Theory of Enlightenment

[autonomous1one1]

Greetings. Aside from squares and circles, are you sure it takes two hemispheres of the brain for Enlightenment. Oprah has this interview (TV or Web) next Monday with a person who lost one hemisphere (left?) of the brain because of a stroke and thereafter has had some remarkable spiritual experiences. At least that is my understanding, but don't know if these experiences include Enlightenment. Will try to find out more.
a..1

 

[Somkid]

Yes, but....... there is a little more to it than that. Students that can listen to a lecture and doodle at the same time and using left and right brain at the same time however they are not experiencing enlightenment. Ambidextrous people use left and right brain together and that does not qualify them as enlightened.

 

[Alex_G]

Enlightenment is the merger of the left and right hemispheres of the brain, the merging of creative and logical processes. Left brain is represented by a square and right brain is represented by a circle. Left is logical, rational, intellectual. Right is creative, emotive and imaginative. Left is the past and future. Right is the present. Atheists square the circle, a logic dominated world. Enlightenment circles the square, leading to a more balanced approach.

Questions, or comments?

Do you consider shape metaphors an enlightened approach to neuroscience?

 

[autonomous1one1]

Greetings. Aside from squares and circles, are you sure it takes two hemispheres of the brain for Enlightenment. Oprah has this interview (TV or Web) next Monday with a person who lost one hemisphere (left?) of the brain because of a stroke and thereafter has had some remarkable spiritual experiences. At least that is my understanding, but don't know if these experiences include Enlightenment. Will try to find out more.
a..1

Greetings.
The person interviewed was Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor. She is not typical in that she is a Harvard-trained brain scientist, a brain anatomyst, and found the experience of the stroke "very interesting" as it wiped out the left hemisphere of her brain. She describes her remarkable experience in her book, "My Stroke of Insight." Oprah concluded that Dr. Taylor experienced 'Nirvana' and from the way Taylor describes her experience she realized oneness with all, with God, which seems to be Enlightenment to me.

She attributes her experience to the stroke's getting the left hemisphere with logic, thought, ego, etc. out of the way and feels very blessed for the experience. She has recovered and of course the left hemisphere is necessary to conceptualize and convey her experience to the rest of us.

The interview is recorded and available at: Jill Bolte Taylor

Discussion about it on a message board is at: Oprah.com Community: Oprah's Soul Series Webcast

Best Wishes,
a...1

 

[Random]

Do you consider shape metaphors an enlightened approach to neuroscience?

If I were a neuroscientist, I'm certain I might have doubts about that approach. But since I'm not, and neuroscience has little regard for the physics of intellectual or spiritual illumination, I would prefer to see it as an enlightened approach to studying the process of enlightenment from an ontological point of view.

 

[doppelganger]

neuroscience has little regard for the physics of intellectual or spiritual illumination.

Though I think many neuroscientists do have quite a bit of regard for the physics of intellectual or spiritual illumination. Case in point, Jill Bolte Taylor, as Robert pointed out. But there are more. The study of the neurological aspects of religious and spiritual experience is starting to really take off.

 

[Random]

Though I think many neuroscientists do have quite a bit of regard for the physics of intellectual or spiritual illumination. Case in point, Jill Bolte Taylor, as Robert pointed out. But there are more. The study of the neurological aspects of religious and spiritual experience is starting to really take off.

Interesting.

 

[doppelganger]

Interesting.

Some reading:

Wired 7.11: This Is Your Brain on God

Neurotheology With God In Mind - Neurotheology Article - Clinically Psyched Neurotheology - Hyper-religiosity

For the skeptics of science being used to investigated subjective spiritual experience:

"Neurotheology": A semantic trap set by pseudo-science for the unwary scientist

Massimo's Skeptic Web

 

[Random]

Some reading:

Wired 7.11: This Is Your Brain on God

Neurotheology With God In Mind - Neurotheology Article - Clinically Psyched Neurotheology - Hyper-religiosity

For the skeptics of science being used to investigated subjective spiritual experience:

"Neurotheology": A semantic trap set by pseudo-science for the unwary scientist

Massimo's Skeptic Web

Thanks.

 

[doppelganger]

Also, if you've read RAW's "Prometheus Rising" recall that Dr. Timothy Leary was exploring neurological theories of subjective spiritual experience decades ago.

 

[Random]

Also, if you've read RAW's "Prometheus Rising" recall that Dr. Timothy Leary was exploring neurological theories of subjective spiritual experience decades ago.

Yes, the eight-circuit model, I remember; Wilson used it a lot. I'm sure you remember I said I have read the book.

However, I did not imagine mainstream science to be much interested in the relationship between mystic/altered states and physics, I see that I was off base there.

Sorry about that.

 

[yearningknight]

I have yet to be enlightened by anything that I have read. I have studied Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Paganism, Wicca, Satanism, Scientology, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Scientology. In doing so I have recieved no form of enlightment which is what I seek.

 

[Yerda]

I have yet to be enlightened by anything that I have read. I have studied Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Paganism, Wicca, Satanism, Scientology, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Scientology. In doing so I have recieved no form of enlightment which is what I seek.

What do you think enlightenment is?

 

[gnostic]

Life is full of joy and suffering. And only death can release us from suffering. That's perhaps the only enlightenment you would need.

 

[Super Universe]

I have yet to be enlightened by anything that I have read. I have studied Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Paganism, Wicca, Satanism, Scientology, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Scientology. In doing so I have recieved no form of enlightment which is what I seek.

If you think it's supposed to come from a book then you are much too rigid. Try looking for it to come from children laughing, or from watching a kitten playing, or maybe search for it in a grove of tall Redwood trees. Oh, and it helps to smile while you're looking for it.

 

[Super Universe]

Enlightenment is the perfect word to describe what happens.