InSpiritry

 Your imagination, my dear fellow, is worth more than you imagine.
Louis Aragon

This past Thursday, February 12, was the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, one of the world’s most imaginative and influential thinkers. In the UK, a celebration called Darwin200 is taking place to honor his scientific ideas and their  impact. Events are taking place this month and will continue until November 24, the 150th anniversary of the publication of his famous book, The Origin of Species.

You remember Charles Darwin: the 19th century God-fearing husband, father and naturalist who stumbled upon an idea so revolutionary and disturbing that he waited 15 years to publish it, for fear of alienating his friends, family and faith. In fact, his fears were confirmed. His discovery of Evolution–the idea that plants and animals with some traits survive and others do not leads species to emerge or change into new forms over time–did cause alienation, not just in Darwin’s life but for us 200 years later! Even today in state houses across America, educators and boards of educations are arguing, often with raised voices and tear-filled eyes, both sides of the issue of biology curricula: evidence-based science or creationism/intelligent design. As the debate rages, our poor teachers are faced with trying to inspire the scientists of tomorrow while maneuvering the storm.

Thinking about all this, I imagine God shaking his heavenly head and wondering about these miraculous human creatures made of the same stuff as water, spring flowers, sea turtles, star dust… people who by design endlessly long to understand the world, but who sometimes ask “why?” and then refuse to believe the answers they find.

And that is it in a nutshell: Darwin’s explorations as well as human discoveries from the beginning of time are rooted in that very human, and for the faithful divine-inspired, question, “why?” In fact, asking “why?” is at the heart of learning, that thing we humans must do to survive. It begins with childhood and serves us throughout our lives. We observe a situation and find it beautiful, interesting, wondrous, astounding, confusing–maybe even disturbing. The thoughtful among us ponder possible explanations. The courageous among us follow our curiosity. The intellectual among us apply our collective knowledge. The creative consider new ideas. The dedicated pursue the work of trying and testing. The open-minded collaborate. The lucky discover. All of it driven by that one human question, “Why?”

In that context, our knowledge of biology and the exquisite process of evolution that allows life to adapt to survive is an important piece in the puzzle of “why,” but it only one in millions of pieces that include science, math, history, psychology, sociology and even spirituality. Yes, spirituality! Asking “why?” can be one aspect of our search for hints of God by exploring His world and how it works!

That exploration can be seen another way. I have long been a proponent in my InSpiritry writing and speaking of “Greater Good Thinking” - the practice of widening our perspective to see the larger context, the long term consequences, the external forces, the Big Picture if you will. I sometimes explain it as using a camera lens and zooming out to see what else is in the frame. With spiritual audiences, I use the metaphor of taking a God’s Eye View.

Which brings us back to Darwin and, for that matter, to our own lives. Like Darwin, our best tool is Greater Good Thinking! Whether we are thinking about Evolution or the Economic Crisis or even our personal dilemmas, Greater Good Thinking allows us to see a greater truth! To look beyond our little lives and limited understanding. To use our creative and intellectual capacities. To understand how everything relates to everything else. To consider the unthinkable. To work in a new way. Greater Good Thinking leads us to ask that most human of questions, ”Why?”

…and then to have the courage and faith to follow the answers!

When We Use Greater Good Thinking,

Asking “Why” Can Be a Blessing!

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 16th, 2009 at 11:40 am and is filed under Anne McCrady, Events & News, Greater Good Thinking, InSpiritry, Greater Good, Education, Science, Creativity, Social Issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.