Today we begin a personal journey, as I recount the story of how my understanding of the world developed and evolved. I started with a mindset committed to absolute empirical truth, but in a painful and sometimes joyful process of discovery, I've come to a deeper understanding and appreciation for the mystery and beauty of creation and my place in it. Such understanding requires faith at its center. Faith that is integrated with science.

This story originally appeared on spiralinquiry.org in seven chapters and will be offered in two podcast segments. The first episode will spiral down. The second episode will spiral up!