“Know thyself”
Plato

A recent article in the Economist discusses the results of a study in Neuroeconomics, a field which focuses on humans biological motivations as opposed to the “pure” financial motivation defined by classical economics. In this study at least, money isn’t everything.

The study involved multiple games with 2 male players, wherein an amount of money was split by one player, which the other could accept or reject. If the 2nd player rejected the offer, neither got anything. According to classical economic thinking, the 2nd player should have taken the offer regardless of the split, because something is better than nothing, but that is not how it worked out. Even more interesting are the results when correlated with the player’s testosterone levels.

Turns out that players with the highest testosterone levels were the most likely to reject an inequitable split. Which, when viewed in biological terms, makes sense. Players with the highest testosterone, a hormone that is strongly correlated with social dominance, would rather accept nothing than see a rival get ahead.

What does this mean from the perspective of Modern Spiritualism? It means that as an individual you have many facets; intellectual, physical and emotional (and if you were religious, spiritual). Each one of these can pull your “pull your strings” in terms of affecting the decisions that you take.

While I do not believe that there are external supernatural forces guiding your life, I do believe that there are numerous internal natural forces. Until you are aware of these forces, you will not be fully in charge of your life and destiny but will continue to be a puppet on a string.

You can start to gain an awareness of these strings by practicing lifelong reading, learning and introspection. Realizing that the “you” in “you”, is not a single entity but rather a complex gestalt of experience, biology and intellect, will allow you to go from being the puppet, to the puppet master.

“Thou art God”
Robert Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land

Theistic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) envision God as an anthropomorphic entity, distinct from humanity as well as from the universe which God created. Modern Spiritualism defines the entire universe as god. There is no separation between ourselves and the universe – we are all interconnected – it is only the limitations of our senses and consciousness which cause us to appear isolated.

It is my experience that people are happiest when they are working in alignment with awareness and acceptance of this integration (being in the flow or zone and working with and for the benefit of others). Likewise, those that seem the least happy are those who live under the illusion of isolation and self (me, me, me!).

There is no concept of worship, god or church in Modern Spiritualism. It is as crazy as talking about worshiping your foot or worshiping a rock as it is to worship god – they’re all one in the same. And, of course, without worship there is no need for the power structures associated with religions, which seek to channel the worship of their practitioners through their edifices (and their leader’s pockets).

“What’s it all about, Alfie?”
Burt Bacharach

Why are we here, why do we exist?

If life has any purpose, and if the history of the universe as we currently understand it has any lesson, it is that we are here to evolve and grow, both mentally and emotionally, and that our current existence is but one step on a infinite ladder. This evolution and growth can be blind or purposeful – Modern Spiritualism is a philosophy for living a purposeful life.

How can we fulfill our potential?

By having an open mind – by taking advantage of life’s endless opportunities to learn and understand the universe and our place in it. Resist ignorance and dogma – anyone who claims to have all the answers usually has none. The most certain are usually the most deluded.

By having compassion – by seeking to emphasize with others, and looking how you can best contribute to the world. Resist greed and anger – both are signs of an unhappy heart. It is better to die a happy man with a thousand friends than a lonely man with a thousand servants.

By having courage – always working to make a difference, in your life and others. Resist fear and sloth – it is better to try and fail than never try at all. More great deeds come from persistence than fortune – shape the reality you want through action.