The Jaina Doctrine of Karma And The Science Of Genetics: Spirituality (Combination Of Spirit And Karma Śarīra) And Genes

The advantage that we have today is that our understanding of genes is growing so quickly. Understanding genes does not mean resigning overselves to some programmed fate. This is a tool for liberation, a scientific window into the soul. Yes, we are born with a certain genetic make up. No, that does not mean we have no control over our lives. No scientist, nor observant parents, really believe we are born as completely blank states to be filled in by our upbringing. The key is the interplay between the hardware we are born with and the software we add. It is not nature or nurture. It is nature and nurture. In fact it is part of our nature to respond to nurture.^[59]

The essence of spirituality, which can include a belief in God or higher power or a devine order to the universe, is looking inward, searching for meaning and purpose, and seeking to understand what truely matters. People turn away from materialism in search of inner peace, through identification with God or with the cosmos. Is spirituality simply an adaptive response, a self deception to deal with old age, infirmity and death? Or it is wisdom, a gradual realization of the real truth about the universe? A scientist might wonder whether spirituality was not written into our genetic codes. Perhaps as the body begins to expire, the brain wires a new set of neuronal connections in the cerebral cortex that allows us to accept the end with grace, dignity and even hope. On the other hand, this may be a lot of mumbo jumbo, a far too clinical explanation for what we know as the soul with subtle body (karma śarīra).

Prominent Geneticist Cloninger found one other thing that seems to increase with aging: spirituality. Not only that, but spiritual people are relatively more likely to express warmth, altruism, positive emotions and openness to feelings. They are relatively more intimate and friendly, they are generous, and concerned with the welfare of others. They also tend to be more optimistic about life and more likely to experience positive emotions such as love and happiness. Above all, spiritual people are open to their own inner feelings and emotions. They experience happiness and joy - as well as pain and suffering - with heightened intensity.^[60]