VirianFlux/religion

Brian Swimme has a far reaching, critical interview about his views on the evolution of the universe, and us. Among the topics, he predicts the unification of religions, with science as the common language.

From the page: "A brain imaging technology called Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) was used to ascertain what happened in the brain during spiritual experiences (1). This enabled imaging of the brain, to determine which areas are active, by measuring blood flow to the areas of the brain (3). Higher the blood flow to an area, higher the brain and neural activity observed for that area (3). Firstly, a baseline scan of the subject's brain during rest was taken (3). This was compared with the brain scan taken when the subject indicated he/she was at the 'climax' of her spiritual experience (3).

The frontal lobes of the brain, which are associated with attention, showed increased activity (1).This was expected since greater concentration and focus was essential to meditation and prayer. However, what was most interesting was the decreased activity observed in the posterior superior parietal lobe (1).This area of the brain is affiliated with the Orientation Association Area (OAA), which is the part of the brain, which significantly influences our orientation of time and space (1)."

Extracts from a particularly good New Scientist issue, on belief, and it's probably not what you think.

"Some psychologists even think that people who believe they have paranormal powers such as telepathy, dreams that foretell the future, or other forms of extrasensory perception (ESP) might actually be accessing information stored in their subconscious without realising it."