I think Science (with a capital S) is a cultural system, a spiritual system. And, simultaneously, I believe that all cultural systems and spiritual systems are also scientific systems—ways of exploring the world, ways of discerning what is actually happening, ways of predicting the future. Even crazier (perhaps), I believe it’s possible to merge these different systems. I don’t believe in the separation of spirit and matter. And in reality, the separation of spirit and matter—even in western Science—is quite recent. A large piece of what I hope to contribute to the world lies in my ability to hold spirit and matter together in my own Scientific research, as a serious (formal) researcher.
Research as Spiritual Practice, Catalysts on the Journey & Fulfilling Your Destiny
I believe researchers must name why they do what they do on a personal level. I want you to know that my research isn’t just a job—it is one of the most personal and spiritual practices of my life. Given the public nature of this project, I want to be as clear as possible about my underlying motivations and intentions. I question the legitimacy of researchers who can’t do this, who don’t do this. It’s called a bias—everyone has one because there’s no such thing as objectivity. It’s problematic when people don’t know that they have bias or know what their biases are because certain perspectives are normalized.