God Is In the Brain?

Image linked from
Behavioural Neuroscience @ Laurentian University

"...after I adjust to the darkness and the cosmic susurrus of absolute silence, I drift almost at once into a warm bath of oblivion. Something is definitely happening. During the 35-minute experiment, I feel a distinct sense of being withdrawn from the envelope of my body and set adrift in an infinite existential emptiness, a deep sensation of waking slumber."

This is the prologue to Jack Hitt's experience when he tried Michael Persinger's God Helmet during his research for the Wired article, This Is Your Brain on God.

In my opinion, the God Helmet, which is based on transcranial magnetic stimulation, does not necessarily prove that "God" is in the brain. It merely demonstrates the interdependency of mind and body. The good news is that "higher" states of meditation can be now be induced with machines even without years of practice of meditation and other mind focusing techniques. Instead of spending years of practice in disciplining the mind to stimulate the "God spot" in the brain, which could take years or a lifetime, we can now stimulate the "God spot" to further discipline the mind as we traverse the higher stages of consciousness.

Comments

[Jennifer Evonne]

I considered making a documentary of Persingers work a few years back when I was researching brain/mind machines and neurotheology. His trials have been slowgoing with mixed results.

We should discuss this in person sometime. I'd love to hear more of your findings on this topic.