Spirituality and Science: Divine Experience And Neurobiology - Neurotheology  

By P N Jha

Do human brains play any role in spiritual contemplation? Is the spiritual experience real? And, if so, is the spiritual urge programmed into the brain's neural structure? Is the complex relationship between spirituality and the brain understandable?

Neurotheology

Scientific studies have explored the genetic basis of our systems of belief, giving rise to a new discipline. Neurotheology is the study of the neurobiology of religion and spirituality. Its aim is to identify regions of the brain, which are most active when we have experiences that seem to exist outside time and space. All religious, spiritual and mystical experiences are associated with activity in one or more specific regions of the brain. The sense of divine presence or God realisation is possible because the human brain is wired accordingly. Belief in God and the human quest for transcendence has been and shall remain an important part of human life as long as the brain's neural circuits remain unchanged.

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

Andrew Newberg and Eugene D'Aquili, the authors of Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief , have conducted interesting studies on brain activity during moments of religious experience. The scientists used a brain-imaging technique called single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to determine regions of the brain which responded to altered states of consciousness during prayer and deep meditation. The experiments were carried out on Tibetan Buddhists and Franciscan nuns.

According to Newberg, the human brain is genetically wired to encourage religious beliefs and to have spiritual and mystical experiences. During deep meditation, there is an increased activity in the frontal lobe area of the brain - it lights up at the peak of meditation. This was seen in an image of the brain taken during a transcendent experience.

The SPECT images also reveal that there is reduction of activity in the parietal lobe, at the top, rear part of the brain. The parietal lobe is also known as the orientation association area (OAA) since it controls our sense of space. It is also responsible for marking the sharp distinction between self and no-self. The OAA requires continuous sensory inputs to do its job, and is therefore always active. However, during moments of intense meditation, no activity was observed in the OAA, implying that sensory inputs to this area had ceased, leaving the brain with no information to process. During this transcendental state of consciousness, the OAA is dormant and the boundaries between the self and other worldly things get dissolved. A state of absolute calmness and contentment is attained - the Self appears to be united with God.

SPECT scans of people involved in prayer or chanting mantras showed activity in the right inferior parietal lobe - the area responsible for evaluating the emotional meanings of words and phrases. The temporal lobes, which run along the side of the head are the brain's visual association area. It helps in relating religious symbols or images to feelings, thereby triggering a sense of religious awe. Visions arising during prayer or ritual are generated in this area of the brain. When the temporal lobes are artificially stimulated, a sense of divine presence is felt.

Long ago, Nietzsche and other non-believers had predicted the death of god and the end of religion. These findings discredit the obituaries. The interruptions in brain circuits due to focused spiritual contemplation effect changes in our thought processes and influence our subconscious mind. This could be why spiritually inclined people tend to be calm, peaceful, compassionate and caring and lead healthy and happy lives. Their sense of oneness makes them emotionally balanced and spiritually developed.

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See also: Spirituality and Science, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)