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Beliefs are the Essence of Our Being
Dr. Andrew Newberg's passions started in his childhood. Although his parents were encouraging, they never had the answers to his big questions like why we're here, what's right and wrong, and how to understand reality. He began to search within himself and in the world around him to find the answers to these and other questions.
Together, Dr. Newberg and Gene d'Aquili studied what happens in a person's brain during periods of deep meditation. Dr. Newberg believes that our fundamental beliefs come from many sources. Beliefs can include religion, morals, political views, and even how we choose to interact with others. These beliefs are all based on our biological roots, the influence of people around us, and the influence of our own emotional response.
As luck would have it, Dr. Newberg ran into a psychiatrist, Gene d'Aquili while at the University of Pennsylvania. d'Aquili's background in psychiatry and anthropology and Newberg's background in neurosciences and philosophy created a magical relationship with the potential for great learning. Dr. Newberg realized he could actually test what goes on in a person's brain during periods of deep meditation.
Over time, Dr. Andrew Newberg came to the realization that our beliefs come from many sources. Beliefs aren't only religious in nature. They can be morals, political views, and even how we choose to interact with others. He believes that all of these beliefs are based on our biological roots, the influence of people around us, and the influence of our own emotional response. Our beliefs have a tremendous impact on who we are.
Why do we have beliefs? This is a question Dr. Newberg has contemplated for years. Belief starts in childhood. As children develop, nerve cells are connected and strengthened. The more a child hears something, the more likely that child is to believe it. It's not easy to break those connections and believe something contrary to what you have learned in the past, but the brain IS capable of change.
No matter whether a person is religious or not, our beliefs shape our being and have a strong impact on our health. People who are more optimistic and look at the world in a more positive way have less stress, and because they have less stress, they have fewer problems with heart disease, and they have an overall improved immune system.
Beliefs start in childhood, because as we learn, certain nerve cells are connected and strengthened. The more we hear something, the more likely we are to believe it. That's why children often have the same beliefs as their parents. It's not easy to break those connections and believe something contrary to what you have learned in the past, but the brain IS capable of change. Just because some connections have been pruned back doesn't mean a few aren't still there.
Our beliefs are like a pair of glasses. We view things in a certain clarity or color because of the lenses we've chosen to enhance our sight. People with one pair of glasses may be more likely to see the world in a positive way and achieve their goals, while those of a different background and different pair of glasses will see the opposite and have a hard time achieving their goals. For example, people with a strong religious belief might feel comfort and even joy in the death of a loved one knowing that person is going to another world of paradise. Someone who does not have a strong religious belief might be more inclined to slip into depression.
For example, people with a strong religious belief might feel comfort and even joy in the death of a loved one knowing that person is going to another world of paradise. Someone who does not have a strong religious belief might be more inclined to slip into depression.
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About the Author
Dr. Andrew Newberg's latest book is Why We Believe What We Believe. Familiarize yourself with Dr. Andrew Newberg's teachings through the Healthy, Wealthy 'n Wise website. Click here for other unique 'Dr. Andrew Newberg' articles.
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