Science and

Spiritual Practices
_Rupert Sheldrake_

Instructor: Emma Pham

 Science and Spiritual Practices
Written by Rupert Sheldrake, a British biologist and author, “Science and Spiritual
Practices” explores the interconnectedness of all things. Sheldrake summarizes the key
insights of his work challenging the very foundations of modern science and research
about human consciousness and the understanding of reality with boundless curiosity.
He graduated at Cambridge and has dedicated his life to reconsider what is known about
the universe and its dynamic.

Spiritual practices found in various religions, such as meditation, the practice of gratitude
and chanting, are discussed from a historical as well as a scientific viewpoint. Sheldrake
shares a wide range of his own spiritual practices and research methods. You will be
taken on a journey to find that spirituality and science are not at all contradictory.

Course Overview
This course explores the relationship between science and spirituality. An overview
about the practices in different religious and historical contexts will be given, followed by
the effects on the human mind, body and well-being. Students will be invited to try and
test e.g. gratitude meditation under instruction.

Class 1 - Meditation and Gratitude Class 2: Connections to Nature and

More-than-human-world
Chapter 1 and 2

Key questions: Chapter 3 and 4

What is spirituality? Key questions:

What is science? What are the effects of spending time in nature

on the human mind and body?
What is meditation and which practices are How are the benefits of being surrounded by
found in different religions? nature used in modern life?
What is happening in your brain when What are the main usages of plants?
meditating on a daily basis?
What can we learn from nature?
How does gratitude affect our well-being and
relationships?
How can we practice gratitude?
 Class 3: Present of the past
Chapter 5

Key questions:

Which rituals exist to stay connected to the past?

Which rituals have been used throughout history to mark important events?

What are the main benefits of practicing rituals?

Class 4: Power of Music

Chapter 6

Key questions:

What is the meaning of music in religion?

What happens to the human mind and body while singing?

Class 5: Pilgrimage and Holy Places

Chapter 7

Key questions:

What is the difference between pilgrimage and travelling?

How is pilgrimage connected to former mentioned practices?

Which practices can be incorporated into our daily lifes?