When discussing the interactions of the brain, the mind and consciousness, many opposing philosophies and theories tend to collide. While speaking with neuropsychologist Rick Hanson, author (with Richard Mendius, MD) of Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom, he discussed his opinion of the consciousness transcendental X-factor in relation to some of the latest neurological findings.
“It’s really important with regard to consciousness, and also to the mind in general, to honor the view that some kind of transcendental x-factor — such as God, Spirit, the divine ground, the nameless, or whatever you want to call it — could be required for the nervous system to manifest the mind. This possibility cannot be proven either way by the methods that science uses.”
“Further, I think we are hundreds of years away from a complete, scientific account of the mind-brain interface, in part because we cannot experiment on humans in the same way you can experiment on a fruit-fly.”
There is a growing body of scientific evidence that establishes a merely neurological basis for the experience of certain seemingly supernatural events, such as out-of-body experiences. Also, there are some findings of a neural basis for religious faith. Some people use these findings to build an atheist argument, by undermining the credibility of people’s supernatural experiences and their belief in God. On the other hand, there are people who bristle at this neurological evidence and try to completely disregard it.
“My opinion is that both groups are making some fundamental mistakes in their reasoning,” Rick stated. ”First, even if we establish a neural basis for experiences of the Divine, or ghosts, or precognition, or clairvoyance, or experiences of former lives — that does not disprove the existence of a potential transcendental dimension. For example, there is a neural basis for the sight of an apple – but that does not mean in itself that an apple is not real. Dismissing the possibility of the supernatural or the Divine because a material basis has been found for the perception of an apparent supernatural or Divine reality is a “category error” that is deeply unscientific to make.”
“Second, even if a spiritual experience has been enabled by the brain, such as an out-of-body experience or an encounter with a loved one who has passed away, or a previous life experience, or a sense of just being viscerally connected with the divine, that does not change the value or meaning of the religious experience for this person.”
“It does not change the insights that come, nor the reassurance or the relief experienced. It does not change the ways in which the experience could mark a major transition in a person’s life. It also does not change the way in which that experience could be a major building block for a person’s life.”
To learn more of Rick’s valuable insights, click on the two linked articles, Buddha’s Brain and Awareness, Consciousness and the Mind. Check out Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love & Wisdom. It is available locally at Barnes and Noble bookstores in Seattle, Tukwila, and Federal Way. Other books by Rick Hanson include Mother Nurture: A Mother’s Guide to Health in Body, Mind and Intimate Relationships (with Jan Hanson, L. Ac. and Ricki Pollycove, M.D.), and Measuring the Immeasurable (with Peter Levine, Dan Siegel, James Austin, Daniel Goleman, Bruce H. Lipton and Charles Tart).
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