Spirituality, say hello to neuroscience

If I told you that there was a deep scientific grounding within spirituality, and the mental benefits of engaging in spiritual practices could be proven by cold, hard data, would you re-consider your relationship with faith?

I’m not an evangelist, nor am I someone advocating for religious cults, spiritual indoctrination or conversion, but I am an advocate for positive mental health.

In today’s world, it seems like more than ever, people are struggling with feelings of loneliness, isolation, stuckness and a sense of purposelessness. As a society with so much (albeit material) we have progressed to a stage where we have all that we need to keep us happy and alive, yet still feel detached, empty and wired for struggle.

In a recent podcast episode with the internet’s adopted mother, Mel Robbins, interviews neurosurgeon Andrew Newberg. The discussion is centred around the science of spiritual experiences and Andrew’s research within the field of neuroscience and theology. A fascinating conversation that covered so much ground and tickled my itch for learning more about myself and the world.

What Andrew has discovered in his investigations of the relationship between science and spirituality is that the impact that spiritual practices have on the brain are proven to be incredibly beneficial for the function and health of our brains.

I know you might be thinking that you never experienced any ground-breaking realisations sat in a church, or that meditation just doesn’t work for you, or perhaps you’re just “not into yoga or any woo-woo practices.” Unfortunately, what your prejudice is preventing you from experiencing, is the feeling of relief and lightness that happens when you surrender to a spiritual practice.

Not all spiritual experiences involve going to a place of worship. Some involve going out in nature, attending a sound bath, moving with intention, and even just quiet moments of reflection. Being intentional and taking the time to connect with something that is greater than you as an individual.