Lent – a time to ask the Big Questions

It draws near; this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent – a period of 46 days to be spent in spiritual introspection and self-denial. For me, this has become the most important time of year. Insights gained during Lent have helped me climb the upward spiral, giving me new understanding, peace of mind, and inner joy. 

Above all, Lent is the time to ask tand re-ask the Big Questions, honing the answers with ever-greater nuance and precision:

• What is the ultimate nature of reality – is it really nothing more than atoms, or is it something greater? And why is there Something rather than Nothing?
• What is consciousness? A neuronal activity? A mere by-product of biological evolution found only in the brains of higher-order animals? Or is it the fundamental property of the Universe? 
• Science and religion – are these mutually exclusive narratives – or is it possible to reconcile the two?
• Who or what is 'God'? A person, a force – or something ineffable, beyond our comprehension?
• What are we? Bodies or souls? Containers of consciousness, or merely matter?
• What is the role of belief in our lives? 
• To what extent can we will our own future? Is mind over matter a real phenomenon, or an illusion, a product of wishful thinking? Do we have undiscovered supernatural / metaphysical / paranormal powers that are lying dormant or that have atrophied?
• What happens to us when we die? Is it game over? Eternal oblivion? Or does our consciousness – stripped of the body and its ego – survive death? If so – in what form? How?
• In light of the way we answer the above questions – how should we go on to live our lives, how we should treat ourselves, others and the environment around us? 

So I invite you to join me then on Wednesday for a daily exploration into these fundamental questions.

This time five years ago:
Build your own religion: trappings of faith

This time eight years ago:
Health: duty of care

This time nine years ago:
Cognitive bias in the search for God

This time ten years ago:
A spiritual frame of mind

This time 11 years ago:
Sunday in the City

This time 12 years ago:
God's teachings

This time 16 years ago:
A week into Lent