Growth & Goals

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Spiritual Growth

This page includes:

  • Is Quantum Physics Providing Evidence of a Spiritual World? 
  • The Big Four Major Religions
  • Books on Spiritual Growth
  • Notes About the Big Four Major Religions and Eastern Philosophies

Over 70% of the entire world population believes in one of the four big major religions. 

https://www.statista.com/chart/25572/worlds-largest-religious-groups-over-time/

Is Quantum Physics Providing Evidence of a Spiritual World?

The science of quantum physics has some very interesting theories that could be considered as providing evidence there is an unseen spirit world. Consider the theories of…

Unpredictability – Particles in motion should have a predictable path, but they can actually divert from their present direction for no known reason.

Tunneling – Particles can travel through solid barriers.

Entanglement – Particles can have an unseen connection with other particles despite a long physical distance of separation.

Decoherence – Physical elements in the earth have active particles that lose their live vibrating state (coherence) when the elements are put through a manufacturing process. 

The Unified Field – Every living object with an energy field is connected to the universe by a larger ‘Unified’ energy field.

Interesting how science claims energy sources are either in a state of increase or decrease. However, the sun has been providing the earth a steady supply of energy for millions of years. Science also claims to know how it works, but they can’t replicate it.

Another interesting consideration for a spiritual world is that our physical bodies are mostly space and energy. If we were to look into a human cell we would find our DNA. If we looked into the DNA we would find molecules. If we look into the molecules we find atoms. If we look into the atoms we find mostly space, consisting of tiny constantly moving particles with protons, neutrons, and electrons. At the atomic level in the human body, we are mostly space and energy.

The Big Four Major Religions

Christianity

Belief in one God, who made humans in His image, as a spirit, with a soul, in a body. The Christian’s sacred document is the Bible, which claims over 1,000 times that it is from God. The Bible is a collection of respectable historical documents, with the Gospels being eyewitness accounts of the supernatural life of Jesus, including His death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. The only religion about a loving and just God who sent His Son, Jesus, for our salvation. This was the most impactful way God could redeem us from sin, and remain a loving and just God. There are many denominations of Christianity, united by the Nicene Creed. https://biblehub.com/q/what_are_christianity’s_core_beliefs.htm 

Islam

Belief in one God. Islam’s sacred document is the Quran. Mohammad, the final prophet, shared God’s word, the Quran, through the angel Gabriel. The Pillars of Islam include prayer five times a day. Fasting, especially during the month of Ramadan. Charity, or giving, to help those in need. Pilgrimage to Mecca, for those who can. People who practice Islam are referred to as Muslims. There are two types of Muslims, Shia and Sunni. They differ in their beliefs of the line of succession from the Prophet Mohammad.

Hinduism

There is one main divine source, and humans have an eternal soul. The Hindu’s sacred documents include the Vedas. Hinduism has seven core beliefs; Brahman – the spiritual source of everything. Atman – the internal divine self. Dharma – righteous duty. Karma – the law of action and consequences. Samsara – the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Moksha – liberation from Samsara. Yoga – the path to spiritual realization. There are four main types of Hinduism.

Buddhism

Buddhism does not believe in a God as a higher power. Buddhist sacred documents include the Tripitaka. The Three Universal Truths… Impermanence – everything in life is changing. True Happiness – True happiness is found within, not possessions. Anatta – we are all connected. The Four Noble Truths… Life is suffering. Suffering is caused by cravings. Suffering can end with Nirvana. To end suffering walk the Noble Eightfold Path to enlightenment. There are three main branches of Buddhism.

Books on Spiritual Growth

The book references for Islam and Hinduism are from the Learn Religions website, and Buddhism book references are from Amazon. A book for the general belief in God is The Case for a Creator.

Christianity

The Bible; Epic, by John Eldredge; The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel; Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis; Cold-Case Christianity, by J. Warner Wallace; Evidence that Demands a Verdict, by Josh McDowell.

Islam

The Quran; Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources; What Everyone Should Know About Islam and Muslims; Islam Explained; Welcome to Islam; Allah Loves; and Islam Today.

Hinduism

The Vedas; Bhagavad Gita; The Shiva Sutras; The Upanishads; Hinduism: Beliefs & Practices; The Hindu Mind; Dancing with Siva; and An Introduction to Hinduism

Buddhism

The Tripitaka; The Heart of Buddha’s Teaching; In the Buddha’s Words; No-Nonsense Buddhism for Beginners; What the Buddha Taught; The Book of Joy; and No Self, No Problem.

Notes About the Big Four Major Religions and Eastern Philosophies

The major religions are all exclusive and inclusive. They are exclusive from the point of view they don’t accept people who don’t share their foundational beliefs. However, they are all inclusive from the point of view they accept people from different religions, as long as they disavow their previous religions and foundational beliefs, and agree to integrate into their new religion.

Similarities in the major religions include the beliefs that we all have a selfish nature, but we still desire to be in relationship with other people, which means we must work to overcome our selfish nature.

They all share virtues of love, respect, wisdom, truth, integrity, forgiveness, and justice. They share natural laws of reciprocity, and discipline. They practice prayer and giving, and offer knowledge on how to apply these into our daily life.

While the major religions have some similarities, they also have foundational differences in their beliefs of the spiritual, spiritual growth, and life after death. 

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind (Albert Einstein)

Confucianism and Taosim

Primarily practiced in China. It’s my understanding that most Chinese do not consider these as religions, but rather refer to them as philosophies. These philosophies also believe our human nature is selfish and needs some work, so we can live in harmony with other people. 

Confucianism promotes ancestor worship, as spirits, not gods. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/confucianism

Taoism promotes a universal spiritual energy, and the light and dark forces of yin and yang.

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/taoism/