A Neurotheological Approach to Spiritual Awakening

Abstract

A neurotheological approach suggests an analysis of spiritual awakening experiences by combining phenomenological data with neuroscience. This paper presents a synthesis combining information on the thoughts, feelings, and experiences associated with spiritual awakening experiences and neurophysiological data, primarily from neuroimaging studies, to help assess which brain structures might be associated with these experiences. Brain structures involved with emotions correlate with emotional responses while areas of the brain associated with the sense of self appear to correlate with the key feature of these experiences in which an individual loses the sense of self and feels intimately connected with God, universal consciousness, or the universe. This paper also seeks to address the assumption whether awakened states as described in popular spirituality are similar or different compared to spiritual enlightenment as described in Eastern spiritual traditions. Thus, the implications of such a neurotheological analysis are also considered.

Effects of two online positive psychology and meditation programs on persistent self-transcendence.

“…The majority of research has been on temporary forms of the experience. Very little empirical study of self-transcendent states that are persistent has been conducted (e.g., Butlein, 2005; Costeines, 2009; Kilrea, 2013; Martin, 2020; McCormick, 2010; Taylor, 2013), including a small number of neuroscience investigations (e.g., Davis & Vago, 2013; Josipovic, 2014; Newberg & Waldman, 2018).…”

“…Transient and persistent forms of self-transcendence occur in individuals across ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds (Martin, 2020). They are reported in spiritual and religious individuals, as well as atheists and agnostics alike (Newberg & Waldman, 2006, 2018; Newberg et al, 2001).…”

“…The majority of research has been on temporary forms of the experience. Very little empirical study of selftranscendent states that are persistent has been conducted (e.g., Butlein, 2005;Costeines, 2009;Kilrea, 2013;Martin, 2020;McCormick, 2010;Taylor, 2013), including a small number of neuroscience investigations (e.g., Davis & Vago, 2013;Josipovic, 2014;Newberg & Waldman, 2018). Abraham Maslow's (1971) model of selfactualization included a distinction between two kinds of self-actualizing individuals: (a) "merely healthy" self-actualizers, and (b) "transcendent" self-actualizers.…”

Mapping relationships of nonordinary experiences and mental health: A network analysis in a representative Brazilian sample.

“…Although there has been some progress in recent research exploring the experience of nonordinary states and mental health, the evidence suggests a more complex picture of how NOEs are linked to well-being or distress. While some studies identified higher levels of anxiety and depression in groups reporting NOEs (Maraldi, 2014), others suggest NOEs are related to happiness (Newberg & Waldman, 2018). Contributing to these mixed findings is the undifferentiated treatment of NOEs-different experiences are often clustered under the same label, or individual experiences are treated in isolation from others.…”

Spiritual Awakening among Church Members during the Pandemic: An Empirical Study in England and Wales

“…His participants reported the following kinds of outcomes: wellbeing or positive affective states, ongoing or permanent new state of being, increased present-ness or ability to live in the present, reduced cognitive activity or less identification with thoughts, reduced or disappearance of fear of death, decreased sense of group identity or need for belonging, episodes of intense turmoil or trauma preceding transformation, increased altruism, and enhanced relationships. Also within this special topic section, Newberg and Waldman (2018) draw on the results from 'The Spiritual Awakening Survey', where approximately 2,000 individuals responded to an online survey of people's most intense spiritual experiences (Yaden et al, 2015(Yaden et al, , 2016(Yaden et al, , 2017. In summary, they conclude that in their research of spiritual awakening experiences 'there is a sense of oneness in which the individual awakens to a new relationship with God or the universe and no longer experiences the personal ego but a higher state in which all things are one' (p. 127).…”