Dear Tom:

Thanks for writing back! Sometimes, well actually a lot of times, I am confused myself! I grew up in a family of staunch atheists and agnostics ("not knowing") and most of them are scientists, to boot! However, I do not think that science and spirituality have to be independent of each other! There are many scientists who have spiritual beliefs, and many spiritually-oriented people who believe in science! I for one believe in the theory of evolution, but don't think that what we learn in school is the complete story. (see blog: "Creation of the Earth" http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=356&i=3). I also am fascinated by astrophysics and space travel, yet believe that what our scientists know in these areas is only a small part of the total "picture". I believe that scientists who leave out spirituality in their thinking are cutting off their nose despite their face; in other words, they're just getting part of the puzzle, but leaving out a lot of it. There does not have to be a conflict with you believing in Einstein's theory of relativity or E-MC2 and being a spiritual person who believes in God. I once heard a minister by the name of Reverend Michael Beckwith (of AGAPE Church in L.A.) speak about what he calls "co-creation"--this is when humans "tap into" the Universal Knowledge of the All-That-Is (known by many names: God/The Creation/Universal Energy Field, etc) and "bring back" with them the knowledge that they then translate into human activity--Beckwith used the example of Einstein, and said that Einstein "co-created" the theory of relativity with Spirit ("Spirit" is my name for the All-That-Is, what you call "God"). God or Spirit didn't just flow through Einstein, as if Einstein was a puppet, but worked WITH him to create this theory of how the universe works in our 3-D reality. In other words, Einstein's work was divinely inspired. One can "tap into" the All-That-Is through many means, prayer, meditation, dreams, being but some of the modalities.

I do not think that praying to God is a "placebo". What I wrote about "placebos" was in response to your post, which I didn't quite understand. I was writing "tongue-in-cheek", with a little bit of sarcasm. I'm sorry if what I wrote was confusing. I'm sorry I wrote first before I got your response to what you meant. (I'm still not sure what you mean by the word "spiritualism"--could you please define this for me?) Basically, I was equating the word "placebo" with any technique we use that gets us to the point where we can heal ourselves. This doesn't mean that techniques such as prayer, meditation, or any other technique are useless or invaluable--that was the point I was making when I was talking about "placebo", that Western Medicine puts down the power of the mind and looks down upon people whose health improves when there is no "drug" actually doing the work. This is an area in Western medicine that is GREATLY MISUNDERSTOOD! Physicians call this the "placebo effect" when they have no idea what a FANTASTIC TOOL the mind can be! We can heal ourselves without drugs! Surgery! chemotherapy! It's a matter of knowing the "how" of which to do it. I do not have this answer myself, and this is a big issue for me as I've had many health problems over the years, many of which have not responded at all to Western Medicine, and somewhat improved with alternative medicine or "energy work". Spirit keeps telling me I have the capacity to heal myself, and I am struggling mightly to understand how this actually works.

I know it has to do with removing the "mental blocks" we all have. I have written about this several times on this site. Whatever we do to connect with Spirit and our own Divinity is helpful in all aspects of our lives, no matter what this may be. For yourself, you pray. Others meditate. I sungaze and walk barefoot on the Mother. These are all valid ways to connect with Spirit, or God as you say. I personally do not use that word "God" as it has negative connotations for me given the religion I was exposed to as a child. I know in time I will release that negativity, but I'm not ready yet, so I say "Spirit". It's just a name. The Divine Essence is the same no matter what it is called.

As for you having no "religion"--religion is just the dogma or rules humans create. "Spirituality", I believe, cannot be contained in any one religion. All religions carry within them the seed of spirituality. I do not subscribe to any one particular religion. A Shaman who once worked with me called me a "spiritual hummingbird", meaning I take what I need from different religions and spiritual schools of thought, just as a hummingbird flits from one flower to the next, taking the nectar from each one. So, when people ask me what faith I am, I say "I'm a spiritual hummingbird" and then of course, I have to explain this to them! There is no conflict with your believing in God and not being affilated with one particular religion. I actually think, and this is my opinion, that not being affiliated with any one religion gives us more freedom for spiritual growth.

Feel free to write back to me any time! As for me helping you, I have only myself as my own guide. Others may assist you along your way, but You have answers for yourself within YOU. Trust yourself, trust your intuition and trust your feelings.

Love, Liora Leah