Science Vs. Spirituality

Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts. -Albert Einstein.

A few weeks ago I was in New York City for the weekend to attend a Medical Reiki seminar. The class was led by Pamela Miles, (www.reikiinmedicine.org). Ms. Miles is the author of REIKI: A Comprehensive Guide, an invaluable reference tool for Reiki practitioners who would like to express their practice in a more professional and less ‘out there’ way. I highly recommend this seminar to anyone who practices Reiki.

As I like to do, I wrote a blog about my experience after the weekend was over. I was really trying to keep it clean and precise. I ended up writing a piece I was not connected to because that is what I thought you had to do when writing about science or medicine. In an effort to keep it clinical, I ended up making it sterile and I was nowhere to be found.

I sent a draft to Pamela Miles. I was the eager student hoping for the teacher’s approval, but this was not to be. She sent my piece back to me with constructive criticisms and suggestions. I took her advice as she intended it and was not emotionally attached to what she said. (A daily Reiki practice is ironically how I was able to not take the criticism of my Reiki writing personally!) The line that struck me the most was, “Where are you in this piece?”  Hmmmm. Good question, where was I?

I decided to put the blog on the back burner and leave it alone for a while. In the weeks that followed I went about my business of setting up my new office and getting organized. Doing reading or research in the mornings led me to some interesting findings. Without even realizing it I found myself being drawn to articles and books about, of all things Science. I was googling scientists and reading everything I could find that would pose a question between science vs. spirituality.

I would say most people at one time in their lives have thought, even for a fleeting moment, what is the meaning of life and why are we here? Since that question can never truly be answered or measured or proved scientifically, does it mean it doesn’t exist?  If we agree that the question exists than I suppose it is possible to entertain the notion that “we just don’t know”, could be the answer?

We do know the Earth existed long before man did. Man arrived and the quest for knowledge was born. Stephen Hawking once said the only thing he doesn’t understand and wants to know more about are women! It is interesting that up to now evolution has been male driven and we are emerging into an age of seeing things from a more feminine evolutionary standpoint. 

Meaning, if the masculine side essentially comes from strength and the female side from goodness then human beings must have a balance of these two sides of themselves in order to help each other live whole lives regardless if they are a man or a woman.

The more balanced a person feels, the more they are apt to have the confidence to help others achieve balance in their lives as well. If you are out of balance then you have a tendency to want to dominate someone instead of helping them live to their fullest potential.  

The Medical Reiki Seminar piqued my interest into seeing things from a more logical perspective. Essentially helping to balance the yin to my yang.

With a heightened interest in science I realized I could see my Reiki practice in a whole new light. Connecting Reiki and Medicine you could potentially have an experience that would be much more meaningful to both sides.

Reiki is a putative therapy, meaning there is absolutely nothing about it that can be proved scientifically. Yet I know from first hand experience the benefits Reiki can bring you physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Richard Feynman who was a brilliant scientist and bongo player, among other things, once said, “It is much more interesting to have doubt and to not know answers.”  

I am all for making life more interesting. We may not get all the answers but let’s never stop asking the questions.