Hypernatural and Origins
Even as a Christian, I grew weary of the term "supernatural." I have lately come to refer to those phenomena that are beyond explanation and sometimes appear to be the result of prayer or providence of a divine being as "hypernatural". "Hyper" meaning above or beyond.
The concept of "spirit" continues to intrigue me as one who is becoming "rational." Is there a spiritual dimension? My study and reflection have led me to conclude that most of what we define as "spiritual" is actually "hypernatural" - that is, it is the natural operation of a material universe, but we have developed the ability to measure it or analyze it or even understand it. Our limited knowledge about the universe seems to support that there are realms of natural/material activity that are simply above and beyond our capacity for experience, understanding, or explanation. Those activities do not imply a divine agent...simply a profoundly complex and layered natural order.
Here is where I keep banging my head...and I hope the "DC" community can help with this: I was reading "The Skeptics Journal" recently and ran across this question - "why this, and not nothing?" It refers to the issue of origins...how does matter and energy exist? Forget how the universe got here, big bang and all. Where did the material that comprised the big bang come from? It seems most of the questions about origins do not go far enough in trying to address the question - "why existence?"
Is the mystery of existence what we ultimately call God - or the Divine? Is it a euphemism for "can't go no further in explaining this...here is where we throw our hands up and shout 'Lord'!"?
These are my musings for the day.