Embracing the Divine Nature: Understanding Our Place in the Universe
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Chapter 1: The Illusion of Certainty
The challenge of truly accepting reality as it exists
Photo by Wonderlane on Unsplash
The notion of certainty often serves as a deceptive foundation for various distorted worldviews, whether they are framed as science, faith, logic, or religious belief. We all experience this to varying extents. At the core of every belief system lies a misunderstanding, embraced out of desperation for understanding.
Genuine truth remains elusive, particularly for those who believe they have a firm grasp on it. In reality, we are all navigating through existence, attempting to evade the profound mysteries of the universe by clinging to comforting ideologies. If only it were so simple to be self-aware!
I, too, am not exempt from this tendency, having labeled my beliefs in numerous ways throughout my life, each time convincing myself that I had finally unraveled the essence of existence. Even when I cloak my perspective in a thin layer of doubt, it still remains a form of delusion. Accepting things as they truly are seems almost impossible.
Section 1.1: The Great Mystery of Nature
The crux of our dilemma lies in nature—the fundamental force shaping our world. For millennia, we have sought to comprehend it through myths, sacred writings, and personal narratives, yet we remain largely ignorant of its true nature.
This predicament traces back to when our ancestors first gazed into the vast, dark expanse above, dotted with stars, striving to make sense of the spectacle. The Great Mystery envelops us. Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his transcendental work, "Nature," noted:
"The stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present, they are always inaccessible; but all natural objects make a kindred impression when the mind is open to their influence."
Indeed, being receptive to this influence is crucial. In every element of nature—be it a star, a flower, an insect, or a droplet of water—lies a complexity that we can scarcely comprehend. What is the origin of all this? Has the universe always existed in its current state, or did it emerge from something else?
Through scientific inquiry, we have discerned certain natural laws. Are these laws absolute, or do they stem from an eternal force? Contemplating these laws often leads us to the infinite. Deep reflection compels us toward the understanding that something inherent in nature must be infinite, and for lack of a better term, we might call this the divine.
Some individuals argue for a more ethereal interpretation of existence, asserting that the divine exists in a realm separate from nature, and that our purpose as sentient beings is to unify with it. However, Evelyn Underhill aptly remarked in her work, "Practical Mysticism":
"To elude nature, to refuse her friendship, and attempt to leap the river of life in the hope of finding God on the other side, is the common error of a perverted mysticality."
In essence, the divine is not found in some distant realm; it is present here and now.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Quest for Understanding
Like Emerson, I perceive the divine woven into all natural entities, in the world surrounding me and within myself, yet I struggle to fully comprehend it. By opening my mind to the divine manifested in nature, I sense an intrinsic meaning and purpose guiding all existence—a concept often recognized in scientific discussions as evolution. However, my grasp on this understanding remains tenuous at best.
I find it challenging to maintain this heightened awareness of being in the world; my mind longs for simpler truths.
No doubt, novelist and nature enthusiast John Fowles shared similar sentiments in his later reflections. In his essay "The Nature of Nature," he expressed:
"What has struck me about the acutely rich sensation of beingness is how fleeting its apprehension."
Indeed, these moments of clarity are ephemeral; one's sense of self fades during such experiences, making it difficult to sustain them. Nature transcends individual existence, a truth that can be difficult for any person to confront.
Despite the fear of losing oneself amidst the vastness of divine nature, there is an undeniable attraction to it—the possibility of knowing the unknown and being a part of the greater whole. Every mystic encounters this. In those brief moments when our minds are open to divine nature, we experience both ecstasy and dread. The Romantics referred to these instances as encounters with the sublime, which are more common than most dare to admit.
It is hard to believe that anyone could traverse life without experiencing a glimpse of What-Is at least once. After all, why would we work so diligently to avoid it? Certainty is often rooted in a fear of uncertainty—the anxiety we feel when faced with the unknowable.
Chapter 2: Nature, Science, and the Awe of Existence
A profound connection with nature can transform lives. Karen Armstrong noted this in her book, "Sacred Nature":
"If we allow it to enter our lives, nature can inform our minds and become a formative influence."
Those who have spent significant time in wild settings recognize this truth. It can be argued that much of the turmoil and despair in the world today stems from a disconnect with nature. One need not be mystical or deeply religious to acknowledge this. In fact, approaching nature through a scientific lens may provide a more straightforward path to uncovering its profound mysteries.
While science may sometimes seem antagonistic to irrationality, it is not inherently opposed to the wonder and awe that form the foundation of mystical experiences. In fact, wonder drives scientific inquiry. Without the spark of curiosity, science would not exist.
Wonder is a fundamental aspect of our being, propelling all serious explorations into What-Is. Loren Eiseley eloquently captured this in his essay, "Science and the Sense of the Holy":
"One can only assert that in science, as in religion, when one has destroyed human wonder and compassion, one has killed man, even if the man in question continues to go about his laboratory tasks."
Conversely, what makes us truly alive as self-aware beings is our capacity for wonder. From the dawn of humanity, we have looked to the cosmos and posed profound questions, a practice that continues today.
Regardless of our methods for pursuing wonder, humanity is inherently inquisitive. This curiosity itself is a remarkable aspect of nature—how beings like us emerged in such a wild, seemingly chaotic universe. Our consciousness, especially our self-awareness, remains one of nature’s greatest enigmas.
In the first video, "Science of Mind: Core Concept Ten 'Divine Nature,'" we delve into the intrinsic connection between our understanding of the divine and the essence of nature, exploring how these concepts intertwine.
The second video, "How To Control The Ego & Experience Your Divine Nature," discusses the significance of transcending ego to connect with our divine essence and its implications for our understanding of nature.
Curiously, I find that my explorations into natural sciences lead me toward a more mystical perspective, not less. The more I open myself to mystical experiences with divine nature, the more inclined I become toward scientific inquiry. There is a prevalent belief that these two ways of thinking are fundamentally at odds, yet all true seekers understand otherwise.
Reality is both elusive and inclusive of scientific truths. Contemporary science writer Chet Raymo captures this sentiment in his essays in "The Virgin and the Mousetrap," where he asserts:
"Science is the conviction that the world is ruled by something more than chance and the whims of gods. Science is confidence that the human mind can make some sense of nature’s complexity, and, almost paradoxically, science is humility in the face of nature’s complexity."
I resonate with this perspective, as do those who perceive the divine within nature. While fully accepting reality as it is may seem insurmountable, science steadily guides us toward that understanding, one fact at a time.
Ultimately, if we could truly comprehend the entirety of Nature—its essence and motivations—imagine the insights we might gain!