Miriam Therese Winter, a Medical Mission Sister, is a
professor of liturgy, worship, and spirituality at Hartford Seminary. She has
written 15 books including The Singer and the Song: An Autobiography of the
Spirit and Eucharist with a Small "e". The title of this daring
work melds paradox and doxology challenging us to open ourselves to "The
sacredness of science. The serendipity of sacramentality. A sensuality of the
spirit. A presumption of surprise." For 20 years, Winter has been dazzled
by paradoxology and on these pages she probes its manifold meanings.
She begins with a salute to science which has given us a
new understanding of the quantum universe. In this realm, we actively
participate in creating what we see. Spirituality connects us with others and
makes openness a natural way of being. Both quantum physics and spirituality
respect mystery. Gregory of Nyssa, a fourth-century theologian and bishop,
said:
"When one considers the universe, can anyone be so
simple-minded as not to believe that the Divine is present in everything,
pervading, embracing and penetrating it?"
Another way of talking about the same things is to say,
as Teilhard de Chardin did, that we live in a Divine milieu. Energy permeates
the entire universe: it is the pulse of life. This power of the Spirit is the
channel of Divine energy and we see it activated in chaos, in consciousness,
and in connection. We are challenged "to join forces and pool resources
for the greater good. Spirit linked to spirit can transcend our limitations,
moving with the speed of light to liberate and bless."
Winter delineates various manifestations of a quantum
spirit in coincidence, creation, and celebration. She then examines the gifts
of the quantum spirit such as relativity, uncertainty, synchronicity, and
complementarity. We realize that change is the name of the game. She concludes
with a look at the four fruits of a quantum spirit: continuity, relationship,
wholeness, and transformation. With dollops of poetry and a forward lunging
style, the author spurs us onward to ride the energy waves of a synthesis of
spirituality and science that is impressive and provocative.
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