Written by: Marcus Matthews, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
It is well noted that in the 16th century many philosophers and scientists were deemed heretics when they started to see the link between physical science and metaphysical science referring to an idea, doctrine, or posited reality outside of the human sense of perception and physical reality. We may know this as God, the creator or universal awareness now, but who really had control in the development of healthcare. Science or religion?
Certainly back in the 16th century and beyond religion had been at the cornerstone in holding power and influence within our cultures, and our political beliefs are closely linked to the ideologies.
In modern philosophical terminology, metaphysics refers to the studies of what cannot be reached through objective studies of material reality, therefore very much still a theological area.
But what is the difference between spirituality and religion?
In my mind spirituality is the universal force that resides within us, through us and around us. An unexplained force that guides our higher power.
Religion on the other hand is a set of rules and theories to reach that higher power, but man has moulded that power not for good but for self.
Giordano Bruno, an Italian philosopher, astronomer, mathematician, and occultist whose theories anticipated modern science believed that the universe was infinite and populated with many worlds.
He also taught a theory of the world in which all substances are part of a basic unity.
Bruno is, perhaps, chiefly remembered for the tragic death he suffered at the stake because of the tenacity with which he maintained his unorthodox ideas at a time when both the Roman Catholic and Reformed churches were reaffirming rigid Aristotelian and Scholastic principles in their struggle for the evangelization of Europe. Aristotle's philosophy stresses biology, instead of mathematics like Plato. He believed the world was made up of individuals (substances) occurring in fixed natural kinds (species). In short, there came a split in dimensions, that science would study the physical realm and the church would hold the power of spirituality and the doctrine and teachings of the none physical.
Our whole academic healthcare systems still hold onto these same principles today.
The church would be the powerhouse in tending to the sick but they also held the power to help the suffering of humanity, history tells us how empowering religion was and still is today, you decide which you believe they have been most successful at – empowering man or controlling man.
History tells us, the power religion has had over the mind and body, and its leaders are powerful in influencing the doctrine of both what spirituality is and the role science plays in our healthcare system. If the common man was to know his true spiritual path then the church would have no power.
Early scientists and philosophers like Bruno, noticed this power and the doctrine that followed. When they challenged the church on their theology, they had two choices, stick to physical science, or die. Could that pivotal moment in history still be playing out today?
Clearly, we would hope that the human species has evolved, but is our politics any different today, does religion not have a part to play in most wars, do our politicians not guide the hand of the public based on religious principles?
I don’t believe much has changed and my own experience has certainly changed my thoughts around how modern mental health practice still clings to the dusty books of the past.
In 2018 when I found myself broken and on the verge of suicide, the medical field had little answers other than talk therapy and drugs.
My experience would show me that in many peoples minds we have not moved on from those physical mindsets.
Still now, many GP’s will quote the physical doctrine of mental health as chemicals known as neurotransmitters not functioning properly, and the brain chemistry changes when there is too much or too little of one or more chemicals for a prolonged basis and this can affect a person's mental health.
In academic theory, I agree, but note this is physical science and although proven, what drives that process, what starts the “chemical imbalance” and why?
If the root to mental health is a chemical imbalance then surely we should see anxiety.
Why can’t we hold depression in our hands?
Science is starting to show that the largest driving force in the universe is dark matter and despite its invisibility, dark matter has been critical to the evolution of our universe and to the emergence of stars, planets and even life. Dark matter carries five times the mass of ordinary matter and, furthermore, does not directly interact with light, therefore is unseen.
If we now take that all life in the known universe started at one singular point in time and that the building blocks of life become the ingredients to build everything, and that the only difference between you the reader and a lump of coal, is the environment in which those ingredients have been formed over millennia, then do we not also possess dark matter, an unseen force that manipulates our bodies within us?
For me, the mind is the shadow, the ego the thought. But we, our true self is that controlling energy.
We are God, universe, creator, dark matter, the hidden force that controls everything and if we are that creative force, then religion is the vail, hiding the truth of who we really are, therefore if our healthcare system is based on theological doctrine and science, is it too preventing true healing away in the shadows?
If dark matter is the thing that manipulates the formation of the galaxies and stars, is the mind not the manipulator of our experience and when we have that moment of awakening, surely this is the moment we connect with that same power, which for centuries religion has coveted and wielded to keep us suppressed?
Has religion created a vail that has told us to ignore the dark and only see the light, when the true light resides in the darkness, in the unseen?
The readers of Brainz magazine will be well versed with the positive effects of energy healing, transient states, epigenetics and the power which lies beyond the physical constraints of the chemical, electrical and biological thing which is our body, but even when neuroscience is proving that we have more influence over our physical form than ever before you have to ask, why is this still being suppressed 400 years after Giordano Bruno was sentenced to be burned to death by the Roman Inquisition for his heretical ideas, which he refused to recant.
That question I will leave to you to ponder.
All I know is that I have found a power within the mind that can really set people free and although no Bruno, I will continue to champion the belief that we all have the inner ability to influence our mind, body, soul and spirit by going with to find the answers that the universe has our back.
If you found value in this article then please share with others and if you would like to find out how I am redefining therapy to help empower people then please get in touch.
Marcus Matthews, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Marcus Matthews, is a Transformation Coach who's mission is to disrupt our relationship with words like Anxiety, PTSD, Suicide and show the world that all these experiences are gifts we have misunderstood.
Using Hypnotherapy and Cognitive coaching to help upgrade people to fulfil their true purpose and step into their authentic power Marcus truly believes the universe has our backs and his approach shows people possibility once more.
A former police officer and soldier Marcus found his true calling by working with the amazing Marisa Peer after being on the verge of suicide and as well as running his own business Marcus now helps Marisa and the More Than Enough Team shape the lives of others as one of Marisa' trainers.
Marcus has worked with other Mindvalley greats like Lisa Nichols and Regan Hillyer and like them wants to help change the world to be a better place one step at a time.
As an author, speaker, podcaster and trainer Marcus' diverse background from Soldier, Police Officer and Leader allows him to connect with real people to help them set themselves free.
He believes everyone should live a fulfilled and happy life and when you remove the destructive feelings from the toxic stories you tell yourself everyday, you can step into your own version of possibility. easily and effortlessly so you can make your life count.
