The Awakened Brain

1. The Awakened Brain: A Protective Force Against Mental Illness

We had discovered that spirituality is an innate capacity to perceive a greater reality and consciously connect to the life force that moves in, through, and around us.

Neurological evidence of spirituality. MRI scans revealed that individuals with high personal spirituality had healthier neural structures, particularly in regions associated with depression. This "awakened brain" showed increased cortical thickness, providing a robust buffer against mental illness.

Protective benefits of spirituality:

• 75% protection against recurrence of major depression for those with strong spirituality
• 90% protection for those who were highly spiritual and had previously experienced major depression
• 35-75% lower likelihood of clinical depression in adolescents with strong personal spirituality
• 40-80% lower likelihood of substance dependence or abuse in spiritually-oriented adolescents

These findings suggest that cultivating spiritual awareness can be a powerful tool in preventing and treating mental health issues, offering a level of protection unmatched by traditional interventions.

2. Spirituality and Depression: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Depression and spirituality appeared to be two sides of the same coin, vastly different experiences that in fact share some significant physiology.

Shared neural pathways. Research revealed that depression and spirituality activate similar regions in the brain, particularly the parietal lobe. This suggests that the capacity for spiritual experiences and the vulnerability to depression may be intertwined.

Developmental connection:

• Spiritual formation often emerges alongside or through struggle
• Those with strong personal spirituality at age 26 were 2.5 times more likely to have been depressed in the past
• The protective benefit of spirituality against depression recurrence was even higher for those who had previously experienced major depression

This connection implies that periods of depression or struggle may serve as catalysts for spiritual growth, potentially leading to greater resilience and well-being in the long term.

3. Achieving Awareness vs. Awakened Awareness: Choosing Our Perception

The same healthy young adult brain could be used for stress—for isolation, helplessness, worry, addiction, and craving—or for spiritual engagement.

Two modes of awareness:

1. Achieving awareness:
   • Focused on organizing and controlling life
   • Useful for goal attainment but can lead to stress and isolation when overused
2. Awakened awareness:
   • Perceives life as a dynamic force to interact with
   • Enables broader perception and connection

Choice in perception. fMRI studies showed that individuals can choose which mode of awareness to engage, regardless of their circumstances. This choice determines whether they perceive the world as abundant and bright or empty and insufficient.

Integration is key. Balancing both modes of awareness allows for effective goal pursuit while maintaining a broader perspective and connection to life's guidance. This integration supports better decision-making and overall well-being.

4. The Power of Synchronicity in Spiritual Growth

The more we pay attention to synchronicity, the more it becomes apparent, as though when our eyes are more open to it, synchronicity picks up steam, growing more forthcoming and abundant.

Defining synchronicity. Coined by Carl Jung, synchronicity refers to meaningful coincidences that cannot be explained by cause and effect. These events often feel deeply significant and can provide guidance or insight.

Types of synchronicity:

1. Inner and outer life linked expressions of the same event
2. Two or more outer events linked as expressions of the same event
3. Events experienced by different people linked as expressions of the same event

Cultivating synchronicity awareness:

• Practice noticing and attributing meaning to coincidences
• Engage in exercises like the "Three Doors" to identify patterns of closed and opened opportunities in life
• Remain open to guidance from unexpected sources

By developing awareness of synchronicity, individuals can tap into a broader field of information and guidance, potentially leading to more aligned decisions and a deeper sense of connection with life.

5. Awakened Attention: Expanding Our Perceptual Field

Through awakened attention, we open up more channels of perception. We learn not only to notice but also to draw meaning from what shows up in our lives.

Quieting the "little me". Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and exposure to nature help calm the default mode network, reducing self-referential thoughts and preparing the brain for spiritual awareness.

Engaging the ventral attention network. This network allows for bottom-up attention, making us receptive to unexpected but personally meaningful perceptions and insights.

Benefits of awakened attention:

• Increased ability to notice and interpret synchronicities
• Enhanced capacity for creative problem-solving
• Greater openness to guidance and unexpected opportunities
• Improved ability to navigate challenges and find meaning in difficult experiences

By cultivating awakened attention, individuals can broaden their perceptual field, leading to more insightful decision-making and a richer experience of life.

6. Awakened Connection: The Healing Power of Relationships

When we engage our awakened awareness, the hard things in our lives don't go away. But we have the capacity to perceive our sorrow and struggle in a new way. Knit into the fabric of life, there is a felt knowledge that we are never really alone.

Brain entrainment in relationships. Research shows that when people are emotionally in sync or engaged in empathic states, their brain waves synchronize, particularly in the alpha wavelength (8-12 Hz). This synchronization occurs in the parietal region, associated with spiritual awareness and overcoming depression.

Healing through connection:

• Studies demonstrate that caring touch and empathy can alleviate pain and promote healing
• Brain-to-brain coupling appears to be a mechanism for transmitting comfort and support
• Even distant healing intentions have been shown to activate specific brain regions in recipients

Practical applications:

• Engage in practices that foster deep connection, such as the "Holding Council" visualization
• Cultivate empathy and compassion in relationships
• Recognize the potential for healing in all interactions, even with those we perceive as different or difficult

By embracing awakened connection, individuals can tap into a powerful source of healing and support, both for themselves and others.

7. Awakened Heart: Altruism and Love as Transformative Forces

Here may be the bedrock of human possibility, where the secular humanists and evangelicals meet in ultimate significance and service to the world.

Neurological benefits of altruism. Research revealed that individuals at high risk for depression who scored high in altruism and love of neighbor showed enhanced cortical thickness in spiritual regions of the brain, providing structural protection against depression.

Protective effects of relational spirituality:

• Decreased relative risk for depression among high-risk individuals
• Prospective protection against depressive symptoms years into the future
• Potentially curative effects, unlike medication which may lose effectiveness when discontinued

Integrating altruism into daily life:

• Seek opportunities for service and contribution to others
• Cultivate a sense of interconnectedness with all beings
• Practice compassion and empathy in everyday interactions

By awakening the heart through altruism and love, individuals not only protect themselves against mental illness but also contribute to the well-being of others and the world at large.

8. Integrating Spirituality and Science for Better Mental Health

We'd found where spirituality lives in the brain, and we'd seen the structural benefits of an awakened brain.

Scientific validation of spirituality. Rigorous neuroimaging studies have provided concrete evidence of the physiological effects of spiritual awareness, challenging the traditional separation between spirituality and science in mental health treatment.

Key findings:

• Specific brain regions associated with spiritual experiences
• Structural changes in the brain correlated with sustained spirituality
• Protective effects of spirituality against depression and other mental health issues

Implications for treatment:

• Incorporating spiritual awareness into mental health interventions
• Developing targeted therapies that engage the brain's spiritual capacities
• Reevaluating the role of spirituality in overall well-being and resilience

By bridging the gap between spirituality and science, mental health professionals can offer more comprehensive and effective treatments that address both the physiological and spiritual aspects of well-being.

9. The Universal Dimensions of Spirituality Across Cultures

Ultimately, we can share and feel spiritual experiences at a deep level, with the "knowing of the heart," right across the so-called lines of faith traditions, because we are all built with the same foundationally spiritual brain.

Five universal spiritual phenotypes:

1. Altruism
2. Love of Neighbor as Self
3. Sense of Oneness
4. Practice of Sacred Transcendence
5. Adherence to Moral Code

Cross-cultural consistency. These phenotypes were identified across diverse religious traditions (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism) and among nonreligious individuals in India, China, and the United States.

Implications:

• Shared spiritual capacity across humanity, regardless of cultural or religious background
• Potential for interfaith dialogue and understanding based on common spiritual experiences
• Opportunity to develop universally applicable spiritual practices for mental health and well-being

Recognizing these universal dimensions of spirituality can foster greater unity and mutual understanding across diverse cultures and belief systems.

10. Awakened Leadership: Transforming Business and Society

"We measure success by the way we touch the lives of people."

Shifting business paradigms. Leaders like Bob Chapman of Barry-Wehmiller demonstrate how integrating spiritual awareness into business practices can lead to both economic success and positive social impact.

Key principles of awakened leadership:

• Prioritizing employee well-being and fulfillment
• Fostering a culture of care and mutual support
• Making decisions that benefit both the individual and the common good
• Viewing leadership as a responsibility to nurture and develop others

Outcomes of awakened leadership:

• Increased employee engagement and loyalty
• Enhanced problem-solving and innovation
• Improved company performance and growth
• Positive ripple effects in employees' personal lives and communities

By adopting an awakened approach to leadership, business leaders can create more sustainable, fulfilling, and successful organizations that contribute positively to society.

11. Reconnecting with Nature: A Path to Spiritual Awareness and Well-being

"My experiences in nature touched me very deeply," he says, "and awakened a sense that there is a sacred presence in and through all things."

Nature's impact on spiritual awareness. Research shows that exposure to nature not only improves psychological well-being but also enhances spiritual awareness, which in turn mediates the relationship between nature experiences and well-being.

Benefits of nature connection:

• Decreased anxiety, rumination, and negative affect
• Increased positive emotions and cognitive function
• Enhanced sense of awe, wonder, and interconnectedness

Practical applications:

• Incorporate regular time in nature into daily routines
• Practice mindful awareness during outdoor experiences
• Engage in conservation efforts to deepen connection with the natural world

By reconnecting with nature, individuals can cultivate spiritual awareness, improve mental health, and develop a deeper sense of responsibility for the environment.

Last updated: August 9, 2024