The Science of Spirituality

[JuliaB]

The Science Of Spirituality

Is This Your Brain On God?

More than half of adult Americans report they have had a spiritual experience that changed their lives. Now, scientists from universities like Harvard, Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins are using new technologies to analyze the brains of people who claim they have touched the spiritual -- from Christians who speak in tongues to Buddhist monks to people who claim to have had near-death experiences. Hear what they have discovered in this controversial field, as the science of spirituality continues to evolve.


NPR: Is This Your Brain On God?

[SandBar]

Thanks so much for posting this. I was listening to NPR's show late last night on the drive home excited about the topic. Alas, when I got home my radio didn't pick up NPR and it was too late to search for it online. I had wanted to check out the whole week on this topic.

Not that we need science to make us spiritual but that the two worlds are having a conversation is positive.

The Science Of Spirituality

Is This Your Brain On God?

More than half of adult Americans report they have had a spiritual experience that changed their lives. Now, scientists from universities like Harvard, Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins are using new technologies to analyze the brains of people who claim they have touched the spiritual -- from Christians who speak in tongues to Buddhist monks to people who claim to have had near-death experiences. Hear what they have discovered in this controversial field, as the science of spirituality continues to evolve.


NPR: Is This Your Brain On God?

[nurturetruth]

Awesome!

thanks, JuliaB!

[someguy]

i dont understand why people are so quick to explain the seemingly unexplainable with theories like spirituality or god. that doesnt seem like a logical approach to dealing with life. im sorry to be a skeptic, but could we please further this conversation. thank you.

[JuliaB]

ok, someguy--let's furthur the conversation then! What does spirituality mean to you? I think its fine to be a skeptic, but also important to have an open mind--perhaps its walking a delicate balance (that most of us tend to one side or the other).
I would love to hear how and why you feel the way you do.

i dont understand why people are so quick to explain the seemingly unexplainable with theories like spirituality or god. that doesnt seem like a logical approach to dealing with life. im sorry to be a skeptic, but could we please further this conversation. thank you.

[someguy]

ok, someguy--let's furthur the conversation then! What does spirituality mean to you? I think its fine to be a skeptic, but also important to have an open mind--perhaps its walking a delicate balance (that most of us tend to one side or the other).
I would love to hear how and why you feel the way you do.

Well, spirituality, along with all other ideaologies are based on human thought. Which is always limited to the persons own memory. So if thought is limited and these ideaologies are limited, then why would any person with a logical mind limit themselves by believing in an idea. I dont see the point.

[magenta]

someguy said "So if thought is limited and these ideaologies are limited, then why would any person with a logical mind limit themselves by believing in an idea. I dont see the point."

I do not profess to have the answers to this, and am interested in the link between science and spirit.
In response to someguy's mention of 'logic'. why is it that things must be logical? isn't that limiting, or am I getting caught up in linguistics here? what if took a more creative/irrational approach to understanding spirit, while continuing to be fascinated by the idea that it may be explained through science/logic? did I just contradict myself?

i dont understand why people are so quick to explain the seemingly unexplainable with theories like spirituality or god.

As far as 'attempting to explain the unexplainable', isn't that some people's way of thinking/understanding. aren't people naturally inclined to define, judge and interpret, even if not in the best or healthiest of ways. Isn't that part of being a conscious human?