Epigraph

He created the heavens without any visible support, and He placed firm mountains on the earth––in case it should shake under you ––and He spread all kinds of animals around it. We sent down water from the sky, with which We made every kind of good plant grow on earth: all this is God’s creation. Now, show Me what your other gods have created. No, the disbelievers are clearly astray. (Al Quran 31:10-11)

Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times

The above short clip by the insightful late Freeman Dyson, who followed Einstein in Princeton University physics department a few decades later, endorses the view that Einstein was a pantheist. Einstein often said that he believes in the God of Spinoza, and he was a pantheist.

Einstein’s God as Interpreted by Dawkins

Richard Dawkins discussed Einstein’s concept of God in his book The God Delusion (2006), where he distinguished between Einsteinian religion and supernatural theism. He argued that Einstein’s references to “God” were metaphorical and that Einstein was, in essence, a pantheist rather than a theist.

Dawkins pointed out that Einstein did not believe in a personal, interventionist God like the one found in traditional religions (e.g., Christianity, Judaism, or Islam). Instead, Einstein spoke of “Spinoza’s God”, which is synonymous with the laws of nature and the universe itself. Dawkins wrote:

“Einstein was repeatedly indignant at being called a theist. He categorically denied belief in a personal God, describing such a belief as naïve and childlike.”

Einstein often used religious language to express his sense of wonder about the cosmos, but he rejected supernatural beliefs. In one of his famous letters, Einstein wrote:

“I do not believe in a personal God and I have never denied this but have expressed it clearly. If something is in me which can be called religious, then it is the unbounded admiration for the structure of the world so far as our science can reveal it.”

Dawkins on Einsteinian Religion

Dawkins acknowledged that Einstein’s use of the word “God” could be misleading to those who assumed he meant a supernatural deity. Dawkins described Einstein’s spirituality as “sexed-up atheism”, meaning that Einstein’s reverence for the universe was purely naturalistic, not theological. He criticized the tendency of religious believers to misrepresent Einstein as a supporter of traditional religion.

Dawkins further explained that Einsteinian religion is compatible with atheism and contrasts sharply with faith-based belief systems. He emphasized that Einstein’s awe for nature and science does not imply belief in a deity that answers prayers, performs miracles, or judges human actions.

Dawkins’ View: Einstein Was a Pantheist, Not a Theist

Dawkins argued that if someone were to believe in “God” in Einstein’s sense—meaning the natural laws of the universe rather than a personal, conscious deity—they would fall under the category of pantheism, not theism. He quoted Einstein’s admiration for Spinoza’s God, which is essentially the universe itself, governed by rational laws rather than divine will.

Conclusion

Dawkins made it clear that Einstein’s references to God were poetic and metaphorical rather than literal. He placed Einstein’s views within the framework of pantheism or atheistic spirituality, emphasizing that Einstein rejected the concept of a personal deity. This distinction is central to Dawkins’ broader argument against religious belief, as he sought to clarify how science and wonder can coexist without invoking the supernatural.

Pantheism: A Philosophical and Spiritual Perspective

Introduction to Pantheism

Pantheism is the belief that the universe and God are identical or that God is immanent in everything. Unlike traditional theism, which posits a personal and distinct deity, pantheism equates the divine with existence itself. It suggests that everything—nature, the cosmos, and all living beings—are expressions of a single, all-encompassing reality.

This worldview is often contrasted with atheism and theism, as it neither denies nor asserts a separate deity but rather dissolves the boundary between the divine and the material world. Pantheism has influenced religious thought, philosophy, and science throughout history and remains an active belief system today.

Historical Development of Pantheism

The roots of pantheism can be traced back to ancient traditions, including Hinduism, Taoism, and certain pre-Socratic Greek philosophies. However, it was in the modern era that pantheism developed into a distinct philosophical position.

1. Early Philosophical Influences

• Hinduism and Vedanta: Ancient Hindu scriptures, particularly the Upanishads, contain strong pantheistic elements. The concept of Brahman as the ultimate, all-pervasive reality aligns closely with pantheistic thought.
• Taoism: In China, Taoist philosophy, particularly in the works of Laozi and Zhuangzi, emphasizes a natural, interconnected universe where the Tao (the Way) flows through all things.
• Pre-Socratic Philosophers: Early Greek thinkers such as Heraclitus and Parmenides explored ideas of an all-encompassing unity in nature, suggesting a pantheistic worldview.

2. Classical and Medieval Thought

• Stoicism: The Stoics, including Zeno of Citium and Marcus Aurelius, held that a rational, divine principle (the logos) permeates the universe, a view that closely aligns with pantheism.
• Neoplatonism: Plotinus and later Neoplatonists conceived of reality as emanating from a single, divine source, blending pantheism with mystical thought.

3. Renaissance and Enlightenment Pantheism

• Giordano Bruno (1548–1600): A radical thinker, Bruno proposed that the universe is infinite and that God is present in all things. His ideas were seen as heretical, leading to his execution by the Catholic Church.
• Baruch Spinoza (1632–1677): One of the most famous pantheists, Spinoza argued in his Ethics that God and Nature are two names for the same reality. His rationalist and deterministic view of the universe laid the foundation for modern pantheistic thought.
• Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832): The German poet and philosopher embraced a pantheistic vision of nature as divine and interconnected.

4. 19th and 20th Century Pantheists

• Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) and the Transcendentalists: Emerson and Henry David Thoreau promoted a spiritual connection between humans and nature, a view deeply rooted in pantheism.
• Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900): While not explicitly pantheistic, Nietzsche’s concept of the eternal recurrence and the immanence of power in all things align with pantheistic interpretations.
• Albert Einstein (1879–1955): Though not religious in a conventional sense, Einstein spoke of a “cosmic religious feeling” and admired Spinoza’s God, identifying with a form of scientific pantheism.
• Carl Jung (1875–1961): Jung’s psychological theories incorporated ideas of interconnectedness and a collective unconscious, which some interpret as having pantheistic implications.

5. Contemporary Pantheism

• Alan Watts (1915–1973): A popularizer of Eastern philosophy in the West, Watts often spoke of pantheism as an underlying truth in both Hinduism and Taoism.
• Richard Dawkins (born 1941): While known for his atheism, Dawkins has described himself as a “pantheist in the sense of revering the universe.”
• Paul Harrison (born 1950s): Founder of the World Pantheist Movement, Harrison promotes a naturalistic form of pantheism that emphasizes reverence for the universe without supernatural beliefs.

Types of Pantheism

There are different interpretations of pantheism, including:

1. Classical Pantheism – Emphasizing a mystical unity with the divine.
2. Naturalistic Pantheism – Identifying God with nature in a scientific and non-supernatural way.
3. Panentheism – A related concept where God is both immanent in the universe and transcends it.

Pantheism in Modern Thought

Pantheism continues to influence philosophy, spirituality, and even science. Many environmentalists and ecologists embrace pantheistic views, seeing nature as sacred. The philosophy also aligns with quantum physics and theories about the interconnected nature of reality.

Conclusion

Pantheism offers a profound perspective on existence, dissolving distinctions between the sacred and the material. From ancient sages to modern thinkers, pantheism has provided an alternative to dualistic religious traditions, inviting humanity to see the divine in all things. Whether mystical, philosophical, or scientific, the pantheistic worldview continues to inspire those who seek a holistic understanding of the universe.

Cosmic consciousness and Pantheism

Cosmic consciousness and pantheism are two philosophical concepts that explore the nature of the universe and our connection to it. While distinct, they share significant overlaps, particularly in their emphasis on the unity of existence and the divine nature of the cosmos.

Understanding Pantheism

Pantheism posits that God and the universe are identical, suggesting that the divine is immanent in all things. This perspective sees the cosmos itself as a manifestation of the divine, eliminating the distinction between creator and creation. As the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy explains, pantheism is the view that “God is identical with the cosmos”

plato.stanford.edu.

Exploring Cosmic Consciousness

Cosmic consciousness refers to a heightened state of awareness wherein an individual perceives the universe as a unified whole and recognizes their intrinsic connection to it. This concept was notably discussed by 19th-century philosopher Richard Maurice Bucke, who described it as a higher form of consciousness in which one experiences a profound sense of unity with the cosmos

thequran.love.

The Intersection of Pantheism and Cosmic Consciousness

The relationship between pantheism and cosmic consciousness is evident in their shared emphasis on the unity of all existence. Pantheism provides a metaphysical framework suggesting that everything is part of a divine whole, while cosmic consciousness represents the experiential realization of this unity. Individuals who attain cosmic consciousness often report feelings of being one with the universe, aligning with pantheistic views that see the divine in all aspects of existence.

Philosopher and theologian Alan Watts explored this intersection by drawing on various philosophical traditions. He suggested that the universe is a manifestation of a single, divine reality, and that realizing this truth leads to a transformative shift in consciousness. Watts described this perspective as seeing the universe as a “cosmic Self-playing hide-and-seek,” where individuals are expressions of the divine reality

en.wikipedia.org.

Implications for Personal and Spiritual Development

Embracing the concepts of pantheism and cosmic consciousness can have profound effects on personal and spiritual growth. Recognizing the interconnectedness of all things fosters a sense of belonging and purpose. It encourages individuals to transcend egoistic perspectives, leading to a more compassionate and holistic way of living. This shift in awareness aligns with the pantheistic view of the divine nature of the universe, promoting a reverence for all forms of life and existence.

Conclusion

The interplay between cosmic consciousness and pantheism offers a rich philosophical and experiential pathway to understanding the universe and our place within it. By exploring these concepts, individuals may find a deeper sense of connection, purpose, and spirituality, recognizing themselves as integral parts of a divine and unified cosmos.

Epilogue

Dawkins in his book the God Delusion, finds pantheism of Einstein as respectable and applaudable and ridicules theism. I think the converse will be a more coherent perspective.

There is a group of philosophers who believe in panpsychism.

It is the philosophical view that consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous aspect of reality. According to this perspective, all matter, every quark, atom and molecule, possesses some form of mind or consciousness, however rudimentary. The term derives from the Greek words pan (meaning “all”) and psyche (meaning “soul” or “mind”). Historically, panpsychism has been associated with thinkers like Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who proposed that the universe is composed of simple substances endowed with perception. In contemporary discussions, panpsychism offers an alternative to materialistic and dualistic explanations of consciousness, suggesting that mental properties are inherent in all physical entities.

To those who do not believe in panpsychism, the error is self-evident. Electrons, neutrons and protons cannot be conscious. How far can humanity go to escape their Creator and deny our accountability to Him?

On one extreme we have panpsychism and at the other we have cosmic consciousness.

May be Dawkins is right, when he described Einstein’s spirituality as “sexed-up atheism”, meaning that Einstein’s reverence for the universe was purely naturalistic, not theological.

So, in a way pantheism or cosmic consciousness is a defense mechanism of some to see the order, beauty, harmony and grandeur of the universe, but deny the author or the creator of all this and block the thought process with a label, which is a non-starter. They want to explain away order, beauty, harmony and grandeur of the universe by a label or a place holder and this of course is not a coherent position.

Just like each and every particle or atom cannot be conscious, all the inert materials, rocks, mountains, rivers, stars, planets, moons and black holes put together cannot be conscious. There cannot be any such thing as cosmic consciousness in this paradigm. When seen from this perspective pantheism is not a religion, rather a defense mechanism to hide atheism.

I started with a short video clip of Freeman Dyson and conclude with one. He obviously is a Christian and I am a Muslim. I am quoting him as a theist to expose pantheism: