The Happy Prison of the Brain: Perception and Reality

Andrew B. Newberg, M.D. is currently the Associate Director in Charge of Research at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital in Philadelphia. He is also a Professor in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Radiology at Thomas Jefferson University and he is adjunct professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Newberg has been particularly involved in the study of mystical and religious experiences, a field referred to as “neurotheology”. He has also studied the more general mind/body relationship in both the clinical and research aspects of his career including understanding the physiological correlates of acupuncture therapy, meditation, and other types of alternative therapies.  He has published over 200 peer reviewed articles and chapters on brain function, brain imaging, and the study of religious and mystical experiences. Books: He is the author of the new book entitled, "Neurotheology: How Science Can Enlighten Us About Spirituality" and is also the co-author of “How Enlightenment Changes Your Brain: The New Science of Transformation”. He is the co-author of the best selling books, “How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist” (Ballantine) and, “Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief” (Ballantine).  And he is the author of several academic books including, “The Metaphysical Mind: Probing the Biology of Philosophical Thought”; “Principles of Neurotheology (Routledge Science and Religion Series)” (Ashgate); and co-author of “The Metaphysical Mind: Probing the Biology of Philosophical Thought” (Fortress Press). The latter book received the 2000 award for Outstanding Books in Theology and the Natural Sciences presented by the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences. He has also produced a 24 lecture video program entitled, “The Spiritual Brain,” for The Teaching Company. He has presented his work at scientific and religious meetings throughout the world and has appeared on Dr. Oz, Good Morning America, Nightline, 20/20, CNN, ABC World News Tonight as well as in nationally distributed movies: “What the Bleep Do We Know!?”; Bill Maher’s “Religulous”; and “AWAKE: The Life of Yogananda”.    His work has been featured in a number of media articles including in Newsweek, Time, National Geographic, Discover, O Magazine, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, London Observer, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Readers Digest. Additional information regarding books and research can be found at www.andrewnewberg.com. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Transcript of this interview Interview recorded March 31, 2018 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Andrew B. Newberg's Background and Expertise 00:03:38 - The Nature of Reality and Questioning Beliefs 00:06:43 - The Path of Knowledge 00:09:49 - The Journey of Inquiry and Infinite Doubt 00:12:54 - The Practical Side of Science and Its Probabilities 00:15:55 - Exploring Intense Experiences with Neurotheology 00:18:54 - Escaping the Prison of the Brain 00:22:05 - The Mystery of Consciousness and the Universe 00:25:13 - Exploring the Relationship Between Consciousness and Matter 00:28:27 - Exploring Science and Spirituality 00:31:36 - Defining Consciousness 00:35:09 - Integrating Science and Spirituality 00:38:42 - The Power of Compassion and Understanding 00:42:19 - The Arrogance of Scientists and the Resistance to Change 00:45:19 - Evaluating Ideas and Beliefs 00:48:09 - The Human Nervous System as a Scientific Instrument 00:51:34 - The Importance of Subjective Measures in Brain Scans 00:55:00 - The Impossibility of Knowing Thought and Consciousness 00:57:58 - Exploring Higher States of Consciousness 01:01:12 - Exploring the Mystical Experience 01:04:05 - The Nature of Spiritual Experiences 01:07:32 - The Experience of Brazilian Mediums 01:10:29 - The Spiritual Experiment: Progress and Determination of Enlightenment 01:13:40 - Comparing Natural and Drug-Induced Enlightenment 01:17:17 - The Evolution of Understanding Spiritual Experience 01:20:22 - The Brain's Radical Change  01:23:22 - The Nature of Free Will 01:26:26 - Levels of Consciousness and Free Will 01:29:05 - The Relationship Between Brain Activity and Moral Decision Making 01:31:42 - Exploring the Questions of Reality and Understanding It 01:35:05 - Can the Founders of Religions be Held Accountable?