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The Spiritual Brain: Science and Religious Experience

Written by: Andrew Newberg, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Andrew Newberg
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Publisher's 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.

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

What listeners say about The Spiritual Brain: Science and Religious Experience

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Is there room for God and Science to co-exist?

This series was very interesting, not what I expected, but very interesting. Andrew brings us through a series of lectures that look at what is happening in the brain when we are Spiritual. These lectures bring about information and research that shows how positive spiritual living is for our mind and body. In some cases, spirituality is a necessary human need and denying ourselves a spiritual life can deprive us of joyous and life-altering experiences.

The main focus of the book is God and Christianity. Possibly, this is because the lecturer is based in the USA and it's easy to research Christianity in the USA. However, I feel these insights and philosophies could be applied to any spiritual presence.

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  • cat
  • 2023-10-02

Loved ones were missed

30 Prior to holidays less deaths are less than after holidays many people die who are religious. Holidays we see loved ones that’s why they try to make it that far and after the purpose is done

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Interesting

Some very interesting thoughts to ponder. I love when science and religion can coexist. I believe we need both to comprehend our world and our selves.

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Interesting first half, lousy second half

The lectures in the first half of the series were really interesting, backup by research. It provided interesting insight and posed some thought provoking questions. But then as the lectures go on, the research start to disappear. And all we are left is a bunch of questions.
Questions are good, but all questions and no answer makes for just that ... a bunch of unanswered questions!

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