REFLECTIVE INSIGHT #007 - SPIRITUALITY IS NOT A FAIRY TALE; IT’S OUR OPERATING SYSTEM

The war in my mind

Growing up in Taitokerau, my mind always felt like it was in a tug-of-war. My mum had a very strong faith, and she did her absolute best with what she was taught. But to my scientific mind, the stories I heard on Sunday mornings felt like fairy tales. They were nice stories, but they didn't seem to have much to do with the "real world" of physics, math, or running a business.

I saw a version of faith that people used to control others or a version that stayed trapped inside a church building. It felt separate from the land and separate from the facts of life. I thought I had to choose between being smart and being spiritual.

A challenge to seek truth

Everything changed for me when a kaumātua from my hapū gave me a challenge:

“Kimihia ma te tika ma te pono e whakaatu ai koe.” 

Seek truth and faith and let them show you the way.

This sent me on a journey where I started reading deep science alongside our own Māori traditions.