Truly God does not wrong even the weight of an atom; and if there is benevolence, He multiplies it, and gives that which proceeds from His Presence a sublime compensation. Surah 4:40
The Divine seeks and gives… always. We are being asked to trust this gift of multiplying benevolence coming from the Source of all Life, even if we can’t see the generosity.
Qur’an while constantly naming this gift as possibility, is always aware that naming and accepting this gift may take a process, which is why one’s journey of authentic questioning and discernment is honored.
In other words, naming the reality of the unseeable, isn’t restricted to a religious, spiritual or philosophical quest. There is also a need to recognize the unseeable within the known phenomenal world.
For instance, while observing an atom, the subatomic electrons change and behave like particles and not waves. The mere act of observation affects the experimental findings. Can we ever see the atom and its subatomic parts in their raw form? No. They always respond to being observed. We can’t separate our observation from the equation. No matter how powerful the microscope, the way an atom moves and presents itself will never be seen in its pure state; its pure state is beyond our reach.
To believe that the unseen, through our mighty efforts, will eventually be seen is fruitless; there are things beyond our human capacity to perceive. What is infinity? What is time? What is the event horizon, the inner workings of gravity, the empty space of the atom?
Scientists, through inductive reasoning, formulate theories to name what they observe and to explain relationships between concepts. The purpose of a theory is not to become a fact. Theories never ‘evolve’ to a fact. Rather, theories link together facts that are evidence-based derived through hypotheses and observations grounded in the scientific method.
These empirical findings can be reproduced. Theories evolve as an interpretive structure, as a way to describe the universe:
An apple, if allowed, always falls from a tree.
Emergent theories are the foundation for scientific exploration. Qur’an invites you not to a “leap of faith” trusting in others’ experiences or what you “hope” to be true. Rather, Qur’an suggests you begin with an examination, inquiry, an analysis, even scrutiny, about your lived experiences and observations about your own life. The data of you. Start where you start.
Maybe you are overwhelmed by the miraculous migrations of hummingbirds, as I am. Or by the geometric perfection of a honeycomb. Maybe you are feeling the difference between loneliness and solitude and realize you are moving toward a place of healing. Maybe you are curious about your power of concentration or your capacity to think about your thinking. Maybe you discovered that asking for forgiveness liberates you from guilt. Maybe you feel the eternal presence of a loved one’s spirit and finally, for the first time, you smile rather than only grieve your loss.
The gift of multiplying benevolence.
~ ~ ~ ~
One day, in a philosophy class, students and I were discussing a proof of God through the concepts of free will and determinism. A student asked if destiny was discovered or invented. Another student replied, “Forget about humanity and God; forget about proofs of God; let’s be more objective – is mathematics discovered or invented?”
We all turned to the math genius in the room, the international Math Olympian, who said, “Wow, such a great question.” And then he fell silent, and we all waited. He was the expert!
After a long minute, he sighed. “There is much invention, but in the end, I would have to say that math is discovered.”
“Why?”
“This may surprise you because I seem to be so rational. It’s just that math is too beautiful to be only invented; it’s too perfect; it’s just so stunningly magnificent in its logic.”
And then another student spoke up.
“I agree. I know you all know that I’m an ardent atheist. I’m clear about that. Yet, I am also clear that I believe in 1 + 1 = 2. This is my religion.”
“Your God is a number?” mocked another student.
“Oh, not even close. It’s just that 1 + 1 = 2 is so perfect, so true, so right, but not as things or numbers perceived, but rather as an idea conceived. What is 1? What is +? What is 2? How do we understand equal? And then throw in the concept of Zero that doesn’t exist except as an idea, yet has changed the way we think. Math is more than we will ever be able to see, more than empirical proof. When I’m in the middle of a mathematical proof, I am in a place beyond myself, and it’s beautiful.”
He continued, “In the end, our capacity to conceive math is maybe the closest we will ever get to the absolute. Thinking about numbers is so stunning, it defies creation; numbers are eternal; always were.”
And then another student, an “ardent” Christian said, “You always were eternal, too. We are all just too beautiful to be only invented.”
The students had no idea, but they had just explored their own proof of God!
Day 5: Reflection
Today, observe the facts of your life, your experiences, and like a scientist formulate theories based on your empirical evidence, and rely, as scientists do, on the unseen. Is there such a thing as a true self which is beyond ego? What is meant by such things as dharma, destiny, prayer, and purpose?
Is there such a thing as the beauty of you, unique and irreplaceable? Is the Giver of the Divine Spark, longing for you? What a beautiful theory. Today, read your life, explore, examine your uniqueness. Evidence will mount up.
Seek and you will find.
