In the fifth quality (15°-20°) of the Sign of Aquarius, which transmits the Fifth Ray of Mind, Knowledge and Science, let us accordingly nourish this fifth sector of the new Culture and Civilization – Science, the intelligent Service to Wisdom and Truth, re-publishing the first of a great series of contributions on Lucis Trust website, titled The Electric Bridge, which tend to fill the gap between exoteric and esoteric Science.
To start, here is an illuminating video of a talk given by Jeremy Dunning-Davies, about “What’s wrong with our present-day current scientific thinking?“, which gives an overview of the ‘modern’ scientific thought with some of its main intuitions and oversights due to academic conservatism, like physicalism, vacuum vs ether, entropy, and theory vs actual research.
Let us guard the spiritual Fire of Truth
“Religion and science must not be considered separate in their essential nature. Subtle study of matter and the atom leads to the conclusion that vital energy is not electricity but Fire. Thus science and religion merge upon a single principle. Matter is affirmed as a fiery substance, and no thoughtful spirit will deny that the higher force is Fire. Science cannot destroy the concept of the divinity of Fire, nor can any religion impose an interdiction on the subtle analyses made by science. In this way, then, the understanding and the harmony of the concepts of religion and science are affirmed. A subtle parallel can be drawn between science and religion, which will reveal all the higher stages. Therefore, it is so important that scholars should be in possession of subtle occult receptivity. But only a refined organism can possess this divine perception which is not developed from without but from within. Therefore, all the great discoveries for the good of humanity will not emanate from enormous laboratories, but will be discovered by the spirit of scholars who are in possession of the synthesis. We, the Brothers of Humanity, see the results which direct all quests along the right channel. Of course, the gift of the synthesis is not always bestowed, but those selfless zealots who do possess the synthesis are in no need of specialization. We see and foretell great results from the synthesis of spirit of the zealots. On the path to the Fiery World one must revere the Bearers of Synthesis.”
Let us be responsive to the rising fiery synthesis
“Among the followers of the Teaching those spirits who take upon themselves responsible missions must be particularly noted. How much more responsible it is to bear the synthesis, in comparison with specialization!
The affirmed guide knows all the joys, all the containments of synthesis, but at the same time he knows the burden of all the manifested and unmanifested fires. This heritage of the ages is precipitated in the “chalice” as fiery strata; therefore those who bear the fire of synthesis are manifested as bearing the burden of centuries. The specialist, having a continuous channel for the outlet of his energies, is rarely burdened, but he who carries the fire of synthesis is a tempestuous ocean of energies. The karma of him who carries the synthesis is so beautiful, but the burden is great. Each inheritance, even if it be unmanifested, lives and palpitates in the spirit. A feeling of dissatisfaction and of striving toward perfectionment distinguishes the bearers of synthesis. Though the path of specialization be outwardly difficult, the path of the bearer of the synthesis surpasses in all ways the path of the specialist. How many quests and selfless achievements does the bearer of the synthesis reveal in the life of every day! Verily, every phase of growth on the path of the synthesis-bearer is an achievement of the spirit. On the path to the Fiery World it is necessary to discern the achievement of the fiery synthesis-bearer. Thus let us remember.”
“… The Supermundane World is manifested by means of the earthly one. The earthly world aspires into the Fiery World. Eternal life is affirmed in this fiery unity, and the power of life is intensified in fiery structure. For a subtle understanding of the Hierarchic Principle one should delve into the structure of Existence … This fiery cooperation is the Cosmic structure. On the path to the Fiery World let us manifest understanding of Cosmic structure.” (World of Fire III § 60, 74, 100 Agni Yoga Collection)
“Here, however, we perceive the reasons why the representatives of one or another religious body will always rise up in arms against Spiritual Science! It is because they will never be willing to allow man to enter the world they so greatly fear. They are afraid that one day human beings will discover the eternal nature of the soul within them. They want people to realise that only what they already know lives eternally within them. I said yesterday that if a materialistic view of the world were to take root, if such a view alone prevailed and no Spiritual Science were to come into being, things would reach the point where men would be engulfed in scepticism and doubt, for something like an ocean would be created in which souls would inevitably drown. But if it is desired to hold men back lest they penetrate behind the veil of the world of soul, then the only thing to do is to keep them in a state of ignorance.
Ignorance which would eventually suffocate men must inevitably spread if those who are often the representatives of religious communities today were to gain their ends. If the scientists were to win the day, human souls would be engulfed in an ocean of doubt; if the pastors of religion who think in the way described were to win the day, human souls would suffocate in an atmosphere of ignorance. The task devolving upon Spiritual Science is serious and grave and we must realise its gravity. We must regard ourselves as individuals who through their karma can be led to Spiritual Science in order that what they possess in the way of intellect and intuitive discernment may be placed at the disposal not actually of Spiritual Science, but of the general progress of humanity. And such progress is a dire necessity for the world.
We see, on the one side, how a materialistic view of the world is trying to get a firm foothold, and how nothing that offers resistance is of any avail! And on the other side we see how efforts are made to spread ignorance, how more and more is done to efface the truths relating to the spiritual world! Just think how every communication from the spiritual world is regarded with downright hatred by the representatives of certain religious communities! ” Rudolf Steiner (Lecture 10) Occult Movements of the Nineteenth Century
Great piece! A synthesis of science and religion is vital. In so many public debates we find a hopeless opposition between extremes – narrow minded and condascending scientists arguing with theology bound Christians with many disproven beliefs. In this dominant scenarion of either/or – as if there is only 2 ways of looking at the issue – a third option is silenced: the philosophy which is their synthesis, So it is up to us to enter the field of idelogical battle and skillfully present that unifying perspective, pointing out the flaws of each, while acknowledging ther contribution and value. Thank you!
.Not only is it much more difficult, it is not recognized by those who need it most…A new paradigm for synthesis now exists, “Chiron and Group Fusion”, the Great Singularity awaits revelation .Bless those who labor for the fire.