Week 4 - Charles Miin
"Of course science will offer some valuable new directions, but at the same time we must expand our vision to seek non-scientific alternatives (2)." This thought resonates strongly with me as I consider myself to be both a student of the natural sciences here at UC Davis as well as a practitioner of Buddhist and Taoist beliefs. As we discussed in the first week, there exists fascinating hybrid science and spirituality concepts such as the cell-soul pathway of human bodies, believed to engage with the universe through the property of quantum entanglement. This leads me to believe that there is a real possibility for the fact-based nature of science to play a role in explaining the highest levels of spiritual belief and connection. However, even with theories such as this, I do insist on taking pause and recognizing that science will not be able to provide a universal answer and to say that alternative routes must be pursued to explore the infinite vastness of spirituality and thought. Though western society seeks to minimize and discredit these alternative sources, I cannot turn away from the role that figures such as shamans play in many societies around the world. This is aptly described by the author who describes that while much of society is future-facing, societies such as the Maori of New Zealand face backwards into the past and connect strongly with their history for guidance. The Maori concept of sentience within all objects on Earth is somewhat similar to that of the Tao or "The Way" in Taoism. The Tao is at all times both the continuous natural flowing, shapeless universe and also a fundamental aspect of the human experience. Understanding these observations of the world as both the Maori and followers of the Tao do guides the mind away from the heavily anthropocentric views held by most western societies. I assert that once this focus is shifted away from man and towards the rest of the world and universe, we as a people may begin to understand how our ancestors made such astounding achievements far before their time.
This can express itself in people such as the shamans of Silicon Valley spreading their practices from their homeland to their adopted home along with the microbiologists who observed and understood the petroleum-eating bacteria that easily outpaced human efforts at remediation in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Gaining a greater understanding and appreciation for the world in both of these forms has the amazing potential to uplift societies and provide key developments that would otherwise be unfulfilled. The shamanic worldview professes that disease is a error in the connection between natural spirits and one's soul (6). Just as shamanic journeys and trances help recover this lost soul, I accomplish the same result from time to time by journeying into "nature" or that which has not become a city yet. This temporary lapse in "civilization" is instrumental in helping me reach an ideal point where I feel as if I'm able to begin anew. To me this is the manner in which I "heal" from time to time under the massive stress and toxicity of modern society and I imagine that shamans provide something of a similar function to those who are believers. As we delve further and further down the technological rabbit hole, the joys are immense but the connection with the Earth and other natural bridges dwindle and atrophy as a result. Balance must be maintained as indicated in concepts such as yinyang to ensure that the human experience remains as close to the Way as possible.
Recognizing that many different connections to the world exist, such as shamans, scientists, and Taoists, how can we effectively begin to widely share knowledge and experience between these seemingly segregated schools of thought?
References:
"“We Are Not Alone” The Shamans Of The World Tell Us." Collective Evolution. N.p., 14 Nov. 2015. Web. 21 Apr. 2017.
This can express itself in people such as the shamans of Silicon Valley spreading their practices from their homeland to their adopted home along with the microbiologists who observed and understood the petroleum-eating bacteria that easily outpaced human efforts at remediation in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Gaining a greater understanding and appreciation for the world in both of these forms has the amazing potential to uplift societies and provide key developments that would otherwise be unfulfilled. The shamanic worldview professes that disease is a error in the connection between natural spirits and one's soul (6). Just as shamanic journeys and trances help recover this lost soul, I accomplish the same result from time to time by journeying into "nature" or that which has not become a city yet. This temporary lapse in "civilization" is instrumental in helping me reach an ideal point where I feel as if I'm able to begin anew. To me this is the manner in which I "heal" from time to time under the massive stress and toxicity of modern society and I imagine that shamans provide something of a similar function to those who are believers. As we delve further and further down the technological rabbit hole, the joys are immense but the connection with the Earth and other natural bridges dwindle and atrophy as a result. Balance must be maintained as indicated in concepts such as yinyang to ensure that the human experience remains as close to the Way as possible.
Recognizing that many different connections to the world exist, such as shamans, scientists, and Taoists, how can we effectively begin to widely share knowledge and experience between these seemingly segregated schools of thought?
References:
"“We Are Not Alone” The Shamans Of The World Tell Us." Collective Evolution. N.p., 14 Nov. 2015. Web. 21 Apr. 2017.
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