An Exploration of the Spiritual Heart of Human Science Inquiry

Abstract

What is the role of spiritual experience in human science research? What is the relationship between experiencing a sense of the sacred, and our capacity to inquire, to ask questions, to wonder, to be surprised, to be open and to learn? What do we mean by “spirit of inquiry”; and, in these words, do we really mean to take the word spirit seriously? If so, in what ways? What happens, for example in an interview, when the interviewer approaches his or her work with a sense of sacred vocation, or better yet a genuine feeling of gratitude to be meeting with another human being as precious soul, not just some faceless or bureaucratic role? Will the relationship and dialogue be affected? How about the data? And later, what about the writing itself? Why is the language of spiritual experience something we generally restrict to religious people or mystics—but then again in so many autobiographical footnotes of scientists, like Einstein, we find quotes that rival the articulations of the Sufi poet Rumi and words that resonate, in concert, with the compassionate heart of His Holiness the Dalai Lama?