Unified Path to Bliss: Diverse Spiritual Practices Linked by Common Cognitive Process

Researchers have discovered a shared cognitive feedback loop between two seemingly disparate spiritual practices: Buddhist jhāna meditation and Christian speaking in tongues. This common mechanism, identified as the Attention, Arousal, and Release Spiral, underscores how focused attention can lead to profound joy and effortless concentration, thereby deepening the spiritual experience.

The study highlights that despite their cultural and doctrinal differences, both practices engage this cycle where intense focus increases emotional arousal. This arousal then transitions into a release that further enhances concentration and facilitates a deeper state of blissful meditation or prayer.

This finding not only bridges understanding between different spiritual traditions but also sheds light on the universal cognitive processes that underpin deeply fulfilling spiritual experiences. The research was published on February 19, 2025, providing significant insights into the neuroscience of spirituality.

Date:19 February, 2025

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Author

Mark Chiang

Ph.D in Biomedical Informatics Head of AI at GeneOnline