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The Spiritual Brain: Science and Religious Experience
- Narrated by: Andrew Newberg
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
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The Spiritual Brain: Science and Religious Experience
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Summary
Does God exist? Do we have a soul? Is it possible to make contact with a spiritual realm? How should we respond to the divine? Will life continue beyond death?Most people, whether deeply religious or outright doubters of any spiritual power, have probably pondered these questions for themselves. In fact, the religious impulse is so powerfully pervasive that neuroscience has posed a provocative question: Are our brains wired to worship?
Now, in a series of 24 riveting lectures from an award-winning scholar and practicing neuroscientist, you can explore the exciting field of neurotheology - the new discipline aimed at understanding the connections between our brains and different kinds of religious phenomena. Using an academic, experimental approach into what he calls "objective measures of spirituality," Professor Newberg attempts to explain what others have previously only guessed at: the neuroscientific basis for why religion and spirituality have played such a prominent role in human life.
In these captivating lectures, you'll learn how religious experiences originate, their meaning, and the reasons why religion plays such a huge role in human experience - peering directly into the seat of all human thought and action as you delve into the relationship between brain function and spirituality.
A leading researcher in neurotheology, Professor Newberg offers you innovative approaches to ancient beliefs and practices. Using brain imaging and other cutting-edge physiological studies, he helps you to better understand how the brain controls or responds to religious and spiritual beliefs and behavior.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
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What listeners say about The Spiritual Brain: Science and Religious Experience
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- marcelo
- 24-04-23
Good overall.
Interesting and an eye opening for those that seek knowledge within religious experience and the scientific data.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- rakin811
- 12-10-19
Words of wisdom
I really enjoyed this. It is now in my top 5 best audio books. Will need to listen to it more than once though, to comprehend the academic jargons.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Freddy
- 19-09-17
A interesting course
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes quite a light and interesting series, although some of the later lectures I found less interesting
Any additional comments?
Good but not great
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- richard2
- 11-09-23
Fascinating
If you are (or are not) a spiritually curious/inclined/committed person with a brain you must find this course very insightful (and that must be just about everyone!). The science behind belief here neither undermines nor promotes religious convictions which is a rare and subtle achievement.
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- Lee
- 12-06-22
Thought-provoking
I have at my disposal very few words from which to choose a suitable summary, other than to say: YOU MUST LISTEN TO THIS PRODUCT...
ENJOY!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Jim Vaughan
- 04-09-17
Neurotheology from an Eminent Leader in the Field
Prof. Newberg is one of the great names in the research of brain states and religion. His seminal work with D'Aquila on brain changes during meditation is fascinating and original and he starts the course describing his work and findings.
The course of 24 lectures goes on to examine the various functions, such as the holistic function, spacial and temporal orientation, identity functions, morality functions etc. and the brain areas responsible, which contribute to our human religious and mystical experiences, beliefs and concepts.
Whether religion can be reduced explanatorily to these brain states, or whether they point to the perception of a transcendent reality is an enjoyable philosophical thread that runs through the whole course, without ever being resolved.
The course was recorded some time ago, and advances have been made since. I would have liked more specifics eg. names for the brain areas concerned with the various functions, many of which tended to be around the parietal and temporal lobes. Specifics on the mode of action of drugs which mimic mystical states like DMT or LSD, and more illustrative cases from brain injury and neurological patients, as well as reference to the various psychological biases we have as humans, and which play a role in religious belief, would have made this a truly fantastic lecture course.
However, if you are interested in religion, whether as an atheist, agnostic or believer, and wish to understand better the neuronal correlates of the experiences, practices and beliefs of religion, taught by one of the most eminent researchers in the field, I thoroughly recommend this course.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Melvin
- 12-01-21
The Spiritual Brain
There is an abundant wealth of knowledge culminating from the sciences of the brain, mystical perspectives of the brain, neuroplasticity and spirituality. This offers us a good understanding of what religion and our brain informs us in reality and the transcendency of our brain. An excellent audio for those who really wants to know God.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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- David
- 18-01-18
Neuro-theology apparently.
You might like this if you are (like our speaker) religious. Otherwise you might find the lack of objectively disappointing. Andrew Newberg is, as he keeps telling us, a scientist, but he is also an advocate for religion. The idea of spiritual emotions as psychological coping methods generated in the brain by evolution is not discussed. Not is the fact that most religions are man-made structures of control and power. Still I expect there is plenty of funds availability for this kind of research, especially in the US.
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9 people found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Diogenes
- 17-07-19
Far below standards set by Great Courses
It's difficult to know where to begin other than "not even wrong".
There is nothing scientific about this.
Typically the professor uses studies anecdotally to justify his "just so" questions and theories. Where he engages philosophy and or the various scientific disciplines he does so vaguely and shallowly.
He assumes the supernatural to be real but then tries to shoe horn the supernatural into the biological with weak and vague connections.
The worst of the Great Courses I've ever listened to (and I've listened to more than 70 of them)
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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- Kindle Customer
- 05-01-24
Annoyingly biased
... As you would expect. Interpretation of data and results of experiments proves that the author is not looking for a truth but confirmation of his believes, many examples he gives have questionable source (internet, self reports) and some are so cliché that just have to be made up (a girl loses faith after her mother death, getting depressed, reconciles with God, cured from depression). It was interesting how many times the author said that he is a scientist (as if there were not much to prove it in the content).
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