The Science Of Spiritual Experiences: How To Rewire Your Brain For More Happiness & Purpose
The Mel Robbins Podcast with Dr. Andrew Newberg
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In today’s episode, you’re going to learn about the powerful connection between neuroscience and religious experiences.
Renowned medical doctor and neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Newberg, MD is here on the podcast today, and you’re going to be amazed at what he shares.
Dr. Newberg is a pioneering researcher of “neurotheology,” which is a field of research that studies the relationship between neuroscience and spirituality.
He has spent decades scanning the brains of people during prayer, meditation, and spiritual experiences, and he’s here to share the findings of his huge body of research – and how you can apply it in your life.
Whether you consider yourself religious, spiritual, or an atheist, this episode is for you. You’ll discover practical tools to create daily rituals that cultivate a sense of unity, connectedness, and calm in your daily life — starting right now.
If you liked this episode and would like to know more about about your mind works, listen to this episode next: #1 Neurosurgeon: How to Manifest Anything You Want & Unlock the Unlimited Power of Your Mind
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In this episode:
- 3:33: What is spirituality, really?
- 7:04: Dr. Newberg says that everything you think about religion may be wrong.
- 11:05: How Newberg’s personal journey led him deep into the science of spirituality.
- 15:30: Can brain scans reveal what actually happens in your brain during spiritual experiences?
- 20:11: Why your limbic system is key to unlocking powerful spiritual experiences.
- 23:14: You probably have had a spiritual experience recently.
- 27:25 People’s most common spiritual experiences (and why they matter).
- 30:01: Spiritual experiences might be the secret key to your next level of growth.
- 36:14: How embracing the little things could change everything.
- 43:21: A quick-start guide to bringing spirituality into your daily life.
45:48: What exactly is an enlightened human-being? - 47:16: How to use spirituality to break free and stop feeling stuck.
- 58:59 The 4 core aspects of being human, according to Dr. Newberg.
- 1:01:46: Breaking down your psychological vs spiritual self: what you need to know.
- 1:04:42: Science is a powerful spiritual tool that anyone can tap into.
Dr. Andrew Newberg:
- Check out Dr. Newberg’s website
- Order his books, Brain Weaver & Sex, God and the Brain
- Dr. Newberg’s current research
- Follow him on Instagram
- Dr. Newberg’s Marcus Institute profile
- Listen to his TEDx Talk
Additional Resources:
- Frontiers in Psychology: The neuroscientific study of spiritual practices
- Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging: The relationship between the brain and spirituality with respect to aging and neurodegenerative diseases: clinical and research implications
- International Journal of Transpersonal Studies: A Neurotheological Approach to Spiritual Awakening
- Journal of Consciousness Studies: A Neurotheological Perspective on Altered States of Consciousness
- Baylor University Medical Center: Neurotheology in interfaith dialogue
- NPR: Neurotheology: This Is Your Brain On Religion
- American Journal of Human Biology: Why religion and spirituality are important in human biological research
- Medical News Today: What happens in the brain during a spiritual experience?
- Consciousness and Cognition: How similar are the changes in neural activity resulting from mindfulness practice in contrast to spiritual practice?
- Broadview: How a week of spiritual contemplation alters the brain
- Religion, Brain & Behavior: Emotion in mystical experience
- Cerebral Cortex: Neural Correlates of Personalized Spiritual Experiences
- TIME: How to Become More Spiritual
- Pew Research Center: Spirituality Among Americans
- Religion, Brain & Behavior: Effect of a one-week spiritual retreat on dopamine and serotonin transporter binding: a preliminary study
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In The Mel Robbins Podcast, Mel takes you behind the scenes in real-time. Every episode is packed with tactical advice, hilarious screwups, compelling conversations, and the tools and inspiration you need to create a better life.
