In fact, what nature reveals is best place to start since it's hard to deny
that the natural world exits. Lots of people "put their faith in science", but
what is science other than accumlations of what nature reveals about herself?
Engineering and technology can build upon what nature has revealed but it cannot
create something natural. Newton did not create or invent gravity.
It was revealed to him rather rudely when an apple bonked him on the head.
Sciences limits itself to the natural world.
Religious, Sprititual and Contemplative traditions take the
natural world as a starting point from which to look outwardly.
They do that paradoxically by looking within, letting go of conscious thought,
and allowing revelation to present itself ... if it wants to.
Letting go of conscious thought doesn't mean we lose our memories, inclinations,
perspectives, desires or personalities. It just allows them to float untethered
(or be dormant) to interact with 'what lies beyond' so that relevatory perceptions
may perhaps come to be known.
99.9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999%
of revelation is not profound. The Koran, the Torah, the Gospel of John, Tao te Ching, etc.
are each notable exceptions of the beyond speaking to a person at a particulalar time.
They are each revelations of what's beyond. But just like science, they do not represent
the totality of what there is to know. When we pray, or meditate, or contemplate
we may hope for just a it more clarity or confidence in what we know but almost always
the best we get is a sense of warmth or comfort or serenity. But isn't that sense actually
revelation in and of itself? The revelation that there is an other in whom we find
shelter, love and acceptance?
Humans themselves can not assemble a unified faith of our own making any more than humans
could assemble a unified science of out own making. What scientists can do however is
work together across disciplines to see what's revealed in the cross-pollenation of their
individual perspectives. Likewise, it's only when all the different faiths pray, meditate
and contemplate together with open hearts and minds that 'the other' may reveal a more
complete and unified picture . . . even if it's just a deep sense of peace in the
communion of all faiths.