The following is an introduction written for the Biopantheism discussion group on Facebook by its founder, pantheist author Poffo Ortiz. Biopantheism is a nascent movement in its very early stages (as of Sept 2015) seeking to codify pantheist values and deep ecology perspective into a sustainable spiritual community serving the Life common to us all.
“Biopantheism” is a new term I have coined, which represents my own form of Pantheism, that is both old and new, scientific as well as spiritual, mystical while at the same time rational, emotional and yet wholly based on logic and reason.
It centers around the idea of an immanent, emergent divinity, manifesting and expressing Itself unconsciously through all life forms and coming into personal awareness and coherence presently, through us. With this knowledge, we contemplate our ineffable origins and postulate on what it really means to be human. For us, Nature and the Universe represent the highest source of power, the highest source of intelligence and creativity.. and we honor and respect the divinity inherent in all.
Focusing expressly on the human condition and what is relevant and meaningful in relation to biological organisms and their surrounding ecosystems, we recognize and acknowledge the fundamental truth that the Universe is divine and we are all one. Not only do we make this extraordinary claim, but we are also ready to verify and confirm this ultimate and profound mystery through science, astronomy, biology, quantum physics, intuition and observation.
This is a form of Pantheism that centers around Nature, living systems and the biological processes of the earth, and places its emphasis on life in the physical world and the application of Pantheistic principles and ethics in a practical, everyday sense.. as well as on a much broader, global scale.
It asserts that ethics and morality naturally stem from this belief system.. and contends that for this reason (as well as many others), it should be passionately fostered and promoted. This teaching is likewise represented and expressed by a profound love of Nature and a perpetual love for the earth, as manifested through altruism, environmentalism, wildlife conservation, religious naturalism and deep ecology.
It is this transcendent awareness of the inter-connectedness and inter-dependency of all things, that elicits the deepest feelings of reverence, wonderment and awe, in those who take the time to carefully observe and actively participate, in the many miracles that exist all around them- in the micro-world as well as in the macro.
When considered mindfully and examined contemplatively, this awareness can and will, lead to the highest level of ethics and morality attainable. Driven and motivated by a keen understanding of the true nature of reality, we shine and glow as enlightened beings, illuminating the path for others and encouraging free-thought, inquiry, education and the expansion of knowledge.
We commune with Nature to elevate our minds and our consciousness. We promote science, evolution and a deep reverence for Life. Working together as one cohesive whole, we encourage one another to actively participate in group discussions and contribute in any way they can. Our goal is to positively influence others and share this message of hope and inspiration with the world.
We see the earth and all of her living systems as something sacred and holy, to be cherished and protected forever, even as we cherish and guard our own bodies from destruction and harm. Join us, as we celebrate Life, the invaluable lessons It has to teach us and the profound wisdom derived from assiduous study of the natural world.
And so, motivated by compassion, compelled by reason and convicted by science, with a profound and inexplicable desire to “connect” ..we ritually commemorate the seasons, respectfully learn from the past, amiably look forward to the future and wholeheartedly embrace the present…
Meaningfully, passionately and reverently, we honor the ineffable “All” and acknowledge the wondrous diversity and complexity, within the similitude of our differentiated, collective Being. Striving ever and always to evolve and progress, in order to develop a deeper and more inspired awareness of the divine Whole.
This is our Source, this is our Life, this is Who we are!
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THE NATURE OF THE “OMNIA”
We are not “God” in the traditional sense, we are not all powerful right now and “God” is not a conscious, coherent, singular being, as is so commonly thought throughout the world of religion. As others have noted, we are ‘collectively’ the manifestation of God, together with all the plants and animals and every other thing in existence that makes up the Universe.
But “God” is not awakened except through sentient beings like us. Right now, the physical laws of the Universe act as a kind of ‘latent’ programming or unconscious memory of God, allowing all things to be and acting as the driving force behind gravity, electromagnetism, entropy, evolution, spontaneous self-organization and awareness and consciousness in biological life forms, etc.
There will not be true peace until human beings unite to form a colossal, symbiotic relationship with one another and become the Singularity that once existed before the Big Bang. All the details about ego, ascension, elevating our consciousness and finding balance and peace are part of the process of becoming whole again.
We ARE all God, but we are the differentiated, dispersed, individualized units or pockets of energy that make up the potential form of God. The mind and intellect of God does not exist as a conscious, moral agent until we collectively develop our sense of logic and reason and establish a firm grasp of right and wrong on a global scale.. this will ultimately lead to a shared morality, which will end all violence and create peace.
How do we help this process? By loving and accepting one another as unique representations of the Divine and embracing one another based on our commonalities, not our differences. The illusion of distinction is so minute it pales in comparison to that which we actually share- as Earthlings, as Homo Sapiens, as Primates, as Mammals, as Animals and as Carbon-based Life forms.. we are all one Being, scattered and split up into trillions of subjective forms.
We are everywhere, as God is thought to be, but we are not operating in unity and cohesion right now.. likewise, only a part of God is all-knowing and intelligent and that part is relegated to the genius of DNA and the internal programming that allows all Life to self-replicate, survive, evolve and reproduce, with bodily functions that operate autonomously to maintain all biological systems and grow, heal, etc.
In all other ways the mind of God is asleep and unconscious.. ‘until’ we manifest love and act with compassion and show altruism, kindness and empathy. When we do this we are in essence, becoming the ‘mind’ of God, which intrinsically ‘wants’ to love and accept Itself.. though It is just now beginning to learn how, through us.
“God” is not what you think… and in order to understand why we (as God) are powerless to prevent tragedy and bring about world peace on a global scale, we must first understand the true nature of God.. which is one part ultra-intelligent and prominent genius, one part ignorant and powerless mute. One part morally superior, with the highest ideals and sentient awareness possible and one part primitive, barbaric and instinctual. One part holy, sacred and divine in its beauty, intelligence and complexity and one part asleep, blind, deaf and dumb in Its current, catatonic and comatose state.
This is the Nature of the Omnia.. It is growing and developing in terms of morals, ethics and ideals, even as WE grow and progress in our morals, ethics and ideals.
Further Thoughts on Pantheism by Poffo
EXTERNAL LINKS
Not One, Not Two 