The Scientific Mind

In 1969, during my 7th year of elementary education, I took a series of academic entrance examinations for the top three high schools in the Philippines. The University of the Philippines, traditionally called the "Harvard of Asia" during my time, had two high schools--one was called UP High School and the other, the more competitive, was called UP Prep. But the most prestigious of all high schools was called the Philippine Science High School. And I was accepted in all three of them. Of course, I would opt to attend PSHS. Over 2,000 students all over the country took PSHS's first qualifying examination. Only the top 10% of 6th and 7th graders were allowed to take this exam. Based on their scores, 500 were chosen to take the SECOND screening exam which included an essay written on the spot. The tests were an all day affair starting from around 8am and ended in the afternoon with a short lunch break. 160 students would be chosen and accepted into this school-- worthy to be called "national science scholars", awarded free tuition for 5 years (which would later be integrated to 4), free textbooks and a monthly stipend of 140 pesos a month. (Just for reference, during that time, 1 US dollar was twice the value of our peso.) That was a very good amount of money. We would be making more money than most cab drivers just to study. The catch is, you had to maintain a certain GPA and cannot receive a grade lower than a B- in ANY class. There would be no reprieve. If you cannot maintain their parameter, you were asked to leave. We called it 'getting kicked out' of the program. 160 of us started the program. Only 140 enrolled. Only 106 would complete the course. All classes were university level classes. Most of us were not even teenagers.

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It was a privilege to be in the training grounds of this high school. Four years spent with the same gifted, talented and socially conscious young people was four years of compressed and exponential learning. We became a new sub-culture. Every one at some point felt lost or inferior but for most of us, the striving to stretch ourselves to our every perceived expectation was acute. And every year that we were allowed back was a triumph of epic proportions. We helped each other like soldiers in the trenches and developed a camaraderie that still defies time and distance. Nearly every student accepted into the program with us, now in their 50s, achieved great success in their academic lives and careers. Some are definitely movers and shakers: many are involved in endeavors that are far-reaching and of great benefit to the infra-structure of their communities...and even the world.  Many are involved in cancer research, meaningful cell biology research, geothermal engineering and building great structures, roads, bridges all over the world, telecommunications....some even deviated from their science emphasis and have become artists in traditional and multimedia expressions. Many have become professors influencing more students into research and development for the benefit of mankind...still with the shining zeal of idealism and a strong desire to change the world. Whatever field they chose to pursue, they pursued with the same zeal and effort and consequently, achieved success and satisfaction in their lives. And for most of us, we still feel ever connected to each other....even more so as we get older and interestingly, as we get older, we seem to seek each other even more knowing that some invisible, omnipotent hand brought us all together for a noble purpose. Our experiences are unique and difficult to duplicate.

With three of my PSHS friends during a school excursion.

I often wonder about this part of my life. I am not a mover and shaker. I have no graduate degree. I do not even hold a job or a prestigious title. And in my old age, I still wonder how I made it through with these amazing people. At times I feel like an impostor. But I have to believe that I was put in that wondrous situation for a purpose that is meaningful and important.

I get excited when I learn new things....and I also get intimidated. But on my own, I like to acquire more knowledge and understanding of the world around me...and a keen curiosity about how people behave and think. 

My children are all gifted and talented. I was a full-time mother and all of my efforts--my thoughts, my intellect, my talents---everything I had was focused and used to raise them. My motivating mantra if you will, was to empower them and to provide opportunities for growth by discovery. I wanted them to be able to think analytically and see things in a certain order. I wanted them to always think laterally, to see things far off,  to make decisions not just for the present but to SEE in systems that can penetrate time--- to see things with an eternal perspective. I did not know how to teach this or execute this imperative but I gave it my all. Of that, I have no doubt. I gave it my all. And I hope they have learned well.

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The scientific mind is indeed the outcome of one's cognitive and individual proclivities: their interests, belief system and mental prowess. To have a scientific mind is to be curious. Without the ability to see and appreciate fine details in the processes of life and the world around us, the scientific mind suffers. Assignation and categorization of these details is the absolute imperative of the scientific mind: to be able to ponder on the theoretical and the empirical and create order.

Is there a dichotomy between the scientific mind and the concept of faith-based beliefs and convictions? It is interesting to me that within the dharmic religions, there is no duality in science and belief in a higher being. In these religious philosophies, the world has spiritual and physical components and the two do not cancel the other but in fact, enhance each other. By my observation, this may be attributed to the absence of powerful cultural revolutions that would dichotomize science and faith, such as what transpired during the so-called Age of Enlightenment when the pursuit of scientific knowledge created intolerance of faith and religion. Even before that, duality already existed when the early Christians began to denounce scientific discoveries that seemed to contradict their traditional beliefs as heresy. 

The scientific mind as I've described is important because it enhances belief in a God who loves us. How do we discipline our minds to function as elegantly as we can to be able to use it to increase our faith; to achieve more light and knowledge? 

Well, with our minds we can produce thoughts. Thoughts are energy. Our brain functions this way. There is electricity that fires up our neurons and their systems and grids so that our bodies function. The brain controls everything-- voluntary and involuntary. These firing activities create energy. Thoughts therefore are outcomes of energy...or rather, when we think, we create energy. We also know that energy is a FORCE and by its own definition has the ability to pull or push against any forces of nature. Therefore, thought is powerful. I don't think it's even a wonder that we ask as many people to pray in behalf of those in need. Or that we have written names on a prayer roll in the temple. Collective thoughts have power as well as individual thoughts. And my quest is to discover how to use this energy in ways that create order and harmony.

Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap an eternal destiny. (David O. McKay, February 5, 1948, Leadership Convention at BYU)

I submit that where we focus our thoughts determine the outcome of our deeds. Let me just reiterate that: where we FOCUS our THOUGHTS determine the OUTCOME of our DEEDS.  That is, many people have accomplished extraordinary deeds and will continue to do so. But what will have been the focus of their deeds? A need to change the world for the better, a gnawing sense of empathy and compassion, a deep social consciousness or perhaps even the need to leave a meaningful legacy after departing from earthly life---are some possible answers. These reasons or 'filters' allow us to see the world in various, subtle ways. And yet:

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds that pierced my side, and the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen. (Doctrine & Covenants 6: 36-37 )

This scripture gives us a clue as to what sort of 'filter' we can CHOOSE to place over our realities to change them from chaos to order. We can also call this a 'pattern' that we can place over various events of our lives so we can focus on the Saviour; dedicating all our endeavors and actions in His name and thus allowing us to 'see far off'....to have an eternal perspective where the Saviour is our focus. This is what will allow us to endure to the end and make good men better. This also separates all good works from good works done for its sake and good works done with the express purpose of bringing souls to Christ. 

The atonement---a deep and profound appreciation of what Christ has done for us gives us a clearer focus that will allow us outcomes beyond our own imagination and longings. All things come to order and testify of the atonement. Then and only then can the outcome of our deeds have meaning.

To view life using the filter of the atonement---to see our lives within the context of the operative powers of the atonement: justification, sanctification and enabling powers, gives us a clearer view of our life on earth within the context of eternities. Our compass will extend further than our earthly views and we see the repercussions of our deeds, choices and even challenges past the horizons of time and space. Things snap into place. And order is restored.