Life Beyond the Physical... Exploring the Oogabooga (part one)

You've all heard me say many times that we are multi-dimensional, complex, amazing beings. And nearly every day I talk about how we might create positive change in all areas of our lives and day-to-day reality; ways that we might learn, grow, change, improve, adapt, help others, live more effectively and understand more. And having pumped out about two hundred posts/articles (over quarter of a million words!) over the last nine months, there's one area I've consciously dared not tread. It's known technically as the Oogabooga stuff. Most of what I've written about to this point in time has explored the head stuff, the heart stuff, the body stuff and of course, the practical. And I guess in some ways I don't feel qualified to talk about life beyond the physical world we live in... but fortunately for you and I, we don't need to be qualified to have an opinion or a personal philosophy... and we don't need anyone's approval to voice our thoughts or share our ideas. So I'll share mine with you.. and then you can let me know how (you think) I've gone. Let me know if I'm way off. Or in the ball park.nn(I can take it). Keeping in mind that we're about meaningful, thoughtful exchanges here.. not about ntrying to ram our beliefs down someone else's throat. I'm guessing most of us agree that.. while on one level we are all a bunch of muscles, tendons, bones and squishy organs, on another level, we are also spiritual beings. Not that many of us know exactly what that means, but on some level, we feel there's gotta be something 'else'... we have this sense that 'this' isn't all there is. I think if I took a poll on this right now we would get a consensus on this. Alright, let's do it. Pay attention world. Hands up if you think we're physical, emotional, cerebral and spiritual beings. Okay, lemme count... 1, 2, 3, .... 4,235,790,337, 4,235,790,338, 4,235,790,339... yep, it's confirmed; most of us believe there's more. We don't necessarily understand what that means... but we do believe there is something else; some kind of spiritual realm. More than this physical world we live in. More than we have experienced to this point in time. More than what we can see, touch, smell and experience with our physical senses. More than we might understand with our highly developed, logical, rational, scientific brains. Sometimes we don't want to acknowledge that there might be more than what our eyes, ears and brain can perceive (a spiritual realm perhaps) because:nn(1) It makes us uncomfortable.. if not, totally scares the crap out of us.nn(2) We don't really want to explore it, as it might require a level of change on our behalf... and we're kinda comfy and secure where we are.nn(3) We've got absolutely no idea where or how to start the journey andnn(4) We've had bad experiences with certain 'religious' organisations or people... or both. I'm hearin' ya. All too often people (and their numerous issues) get in the way of others experiencing something truly amazing on a spiritual level. Many of us grew up with some kind of theology (philosophy, ideology) imposed on us. If mum and dad were Catholics, Mormons or Quakers... there's a fair chance you're not gonna be a Buddhist by your tenth birthday (or vice-versa). Put simply, most of us believe (accept, embrace, default to) whatever our parents believe because that's how we've been programmed; that's the only story we've heard (this is not intended to be an insult or criticism but rather, my observation). When you're seven years-old, you're not gonna come out with: "Hey, you know what dad... I'm not sure about your perspective on the whole God, universe, eternity, spirituality thing... In fact, I've done some significant research, weighed it all up... and I think your theology is essentially flawed. Take a seat you ignorant old, brain-washed fart and let me enlighten you." No, when you're seven.. it's more like: "Reaaaally.... wow... seven feet tall, huge feet, floppy ears, free chocolate... cooooool!!"nn(Okay, perhaps that was just me). When you have certain ideologies and philosophies re-enforced from birth, you don't even question them. Right or wrong.. is not even an issue. In fact, many of us were taught from a young age "we're right and all the others are wrong." Some of us were taught (instructed) not to consider or explore other theologies or spiritual philosophies. And if we did (step out of our designated spiritual box), it was cause for great concern. "Luke.. this is your father....stay away from the dark side." Err.. but that would be indoctrination wouldn't it? Manipulation perhaps? Almost, dare I say it... 'cult-ish' behaviour? Nooooo... not us. Others do that, we don't. We just don't want you to be mislead... or to see you get hurt. "Anyway, we're all going to heaven, they're not." Shame. Oh well, we're okay. Lucky us. "The others think they know... but only we really know. " "It's a good thing that only we (our particular religion, denomination) have that exclusive spiritual hot-line to Elohim, Allah, Yahweh, Bhagavan, Jesus, The Buddha, God (insert the deity of your choice)." Hey... wouldn't it be ironic if the very thing which retarded our spiritual development and understanding was in fact, religion? After all, we know that religion is a man-made thing... not a God-made thing right? How great would religion be if people weren't involved??! I'd join. In my experience (don't ya love that as a disclaimer?) sometimes we need to wade through all the human stuff.. before we can even get a wiff of any spiritual truth. Sometimes 'religion' is a synonym for division. And a catalyst for war, bloodshed, pain, suffering, intolerance and hatred. I personally find that so weird. And sad. If was a researcher from another planet and I was studying human behaviour on a global scale.. I don't think I'd be in any hurry to get 'religious'. But then we shouldn't really confuse religion with spirituality because often... they have very little to do with each other. In truth, some very 'religious' people have never had a spiritual experience in their life. Maybe what gets in the way of our spiritual development is in fact, logic. Logic based on science. We are a culture which reveres science; it makes us feel safe and smart. It's the basis for our understanding of most things. Science which is at odds with a spiritual world. Are you still with me?nn(Even I'm confused and I'm writing it!). But in all that 'learning' perhaps we shut ourselves down to something much more amazing and liberating than anything we could grasp (see, measure, quantify) with our logical, scientific, limited understanding. What if there is a world beyond our conventional science and thinking... beyond what we know? And what if we've been missing out on something amazing because we're too fearful, proud, stubborn or 'intelligent' to consider that there might be something more? Something incredible. Something more exciting, rewarding, liberating and mind-blowing than any 'thing' we could ever achieve, own or create on a human or practical level. Sadly, many people never even begin to explore their own spirituality; they don't get to know their spiritual selves. It scares them. They've been 'taught' to fear the unfamiliar. Sad. I have a friend who put his hands over his ears and opts for the "la, la, la.. don't wanna know, don't wanna know".. option whenever a conversation about that 'spiritual stuff' permeates his world. "Don't talk about that stuff; it creeps me out", he says. "But aren't you even a little interested or intrigued", I ask. "Nuh!!" When I suggest that even he might be more than a collection of bones, biceps and brain.. he changes the subject. And then we have those people who create their own version of a particular religion or spiritual philosophy to 'fit in' with how they want to live their life. Interesting concept. "I'll believe in something as long as it doesn't impede on my lifestyle." "Welcome to the 'Church (Synagogue, Temple, Mosque) of Perpetual Convenience'.. we'll never put you out... just believe the bits of our book that suit you." These days in our schools it's common place for kids to be taught that if they can't see it, touch it, hear it, measure it, analyse or quantify it... it probably doesn't exist. But what if it does? Surely there are lots of things which do exist but are not necessarily logical? Stuff that doesn't necessarily fit into our nice, neat, predictable, safe, conventional-thinking-box. What if those who teach... don't know? What if those that make the 'rules' (about what should and shouldn't be taught) don't know? Or care? What if our kids are 'learning' from the ignorant and un-enlightened? Not only do they have their creativity beaten out of them by a system which frowns upon creative expression and celebrates 'academic' excellence... but now they're being discouraged from exploring and developing an important part of who they are as people; their spiritual selves. I'm not suggesting the mandatory teaching of any particular philosophy or theology... but I am suggesting that we don't beat the natural curiosity out of our kids by imposing spiritual sanctions or completely indoctrinating them with overtly humanistic teaching and thinkingnnOkay.. so that would be the end of part one. It's a good thing I didn't have a plan! And all this from a scientist... who'da thunk it? Hope I haven't weirded you out, too much. Let me know your thoughts and where you're from. Part two... soon.