Anyone paying attention can see how science and religion seem to be battling it out on the universal stage. It’s a battle that has seemingly raged for centuries. Like a good Gestalter, I am not interested in who “wins” the war. Rather, I seek the integration of the two, as they are a part of the whole.
My Capital G
Gestalt is often considered a “meta” practice. While the practice references scientific theory, has been workshopped for decades, and has tangible functional tenets, it also leaves room for God. Many principles in Gestalt seem to take on an eastern spirituality. There are whispers of traditionally Buddhist principles of living in the moment and prioritizing awareness. I love exploring these ideas and integrate them in my practice, but my framework also includes a Judeo-Christian context. I intentionally invite God into my practice and even end most sessions with a prayer (if my clients are comfortable with it).
I encourage my clients toward little shifts. The unreliability of many major religious and scientific narratives leaves many people with a “tear it all down” mentality. This is a normal psychological instinct in times of uncertainty, but it’s ineffective toward the goal of integration of the whole.
I incorporate Judeo-Christian principles in my practice because – for better or for worse – Western civilization was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. Biblical tenets remain steeped in many aspects of our world – from the Constitution and judicial systems to the way we interact with science. To avoid throwing out the baby with the bathwater, we have an opportunity to create our own unique relationship with the concept of capital-G God.
Offering some attention to your innate religious instincts is an exercise in reclaiming your spiritual will and power. Resist the urge to deny that aspect of yourself out of resentment and anger. Instead, feel through those feelings to find your own unique and nuanced relationship with what you consider God.
Faith the Feeling
Some of the more new age thinkers I listen to say we are coming out of the era of being run by guilt and fear. I saw a yard sign recently that simply said “Faith Over Fear.” A good buddy uses the phrase as his motto for the year, too. Faith is a concept easily found in religious spaces. The trouble is how many teachings on faith will come with some conditions. Often, dogmatic and fear-inducing conditions. How many of us have heard some variant of, “Have faith in Jesus Christ or you will burn in hell for eternity”? Like so many truths, power structures have taken the power of faith and used it as a tool to manipulate, guilt, and control others.
It's my belief that faith can be a very optimistic pursuit. Faith can feel good. It does not need to involve begging or wishing. It can feel like knowing deeply – though not with your head. It’s trusting without question. When embodying faith, emotions like calm, relief, and hope emerge.
Practical Faith
When I enter a state of anxiety, I notice I need to consciously switch to the feeling of faith. In anxiety, I am usually overthinking and feel the telltale tension in my head, neck, shoulders, and chest. Creative and analytical people especially have the tendency to think of the many ways a situation can go. I will fall into a negative feedback loop, constantly thinking of the different options. To switch back to faith, I usually take a breath, try to connect to a space in my body like my heart, and then say a mantra like “all is well” or “God is good.” This is my faith practice.
After this conscious switch, I tend to feel more present in my body, confident, and hopeful that everything will work out. I can remember that the universe is here to support me, not punish, trick, or test me, as some religious narratives would lead me to believe.
“The Known”
We cling to what we know—and rightfully so. What we know gives us a context, a construct, a map for where we’ve been and where we go in this wild world. We can use both spiritual truth and scientific reason to pave our way. If these truths start to feel obsolete, or if the truths we’ve held dear no longer serve us, it can be destabilizing. When this happens to me, I return to the feeling I have practiced – the feeling of faith.
I think we are heading in the direction of autonomy and sovereignty of the individual. I have faith that we will come together in the societal frameworks that allow ideas to flourish. Live and let live. Be free as we co-exist in the uniqueness and individuation of perspectives that work for each of us. No two people are the same. I should say, no two bodies are the same. Practice being in yours while using cultural frameworks to understand the ideas that emerge through your body.
As you speak them out and try them on, you will subconsciously be coming back home to the science, spirituality, and truth of your body. It is the only one you have, and the only one you truly know. Own it, explore it, be in it, and of course, come back to it.
I love the practical tip about tuning back into the feeling of faith. ❤️
Well done. Often times I forget to include God.