I recently read an article from a February 3, 2007 article in The Daytona Beach News-Journal. I just happened to see this article when I was passing through Daytona. The title of the article is "The Science Behind Spirituality." How fascinating that Spirituality is becoming such a popular topic. In my attempt to define the term, I love that there is more and more information available.
This article discusses the research that is going on at the Center for Spirituality and the Mind at the University of Pennsylvania. Did you even know such a Center existed? I found that out recently. The Center is looking into how our "spiritual beliefs and secular beliefs affect our health and behavior." The emphasis is on the effect of beliefs that can be tested neurologically, from the brain. The Center studies both secular and spiritual beliefs. Dr. Newberg, director of the Center, says that "Spirituality and belief don't have to equate to religious faith." Art and watching a sunset can create a sense of well-being. The Center has studied such a variety as the brains of Buddhists in meditation and Pentacostal Christians speaking in tongues.
While this study is relatively new and the emphasis is on the effects of belief on health, I find it encouraging that Spirituality and belief are claiming more attention. Spirituality is more than just the effects that can be determined by testing the brain, yet this is certainly one aspect. Any and all information to add to our knowledge of the subject is welcome. The effects of our beliefs may not define our beliefs, but the studies certainly add credence to the importance of those beliefs.
