Skip to main content

Two Aspects of Reductionism

I have given considerable emphasis in my writings over the years to the manner in which Conventional Science is directly based on a strongly reductionist type of understanding. In the most general sense this implies that emptiness (as the ineffable essence of spiritual reality) is reduced to (phenomenal) form.

However it struck me forcibly in the past few days that another fundamental form of reductionism is equally possible in the opposite direction whereby form is ultimately reduced to (spiritual) emptiness.


Though both types are inevitable and indeed necessary for development, a crucial imbalance often characterises the relationship between them.


So one extreme tends to foster its opposite. So in contrast to the traditional scientific worldview we have the opposite contemplative perspective where the pure attainment of spiritual awareness is held to be paramount. However in practice this is often associated with an unduly transcendent orientation where phenomenal form is understood as secondary to spirit. So in effect through attempted spiritual transformation matter is thereby reduced to spirit.

In Einstein's famous formula, the equivalence of mass and energy is maintained. Likewise in psychospiritual terms rightly understood there is an equal equivalence.


Thus when properly appreciated the traditional scientific and contemplative perspectives represent two valid forms of (extreme) specialisation with respect to the experience of form and emptiness respectively.

However ultimately when both aspects have undergone sufficient development in this way, the task then should be to relate them ever more closely in a dynamic interactive manner.

Thus the most balanced and comprehensive scientific worldview is one where reason is genuinely motivated through an authentic contemplative vision.

Likewise the most balanced and comprehensive contemplative worldview ultimately leads to a deep need to transform worldly affairs through an active and committed form of engagement.

So spirit and matter are really two sides of the same coin and equally necessary for balanced development. So through recognising such interdependence one can potentially achieve an ever more refined appreciation of both spiritual and material reality.

However - by definition - the relationship between both cannot be finally resolved through the process of human existence.

In this context, death can be given a special meaning in enabling this ultimate identity to be achieved.

However even in this ultimate sense spirit and form maintain a certain equality. So pure spirit always entails likewise the pure potential for the generation of form.


What happens at death remains - as it should - a deep mystery and I would be highly sceptical of the pronouncements of those who claim to somehow know what transpires.

My own belief would strongly suggest that as our essential being is spiritual (with the potential for creation of form) that this always remains present. In this sense death never really takes place (with respect to our essential being). Rather what we call death represents the ending of what is accidental with respect to our true eternal identity (which is shared by everything and everyone in creation who lives and dies).

One could rightly call this shared existence God. But if you ask me what this further entails with respect to the nature of life involved neither I - nor anyone else for that matter - truly knows.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Richard Dawkins: An Appetite for Reductionism

I completed recently the first part of Richard Dawkins' Biography "An Appetite for Wonder: The Making of a Scientist: a memoir". In fact - due to its ready availability in my local library - I had read the 2nd part "Brief Candle in the Dark" earlier. In many way I found the first part more interesting as it provided insight into how Dawkins  came to adopt his particular view of science. Though some might describe his earlier life in Africa as idyllic, I would not see it that way. Certainly it provided a range of interesting experiences, but it seems to me have been a somewhat unsettled and lonely existence. This was compounded by the fact that Dawkins comes across as an unusually sensitive child with a very trusting nature. And this trust was severely tested as he tried to adapt to the many uncertainties of his world. It is very revealing in this context that Dawkins frequently admonishes his younger self for his "childhood gullibility"

Overwhelming Gratitude

I mentioned before in a previous blog entry " My Prayer " how a return for funeral to the seaside town Portstewart, some five years ago was associated with an important mystical experience. Just recently, I had cause to return again to Portstewart to attend the wedding of one of my northern relatives. On this occasion, as I strolled down the promenade with my sister, I was filled with an unexpected sadness in the mourning of my two parents (who had always accompanied me as a child to Portstewart on holiday visits).  I was filled with an ardent longing to see them once again and reminisce about former times, which of course was no longer possible. However as I experienced anew how much they had meant to me, slowly the feeling of grief turned to an overwhelming gratitude for the wonderful gift of life, which I owe to my parents. And in my heart I now said repeatedly "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for everything, for the uniqueness of this life, the profound

Return to Alagoa

I have always enjoyed short holidays as a welcome break from the daily routine. Even the negative experiences that inevitably occur while away can enable one to forget normal concerns. For many years now I have been accustomed to visit the Algarve, usually west of Faro near Albufeira. However this year I was based on the eastern side close to Faro in Olhao.   The only other time I had been on this side was some 21 years ago when I stayed in a small seaside resort, which at that time was known as Alagoa (now Altura). I do not remember a great deal regarding that previous visit. However the opening day still stands out in my memory (but alas for the wrong reasons). Though due to depart on an early morning flight there was a significant delay (of 90 minutes or so before boarding). When eventually boarding commenced, I asked a flight attendant the reason for the delay and was told that it was due to a tyre puncture. When we were all seated another significant de