On 26 September 2023
NEUROSCIENCE & NEUROTHEOLOGY
Advanced degrees are being granted in neurotheology yet there is some debate on the field being substantive. The subject is being driven by the fact that scientists are starting to recognize that near-death and contemplative experiences are both real and similar, and potentially related to neuroscience. Even today there are reports of experiences similar to those described by Sts. & Drs. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross.
It will be Professor Robert J. Hesse, Ph.D., co-founder and President of Contemplative Network (CN) who will present this theme during the next conference on Neuroscience and Neurotheology on Tuesday 18th at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, in Rome.
This presentation will explore the nature of these phenomena by starting with historical background then discussing the biological brain’s dualities and conflicts including both conscious and unconscious. Comparisons will be drawn between the neurology of both near-death and mystical experiences. Because prayer can lead to contemplative experiences and because of the principle of non-dualism, i.e. that the body and soul are interstitially meant for each other, research will be proposed for studying the effects of discursive cataphatic and wordless apophatic prayer on the brain.
Presentation & Discussion
Deacon Robert Hesse, Ph.D.
Tuesday, 18 February 2014, 5:10–6:40 pm
Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum
Deacon Robert Hesse Ph.D., of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, is Adjunct Professor the University of St. Thomas, President & Co-Founder Contemplative Network (www.contemplative.net), and Vice Chairman Institute for Spirituality and Health (www.ish-tmc.org) the oldest such organization in the US located in the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world. He can be contacted at [email protected].
