Photo: Bhaskar Banerji

Last week, my cohort over at Brave New Traveler, Founder/Editor Ian MacKenzie, wrote a piece that presented 20 Questions For Every Spiritual Seeker.

Noticing how his spirituality had changed throughout his 20s, he had this to say:

Now, looking back 8 years later, I realize it would have been interesting to chronicle my worldview at that time. Like a spiritual diary, I would have been able to study where I came from, and better understand my personal evolution.

Good point.

I think this is a great exercise for anyone who is spiritually searching (and really, on some level, who isn’t?), and I look forward to seeing how my own answers change over the next five, ten, fifteen years.

I would also love to see your answers, either in the comments section at the bottom of this post, or on your own blog (make sure to return here and post your link in the comments section below and at BNT).

Ok, here we go:

1. Why is there poverty and suffering in the world?

Unfortunately, I believe that richness and happiness, and poverty and suffering, will always exist. To some extent, both sides of the same coin motivate us to keep moving forward. I hate to fall into a dualistic state of mind, but I also believe poverty, suffering, richness and happiness are all states of mind.

At the same time, I do believe we must feel our pain to transcend it, and it pushes us forward–for better or for worse depends on what we do with it.

2. What is the relationship between science and religion?

Science works with our mind; religion (or spirit; that is how I prefer to look at it) is about something our mind can’t touch–it’s a deeper knowing and connection to all things. Because it is so hard for our minds to grasp something that it essentially can’t grasp, we need science to physically prove the existence of what is existential. Often we realize that the more we know, the less we know.

So in some ways, I believe science can lead to a deeper spiritual self, because you realize there is so much that can’t be explained. We try and try again to give physical meaning to these pieces of life that are constantly in flux.

3. Why are so many people depressed?

Sometimes, it's really tough.

Because of capitalism. Sorry, but it’s what I honestly believe. My generation has been taught since the day we were born that what will bring us happiness can be bought.

Plus, don’t forget the stress I have to endure as I try and make the money to buy the things that will make me happier. And all that time doing all that work keeps me from spending enough time with my family and friends, which makes me even more sad, and feel that sense of loneliness.

4. What are we all so afraid of?

Rejection, feeling we are wrong, being without something that fulfills us.

5. When is war justifiable?

I don’t believe it ever is. War is a construction based on what we believe is worth killing for. If no one believed that there was ANYTHING worth killing for (land, money, power are the big three), then war would not exist, plain and simple.

6. How would God want us to respond to aggression and terrorism?

I like to take the word God out and replace it with the Universe (what can I say? I’m a reformed Catholic). There is great power in being able to respond to aggression and terrorism with humility and respect, and I think it is extremely hard as a human being to get down to that place (our minds take over too easily). But I do think we are capable. The more we have compassion, the less we have aggression.

7. How does one obtain true peace?

A tunnel to the source?

I’m not sure as human beings that we are supposed to obtain true peace. I think life is about working towards obtaining peace, but reaching actual “nirvana” would mean you are no longer a part of life as we know it.

And I actually think that is ok. Having a physical body, and a mentally-alert mind, means true peace isn’t possible. But I believe we chose to come here, at this time, to learn lessons, attempt to work at balance between the mind, body, and spirit, and FULLY enjoy all three. True peace is for the spirit alone, after all the lessons have been learned.

8. What does it mean to live in the present moment?

This is probably the hardest thing in the free world for most of us to do. It takes being completely and totally in your body, without the mind pulling you in a different direction. It means paying attention to the nuances felt in your stomach, letting feelings come up and go, not thinking about yesterday or tomorrow, a minute ago or a minute into the future. We live in an era where you constantly have to think ahead and plan, which is the antithesis of living in the moment.

But as the Power Of Now suggests, I believe living in the moment is the ultimate way to deal with depression, health issues, and fear. Nothing holds on tightly when you live in the present.

9. What is our greatest distraction?

Money. Caffeine. Internet. Food. Sex. Cigarettes. Alcohol. Drugs. TV.

Whatever vice(s) a person feels gets them through the day.

10. Is current religion serving its purpose?

If by “current religion” you mean Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Taoism, etc., I think you have to ask each individual about their feelings concerning their certain religion. For a lot of people, their religion is what gets them through life; gives them hope. Nothing wrong with that.

This is not to imply that this is an easy feat, but rather to show that NOTHING is black or white–everything is black AND white. And until we can see this reality in everything that surrounds us, and really believe it, we will continue to have war and famine, rape and terrorism, because we believe that these realities are outside of us. Actually, they are within each of us.

11. What happens to you after you die?

I believe that your soul recycles into another physical form somewhere along the continuum of space, time, and karma.

12. Describe heaven and how to get there.

I don’t believe in heaven, per se. I think there is an ultimate destination that is beyond the comprehension of the human mind, and that it takes many, many lifetimes to get there. Essentially, we all go back to one source that is the source of all things–we are just an extension of that source. The source is not good or bad, because duality doesn’t exist.

13. What is the meaning of life?

I think no one can know the ultimate meaning of life, but love is at least a part of it.

14. Describe God.

The Universe is an interconnected web, with all pieces linking back to one source.

15. What is the greatest quality humans possess?

Compassion. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to overcome our survival instinct, one which often gets us into a whole lotta trouble.

16. What is it that prevents people from living to their full potential?

Fear of failure. Fear of success. Fear of pain. Fear of hurt.

Fear, fear, fear.

17. Noverbally, by motion or gesture only, act out what you believe to be the current condition of the world.

18. What is your one wish for the world?

That we could all truly and absolutely look at each other as equals, and didn’t divide the Earth by borders. That would take care of war, rape, and murder right there.

19. What is wisdom and how do we gain it?

Age and mess-ups. We often look at messing up as a bad thing–a failure–when in reality, it is the ultimate way to learn.

20. Are we all one?

Yes (see #12).