The neuroscience of spiritual experiences | Patrick McNamara

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Experimental neuroscientist Patrick McNamara on how we can harness spiritual experience to explore alternate realities in our minds, and transform our models of the self.
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Patrick McNamara, an experimental neuroscientist, argues that the function of religion is not just to quell existential anxiety or stave off the fear of death, but to disrupt current models of the self, and update those models in relation to the world around us. Religious experiences promote imaginative simulation of other possible worlds, giving us space to update those models respective of our circumstances.
One core facet of the spiritual experience is what McNamara calls ‘de-centering’ - a powerful neurotechnology that promotes self-transformation, but which makes us incredibly vulnerable when triggered. When held in the context of a ritual, like many religious practices promote, we can achieve massive growth and transcendence. But de-centering isn’t just safe within the context of religion: non-religious people can re-discover or create their own rich traditions to support the de-centering experience.
The field of experimental neuroscience is uncovering some fundamental aspects of human nature and human experience, simultaneously enhancing our understanding of this realm but also deepening the mystery. McNamara's research sheds light on the potential benefits of religion and ritual, and highlights how much more is still to be learned about how these processes can be harnessed for positive transformation.
Read the full video transcript: bigthink.com/the-well/neurosc...
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2 апр 2023

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Комментарии : 56

@avonsternen6034 Год назад

Yes, insightful and brilliant. Furthermore, imagine human potential beyond prediction and control. :)

@lanajthomasm.s.healthpsych7814 Год назад

As one who seeks all that is spiritual in nature, i see the imagined worlds you reference as those with potential and possibility and as that revealed from deep within the recesses of my mind. I see our future as the reversal of our past. I see possibilities that beg to be remembered and explored as what we are capable of and have already realized before being here. I remember, I do not create them. I have seen them and now recall. I realize spirit supersedes the mind and find comfort there in the familiarity of the recollection. It is hard to explain...

@shivanipandey8208 Год назад

And how does one tap into that being version of that individual?

@lanajthomasm.s.healthpsych7814 Год назад

@@shivanipandey8208 The main component of that journey is to approach imagination with fearlessness. An open mind will allow one to explore the depths of their own spirit, which is what we are here to reconnect with. We all have an internal universe filled with the same information as the one in our galaxy. Everything we need to know is already here inside of us. And of course, we have help from spirit beings who will guide us through. We only need to ask. They are prepared to elevate our awareness of how limitless we are. There is no end to doors that can be opened.

@shivanipandey8208 Год назад

@@lanajthomasm.s.healthpsych7814 this is immensely powerful! Thank you very much. Grateful 🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️❤️

@powdergate Год назад

Only the immature and the feeble chase value in spirituality, a good question to ask yourself is "Why am I attracted to spirituality? Why do I prefer the idea of something labelled 'spiritual' over something without that label?" Almost universally, the reason turns out to be hidden insecurity and wanting to escape reality, which can at times be harsh and unforgiving, yet at others profound and beautiful.

@lanajthomasm.s.healthpsych7814 Год назад

@@powdergate it is foolhardy to not recognize the fragility in both.

@jeddak Год назад

A fascinating subject. It brings to mind the science fiction novel _The Lathe of Heaven_ , by Ursula Le Guin, which explores some of the themes discussed herein - dreaming, imagining a new reality, transforming one's own reality.

@mikechamp78 2 месяца назад

As a Baha'i I appreciated and can relate to this thoughtful analysis.

@anandshah6642 Год назад

Amazing neurology and religion together

@lipasfriends Год назад

Love this! I can relate this to a psychedelic experience- when the ego breaks down and the soul is laid bare. ,

@jJust_NO_ Год назад

the dissolution process, collapse of the system/ego or his term decentering is real scary. you blend with the world. you see others and feel them, its hard to distinguish whats yours and whats them. very weird feeling to immerse oneself in this ocean of information. and lastly, the will power and initiative to do something or be someone diminishes. you just exist sensing, seeing and knowing

@christytrusty7098 10 месяцев назад

Exactly where I'm at and it's a bit uncomfortable.. where from here?

@timothypeden3516 Год назад

I like this, very well said!

@vrfamilia Год назад

Drawing upon the wisdom of Einstein, who famously proclaimed that time is a relative concept, we are reminded that our perception of time isn't linear. The past and the future coexist, intertwined in a fascinating dance of relativity. Perhaps through the transformative power of meditation, we might find ourselves plunging into the depths of our minds, unraveling layers of consciousness that enable us to catch glimpses of these intertwined timelines. This could allow us to witness the future and the past, not as distinct entities, but as part of a continuous whole. Could it be that we've lived through these moments before? And that our instincts, those gut feelings that nudge us in certain directions, are actually echoes of our past and future experiences? These instincts might serve as our internal compass, guiding us towards the future we desire, or steering us away from the ones we'd rather not venture into. So, what are your thoughts on this intriguing concept? Do you think we possess the power to choose the timeline that resonates with our deepest desires?

@That_Freedom_Guy 4 месяца назад

De-Self the Center. 🎯🧘

@kbqvist Год назад

An interesting take on spiritual, or mystical experiences - as a mechanism to upgrade/update identity, when the current identity is no longer fit for purpose. I guess this approach could be taken to suggest that these experiences are primarily for personal use - and not to be used to tell other people what they should be belive, or do...

@The-Well Год назад

Interesting point!

@kbqvist Год назад

@@The-Well I guess that if, e.g. the apostle Paul had seen it that way, much would have gone differently... 🤔

@hahaha9076 2 месяца назад

It has to be for personal use imo. I believe that although much of our reality is shared through "collective consciousness " eg religious practices, cultural practices, etc, we have a "unique to us only experience in life." No one else can have our data download or update potential. Identical twins may be as close as we could get to shared experience. But that's just my take so far. Awaiting an update. 😉

@Callummullans Год назад

When thoughts have dimension you’re more prone to turbulence due to exposure so it kind of pushes emotional resilience or suppression considering the modern world. From my experience. My whole thing is people feeling faith, all creeds and cliques. What he was saying about de radicalisation I would focus on toxic self talk involved in turbulence.

@armandoacevedo6978 5 месяцев назад

Deep Meditation Peak athletic performance (runner’s high) Kundalini Awakening OOBE NDE Psychedelic Experiences All the the above can facilitate spiritual experiences

@emmanuelweinman9673 Год назад

Letting go of Emmanuel is hard. I’m not sure anyone can fully let go of themselves and still be alive, but I have role models that act in a way that makes me think it’s possible. Why else would some people dedicate their whole life to the service of others? Either way, what lies beyond myself is a complete mystery.

@Nooneself Год назад

Perfect....I've said that all the great religions originally taught self - control. ❤

@harshtiwari6893 Год назад

The meta-analysis presented here from the neurological perspective has been explored, quite deeply, from the psychological and mystical perspectives in esoteric Hinduism and Buddhism (also the Kabbalah)

@nitikapatil5340 Год назад

Any references or books to draw such conclusions

@harshtiwari6893 Год назад

@@nitikapatil5340 way too many, the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali would be a big one in Hinduism. Bhaja Govindam by Shankara really describes what Hindu Enlightenment makes you, also

@SawHtooMinKhant Год назад

If you decide yourself a non-religion and open-minded person, you will feel perfectly great. You can absorb everything you want. You can learn every happening thing in the world and all universe. I am so thankful to all of the people who opened my mind out of the cage ( like religious beliefs...etc..). Now I feel my powerful mind. And sad for those who do not understand those things and doing things that do not exist.

@khosrowanushirwan7591 Год назад

I am not very religious but I am very open minded and love to learn new things.

@abolajimichael9999 Год назад

Could going into trances be an alternate reality? I've considered this stance before...

@The-Well Год назад

Interesting! Certainly an alternate reality as far as the person in the trance's perception, at least.

@wmgodfrey1770 10 месяцев назад

The Mind's Machinery that enables Us to be Self Correcting (Making, Exapting, Organizing, ETC.) is the very SAME brain mechanisms THAT make Us susceptible to wrong turns, Self Deceiving, AND to "bullshit" -- it's a book title, as well as to Psyche Pathology/-ies (Vervaeke et al).

@MariposaRedimida 2 месяца назад

A religious mind is not something I would describe as a mind who can imagine other worlds… a lot of religious people tend to be quite close-minded. One thing I really found enlightening is the evolutionary purpose of religion to transform ourselves and adapt. That does make sense to me.

@asterinycht5438 Год назад

Idk seems meta, on mysticism every religion, you have somthing like this. as you say this mechanism sometime go beyond wild if trigered wrong, the poeple who cant accept the new self become mad , we simply call them divine madness.

@Vooodooolicious 3 месяца назад

This is Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra.

@adammorra3813 Год назад

Parallel universes, look up reality transurfing.

@blueoak116 Год назад

Psychology saves. By God that’s good.

@KingKae7 2 месяца назад

Replace 'religious' with 'mystical' and it makes more sense

@peterschuerman 5 месяцев назад

This sounds a lot like Timothy Leary‘s idea of about the psychedelic experience disconnecting you from reality and then there’s an opportunity to reconnect with reality in a different way. I think saying that religion does this is problematic because religion encompasses a lot of things, much of which has nothing to do with creating these states of mind.