The Spiritual Brain: Science and Religious Experience

By: Andrew Newberg, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Andrew Newberg

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

slow start

lectures star slow and seem to drag, but it picks up. the topics were interesting and informative

just loves this!

I love how this lecture was sensitive to all those with rigid belief systems. he provides neuroscience of the brain to explain spiritual experience. Why some are more prone to accept religion and those who are atheists.

A Science and Religion Experience!

Dr. Andrew Newberg. The lecture is really well given and kept my attention for several hours at a time. A book of real value! Strongly recommended!

interesting but deep

Will have to relisten and take notes. would be listening and sometimes the concepts just flew over my head

Mind blowing!

the questions asked and the analysis made were brilliant. the lectures were both skeptical and with awe, revealing and concealing. some parts of the lectures felt a little repetitive, and sometimes I felt that the ideas were lectured in a somewhat shallow way, but maybe it is because of my previous knowledge and curiosity.