Neurotheology
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Francis Crick was involved, along with James Watson, in the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA in our genes containing the code of life. In his book "The Astonishing Hypothesis", Crick discusses how the neural basis of consciousness could be deciphered. All of our perceptions and thoughts are a result of connections of neurons. |
Biological slide of neurons and their dendrites and axons connected. Billions of neurons and trillions of connections. Our view of God is a composite of neural structures. Aldous Huxley first used the term "neurotheology" in his novel "Island" in 1962. |
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A single neuron in the brain can connect to dozens of other neurons. Optic nerves - neurons - in the eye connect to other neurons sending visual signals to the visual cortex in the brain, where many other neurons convert it to an image that we perceive in our consciousness. |
Modern neurology uses devices such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to scan brain activity for medical diagnosis. Typical scans shown to the right can see damaged or non-functioning areas. Brain scans of buddhists meditating and nuns thinking about their mystical experiences showed activity in certain areas of the frontal cortex. And some neurologists are investigating the brain for the location, or seat of consciousness. |
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Subjective Necker Cube by Drake Bradley & Heywood Petry, 1977 Two illusions. The cube is created by the brain, and the cube can be viewed projected out or to the side. Visual psychologists can use illusions to learn how the brain processes information. Vision evolved to detect motion, shape, color for survival. Illusions are misinterpreted sensory input. |
Here are two examples of experiences viewed from neuorothelogy, paraphrased from Andrew B. Newberg, neuroscientist: 1. Buddhist in meditation blocks sensory input, feels "one with the universe", because the spacial orientation area in the brain, cannot find any boundary between self and not-self, just infinite space. 2. Christian worshipper feels ecstatic because of reward centers in the brain, based on neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, that produce pleasure, changes in mood and attention. We have a friend in Jesus. Good thoughts can comfort us. |
The Resurrection Watercolor by William Blake, 1808 V & A, Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington According to Carl Jung, deeper layers in our pysche can project images - imagio - symbols, onto our ego consciousness, where our normal awareness is centered. This may be part of the collective unconsciousness, which includes archetypes common to all people, derived from evolution. Dreams, meditations, visions and other "altered states of consciousness" can trigger a projection of feelings and thoughts and images that appear spiritual to our ego. |
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Roman Catholic catechism (as told by Francis Crick): Q: What is the soul? A: The soul is a living being without a body, having reason and free will. So this raises the questions: Is there a disembodied soul? Are we body and soul? Is our consciousness our soul? Most people on earth believe we have a soul - Hindus, Muslims, Jewish, Christians. Do we really have free will or does our will only appear to be free? Research show brain activity, before the ego consciousness makes a decision. |
Light became matter during the "Big Bang". Light became consciousness through evolution of Life and vison. Consciousness allows us to think about God. This is the Next Reformation ! |
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