Spiritual and Instinctual Awareness
All living beings have intelligence. You can see that they create and act
in ways that, usually, ensure their survival. To "eat," plants turn their
leaves to follow the sun. They develop insecticides in their leaves and
bark to keep the bugs from eating them. They also promote the survival of
the species by inventing clever ways to reproduce. By acting in altruistic
ways, they support the survival of the group.
Science calls this "instinctual behavior." Much of human behavior is based
on instinct, as well; yet, we consider ourselves "conscious" and
intelligent. (At least some do.)
Perhaps we are conscious when we reflect on or see instinctive behavior in
action. This is like watching ourselves in the moment. One-celled
creatures probably cannot do this. The more complex the life form is, the
more probable it is that it can reflect. Humans can. Chimps, dolphins,
elephants, and other large mammals probably can too, perhaps, but to a
lesser extent. Size counts. I doubt that insects have it; fish - who
knows.
Some believe that everything is alive - rocks, water, fire. That might be
true at a very abstract level, like "Everything is made out of God." I
considered this idea when I began collecting crystals. When I broke one, I
wondered, "Did I kill my crystal?" and "Which part of it is still alive?"
For instance, if a person loses a limb, he or she is still alive. But how
about a crystal? This led me to believe that at least existentially, they
are not alive.
Or, maybe they can never die. If something is born, though, it must (or
probably will) die. You could argue that a rock could crumble into sand
and then reincarnate into something else, and I would agree. However, that
does not constitute life for me.
Taking this further, what happens to the "identity" or soul of the big
crystal after it crumbles into hundreds of tiny, sparkling shards? Does it
end up with hundreds of twin-like souls or identities? Although possible,
the idea is too convoluted for me to incorporate into my philosophy of
life.
For me, "to strive to better ourselves" is the best definition of
"spiritual awareness" (in contrast with "instinctual awareness").
Instinctual awareness strives to survive and reproduce. To achieve those
ends, it seeks and protects its territory and its position in hierarchy.
Spiritual awareness seeks ways to improve the inner workings of one's
self, reflecting the results back into the world as kindness, patience,
understanding, and compassion.
Onward and upward!
Rev. Dr. Evin O'Ryan
Starbuilders
www.starbuilders.org
