Darwin
Part of finding your way back to your true self is learning your place in the world. This requires a certain amount of education and a certain amount of unlearning by the mind which has been poisoned by superstition and misconceptions about human supremacy. This unlearning, or deprogramming, seems to challenge even the educated human mind. I believe this lies at the core of our current environmental catastrophe, to which the leaders of world governments are slow to respond.
This day, February 12, is the date of Charles Darwin's birth 202 years ago. And, after nearly two centuries, his work on the science of human origins has inspired subsequent scientists to make great advances in a relatively short period of time. But, his work also threatened the foundations of religions and political systems across the planet. That threat stimulated an opposite and equal reaction of stubborn resistance to science and education.
What is so horrifying about understanding that we are all animals, born with lucky and unlucky traits or situations? Well, for one thing, realization that so much of life is simply coincidence of birth and location deflates the ego of those who see their material success or worldly prowess as somehow predetermined by an invisible supernatural force, which grants absolution for greed, corruption and antisocial behaviors. Being simply an animal in a timescape of change and coincidence, like all other animals, frightens those who are unwilling to accept who they are or who their ancestors were. Some never stop running from this acceptance. Others can think of little else.
The choice of ignorance over education can be blissful indeed. However, it does not lead to a happy ending. The ending inevitably comes for us all. To achieve sustaining happiness after awakening to your real place in the real world takes work and courage. Turning from the cow path of conformist views and pop culture requires an awakening to your own mortality and the preciousness of your limited lifespan.
Science, rather than flattening human experience, provides a model for living which constantly tests assumptions and embraces changes of approach. Science embraces failure as a step closer to success. Understanding the scientific method and applying it to your life provides you with coping mechanisms far superior to those offered by any religion or superstition.
So much of my own humanist practice is based in my education in the sciences. Learning that living the intentional life demands constant intentional change is crucial. Each moment of the awakened life is an opportunity to experiment, to learn, to grow. The choice is there for more and more people in this age of information technology. Hopefully, human beings will embrace the concept that we are fortunate to be able to intentionally shape our own progress and evolution as a species for the common good and the good of the planet.
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| Charles Darwin, 1868 |
What is so horrifying about understanding that we are all animals, born with lucky and unlucky traits or situations? Well, for one thing, realization that so much of life is simply coincidence of birth and location deflates the ego of those who see their material success or worldly prowess as somehow predetermined by an invisible supernatural force, which grants absolution for greed, corruption and antisocial behaviors. Being simply an animal in a timescape of change and coincidence, like all other animals, frightens those who are unwilling to accept who they are or who their ancestors were. Some never stop running from this acceptance. Others can think of little else.
The choice of ignorance over education can be blissful indeed. However, it does not lead to a happy ending. The ending inevitably comes for us all. To achieve sustaining happiness after awakening to your real place in the real world takes work and courage. Turning from the cow path of conformist views and pop culture requires an awakening to your own mortality and the preciousness of your limited lifespan.
Science, rather than flattening human experience, provides a model for living which constantly tests assumptions and embraces changes of approach. Science embraces failure as a step closer to success. Understanding the scientific method and applying it to your life provides you with coping mechanisms far superior to those offered by any religion or superstition.
So much of my own humanist practice is based in my education in the sciences. Learning that living the intentional life demands constant intentional change is crucial. Each moment of the awakened life is an opportunity to experiment, to learn, to grow. The choice is there for more and more people in this age of information technology. Hopefully, human beings will embrace the concept that we are fortunate to be able to intentionally shape our own progress and evolution as a species for the common good and the good of the planet.
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