This column explores how spirituality might evolve over the next few generations as science, religion, and global culture continue to interact. Rather than framing the future as religion versus science, it asks whether spiritual traditions can mature by separating empirical claims from deeper stories of meaning, identity, morality, suffering, and hope. The linked article and supporting tidbits expand the idea through TST’s Material-Spiritual Framework, offering a path toward future common ground without dismissing either scientific truth or personal belief.
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One central idea each month. Imagine adding 12 life-changing ideas to your worldview each year. The column is just the starting point. The supporting research includes tidbits and a deep-dive article. Build wisdom at your pace with the TST Trainer, listen on the road, and dig deeper when you can. When inspired, share your opinions, questions, or pushback here on TST.
One central idea each month. Imagine adding 12 life-changing ideas to your worldview each year. Build wisdom at your pace with the TST Trainer, listen on the road, and dig deeper when you can. When inspired, share your opinions, questions, or pushback here on TST.
THIS MONTH: Spirituality.
TST Column
June 2026
TST Column
Jun 2026
Your spirituality does not have to disappear as science advances. It can mature by distinguishing shared empirical reality from personal meaning, faith, mystery, and the unknown.
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Column Research
Stories: Science Philosophy Critical Thinking History Big Bang Metaphysics Evolution Biases Futurism Ancient History Ethics Reasoning
1 Essay + 6 Tidbits
1 Focus
Plus a bonus deep-dive article.
This Month:
— Spirituality —
The future of spirituality may depend on better categories: shared reality for empirical claims, and personal meaning for faith, mystery, and the unknowable.
Greetings!
–Michael Alan Prestwood
6 Research Tidbits
Wisdom Builder Crossroads
The research, stories, and questions that inform this issue.
1 Story »
Secular Spirituality Settles
Reference Date: 2200 CE (+/- 50 years)
Start to live your life better now by sorting truth from belief with honesty. Let science guide the observable, reason guide what is coherent, but hold spirituality humbly.
2 Quote »
“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
- Carl Sagan
- 1979
Embrace a secular approach to your spirituality which grounds awe and meaning in observable human experience. Judge spiritual claims against measurable effects.
3 Science »
What is the difference between a spiritual and empirical belief?
In your life, let empirical beliefs track the material world. Spiritual beliefs can still explore meaning, purpose, essence, sacredness, and the unknown.
4Philosophy »
What is secular spirituality?
To live within secular spirituality, your exploration of the unknown and unknowable should stem from testable observations.
5Critical Thinking »
How does spirituality relate to public belief?
When talking about spirituality, remember to accept personal beliefs as is until you are asked to accept a claim as true. When that happens, the claim enters public belief, then start by sorting it into the empirical, rational, or irrational category.
6History!
Is secular spirituality supported in history and science?
True spirituality starts when you stop treating nature as ordinary. The stars, rivers, bodies, minds, and living systems around us are not background scenery. They are the ground of awe.
Take the deep dive.
Linked Article
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Philosophy
Draft Paper
The Material-Spiritual Framework: A Philosophy of Spirituality
Spirituality
Embrace spirituality using a framework that sorts ideas carefully. Empirical claims belong to the shared material world and should answer to evidence. Spiritual stories can explore meaning, identity, hope, morality, and the unknowable. Clarity allows tolerance without surrendering truth.
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A Science-First Book about the Ideas That Shape Us
30 Philosophers: A New Look at Timeless Ideas explores how human understanding has evolved — from ancient questions to modern scientific thinking.
Written by natural philosopher Michael Alan Prestwood, the book blends philosophy, science, and history into clear, human stories focused on explanation over authority and meaning over memorization.
For those who value better thinking over being right.
The Book Video