July 25, 2010
Dear People Whom God Loves,
HOW DO I IMAGE GOD – III
This concludes this series. We will look at how the various images of God affect the brain. Whatever affects the brain, affects the way we perceive reality and in turn affects the way we live. I think that some of you would find the book How God Changes Your Brain by Andrew Newberg M.D. and Mark Robert Waldman very interesting and challenging.
Envisioning an authoritarian or critical God activates the limbic area of our brain that generates fear and anger. The brain is primed to fight. People will then tend to call themselves “God’s warriors.”
Envisioning a benevolent God activates the anterior cingulated part of the brain. When this part is stimulated, it suppresses the impulse to be angry or afraid and helps generate feelings of empathy toward those suffering or hurt.
Envisioning a distant God leaves a person not emotionally stimulated by the idea of God. God is thus seen to be less real and we are inclined toward agnosticism or disbelief.
Envisioning a mystical God – who is not authoritative, critical, or distant – leads us to images of God that are not so tied to human traits. It also draws people who are searching to look outside mainstream denominations. We should also remember that the mystical God is part of our Catholic tradition and can lead us into that vision.
For example, there are centering prayer, rosary, lectio divine (pondering small bits of scripture) and other meditative practices. It also makes us more accepting of religious differences because God is seen from a deeper perspective.
It is my opinion that if our church is to be healthy and inviting to spiritual seekers in our modern world and truly Catholic, it is crucial that developing a mystical vision be an essential part of our spiritual journey. It must be an essential part of bringing the “Good News” to our world.
Smile,
God Loves You,
Father Clay
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