The post that is listed points to comments made by Dr. Andrew Newberg, author of several books on what is being called “neurotheology” or the study of spiritual experiences from a neurological perspective. Newberg is co-author of “Why God Won’t Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief” (he also wrote “Mystical Minds” which is basically a more academical version of the same; and he also co-wrote at least two other related books as well). In his book, Newberg states that certain forms of religious practices such as meditation can cause certain areas of the brain, specifically the area that defined ones “self,” to pause (or whatever) such that the subject feels a loss of self-identity and feels a sense of unity with everything. Newberg doesn’t claim that this establishes contact with “God” but that it might offer a “spiritual window” to “God” and the spiritual realm if there are such things (which I do not believe).

Personally, I would define “spirit” as being equal to “mind.” The mind (along with the “self” or “person”) is the natural results of the physical (chemical/electrical) operations of the brain. We do not understand how it happens, but neurology has shown that the brain is responsible for the existence of the mind. Take the brain away and there is no mind. Someday, science may discover exactly how the brain causes the mind to be created; until then, the best we can say is that the mind is an emergent property of the brain/central nervous system — and maybe, so is the spirit.

Respectfully,
Jeff

Quite a nice article. I’m glad I stumbed upon it.

No, I myself do not make that distinction. This is the separation I perceive you to be making. By defining spirituality as, “without material existence,” you seem to be making the classic division between material and spiritual.

But since our minds are material things, and our thoughts are patterns of chemical reactions and electrical impulses, nothing we think or feel can be considered non-material. These sensations described in the Salon article are not some higher state that exists above and beyond our brains. They are physical changes happening within our brains as a result of outside stimuli. In this way, intense prayer and meditation are not that much different from taking a drug to induce an altered state.

If you want to say that some of these sensations are meaningful, that’s one thing. I don’t see it myself, but whatever floats your boat. But to suggest that they exist outside of the material world is nonsense. So we cannot define spirituality as, “without material existence.” But then, how do we define it?

i’ve enjoyed the perspectives shared in the comments. one thing i will address briefly. I think there have been a couple misrepresentations of my views on spirituality. I by no means see spirituality as a “magical” phenomenon. I noticed that VorJack distinguishes between chemical process and spirituality. After re-reading my post, I understand that one can read “existing in contemplation” two different ways. I am referring to it as living (or existing) in contemplation, and without question chemical process happen at this level.

Here’s is my slight issue with what VorJack’s comment. In my experience, I have come across atheists who use the physical chemical reactions of brain activity to discount the broader message being conveyed. Yes, a chemical reaction, or process, does occur when we are thinking/becoming spiritual (meditating perhaps)… but I don’t see that as evidence to the contrary, but merely a reinforcement of the great power of our minds.

I appreciate the feedback, and I really do enjoy reading all of your views.

all the best,

Justin

Yes, there have been a couple of studies that point to that. Here’s an interview at Salon from one of the scientists:

http://www.salon.com/books/int/2006/09/20/newberg/print.html

Some quotes-”We found that the Franciscan nuns activated several important parts of the brain during prayer. One part was the frontal lobe. I’ve been particularly interested in the frontal lobe because it tends to be activated whenever we focus our mind on something. This can be very mundane, like focusing on a problem we’re trying to solve at work. Or it can be focusing on a phrase from the Bible, which was happening with the Franciscan nuns. [...] We’ve hypothesized that when people meditate or pray — if they block the sensory information that gets into that area — they no longer get a sense of who they are in relation to the world. They may lose their sense of self, and they feel they become one with something greater — ultimate reality or God. ”

I don’t want to make too much of this, but it does point to a problem with the post. Justin says, “Spirituality is without material existence but existing in contemplation.” But whatever feelings we have during contemplation takes place in our brains. Whatever sensations we experience come about through chemical processes in our heads. As The Apostate pointed out, that means that there is not separation between material and spiritual. So I’m afraid this redefinition doesn’t work