The believing brain: Ted Talk

[Unveiled Artist]

The Believing Brain: Evolution, Neuroscience, and the Spiritual Instinct

God, they say, is in the details. But could God also be in our frontal lobes? Every culture from the dawn of humankind has imagined planes of existence beyond the reach of our senses, spiritual domains that shape our Earthly experiences. Why do beliefs of the fantastic hold such powerful sway over our species? Is there something in our evolutionary history that points to an answer? Does neuroscience hold the key? Straddling the gap between science and religion, Brian Greene is joined by renowned neuroscientists, anthropologists, and evolutionary biologists, to explore one of the most profound mysteries of our existence.

An excellent panel talk on belief in god,supernatural, from various scientific perspectives.

@Conscious thoughts
If you're interested in the god proven by science (or discussed by) and have time too, it's a good watch.

-

No rush.

Enjoy

 

[Spirit of Light]

The Believing Brain: Evolution, Neuroscience, and the Spiritual Instinct

An excellent panel talk on belief in god,supernatural, from various perspectives.

@Conscious thoughts
If you're interested in the god proven by science (or discussed by), if you have time too, it's a good watch.

-

No rush.

Enjoy

I will have a look (of the whole video) then i come back and we can discuss

 

[Spirit of Light]

I am still watching the video but i just want to say, it is actually a very interesting way of discussion they do, and the way they thinking and research the topic seem to have validity to it
There are parts i understand why they think spirituality does not exist, but other parts i find my self thinking "but the answer is very clear" but again, they do not see it from a spiritual persons view, they only use their science way of thinking.

And I find it to be very good WUT is happening to me

 

[The Hammer]

I am still watching the video but i just want to say, it is actually a very interesting way of discussion they do, and the way they thinking and research the topic seem to have validity to it
There are parts i understand why they think spirituality does not exist, but other parts i find my self thinking "but the answer is very clear" but again, they do not see it from a spiritual persons view, they only use their science way of thinking.

And I find it to be very good WUT is happening to me

I recommend a book "What God Does to the Brain" it's written by a neuroscientist, who studied fMRI scans of people having Mystical Experiences.

 

[Spirit of Light]

I recommend a book "What God Does to the Brain" it's written by a neuroscientist, who studied fMRI scans of people having Mystical Experiences.

I wonder what is happening in my own brain these days because something deep within me has kind of spoken about science is not wrong or bad to me, what science do is to explain the physical realms whereas non physical spiritual/religious experiences is told in religion.

What if it is as easy as if i can understand the use of science by understanding the physical, maybe i can then gain a deeper understanding of the non physical too

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I recommend a book "What God Does to the Brain" it's written by a neuroscientist, who studied fMRI scans of people having Mystical Experiences.

Is it on amazon?

https://www.amazon.com/How-Changes-Your-Brain-Neuroscientist/dp/0345503422

This is the closest. Looks good too.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I wonder what is happening in my own brain these days because something deep within me has kind of spoken about science is not wrong or bad to me, what science do is to explain the physical realms whereas non physical spiritual/religious experiences is told in religion.

What if it is as easy as if i can understand the use of science by understanding the physical, maybe i can then gain a deeper understanding of the non physical too

Not a bad idea. Everyone's different with cognitive dissonance...less tolerant of skepticism than others.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Not a bad idea. Everyone's different with cognitive dissonance...less tolerant of skepticism than others.

I have to be honest and say i working on the part of being more openminded than i used to be in the past.
Looking back at my self i have to say i may have sounded like an old grumpy man from time to time when i discussed topics i was not believing in or had doubt about

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I am still watching the video but i just want to say, it is actually a very interesting way of discussion they do, and the way they thinking and research the topic seem to have validity to it
There are parts i understand why they think spirituality does not exist, but other parts i find my self thinking "but the answer is very clear" but again, they do not see it from a spiritual persons view, they only use their science way of thinking.

And I find it to be very good WUT is happening to me

Maybe they get the spiritual perspective but explain it scientifically?

Aka. You guys speak different languages.

Unless some of us are from another planet, wouldn't it be possible that our spiritual experiences have some sort of connection with our brains, minds, and senses?

If not, how do you interpret it for yourself; how do you gain insight without some form of language, and even more so how do you feel peaceful, understanding, open if there wasn't a physiological and neurological association with those experiences and feelings? (Insight questions)

 

[Spirit of Light]

Maybe they get the spiritual perspective but explain it scientifically?

Unless some of us are from another planet, wouldn't it be possible that our spiritual experiences have some sort of connection with our brains, minds, and senses?

If not, how do you interpret it for yourself; how do you gain insight without some form of language, and even more so how do you feel peaceful, understanding, open if there wasn't a physiological and neurological association with the insights? (Insight questions)

You really know how to ask difficult questions

1: I would think that the brain as a reciever of the non physical experience has a part of this yes (how? i do not know at this moment in time) Maybe science will help me with it?

2 The peacefulness (for me) arises when i have prayed, studied scripture, practiced it in daily life. the calmness come without effort of trying to become calm.
The insight arises when teaching are realized, meaning if i have been pondering about something for a long time, and suddenly it "clicks" the insight is highten. this may be a poor explenation from my part.

So the "result" of an spiritual experience would in my understanding be possible for scinece to monitor on instruments like MRI or other forms of brain scans.

God may be in our brain, but not as an imagination, but as wisdom....i think

 

[The Hammer]

Is it on amazon?

https://www.amazon.com/How-Changes-Your-Brain-Neuroscientist/dp/0345503422

This is the closest. Looks good too.

Yup, that's the copy I read.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

You really know how to ask difficult questions

1: I would think that the brain as a reciever of the non physical experience has a part of this yes (how? i do not know at this moment in time) Maybe science will help me with it?

2 The peacefulness (for me) arises when i have prayed, studied scripture, practiced it in daily life. the calmness come without effort of trying to become calm.
The insight arises when teaching are realized, meaning if i have been pondering about something for a long time, and suddenly it "clicks" the insight is highten. this may be a poor explenation from my part.

So the "result" of an spiritual experience would in my understanding be possible for scinece to monitor on instruments like MRI or other forms of brain scans.

God may be in our brain, but not as an imagination, but as wisdom....i think

Hmm. Maybe the cause, experience, and result thereof can be explained by science, but because our morals and interpretations are also shaped and influenced by our external and "internal" environment (we develop language and cultural biases), maybe the only language we feel comfortable with describing such profound experiences is spiritual.

I guess it sounds better to say "I experience this mystical insight and I 'got it!' (God spoke to me)" as opposed to "I experienced a spike of endorphins when I "got it!"

 

[osgart]

You really know how to ask difficult questions

1: I would think that the brain as a reciever of the non physical experience has a part of this yes (how? i do not know at this moment in time) Maybe science will help me with it?

2 The peacefulness (for me) arises when i have prayed, studied scripture, practiced it in daily life. the calmness come without effort of trying to become calm.
The insight arises when teaching are realized, meaning if i have been pondering about something for a long time, and suddenly it "clicks" the insight is highten. this may be a poor explenation from my part.

So the "result" of an spiritual experience would in my understanding be possible for scinece to monitor on instruments like MRI or other forms of brain scans.

God may be in our brain, but not as an imagination, but as wisdom....i think

Would you agree that the spiritual realm is also one of cause and effect? That morals, values, understandings, ethics, ideas, and things taken to heart are real and have rational and reasonable cause and effect to them.

 

[sun rise]

I recommend a book "What God Does to the Brain" it's written by a neuroscientist, who studied fMRI scans of people having Mystical Experiences.

Maybe they get the spiritual perspective but explain it scientifically?

The problem I have with at least some of this is the "it's only" reductionism. The brain scans etc are valid data but the "we can see something so we know it's only that" is an unwarranted conclusion.

 

[The Hammer]

The problem I have with at least some of this is the "it's only" reductionism. The brain scans etc are valid data but the "we can see something so we know it's only that" is an unwarranted conclusion.

The book itself never actually comes to this conclusion. And states that it isn't trying too, in it's opening pages.

So, it's only reductionist if you look at it as such. Things can happen inside the brain that were effected by outside of it, hence the ability to feel a breeze.

Edit: I didn't watch the OP TED talk

 

[Unveiled Artist]

You really know how to ask difficult questions

1: I would think that the brain as a reciever of the non physical experience has a part of this yes (how? i do not know at this moment in time) Maybe science will help me with it?

2 The peacefulness (for me) arises when i have prayed, studied scripture, practiced it in daily life. the calmness come without effort of trying to become calm.
The insight arises when teaching are realized, meaning if i have been pondering about something for a long time, and suddenly it "clicks" the insight is highten. this may be a poor explenation from my part.

So the "result" of an spiritual experience would in my understanding be possible for scinece to monitor on instruments like MRI or other forms of brain scans.

God may be in our brain, but not as an imagination, but as wisdom....i think

True. Wisdom comes with understanding, insight, action, and experience. Whether we choose to describe it in a metaphysical lens or not it really depends on the person. Though, since science isn't biased to individual interpretations, I'd assume the "god experiences" have similar origins whether seen on an MRI or not yet studied in all people.

1. How would you react if god could be explained by science?
Origin, result, experience, and so forth.

Hmm.
2. Would you no longer be Sufi?
(Assuming here that what you experience is a share human experience and not an alien one)

 

[Spirit of Light]

Would you agree that the spiritual realm is also one of cause and effect? That morals, values, understandings, ethics, ideas, and things taken to heart are real and have rational and reasonable cause and effect to them.

At this moment i think i can agree on that. But this topic is still very deep in thoughts spirirual my understanding may change

 

[Spirit of Light]

True. Wisdom comes with understanding, insight, action, and experience. Whether we choose to describe it in a metaphysical lens or not it really depends on the person. Though, since science isn't biased to individual interpretations, I'd assume the "god experiences" have similar origins whether seen on an MRI or not yet studied in all people.

1. How would you react if god could be explained by science?
Origin, result, experience, and so forth.

Hmm.
2. Would you no longer be Sufi?
(Assuming here that what you experience is a share human experience and not an alien one)

1: if science one day can explain and prove God, it would be very exciting

2: yes i would still be a sufi, and do the same as i do now.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

1: if science one day can explain and prove God, it would be very exciting

2: yes i would still be a sufi, and do the same as i do now.

Hmm. If science can explain god, would you say there'd still be unanswered questions or would your quest be fulfilled once god is tangibly defined?

If you know what god is by science does that mean you finally know who you are once god is defined?

 

[Spirit of Light]

Hmm. If science can explain god, would you say there'd still be unanswered questions or would your quest be fulfilled once god is tangible defined?

If you know what god is by science does that mean you finally know who you are once god is defined?

1: Yes i would say it will always be unanswered questions in spiritual lifestyle. And no personally i would find many questions i still have to understand my self in my own life as a spiritual being.

2: No, even God would be proven to exist, i would have many questions to who my being is in the bigger picture. and my "path" in sufism would continue