Science and Spirituality for the Curious
This the official podcast of the Science and Spirituality Institute. The focus is on relationships between the sciences and different spiritualities and faith traditions. We rely primarily upon the dialogue methodology for exploring these relationships.
Science and Spirituality for the Curious
Ep 2.1: Understanding the Powers of the Universe, with Brian Swimme
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode, Richard interviews Dr. Brian Swimme, a mathematical cosmologist and evolutionary philosopher, best known for articulating a “universe story” in collaboration with the late cultural historian and theologian Thomas Berry. Their work integrates contemporary cosmology with spiritual reflection through a story that explores cosmic evolution—from the Big Bang to the emergence of galaxies, to life and human consciousness—while inviting deeper reflection on its meaning for human identity and planetary responsibility.
Contents:
- Brian and Richard begin their conversation by discussing the relationship between science and spirituality. Brian goes on to describe what he means when he says that the universe sacrifices for the evolutionary development of the universe, especially for the flourishing of life.
- Brian and Richard discuss the notion of a “cosmic Christianity” and Brian provides examples of how God is revealed through the development and processes of the universe.
- One of Brian Swimme’s major contributions to how we think about the origin and unfolding of the universe is his description of the “Powers of the Universe”:
- Centration
- Allurement or Attraction
- Emergence
- Homeostasis
- Cataclysm
- Synergy
- Transmutation
- Transformation
- Interrelatedness
- Radiance
- Brian and Richard discussed Brian’s understanding of “resonance” and “reverberation.” They each shared examples of reverberating events in their own lives.
For further exploration
- Check out Brian’s website at https://storyoftheuniverse.org
- Check out Richard’s new Substack blog at www.scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com. Also, look for his reflections on Brian Swimme’s contributions to science and spirituality, in a blog to be posted at the end of this week.
- To see the Emmy award-winning documentary, Journey of the Universe, written by Mary Evelyn Tucker and Brian Swimme—and narrated by Brian—go to https://storyoftheuniverse.org/videos
Books:
- The Universe Story : From the Primordial Flaring Forth to the Ecozoic Era--A Celebration of the Unfolding of the Cosmos, Brian Swimme with Thomas Berry, HarperOne, 1994.
- Cosmogenesis, An Unveiling of the Expanding Universe, Brian Thomas Swimme, Counterpoint, 2022. (Brian’s intellectual and spiritual autobiography.)
- Hidden Heart of the Cosmos (Ecology and Justice Series), Brian Swimme, Orbis Books, 2019.
To financially support this podcast series, go to www.scienceandspirituality.org/support
To access Richard’s new Substack reflections, https://scienceandspiritualityblog.substack.com