By Gregg Sanderson
Why you can’t use the Scientific Method to explain your spiritual path.
Science can’t prove (or disprove) a spiritual teaching. Science is but one facet of the spiritual universe, and confined to the space/time continuum.
By definition, it can’t consider dimensions that don’t exist on this plane, so we can’t properly turn to science to explain spiritual matters.
The Scientific Method is the accepted procedure for discovery. Generally it has four steps:
1. Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena.
2. Formulation of an hypothesis to explain the phenomena.
3. Use of the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena, or to predict quantitatively the results of new observations.
4. Performance of experimental tests of the predictions by independent experimenters and properly performed experiments.
What a bunch of gobbledegook!
Wouldn’t it be great if no words could ever have more than two syllables? Well, maybe not, since “syllables” has three. Let’s apply the scientific method:
1. I observe that a sentence only has two-syllable words.
- I suggest that words only have two syllables or less.
- I write another sentence and find some of the words have more than two syllables.
- Other people write sentences with polysyllables.
Thus, I have disproved the hypothesis. Back to the ole drawing board.
Now, let’s get real.
- I observe that my thoughts create my experience.
- I suggest that thought is creative.
- I think some other thoughts and nothing happens.
- Other people think thoughts and wonder what happened.
Thus, I have disproved the hypothesis…Or have I?
Still The Secret works often enough for somebody to write a book about it.
Science of Mind “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “
Psychic Healing “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “
Spiritualism “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “
Channeling “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “
And Science “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “
So what’s going on? I’ll tell you.
I don’t know.
One thing for sure, neither does science. While they make fascinating discoveries, only BOB (BOB is our name for the multidimensional life force—the Being Of Bliss) knows the myriad of dimensions in the universe completely imperceptible to us limited space/time adventurers.
Meanwhile, the best we can do is to be content with empirical evidence. We see or experience the B.S. (Belief System) enough so that it’s valid to adopt. For example, I know that manifestation requires consistent embodied thought powered by emotion with a mix of gratitude…But there’s no way to measure embodiment, emotion, how strong the belief, how regular the thought, or even the results.
So it works when it works, and it doesn’t when it doesn’t, and if it works often enough I’ll adopt it as my own B.S.
There are too many variables in the metaphysical world that don’t lend themselves to objective measurement, which makes the scientific method of limited value. For example, could anybody measure and control the receptivity to intuitive guidance—or the validity? Of course not.
What it boils down to is, if a spiritual trip works for you, stick with it. If not, find something else. They all work as long as you believe in them.
Of course, first you have to believe that they work as long as you believe in them.
Gregg Sanderson is author of Spirit With A Smile, The World According To BOB. He is a licensed practitioner in the Centers for Spiritual Living, and a Certified Trainer for Infinite Possibilities. His earlier books were, What Ever Happened To Happily Ever After? and Split Happens—Easing The Pain Of Divorce. His latest project is the New Thought Global Network, where subscribers can enjoy the best in New Thought presentations from anywhere at any time. You can see it at http://www.newthoughtglobal.org.
