Rumor has it that a small percentage of the general population is hardwired with an inclination towards the spiritual. Far back as my memory can stretch, my enchantment with the unseen has been central in my life.
This means that a large proportion of you are hard wired towards other areas: mathematics, art, athletics, chemistry, biology, social justice, engineering, literature, and/or politics. Can you identify your pattern?Are you pleased with it? Has your pattern changed over the years?
My particular pattern of spiritual wiring has evolved a unique twist as the years have gone by: "God" language turns me off.
According to my experience, there is something acting in the world that is unknowable. That something is beyond my understanding. Shockingly that something seems, at times, open to our influence. My feeling is that labeling the unknowable using traditional language not only sucks out mystery and power but, in its effort to answer unanswerable questions, stops us from having our own experience.
When brain research became the subject for our study group, my hope was for a new language to describe and understand experiences of a spiritual nature.
A book recommendation came floating up from the Southern Hemisphere: Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising connections between neuroscience and spiritual practices that can transform your life and relationships by Curt Thompson, M.D.*
Dr. Thompson relies on traditional religious language, none the less, he has begun the process of integrating spirituality and science.
One of the most encouraging findings coming from brain research is the idea that adults can grow and change their brains. In scientific terms this is known as neuroplasticity. Dr. Thompson proposes a neuroplastic triad; three activities that will enhance the likelihood that our adult brains will grow:
1. Aerobic activity - as least forty-five minutes per day, at least five days per week.
2. Focused attention exercises - Dr. Thompson suggests centering prayer. You undoubtedly can name scores of other exercises that require you to focus.
3. Novel learning experiences - any learning that expands your meaningful level of creativity such as learning a foreign language, learning to play an instrument, or learning how to build furniture.
Have fun with your new plastic toy - your brain!
As always, thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
*Anatomy of the Soul, 2010. Used by permission - personal correspondence.
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