Science and Spirituality

Friday, May 22, 2009 -- Week of 6 Easter, Year One

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 962)
Psalms 85, 86 (morning) 91, 92 (evening)
Ezekiel 1:28 - 3:3
Hebrews 4:14 - 3:6
Luke 9:28-36

Yesterday we read the vision of Ezekiel. Today Ezekiel hears a voice that calls him to ministry. Our reading from Hebrews declares that the human being Jesus, one tested like us in every respect, is now our heavenly high priest, eternally interceding for us. And Luke gives us his version of the experience of three disciples who in a thin place on a mountain had a vision of the glory of their teacher Jesus.

Today there is significant curiosity, exploration and study of spiritual and mystical experience, usually as part of a conversation between science and spirituality. I listened recently to an interview with Barbara Bradley Haggerty of National Public Radio. She's published a book titled "Fingerprints of God" reviewing her interviews with people who have had spiritual experiences and with scientists who study these things. A majority of American adults report that they have had a transforming spiritual experience.

She reports the story of Pam Reynolds who had an aneurysm in 1991 and had to undergo a stand-still operation in which her body temperature was lowered, the blood was drained from her brain, surgeons snipped the aneurysm and then restored the blood and temperature. Although her brain was virtually shut down, her eyes were completely covered and earphones broadcast 90 decibel sound waves to monitor brain activity, Pam accurately described having seen the process of her surgery and reported exact conversations that she had overheard. Maybe our consciousness can operate when our brain can't.

In looking at the often reported "near-death experiences" Haggerty said that many scientists are becoming skeptical of the explanation that these visions are merely the effect of an oxygen deprived brain that is shutting down. That is "a lot of heavy lifting" for a dying brain, to retain coherent memories that so many people report, of seeing relatives and having conversations. Many people describe their lives as transformed after a near-death experience. Interestingly, approximately 15% of people who tell of near-death experiences describe them in hellish terms, which can also be transformative.

Haggerty speaks of the two sides of her own belief. She has come to regard God as an infinite intelligence that stitches together the universe. She also attends to the practical, everyday life questions -- how do I want to live my life? -- with faith, sacrifice, the Golden Rule. For her, church and religious practice is important.

She describes the human religious experience and the various religions as spokes on a wheel. All of the spokes get to the same place, but you need to go deeply into your particular path (spoke) to find what practitioners of many religions all report. Speaking with Sufi, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, and Catholic people she has found they all describe similar experiences of the Divine "Other" -- light, love, being One, and a transformed life, not unlike what some call being "born-again."

Ironically some research says that very religious people tend to be less open to spiritual or mystical experience than "spiritual people" who may not describe themselves as religious. But religious people, people who pray, or people who have spiritual practice all tend to be healthier than those who do not.

Haggerty says the scientific evidence is ambiguous. It can be explained in a purely materialistic way, it can also point to something real that is spiritual or transcendent. It is unlikely that science will ever prove or disprove God. But so many of us have transforming spiritual experiences that connect us with the "Other" or "Something More," and more than a few scientists find the answer of faith to be as compelling or more compelling than the materialistic answer.

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas