Here is a little gem for you; it seems that some researches may
be able to trace the "religious experience" to some fairly specific changes in
brain activity that happen when you pray or meditate. Here is an excerpt:
"The SPECT images also reveal that there is reduction of activity in the
parietal lobe, at the top, rear part of the brain. The parietal lobe is also
known as the orientation association area (OAA) since it controls our sense of
space. It is also responsible for marking the sharp distinction between self
and no-self. The OAA requires continuous sensory inputs to do its job, and is
therefore always active. However, during moments of intense meditation, no
activity was observed in the OAA, implying that sensory inputs to this area
had ceased, leaving the brain with no information to process. During this
transcendental state of consciousness, the OAA is dormant and the boundaries
between the self and other worldly things get dissolved. A state of absolute
calmness and contentment is attained — the Self appears to be united with God.
SPECT scans of people involved in prayer or chanting mantras showed activity
in the right inferior parietal lobe — the area responsible for evaluating the
emotional meanings of words and phrases. The temporal lobes, which run along
the side of the head are the brain’s visual association area. It helps in
relating religious symbols or images to feelings, thereby triggering a sense
of religious awe. Visions arising during prayer or ritual are generated in
this area of the brain. When the temporal lobes are artificially stimulated, a
sense of divine presence is felt." –
full article
You can find a cool discussion of this and more links
here on Plastic.com.
Oh, and my cats appointment at the vet is Tuesday @ 14:30.
Later!