Beyond the Senses

One of the side effects of today’s scientific bias is a strong tendency to glorify the senses and what can be perceived by them. Often this leads to sheer pleasure seeking activities. There are eye candies to pleasure the sense of sight but without any real meaning, ear candy to delight the sense of hearing but intellectually unchallenging, candies and junk food to tickle the palate but without any real nutritional value. Eventually, this leads to a consumerist attitude that would extol appearances and externalities without concern for substance and significance.

But there is more to life than what can be perceived by the senses. I can close my eyes and still see things. In fact, I may even see them for what they really are. I can shut off my ears and still hear melodies that are soul-stirring and voices that are life-changing. Even science acknowledges that in the vastness of the universe there is more we cannot sense than what we can sense. Scientists say that ninety five percent of the universe is made up invisible matter and invisible energy, both beyond the pale of the senses.

I am heavily depended on my senses in my everyday life. Without them, I will not be able to function. But I also need to remind myself constantly that I am more than what is visible and palpable to my senses. There is a deeper reality in me and in my life that makes my life fuller and richer and that are beyond what my senses can tell me. Prayer time is when I shut off my senses and come in contact with this deeper reality within me.

Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
~ Psalm 1