Neurotheology

I’ve recently read an article that explores the belief that our brains are the sole creators of what is perceived to be divine, a belief called neurotheology. The article talks of a neurologist by the name of Dr. James Austin who experiences a moment of infinity. He reflects “I, me, mine” disappeared “time was not present, and I had a sense of eternity… I had been graced by a comprehension of the ultimate nature of things.” Some would call this a mystical experience but Austin took this experience as “proof of the existence of the brain.” He eventually published his theories in a paper entitled “Zen and the Brain” inspiring other scientists to flock to this phenomena. Studies to investigate the effect of spiritual experiences have on the brain (or vice versa) were subsequent. They used the subject of a tibettan buddhist lost in meditation to conduct a brain scan, which would give them the identity of the brain’s spirituality circuit. The brain scan showed that the prefrontal cortex(seat of attention) lit up with activity; whereas the region, nicknamed the orientation association region, was basically turned off. This region processes information of time, and ones orientation of the body in space, determining where the body ends and the rest of the universe begins. This region requires sensory input in order to function so when one blocks that, by meditation, one prevents the brain from distinguishing between self and not-self, invoking a feeling of infinate space.

“I could hear the singing of the planets, and wave after wave washed over me. But… I was the light as well… I no longer existed as a separate ‘I’… I saw into the structure of the universe. I had the impression of knowing beyond knowledge and being given glimpses into all”

The paradox exists when one attempts to “determine whether the neurological changes associated with spiritual experience mean that the brain is causing those experiences… or is instead perceiving a spiritual reality.”

David Eiserman Dec 7 2007