From The God Module to The I Am Identity - A constructive critique of Ramachandran and Blakeslee’s contribution to the understanding of spiritual experiences from a purely materialistic and reductive perspective in the light of ‘The Brain and Paradigm of Melchizedek’

Abstract

Human consciousness, mind and soul have been reduced to material and energetic transactions by most neuroscientists. ‘The Neural Basis of Religious Experience’ as conjured by V.S. Ramachandran addresses the nature of religious and spiritual experiences attempting to relate them to particular areas of the brain. Ramachandran and Blakeslee have adopted a materialistic approach to the study of religious, spiritual and mystical experience (RSME); however, the cause of this experience still remains unknown and a mystery to science. It seems to me that their neuroscientific approach to religious experience and the spiritual dimension of a human being carries some value, since (1) it acknowledges the relevance and importance of these areas of human existence, and (2) it explores meanings associated with a sense of oneness or unity with The Creator, at the very least from a neurological perspective. However, a more inclusive paradigm will be required to provide a scientific description of spiritual revelation, union with The Creator, oneness with the universe, enlightenment, self, personality, character and identity. This is ideally the purpose of ‘The Brain and Paradigm of Melchizedek’ in explaining the neurobiology of Spiritual Values and the I Am Identity.