Guest guest Posted May 2, 2004 Report Share Posted May 2, 2004 Dear Bhagavatas: Here is an interesting article "God in the brain" that appeared in another list. Forwarded FYI. Moderator =================================================== >Bhattathiri <mulavana >spiritual-group >spiritual-group, indian_Heritage >[spiritual-Group] God in the brain >Wed, 28 Apr 2004 21:26:56 +0530 > >God in the brain >In a research using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), Dr >Andrew Newberg of University of Pennsylvania traced spiritual experiences >to the way our brains are wired. He studied meditating Buddhist monks and >Franciscan nuns in deep prayer. Though both groups described their >experiences differently in religious terms, the scans showed similar >activity in their brains. > >Non-meditative brain >The grey matter is generally active throughout, especially in the >posterior, superior parietal lobe-which controls one's relationship with >the physical world-but a little less in the prefrontal cortex. > >Meditative brain >At the peak of meditation, when the individual merges with the universe, >the brain's posterior, superior parietal lobe becomes inactive because it >is deprived of sensory data. >The prefrontal cortex becomes extra-active; it helps the person to >concentrate, and goads him to attain the high. > >Power of mantras >Repetitive rhythms such as mantras create a sense of tranquility by >triggering the hypothalamus. > >Epilepsy and spirituality >Some patients with seizures in the limbic system-hippocampus, amygdala, >septum, anterior thalamic nuclei, mammillary bodies and cingulate >cortex-have been found to 'experience God' or feel a sense of >enlightenment. > >The limbic system deals with emotions and informations derived from events. >Prof. V.S. Ramachandran, director of The Center for Brain and Cognition at >University of California (San Diego), in his book Phantoms in the Brain, >says that repeated bursts of nerve impulses in the limbic system may >permanently open new pathways in a process called kindling, which might >permanently alter the individual's emotional life. > >the week.com _______________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar – get it now! http://toolbar.msn.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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