Biological & spiritual convergent evolution

By Narayani Ganesh

Convergent evolution occurs not just in biology; it is evident in the spiritual domain as well. Some species who have never been in physical proximity or in communication, have shown startling similarities in the way they evolved.

This is also true of the various schools of philosophies and beliefs across cultures. Are similarities in evolution of species and belief systems, despite their geographical distance from each other, simply coincidental, or is there a deeper mechanism at work here?

Janet Voight, studying the blue octopus – so small that it fits in the palm of your hand – found near Darwin Island in the Galapagos in 2015, calls it Microeledone galapagensis.

She identified it as a member of the Microeledone genus, which only has one other species, Microeledone mangoldi, discovered in Pacific Ocean near New Caledonia, east of Australia, in 2004.

Both come from the same octopus family ofMegaleledonidae. Says Voight, the two species were oblivious of one another, but their ancestor may be from somewhere between these two locations.

Voight notes that these species’ abilities to conceal ingested bioluminescent prey may be an example of convergent adaptation, or the independent development of similar traits, suggesting ‘they took separate paths into the deep sea.’

There are more than 300 species of octopuses of varying size, shape and colour!

In the bio-world there are an estimated 8.7mn species, point out scientists, most of which we have not discovered yet. The range and diversity is as wonderful as is complicated, but these are all about life getting created and beings living on the same planet, evolving in same or different geographical locations, and staying alive as long as they can, living and letting others live.

Worldwide, there are approximately 4,000 to 5,000 religions, faiths and belief systems, all coming under the larger genre of spirituality/religion. Convergence – despite absence of proximity and no communication – has been at work here, with similar affirmations, goals and methods to achieve satori or enlightenment, or to simply live asustainable life of nonviolence.

World religions have more similarities than differences. Perhaps dissimilarities are evident in methods adopted or rituals performed, but at their core, goals and beliefs are more or less the same.

Similarities include the effort for the little self to merge with the higher Self, while acknowledging oneness of all beings, and realising the truth of interconnectedness and the need for peaceful inter-being. Values and virtues upheld are those of non-violence, compassion, kindness, humility and selflessness.

“We have to lose ourselves to find ourselves, die to come to life, and give, so as to receive. In every major spiritual tradition, we are taught that we cannot experience joy, delight and happiness by actively pursuing them,” says Rajarshi Roy, member of Satsang, a contemporary religion founded by Sree Sree Thakur Anukulchandra that believes in convergence of faith.

Roy conducted a study whose purpose was to ‘identify the similarities in beliefs, traditions, and rituals of all existing religions or religious practices of the world and explore the possibilities of religious convergence.’

All faiths extol sincere intention, hard work, persistent, regular effort, discipline and humility. Yet, to make a unified religion through converging all faiths is neither practical nor necessary.

Diversity is what makes life interesting; we do know that the ends are similar; so what if the means are different in various cultures, according to their geographical and traditional contexts?

END OF ARTICLE