Spiritual Evolution
Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution may be the single most important and revolutionary scientific theory of all time. No other concept has made such a profound impact on human race. The theory of intelligent design was dethroned and finally science gained upper hand over religion.
Humans undoubtedly enjoy the most benefit out of the whole process of evolution. We assert that our race is the most sophisticated creature to have evolved in the face of the earth.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, the French idealist philosopher and Jesuit priest, in his famous book, ‘The Phenomenon of man’, argues that, ‘in the tree of life, humans are the flower’. Hence it is widely agreed that we are the pinnacle of the evolutionary process.
But has the evolution stopped? If not, to what will the Homo Sapience evolve to? I think the process would more be an inner evolution rather than an outer one.
Inner evolution
As a race we have achieved the unachievable during the past two centuries. The scientific discoveries and achievements are a testimony of our evolving intellect. But is intellect the only facet of our evolution?
I believe that spirituality is a great untapped potential that lies dormant in us. Though we try to understand everything through our well-developed intelligence, spirituality is not a property that can be conceived through equations.
Nevertheless, modern science has stumbled upon some unexplainable anomalies which has the power to over write all the ideas and preconceptions of our race.
Spiritual Evolution.
It is almost time for the human race to turn her sight from the fleeting experiences on the outside, to the silent presence on the inside. Thus marking the beginning of spiritual evolution.
As with any kind of evolution, the effort should be from the part of the race who enjoys the benefit of the same. The long neck of Giraffe due to concentrated effort of generations to reach to the highest branch, is the best example.
Sadly, our spirituality is stuck in the mere primary level of taboos and rituals. Although they are inevitable to the start of the journey, blindly clinging to them will hinder the development of the person.
Instead the person has to grow out of these belief systems and seek the ultimate whole heartedly.
Journey towards the ultimate
All spiritual philosophies have some guidelines for the aspiring seeker. Astonishingly, parallels can be drawn between many philosophies, whose supreme goal is to reach Godhood.
From ancient Greek philosophies, Hinduism, Buddhism to Christianity, the ultimate aim of all is the union with Omnipresent. Plato, Aristotle and even Stoic philosophers believed in evolving to become the Almighty or Imitatio Dei (imitation of God).
Ancient masters believed that the two stages of spirituality are katharsis (purification) and theoria (illumination); the ultimate point of illumination being union with Omnipotent.
Catholic Theology
Catholic theologians took the same idea and expanded it into three spiritual stages; via purgativa, via iluminativa and via unitiva.
The first phase, via purgativa, is where the religion comes in. To repent, cleanse and purify oneself is the aim of this phase. Once the seeker completes this process of catharsis she moves on to the second stage.
Via iluminativa, the second stage, prompts the seeker to intelligently analyse the stories, clues and teachings of the masters. By meditating on them, she discovers the deep secrets of spiritual life. This process equips her for the long and arduous journey.
In the third phase, via unitiva, as the name suggests, the seeker achieves revelations and unites with the Omnipresent.
Where to begin?
The first step is universally known; purification. By catharsis the seeker has to give up all prejudices, and preconceptions and start seeking with all her heart
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Jesus
When all desires and materialistic urges subside, she will start seeing the superficial existence that surrounds her. The hollowness of life will prompt her to live a more quality life. Rather than sticking to the periphery, the seeker will live a life more fully.
Michelangelo’s Insight
Michelangelo‘s fresco ‘The Creation of Adam’, the featured image in this blog, which originally adorns the ceiling of the Sistine chapel, has given rise to many speculations and controversies. The meaning of the painting has been much debated since its portrayal in 1512.
A close look at the painting, reveals its intentions. God depicted in the picture, lovingly extends his hand, inviting Adam. But Adam on the other hand, leans back and keeps his hand not even fully extended. This laziness from Adam’s part creates a distance between his hands and that of God’s, which acts as a barrier between him and paradise.
The invitation towards enlightenment is ever-present. But it cannot be achieved if we do not come out of our comfort zone and make an effort ourselves.
If we rely on ancient wisdom, and muster the courage for a spiritual journey, we surely can bring about spiritual evolution, which will incontrovertibly mark the begin of a new era in human history.
I would love to hear from you. Please post your valuable comments below
Great argument! Thank you for sharing! I believe the emotional evolution is a necessity one for human and perhaps part of the spiritual evolution. Human race now need to develop what we now call emotional intelligence.
It sure does. Spiritual evolution cannot take place unless there is a platform for it, namely, emotional and intellectual maturity. So your argument is valid and to the point.
Thank you for visiting and commenting.
I wish I saw evolution in man. I feel that as a whole, humanity has not changed much. It seems cyclical, in how we behave. New era’s only bring new types of the same problems. If we evolved, would there still be racism? Hate? Violence? All of society’s ills? I love the theory, but have yet to see evidence it is anything more than a brilliant theory. 🤷♀️😔
Hi. You right at that. Any evolution takes its own time. But aren’t there many positive signs around? Tolerance towards racism has gone down in countries who used to slave trade just over a century ago. Genocides have gone considerably down since Hitler. So I am ever hopeful.
Thank you for reading and sharing you insights
That is true, yes, and I am always hopeful that we will continue improving in all areas, becoming more human and kind towards each other. But there is also division growing yet again and I am worried about what it will bring. It seems every time we move forward, it never lasts and we go back again before long.
Sure there are many set backs to the evolution. Still as a whole we have come a lot forward. It gives the strength to look beyond those set backs. If we appeal to our social consciousness, we can surely make the process fast. Writers like you and me have to shoulder that responsibility.
🙂❤
I absolutely love your blog!
Hey Abby. Thank you for reading. Really appreciate your kind words too.
A very interesting post!
Thank you for reading and supporting. Happy to hear that it was interesting.
The only thing evolved by spirituality is human stupidity
Thank you for sharing Michael.
A very interesting post. Many people are interested in spirituality today. I wonder, though, if actually being spiritual is actually an intrinsic part of being human. Probably Michelangelo thought so. I wonder if other people do today…? Best wishes, Michael
Hey Michael. Great to see your comment again. As you pointed out, many consider spirituality unnecessary, mostly because of wrong outlooks towards it. I personally believe that spiritual evolution is crucial for facilitating an all round development of human race. Or else, as Einstein pointed out, our development would be a lame one.
interesting post. really, it seems spirituality is one of the greatest resources that has been undeveloped or untapped. how better equipped people in schools would become, and also our world would, if one or two subjects related to spirituality are taught along with regular courses in schools, from childhood to adulthood. this would make most people spiritually conscious and take the path to spiritual evolution
That’s a great idea Godwin. Many are totally unaware of a spiritual possibility. Educating them from childhood, not about a particular religion, but about spirituality, would be helpful. In India, we had such a curriculum. But was lost in time. It would be nice to bring it back.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Great post and very thorough! I’ve been really waking up to the real reality of this world! I’m learning more about spirituality and how we are so powerful if we put our minds to it! Have you just come into this new info about spirituality?
Hey Brittany. It is great to hear that you came to the understanding. Spirituality is a long journey that one embarks on since birth. Unfortunately we forget about our voyage and engage in many unnecessary stuff. So it can’t be said truthfully that we came to a new info. We just remembered it.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Ahh that’s an interesting perspective. 🙌🏾😌🕉 Thanks! Have a good day 😁
You too!☺️ Take care
I believe that a lot of us are spiritually waking up. We’re shedding a lot of “tunnel vision” religion and opening up to ideas from other religions and spiritualities. I, myself, am agnostic with a Christian background. The only rule that I live my life by is, “treat others the way that you want to be treated.”
That is exactly what I am thinking. We are at the beginning of a great understanding. People transcend their religious views and becomes more focused towards values. The future is full of hope.
Thank you for reading and expressing your opinion. Cheers!
As you pointed out – we have to want it. That’s the tricky bit. I’m still in love with the Hithhiker’s Guide bit “For instance, on the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much — the wheel, New York, wars and so on — whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man — for precisely the same reasons.”. Another of Douglas Adams gems is this: “There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened”.
That is so hilarious and very true. Humans in our selfishness believe that we are superior to all other species. But it is obvious that humans are the only species that toils this hard to live on the planet. So who is really intelligent; we can’t tell
Thank you for sharing your insights here Liz. It is so great to see you after a while. I missed your loving and quippy comments.
Awww! Thanks!
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Thank you for visiting and sharing the post Yazim’yazgisi
Very inspirational. Keep writing more about this topic.
Thank you for your support Nathaniel.
Absolutely loved this post. Let us hope that in near future our race will reach to the path of spiritual evolution and all the violence and hatred will dissapped from our planet
Thank you for reading Bruno. Surely I hope so too.