Dean Hamer is a scientist with impeccable pedigree (geneticist, researcher) who has some really interesting theories about genes and their role in human sexual orientation. In this book he suggest that our DNA might be responsible for our predisposition to feel religious experience, or to be precise for tendency to feel spiritual connection with the world around us - although the title comes as somewhat bombastic, Hamer makes very clear distinction between spiritual and religion. Careful in his choice of words, author explains that spiritual is what we all have in common (connected to consciousness and sensitivity) while religion is taught as part of cultural heritage.
Hamer does not discuss God (s) or religion per se - he is a scientist and his focus is possibility that somewhere in our genes we might have been "constructed" to be religious one way or the other, in order to go trough life with hope, sense of purpose and courage. He explains that certain people were born with predisposition to be highly sensitive (attuned?) and spiritual, while others (often first cousins) are simply not - same family might produce one brother who is interested in meditation, mysticism and spiritual, another brother who is completely down- to-earth and successful in his material world. One of the many interesting things in this book is the explanation of transpersonal identification which is when you feel connected to universe, world and nature around you - this is something I believe we all sense from time to time, the sudden calm and serenity mostly achieved when we are alone somewhere in the nature - well, it is not accidental because Hamer suggest it is sign you might be one of the individuals "created" that way in your DNA and chances are you are spiritual person with higher sensitivity than your neighbor. Self-forgetfulness is another phenomenon usually connected to absent-minded professors, geniuses or creative artists who live in their own world - again, the sign of higher sensitivity that author explains was result of DNA. It happens when we are so completely focused and utterly absorbed that our concentration is complete.
When it comes to difference between religion and spirituality, Hamer explains that religion is part of upbringing while spirituality (if we possess it) comes naturally - you might be born in certain society with religion typical for that geographical location but your inner feelings might gravitate towards completely different choice of faith. Somewhere along the line book gets bogged down with statistics and experiments but the main idea is fascinating, though with all this I must admit that it is still unproven theory and I am not 100% convinced. This kind of subject is right up my alley as I was always curious about religion, spirituality and reasons why we behave the way we do - typically, I would swing between books about historical background of religion and scientistic research of minuscule DNA, like this one in order to make up my mind but no matter what explanations are, I am aware of profound energy around certain churches, temples and various places of worship in the world. This is interesting read but than again, so its everything about alien abductions, ancient astronauts and possibility of our-of-space genetical engineering. When it comes down to it, I simply might be child of my time, raised on Erich Von Däniken, Graham Hancock and Richard Dawkins. I seriously don't think that I would ever embrace organized religion, though I accept individual spirituality and connection with the nature or even with our planet as living organism. Perhaps our so called Pagan ancestors were simply more connected to the nature than subsequent generations who got caught in too many rituals and strict rules.
No comments:
Post a Comment