Dissolving The Space Time Self
Psychological identity is a defensive mechanism of the human mind, studied extensively by neuroscience. It extends the fight-or-flight system that protects the mind and body, creating a sense of a separate self in space and time. This identity is built from memories of the past and visions of the future. As the mind and body are one system, this identity is expressed in both thoughts and feelings, leading to an embodied identity. Scientists suggest this is part of the survival system for the mind and body. "One brain region is crucial for our ability to form and maintain a consistent identity both now and when thinking about the future" [1]. Like the fight-or-flight mechanism, this is okay as long as it functions healthily, for example, avoiding an oncoming bus or not allowing someone to be rude and abusive. However, if it becomes a way of life, it can harm rather than protect us.
Dealing with the fallout of this keeps many psychotherapists and counsellors busy. Mental health has become an industry. When things become industries, vested interests can get involved, and the problem the sector aims to solve can become something it wants to preserve even subtly by blocking possible new dimensions in understanding.
Science shows that dissolving one’s sense of narrow identification is highly beneficial for mental health. "With a growing body of research highlighting the therapeutic potential of experiential phenomenology, which diminishes egoic identity and increases one's sense of connectedness, there is significant interest in how to elicit such 'self-transcendent experiences' (STEs) in laboratory contexts" [2]. Science recognizes the benefits of psychedelics to achieve this, fitting its materialist paradigm for resolving problems.
A more challenging path for science is embracing spirituality. Due to the suspicion of spirituality in our scientific world, we have neglected a core aspect of our makeup. Embracing this aspect challenges the materialistic worldview and goes far beyond resolving anxiety. It is a radical shift in how we view existence.
Until 1995, academic research had not extensively explored the relationship between spirituality and mental health. A breakthrough in 1997 recognized the separation of spirituality from religion [3]. This research showed that while spirituality involves both innate and environmental factors, religion is entirely transmitted through environmental influences, often as a community gift. It established that spirituality, particularly dimensions protecting against depression and addiction, is intrinsic to humans.
Humans are innately spiritual beings, with temperament comprising both innate and conditioned aspects. Roughly one-third of spiritual experience is innate, while social and cultural influences form two-thirds. Many in Western culture associate spirituality with religious practices, but about one-third identify as spiritual but not religious, engaging with spirituality through poetry, music, and relationships.
Two dimensions consistently highlighted in research as heritable and influential are the capacity for transcendent relationships and expressing love within communal fellowship, often referred to as "I-Thou" relationships. Forms of transcendent relationships, whether with a higher power, a sense of oneness with life, or nature, contribute to spiritual experiences. These dimensions share a common neurophysiology. Studies show that individuals with sustained spiritual practices exhibit cortical thickness in brain regions associated with perception, reflection, and processing, which are thinner in those with recurrent depression [4].
Science acknowledges that narrow identification is not the best way to maintain mental health. The capacity for transcendent relationships is innate and undergoes developmental stages, like physical and cognitive development. Longitudinal studies reveal an increased search for meaning across age groups, suggesting a hardwired inclination towards spiritual growth. Peer-reviewed research, including Dr. Lisa Miller's "The Spiritual Child: The Science of Parenting for Health and Lifelong Health" (2016), supports that nurturing spiritual life significantly reduces mental health issues, including depression, addiction, and suicide.
Supporting natural spirituality, independent of religious affiliation, can aid in resilience and post-traumatic flourishing. Studies show that integrating spiritual practices into trauma recovery promotes psychological well-being. Initiatives like the Spiritual Readiness Initiative in the US Army have shown promising results, with decreased suicide rates among participants.
Embracing struggles as opportunities for spiritual awakening challenges traditional therapeutic approaches. Those who have undergone profound struggles often report spiritual breakthroughs, reinforcing the idea that adversity can catalyse spiritual growth. Integrating diverse ways of knowing fosters interconnectedness in the brain, creating new neural pathways and promoting resilience, inspiration, and celebration of life.
Approaching life as a quest, guided by receptivity rather than control, enhances resilience and generates high-amplitude alpha waves in the brain. Research indicates a correlation between spiritually engaged brains emitting high-amplitude alpha waves and Schumann resonance, suggesting a natural harmony with life. This harmony appears inheritable, as shown by generational studies.
Science shows these dimensions share a common neurophysiology. For those with a sustained spiritual life over eight years, brain regions for perception, processing, reflection, and orientation were thicker. These regions are thinner in 80-85% of people with recurrent depression. A thick cortex today predicts lower depression levels a year from now, suggesting that sustained spiritual life may protect against recurrent depression [4, 5].
Is it conceivable that we, as a society, are navigating a phase akin to developmental depression, on the verge of post-traumatic flourishing for all? Might we be on the brink of a spiritual renaissance?
We've systematically eradicated discussions on spirituality from mental health discourse, focusing on mind and body. Our society has become spiritually non-conversant, where relationships often become transactional rather than fostering more profound unity. Our interactions resemble market transactions centered around materialistic values. In this process, we've discarded spirituality and now grapple with the consequences. Many young people enter adulthood unprepared, a trend needing attention [6].
The conclusion is that we need spiritual connection as a natural part of our development to transcend egoic separateness, not enhance it. Authentic spiritual traditions aim for this outcome. Unfortunately, religion often defiles this, turning it into another form of dualism based on fear and guilt. Fortunately, non-duality is now widely understood, eliminating the need for religious authority and allowing us to reconnect spiritually, feeling our innate wholeness and life-affirming aliveness.
Love,
Freyja
