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1. The Nervous System and the Experience of Nonduality
The experience of nonduality, described in various spiritual and philosophical traditions, is a state where one transcends mental distinctions and dualities, feeling a deep sense of unity and connection with all existence. Neuroscience links this experience to changes in brain activity.
2. Key Brain Areas Involved in the Nondual Experience
a. Prefrontal Cortex
The lateral prefrontal cortex is a part of the brain involved in self-awareness, analytical thinking, and decision-making. It helps create mental boundaries and logical analysis that enable us to perceive the world in dual terms. During nondual experiences, activity in this area temporarily decreases, and one feels released from analytical thinking and self-conscious constraints.
b. Anterior Cingulate Cortex
This region is involved in processing emotions and regulating attention. In moments of deep spirituality or meditation, the anterior cingulate cortex may help reduce inner conflicts and enhance a sense of acceptance. Its activity can contribute to a decrease in feelings of separation and an increase in the sense of connection.
c. Default Mode Network (DMN)
The DMN is a network of areas that activate when the brain is at rest, associated with self-reflective thinking, future planning, and reviewing past experiences. Studies show that in states of deep meditation or nondual experiences, activity in the DMN decreases. This reduction can lead to the dissolution of a separate “self” and an experience of unity with the surroundings.
3. Involved Neurotransmitters
a. Serotonin
Serotonin plays a significant role in mood regulation and spiritual experiences. Many nondual experiences are linked to changes in serotonin levels, especially in people who practice deep meditation or report mystical experiences. Increased serotonin receptor activity can help reduce personal boundaries and enhance feelings of unity.
b. Dopamine
Dopamine is typically associated with reward and pleasure, but in nondual experiences, it can lead to a heightened sense of presence and deep joy. This neurotransmitter may enhance mystical experiences, promoting feelings of joy and profound connection with others and nature.
c. Oxytocin
Known as the “love hormone,” oxytocin can strengthen feelings of trust and bonding. Some research suggests that higher levels of oxytocin may help foster a sense of unity and reduce feelings of separation, aligning with the experience of nonduality.
4. Physiological Changes in the Brain
In nondual experiences, brain scans reveal decreased activity in areas typically involved in defining boundaries between oneself and others, such as the parietal cortex. This reduction leads to a feeling that the boundaries between oneself and the world have dissolved.
Scientific References
– Brewer, J. A., & Garrison, K. A. (2014). *The Neuroimaging of Meditation and Mindfulness.* Mindfulness, 5(1), 53–62.
This article examines brain changes associated with meditation and profound spiritual experiences, emphasizing the role of the DMN.
– Nour, M. M., Evans, L., Nutt, D., & Carhart-Harris, R. L. (2016). *Ego-Dissolution and Psychedelics: Validation of the Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI).* Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 10, 269.
This study explores how decreased DMN activity contributes to experiences of unity and the dissolution of the sense of self.
– Newberg, A. B., & d’Aquili, E. (2000). *The Neuropsychology of Religious and Spiritual Experience.* Journal of Consciousness Studies, 7(11-12), 251–266.
This research delves into the neural mechanisms of spiritual experiences, explaining how different brain regions are involved in the nondual experience.