“Science is not only compatible with spirituality, it is a profound source of spirituality. When we recognize our place in an immensity of light‐years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the intricacy, beauty, and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual.”
Carl Sagan
Wondeful choice for a quote for the day, Mike. I loved Carl Sagan. He – and his words – were inspirational, and he said some powerful things that have stayed with me all my life. In these unstable and spiritually-starved times, we should all print this out and read it every day.
Alli,
I keep a number of inspirational messages here at my writing station. This one’s occupied a prominent spot for several months now. It’s one of my favorites.
I can see why! I think it would be one of my favourites too. 🙂
Great quote and two subjects I enjoy in abundance. I guess it’s like watching nature, you know it’s calculated and there’s for a reason for it but you just love the sheer beauty of it and can’t work out why any of it exists in the first place though.
Colin,
Agreed. No matter where you are, nature is there putting on a helluva show. Even in the grimiest city, the sky above is there to inspire and renew.
I believe that the pilgrimage of science has itself been led by genius, and genius is the encounter with the spiritual. I tried to tease out this journey of science in a poetic history of science from Parmenides to Planck.
But its good to be in company with Sagan!
Philippa,
Not bad company at all!
“That soaring feeling . . .” — yep, that’s the one. We need more Carl Sagan nowadays.
Jan,
Yes, we do.
Beautifully said. I think Carl Sagan would have appreciated this quote: “If we watch ourselves honestly we shall often find that we have begun to argue against a new idea even before it has been completely stated.”
I think he would have.
The beauty of this post can’t be described in mere words . Thankss for this .