“Reinventing the Sacred”

Reinventing the Sacred by Stuart A. Kauffman

If you’re one who enjoys deep, philosophical reflection, meaning-of-life-type books then Reinventing the Sacred, by a renowned biologist and complexity theorist, may just be for you. This book addresses the limitations of rationality (and reason) in the face of an evolving, creative universe. It’s heavy, yet helpful:

“One view of God is that God is our chosen name for the ceaseless creativity in the natural universe, biosphere, and human cultures. Because of this ceaseless creativity, we typically do not and cannot know what will happen. We live our lives forward, as Kierkegaard said. We live as if we knew, as Nietzsche said. We live our lives forward into mystery, and do so with faith and courage, for that is the mandate of life itself.

But the fact that we must live our lives forward into a ceaseless creativity that we cannot fully understand means that reason alone is an insufficient guide to living our lives. Reason, the center of the Enlightenment, is but one of the evolved, fully human means we use to live our lives. Reason itself has finally led us to see the inadequacy of reason. We must therefore reunite our full humanity. We must see ourselves whole, living in a creative world we can never fully know.”  - Stuart A. Kauffman, Reinventing the Sacred

Whew! The translation you ask? Here’s my take in 87 words:

Reason and intelligence have limits that the most reasonable and intelligent among us, by definition, have to concede. To declare that we “know” what is impossible to know is unreasonable and the ultimate ignorance. We cannot know what we do not understand. Yet we understand that some things are unknowable. Moving forward through life we make our way while taking our best guesses at how things will play out. When we’re right, we say we knew it; when we’re wrong, we should say we knew that too. BUY the book.

Why is it…? #5

When a group of like-minded individuals gather together that the perceived believability of the group’s rhetoric goes up? 

Why is it…?

“Wisdom of the Ages”

Wisdom of the Ages by Dr. Wayne Dyer

Most of Dr. Dyer’s books come highly recommended as they all have impacted me in various positive ways over the years.  This book is unique however because it contains a collection of reflections from many of history’s greatest teachers and philosophers.  The truths are universal and especially valuable when delivered with Dr. Dyer’s additional commentary and insights.  Some authors featured in this book are household names while other, lesser-known figures, arguably offer the greatest learning in this volume.  This is the kind of book that you can return to again and again when in need of inspiration.  BUY it here.

“Simplicity”

Simplicity by Mark Salomon

A very interesting book written by the lead singer from the rock band Stavesacre, whose music career had been spent primarily in the evangelical Christian market.  Mark discusses his life and journey to and through his faith, his music, and his resolve today to resist labels and categorization.  Finally someone who really tells it like it is without sugar-coating.  An insiders looks at the intersection of music and faith. A great read for musicians and spiritual seekers alike.  BUY it here.

lost and found

Many religious adherents applaud those who claim to have been “lost” but are now “found” - this is viewed as good. 

Their system is set up to save the lost and free the found. The lost are herded into the confines of the flock where they are shown the way… the right way; the only way, some say. They join the team and begin to identify with the like-minded, previously lost, but now-found-fellowship. Their new-found conviction now requires the recruitment of new converts. And on and on it goes…

But what about those who claim no need for some brand of spiritual group identification or belonging? There are many well-adjusted people who have no need to be affiliated with some group to know who they are - and no need to be told and sold what to believe in. This is viewed as bad because these folks (according to fellowship), are still lost - blindly believing they aren’t. See how it works? The only true way is their way… those who “believe the good stuff” as I’ve heard it said. You cannot win otherwise. And “winning” of course means an eternal spiritual victory and everlasting life because you chose the right team.

This is self-serving, circular reasoning that initially appears very compelling, but is hardly true. One’s identity need not be produced from some group ideology. As soon as one has to belong to a group to really belong, the purpose of the group is now defeated and its value diminished.

Here’s a thought:

Instead of “lost” → “found”

How about ”learning” → “growing” → ”fulfilled”

Works for me…

Photo - July 17^th, 1963: A collection of bibles at a lost and found area at a Jehovah’s Witness convention. (Photo by Reg Lancaster/Express/Getty Images)

“What God Wants”

What God Wants by Neale Donald Walsch

Easily the most impactful book of spiritual reflections that I have ever read.  The questions, the current and historical references, and the logic behind the book’s premise are profoundly simple, but startling.  Reading this book urges me to further explore other great spiritual texts of the world besides only those common to the western culture.  If you’re unwilling to even consider the concepts presented here, you’re in danger of missing out on universal truths that have impacted world cultures throughout history and across centuries.  BUY it here.

Why is it…? #4

That some assume enthusiasm equals evidence?

That so often feelings get confused with facts?

That some adhere to religion at the expense of reason?

That so many attempt to make science out of that which is only speculation?

Why is it…?