Are You Part of The Spiritual Revolution?

Are You A NONE?

Loosely defined, “nones” are individuals who do not affiliate with any spiritual or religious tradition. However, a large portion of them resonate with being spiritual. In 2023, a Gallup poll revealed that 33% of the American population identified as “spiritual but not religious,” and this percentage is expected to rise as younger generations enter adulthood. This trend raises an important question: Why are people leaving religion? One explanation could be modern-day secularization, driven by the fragmentation of major belief systems—Christianity alone has over 45,000 denominations worldwide. This lack of unity has created doubt among many seekers. Additionally, as technology advances, so do our questions about existence. While religion traditionally sought to satisfy our thirst for existential knowledge, the emergence of AI and large language models now offers a more adaptable, personalized, and evidence-based approach to addressing life’s big questions.

Perhaps the issue lies in semantics. The word religion (from religio) means “to bind or tie,” while spirituality (from spirarie) means “to breathe.” Even if religion implies binding oneself to God, who wants to feel tied down? Many people leave religion because it feels stagnant and unable to evolve. I’ve found spirituality to be liberating—it allows me to breathe in new ideas and philosophies without stipulations or commandments. This openness has transformed my perspective, enabling me to interact with the universe in a way that feels expansive and free.

Is Science Catching Up to Ancient Philosophy?

In 2022, Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser, and Anton Zeilinger won the Nobel Prize in physics for proving that local realism is false. In other words, according to quantum physics, the physical object you’re holding right now isn’t truly “real.” Mind-blowing, right? Yet this concept isn’t new—Plato explored similar ideas in his famous “Allegory of the Cave,” describing reality as an illusion. Plato noted that breaking free from these illusions can be distressing or even painful, much like the prisoners in his allegory who turned their heads to see the fire projecting shadows on the cave walls.

Is Science the New Religion?

Science is undoubtedly a powerful tool for exploring the external world. It helps us identify phenomena, validate them objectively, and replicate findings within space-time reality. It also challenges our understanding of reality through concepts like:

1. Quantum Entanglement

2. The Observer Effect

3. The Placebo Effect

   
   

However, science can become dogmatic when it resists growth or clings tightly to established theories. Funding pressures often discourage groundbreaking research, forcing conformity to existing paradigms. Additionally, science struggles with understanding subjective consciousness—the "hard problem"—defaulting to the idea that consciousness is merely neural activity generated by the brain. This reductionist view limits our appreciation of the richness of subjective experience. Thankfully, ancient philosophers like Socrates and Plotinus offered profound insights into inner exploration long before modern science attempted to tackle these mysteries.

Early Explorers

Many ancient philosophers lived over 2,000 years ago, yet their wisdom remains deeply relevant for modern seekers. Socrates famously said, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” while Plotinus encouraged introspection with his advice: “Withdraw into yourself and look.” Even at the entrance of Apollo’s temple at Delphi were the words “Know thyself,” emphasizing self-exploration as a path to wisdom.

These philosophers advocated simple yet transformative practices for accessing deeper truths:

Meditation: Turning away from external distractions toward inner stillness.

Sophrosyne: Cultivating temperance or self-control.

Fasting: Abstaining from sensual pleasures to lighten spiritual burdens.

Contemplation: Purifying oneself through reflective practices.

Socratic Dialogue: Examining ideas logically to determine their validity.

While these practices may seem deceptively simple today, their effectiveness often leads to skepticism or neglect—yet they remain timeless tools for self-discovery.

Wrapping Up

We find ourselves at a unique crossroads where traditional religious structures are declining, but the desire for spiritual and existential understanding remains strong. The rise of "nones" reflects this shift—a move away from rigid frameworks toward more personalized paths of exploration. By combining ancient wisdom with modern scientific advancements, we have an unprecedented opportunity to forge new ways of understanding ourselves and our universe. This synthesis of old and new may hold the key to addressing life's deepest questions about existence and consciousness—offering insights that transcend the limitations of any single approach.​