The constant temptation in our life is the tendency to be swayed by the visible world in opposition to the invisible one, if at all there is one! This happens because we are inclined to think that while the sciences support the visible and the material world, there is no scientific basis (understood narrowly) for the existence of the invisible world. The stronger tendency is to suppose that it is scientific to deny the existence of the invisible world, whereas the fact is that it is most illogical to deny something one has no experience of. It is like denying the existence of a white crow, because so far one has seen only black crows!
The additional reason for denying the invisible and the supernatural along with belief and faith in them is the fear of superstitions that may creep into these systems of thought. Here we have the assistance of Philosophy that is specifically meant to uproot unfounded beliefs as it is the duty of Philosophy to dig into the foundations of all true knowledge going to the limits of the very being of everything. In this context, what service does Philosophy fulfill with regard to material sciences like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics etc. to consolidate their foundations? Besides the particular foundations each branch of Science have, all branches of true knowledge have a common foundation that is absolutely necessary for them to be rational. This common foundation is the openness of the mind to any possibility that may offer itself for investigation. Refusal to open up adamantly restricting one's mind only to pre-conceived ideas is the most irrational and unscientific attitude one can have. Philosophy goes into such conditions of possibility for anything to be rational thereby uprooting the basis of all sorts of superstitions.
This is why spirituality cannot avoid philosophical thinking as far as its foundations are concerned. It is the takeoff point for spiritual and theological sciences, although they are not tied down to Philosophy at all. After taking off from the firm ground of Philosophy they proceed according to their first principles, which are not answerable to Philosophy. This is so even for material sciences in their proper investigations where they can afford to forget all about Philosophy. Since these sciences cannot overrule the fundamental requirement of rationality, i.e., openness to possibilities of reality, it goes against the very rationality of these sciences, if they deny the existence of an invisible world. The most rational attitude, therefore, for them is to admit that it does not belong to the province of their sciences.
Theology and Spirituality delve into the realm of the invisible world because God, being Spirit and not matter, is invisible and both Theology and Spirituality strive to connect with that invisible Reality. Since our souls are direct reflections of God Himself, they too are invisible and are accessed by Theology and Spirituality. Although Philosophers have proposed many rational proofs for the existence of God, they can only be meager, yet valuable, attempts of investigations in the direction of Truth. The experience of the invisible reality by the whole person is far better than broken glimpses attained through our intellect and senses etc. Theology and Spirituality are based on the Word of God revealed by Him transforming and transporting our entire personality into the realm of the invisible world.
There is no proper spirituality and theological investigation if the invisible world is not taken as their proper subject-matter and object of study. This is why Jesus insisted on the need to connect to what is from above as against what belongs here below to the visible Universe (John, 8: 23). If our happiness is restricted to the visible world and its offerings, it cannot be perfect and perpetual. Created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis, 1: 26), our nature thirsts for Him, Who is essentially invisible and Whose Essence is His Existence. When we are awakened and enlightened, we see that each moment without the baggage of the past and expectation of the future is a gift of God throbbing with life and joy. Come, let us enjoy this fullness!
The additional reason for denying the invisible and the supernatural along with belief and faith in them is the fear of superstitions that may creep into these systems of thought. Here we have the assistance of Philosophy that is specifically meant to uproot unfounded beliefs as it is the duty of Philosophy to dig into the foundations of all true knowledge going to the limits of the very being of everything. In this context, what service does Philosophy fulfill with regard to material sciences like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics etc. to consolidate their foundations? Besides the particular foundations each branch of Science have, all branches of true knowledge have a common foundation that is absolutely necessary for them to be rational. This common foundation is the openness of the mind to any possibility that may offer itself for investigation. Refusal to open up adamantly restricting one's mind only to pre-conceived ideas is the most irrational and unscientific attitude one can have. Philosophy goes into such conditions of possibility for anything to be rational thereby uprooting the basis of all sorts of superstitions.
This is why spirituality cannot avoid philosophical thinking as far as its foundations are concerned. It is the takeoff point for spiritual and theological sciences, although they are not tied down to Philosophy at all. After taking off from the firm ground of Philosophy they proceed according to their first principles, which are not answerable to Philosophy. This is so even for material sciences in their proper investigations where they can afford to forget all about Philosophy. Since these sciences cannot overrule the fundamental requirement of rationality, i.e., openness to possibilities of reality, it goes against the very rationality of these sciences, if they deny the existence of an invisible world. The most rational attitude, therefore, for them is to admit that it does not belong to the province of their sciences.
Theology and Spirituality delve into the realm of the invisible world because God, being Spirit and not matter, is invisible and both Theology and Spirituality strive to connect with that invisible Reality. Since our souls are direct reflections of God Himself, they too are invisible and are accessed by Theology and Spirituality. Although Philosophers have proposed many rational proofs for the existence of God, they can only be meager, yet valuable, attempts of investigations in the direction of Truth. The experience of the invisible reality by the whole person is far better than broken glimpses attained through our intellect and senses etc. Theology and Spirituality are based on the Word of God revealed by Him transforming and transporting our entire personality into the realm of the invisible world.
There is no proper spirituality and theological investigation if the invisible world is not taken as their proper subject-matter and object of study. This is why Jesus insisted on the need to connect to what is from above as against what belongs here below to the visible Universe (John, 8: 23). If our happiness is restricted to the visible world and its offerings, it cannot be perfect and perpetual. Created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis, 1: 26), our nature thirsts for Him, Who is essentially invisible and Whose Essence is His Existence. When we are awakened and enlightened, we see that each moment without the baggage of the past and expectation of the future is a gift of God throbbing with life and joy. Come, let us enjoy this fullness!
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