How do I know what I "know"?
Exploring your spiritual paradigm (Part 5)
“The path of spiritual growth is a path of lifelong learning.” — M. Scott Peck
Note: If you haven’t already, you may find it helpful to read my previous posts in this series before continuing: “Your Spiritual Paradigm”, “What is Responsible for All That Exists?”, “What Am I in Relation to All That Exists?”, “What Happens After Death?”, and “Is There a Purpose for My Life?
As we’ve explored our spiritual paradigms these past few weeks, you’ve considered what might be responsible for all that exists and how you connect to all that is. You’ve reflected on what might happen after death and whether there is a purpose to your life.
In this final step, you are asked to be aware of your own thinking and processing. How have you arrived at conclusions to the questions presented thus far, however tentative?
Who and what has influenced and informed your spiritual life to this point? How have they collectively shaped your spiritual paradigm -- what you now believe, hope, imagine, or theorize to be true?
Pulling the Pieces Together
A couple of years ago, I took an e-course offered by Spirituality and Practice, which was taught by Rabbi Rami Shapiro (a name that should be sounding familiar by now). One of the first things he asked us to do was to draw three columns on a letter-size piece of paper. The three columns were labeled “teachers”, “teachings”, and “texts”; and we were to list all that had contributed to our spiritual evolution thus far. If I were to repeat the exercise, I would add a fourth and fifth column, labeling them “direct experiences” and “spiritual practices” respectively.
After completion of this table, we were then asked to place a check mark next to any item that remained a spiritual influence. Finally, we were asked to carefully consider whether those items that were designated by check marks were compatible with one another; whether, together, they inherently made sense. If not, the rabbi asked, how do you manage to mentally hold these ideas as concurrently valid? It was a legitimate question and one worth contemplating.
In her research, Dr. Linda Mercandante (another name that should ring a bell) found that most of her spiritual-but-not-religious (SBNR) interviewees had little knowledge about the theological underpinnings of what it was that influenced their spirituality. Rare was the person who could cite specific texts, authors, or traditions related to what they believed or practiced, and the interviewees typically showed little interest in finding out.
Many assumed that what they believed emerged from universal truths that were taught by all or most religions. That was not necessarily the case. Alternatively, some regarded their beliefs as reflecting “wisdom more ancient and authentic than any religion.” The subjects were rarely aware of or concerned with obvious or potential inconsistencies.
In a 2018 presentation, Dr. Victor Ashear (yet a third familiar name in our paradigm exploration and my inspiration for this series) instructed that the central question of this post -- How do I know what I know? -- is called a question of “epistemology” (meaning the study of knowledge). He warns that because we are living in an age of “alternative facts” and “fake news”, this query has become more important than ever.
He mentioned that several religions base their knowledge upon a sacred text (such as the Old or New Testament, the Koran, or the Book of Mormon). Those with fundamentalist leanings go a step further, viewing the content of their sacred text as absolute truth.
The question for those of us who exhibit spiritual independence is this: How do you determine spiritual truth for yourself? What have been the most influential ingredients in the formation of your spiritual paradigm: sacred texts; direct spiritual experiences; specific teachers, teachings, and practices; and/or scientific knowledge and reasoning?
Ashear leans on a combination of all of these. I must say I do the same. When it comes to theological authorities, he asked us to consider how reliant we are on them and how we decide which authorities to trust. To determine trustworthiness requires a level of spiritual discernment, a topic we’ll address in future posts.
A Spiritual Paradigm in Sixty Seconds
Circling back now to Shapiro’s e-course, the next instruction given was to review the influences listed in our charts to gain clarity about our own current spiritual positions. We were then to construct a 60-second “elevator speech” that could concisely communicate our core spiritual beliefs to others.
It was a valuable exercise, as it forced me to examine and synthesize the various sources of spiritual inspiration that had coalesced over time and then condense them into what I ultimately wrote as my 60-second synopsis:
I believe that a creative, intelligent, formless, genderless Consciousness is the substance and life force that underlies and transcends all that exists. I sense that my physical form and individual awareness are contained and sustained within this higher power that I often refer to as Source or God. I imagine that my human existence emerged from and is animated by Source and that, upon death, my spirit (or soul) will continue to exist in the spiritual realm which is our true home.
I believe that everything is interdependent, forming one sacred system; and that what one does to another literally impacts oneself. This, and more, is what I feel many of our traditions’ wisdom teachers sought to impart. They invited us to follow in their footsteps, to tap into the spiritual wisdom available within and beyond us, to realize the essence of who we are and to live accordingly. I believe we are urged to create, with Source, lives that mature into authentic love, compassion, and wisdom; that bring unique contributions to the sacred mosaic of All That Is.
This is the crux of what I presently believe, hope, imagine, and theorize to be True. It has emerged from all that I have learned and experienced throughout my life. I remain open to reexamining my paradigm, however, when and if new insights present themselves.
An Invitation
You may wish to take stock, as I did, of what influences and informs your current spiritual understanding. Consider your answers, at least in part, to the queries we’ve used to explore our paradigms.
Then create your own 60-second elevator speech. It might largely reflect the beliefs of a tradition with which you are or have been affiliated. Or it may reveal something substantially different. In the end, this is your spiritual life, and only you can say what genuinely resides within you.
When you’re done, I dare you to take it for a spin. Share it with someone important in your life who can listen with caring, curiosity, and respect.
And then join me again, as we continue to travel this uncharted path together. It is here that we wrestle with uncertainty -- and learn to love and live the questions.