Comments on: Neural correlates of a mystical experience in Carmelite nuns http://www.numenware.com/article/536 Religion. Brain. Dogen. Language. Japan. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:23:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Kester Strange http://www.numenware.com/article/536#comment-3859 Kester Strange Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:17:30 +0000 http://www.numenware.com/article/536#comment-3859 I believe an "experience of beauty" can be a prelude to a true mystical experience. I would be pleased to discuss this idea with anyone that may be interested I believe an “experience of beauty” can be a prelude to a true mystical experience.
I would be pleased to discuss this idea with anyone that may be interested

]]> By: Mark Waldman http://www.numenware.com/article/536#comment-514 Mark Waldman Sat, 09 Dec 2006 02:41:34 +0000 http://www.numenware.com/article/536#comment-514 An overview of all the brain scan research on spiritual experiences subtantially disproves the notion of a god spot or module in the brain. Instead, each form of religious practice stimulates different neural centers in different ways. In Newberg’s studies at the Univ. of Penn, nuns and Buddhists were similar, but speaking in tongues evokes almost the opposite response. Short term meditation leaves a different neural imprint than long term (45 minutes or more) practices. However, Newberg did find, in all his studies, that medititors (including an atheist) had asymmetric activity in the thalamus. This is very unusual and offers the first data that spiritual practices can permanently change the sensory organization circuits in the brain. See his book, <span class="caps">WHY</span> WE <span class="caps">BELIEVE</span> <span class="caps">WHAT</span> WE <span class="caps">BELIEVE</span>, which reports all of these findings. An overview of all the brain scan research on spiritual experiences subtantially disproves the notion of a god spot or module in the brain. Instead, each form of religious practice stimulates different neural centers in different ways. In Newberg’s studies at the Univ. of Penn, nuns and Buddhists were similar, but speaking in tongues evokes almost the opposite response. Short term meditation leaves a different neural imprint than long term (45 minutes or more) practices. However, Newberg did find, in all his studies, that medititors (including an atheist) had asymmetric activity in the thalamus. This is very unusual and offers the first data that spiritual practices can permanently change the sensory organization circuits in the brain. See his book, WHY WE BELIEVE WHAT WE BELIEVE, which reports all of these findings.

]]> By: Ettsem http://www.numenware.com/article/536#comment-791 Ettsem Fri, 01 Sep 2006 06:58:03 +0000 http://www.numenware.com/article/536#comment-791 I find the term “spiritual neuroscience” a bit of a mouthful. Mind you, I’m not that keen on the word “neurotheology”, either. To me it sounds like the researcher is seeking a “god”. As we’ve seen so often, people tend to find the sort of thing they are seeking, even if they have to use a bit of imagination. If the truth turns out to be something utterly different, though, they’ll miss it because of their preconceptions. Actually, I find that the words “spiritual” and “god” have become so nebulous these days that they’re nearly useless. For this reason, I’ve been referring to my own path as “reality study”. The term is neither inspiring nor memorable, but it doesn’t have too many unwanted connotations. I find the term “spiritual neuroscience” a bit of a mouthful. Mind you, I’m not that keen on the word “neurotheology”, either. To me it sounds like the researcher is seeking a “god”.

As we’ve seen so often, people tend to find the sort of thing they are seeking, even if they have to use a bit of imagination. If the truth turns out to be something utterly different, though, they’ll miss it because of their preconceptions.

Actually, I find that the words “spiritual” and “god” have become so nebulous these days that they’re nearly useless. For this reason, I’ve been referring to my own path as “reality study”. The term is neither inspiring nor memorable, but it doesn’t have too many unwanted connotations.

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