THE CONTRIBUTION OF FAITH TRADITIONS AND
SECULAR KNOWLEDGE TO OUR COLLECTIVE WISDOM
There are many different ways of knowing including academic study, experimentation, rational analysis, inner intuition, direct experience, and spiritual inspiration. Human intelligence also takes different forms including verbal, mathematical, visual, kinaesthetic, musical, intrapersonal, interpersonal, naturalist and existential. But in all cases, what each of us perceives is strongly influenced by our culture, beliefs, values and image of the nature of reality. Our knowledge is also shaped and limited by the structure and processes of our brains.
It is as if each one of us looks through a window onto reality that restricts our view to a particular part of the landscape, and distorts what we see through the lenses of worldview, prejudice, ego, personal history and other factors. Mystics often claim direct knowledge of the Truth through the experience of "Cosmic Consciousness" in which the frame and distorting glass of the window seem to disappear. But when the revelations are translated into spiritual practices or words they acquire particular cultural and personal perspectives. The result is a plethora of religious and spiritual traditions, each of which reflects the light from a particular facet of the jewel that is the whole.
It follows that none of us can be certain that we know The Truth, no matter what the source of our knowledge. Rather, we have partial truths from our own particular vantage point. Indeed, belief in The Truth, whether from religious revelation, the scientific method, political ideology or some other source, is a dangerous delusion that often leads to oppression and conflict.
The Wrekin Forum acknowledges that all faith traditions and all forms of secular knowledge may contribute to the collective wisdom of humanity. Hence we seek to embrace the diversity of ways of perceiving and understanding reality, including the apparent paradoxes which result. We also remain open to the possibility that we may be mistaken in some respects, and seek to discriminate between beneficial and harmful beliefs and practices. Following the advice of Jesus that we will recognize true prophets by their fruits, we ask whether or not particular beliefs, perceptions and ideas foster spiritual values such as love, compassion, wisdom and harmony. Similarly, we follow the advice of the Dalai Lama to balance inner knowing with reason:
If you do not try to explore the analytic faculty of mind and just continuously remain absorbed in stabilizing meditation … you become less and less intelligent, and the wisdom to discriminate between right and wrong decreases. This is very dangerous.
Seek not to change the world, but choose to change your mind about the world.