep. So he meditates before starting each different section of the day. In the morning, the best time to meditate is right after a morning shower. This allows the mind to be fully awake and alert rather than groggy from sleep. After work, when we tend to be stressed and off-center, a session can relax our mind before we begin our leisure activities. One last session can be done just before bedtime to ensure a good night's sleep.
3 times a day for 20 minutes might be too much for a beginner. It takes practice to allow ourselves to slow down and actually relax. Starting with twice a day for 10 minutes each might be a good way to begin. The first time you meditate, 10 minutes might seem like a long time. Also, some instruction in a particular technique can help.
Prakash recommends a breath control technique. In this you close your eyes, focus on the front of your forehead just above your eyebrows in the center. Breath in slowly, wait a second or two, then exhale. Clear your mind, focus on your breathing and continue keeping your mind clear of anything else. Relaxing music can also help.
It was inspiring to see someone of his age so engaged and energetic.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Spiritual Liberation
Growing up in a small Baptist church, I was bored on a regular basis during church, and especially during the sermon. Sermons typically went on forever and there was very little of practical value contained in them, especially the longer ones which were usually exercises in ego-mania by the self-absorbed preacher who was delivering them. How many countless minutes and hours did I spend waiting, waiting, doing anything to take my mind off the ridiculous rhetoric and mind-numbing interpretations of the Bible or other social commentary.
This boredom and disgust caused me to avoid church for most of my adult life. While I did spend some time in United Methodism raising my family there, sermons were still rarely thought -provoking beyond an occasional shallow reminder that perhaps we were not living as well as we could. Most of my life I avoided the church and found spiritual enlightenment through the study of philosophy and science.
I have to admit that today I heard the best "sermon" that I have ever heard. It was given by Karen Epps, who is the Senior Minister at Unity Church of Dallas. Her lectures recently have been based on the book, Spiritual Liberation by Michael Beckwith. The talk was stuffed full of profound insights, inspiritional statements, connections with other religious traditions and challenging, cerebral metaphysics that definitely raised my consciousness.
"Intention to attention to intention" was one of the core concepts. Basically, we need to live with intention. We need to do things for a reason and purpose. What is our purpose? In order to know that, we have to intend to give attention to living with intention. The foundation of realizing this as reality is meditation. We can't over-meditate. Meditation allows us to go to the inner place where we find the source of our spiritual power and puts us in tune with the Universal Mind so that it is expressed through us as an authentic self-expression within the constructs of time and space that we live.
She also tied together the components of Unity and Religious Science from ancient Hindu and Buddhist focus on the God within, transported through Western classical philosophical frameworks, extended by scientific and 19th/early 20th century transcendentalist and spiritual thought, and connected with the true thread of Christ-conscious thought in the Gospels. This metaphysical package has been refined throughout the 20th century to become the foundation for a practical and effective and realistic expression of Christianity for the 21st century.
This boredom and disgust caused me to avoid church for most of my adult life. While I did spend some time in United Methodism raising my family there, sermons were still rarely thought -provoking beyond an occasional shallow reminder that perhaps we were not living as well as we could. Most of my life I avoided the church and found spiritual enlightenment through the study of philosophy and science.
I have to admit that today I heard the best "sermon" that I have ever heard. It was given by Karen Epps, who is the Senior Minister at Unity Church of Dallas. Her lectures recently have been based on the book, Spiritual Liberation by Michael Beckwith. The talk was stuffed full of profound insights, inspiritional statements, connections with other religious traditions and challenging, cerebral metaphysics that definitely raised my consciousness.
"Intention to attention to intention" was one of the core concepts. Basically, we need to live with intention. We need to do things for a reason and purpose. What is our purpose? In order to know that, we have to intend to give attention to living with intention. The foundation of realizing this as reality is meditation. We can't over-meditate. Meditation allows us to go to the inner place where we find the source of our spiritual power and puts us in tune with the Universal Mind so that it is expressed through us as an authentic self-expression within the constructs of time and space that we live.
She also tied together the components of Unity and Religious Science from ancient Hindu and Buddhist focus on the God within, transported through Western classical philosophical frameworks, extended by scientific and 19th/early 20th century transcendentalist and spiritual thought, and connected with the true thread of Christ-conscious thought in the Gospels. This metaphysical package has been refined throughout the 20th century to become the foundation for a practical and effective and realistic expression of Christianity for the 21st century.
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