Skip to main content

Trending Now: What everyone's reading.

There Is Still Plenty of Life to Live

Lately, it has been hot, so I decided to do something that would make life a little easier. I cooked a bunch of different meals in the crock pot, put them into containers, and froze them. That way, when the weather is hot, I wouldn't have to do much cooking. Then a flyer came in from the local Mexican market. They had pineapples, plantains, mangoes, watermelon, cucumbers—fresh fruits and vegetables at really good prices. They also had beef shanks. So after the gym, I had my caretaker take me to the store. I already had plenty of food at home. I had meals in the freezer, food in the refrigerator, and everything I needed. I wasn't going to the store because I was running out of food. But when I got there, something happened. I felt happy. The store was colorful and full of fresh food. I could choose one of this, two of that, three of something else. I wasn't limited to whatever quantity happened to come in a package. I could actually look at what I wanted and decide what I wa...

The Brain, Higher Consciousness, and Spiritual Awakening



The Brain, Higher Consciousness, and Spiritual Awakening

Written by Master Spiritual Coach, Jean Marshall

The concept of a higher mind is more than just a scientific discussion—it is a bridge between neuroscience, philosophy, and spirituality. While science doesn’t define a single "higher mind," various brain regions contribute to intuition, wisdom, and heightened states of awareness.

The Brain’s Role in Higher Consciousness

Although spirituality and science often seem separate, certain brain regions are linked to higher thinking, self-awareness, and even mystical experiences:

  • Prefrontal Cortex – Responsible for decision-making, planning, and complex thought, often associated with wisdom and foresight.
  • Anterior Cingulate Cortex – Plays a role in self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation.
  • Limbic System – Governs emotions, motivation, and memory, shaping how we experience and process spiritual insights.


The Amygdala: The Seat of Emotion

The amygdala, a small almond-shaped structure deep within the temporal lobe, is vital in processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure. Since emotions play a role in spiritual experiences—whether it’s awe, transcendence, or deep love—the amygdala may be more involved in spiritual moments than we realize.


The Pineal Gland: The Third Eye?

The pineal gland has long been associated with the "third eye", a mystical symbol of higher awareness in spiritual traditions. While its scientific role is mainly regulating sleep through melatonin production, many believe it is the gateway to intuition, enlightenment, and even psychic abilities.

Spirituality and the Brain: The Science of Awakening

Other brain regions and networks that may contribute to spiritual experiences include:

  • The Default Mode Network (DMN) – Active during introspection, self-reflection, and imagination, possibly linked to higher states of consciousness.
  • The Temporal Lobes – Involved in sensory processing, memory, and emotions, often associated with mystical or out-of-body experiences.
  • The Limbic System – The emotional center of the brain, influencing feelings of transcendence and deep spiritual connection.


The Energy of Thought and Emotion

The idea that thoughts are electrical and feelings are magnetic is a powerful metaphor that aligns with both science and spirituality:

  • Thoughts as Electrical Signals – The brain processes information through electrical impulses, shaping how we perceive and interact with the world.
  • Emotions as Magnetic Forces – Feelings can attract or repel experiences, reinforcing the idea that our emotional state influences our reality.



Final Thoughts: Bridging Science and Spirituality

While neuroscience continues to explore the brain’s role in spiritual experiences, the idea of a higher mind remains a deeply personal and transformative journey. Whether through meditation, visualization, or self-reflection, understanding the brain’s functions can help us unlock new levels of consciousness, self-awareness, and spiritual growth.

For more information on spiritual coaching, visit ArtfulLivingCoaching.com.


Comments

Popular Posts

Six Years Ago, I Survived a Stroke. Eleven Months Ago, Everything Changed Again.

I Almost Forgot My S trokeversary 💔 Please read my story, share this post, and help me get the word out.  Yesterday, August 3rd, marked six years since my stroke. I almost forgot. Not because it isn't important, but because I'm carrying so much pain from the injuries I suffered in my car accident on September 6th, 2025, that my stroke anniversary completely slipped my mind. That first year after my stroke, I honestly thought I was going to die every single day. I was constantly dizzy, scared, and didn't know if life would ever feel normal again. I remember telling myself, If I can just make it through the first year, I'll be okay. I had to learn how to walk, talk, and eat without choking all over again. Then came the second year. The third. Things slowly got easier. Life gradually started feeling normal again. I still have deficits—mostly in my left hand and a little weakness on my left side—for the most part, you couldn't really tell when I walked, or at least tha...

Before You Give Advice, Make Sure You Know the Whole Story

  One of the hardest parts of sharing my recovery online isn't the physical therapy, the setbacks, or even learning to walk again. It's the people who think they know my story after watching three seconds of a video. I recently shared my 10-month recovery update as a new below-knee amputee. The video wasn't asking for gait critiques, medical advice, or strangers to analyze my every step. It was documenting where I am in my journey and celebrating a milestone that took months of pain, determination, surgeries, setbacks, and rehabilitation to reach. I was sharing progress. I was sharing hope. I was sharing what it looks like to start rebuilding a life after a catastrophic accident. But instead of people simply celebrating that milestone, some immediately jumped into telling me what I should be doing differently. "Ditch the crutches." "Take gait lessons." "You're going to fall." Here's the problem. They didn't know my story. They didn...

Sometimes the Setbacks Are a Blessing in Disguise

  Sometimes the Setbacks Are a Blessing in Disguise When you’re rebuilding your life after a life-changing accident, every setback feels like another thing being taken away from you. For me, the last few weeks have been incredibly frustrating. I was finally starting to feel more confident using my prosthetic leg. I was making progress. I was walking more, getting stronger, and beginning to feel like I was getting a piece of my independence back. Then came the blood blisters. My amputated leg developed painful blisters, and suddenly I couldn’t wear my prosthetic. I had no choice but to slow down and give my body time to heal. At first, it felt like another obstacle. Another delay. Another reminder that recovery doesn’t happen on my timeline. But something unexpected happened. My remaining leg and ankle finally seemed to have the time they needed to recover. After my ankle surgery to remove three screws and the plate that had been holding my bone together, I had given it about four w...

Don't Borrow Your Dreams from People Who Never Chased Theirs

Don't Let Someone Else's Limited Thinking Become Your Limitations The reason I wrote this piece is not to rant. I recently lost my photography career after a tragic, catastrophic accident where I lost my leg. Now, once again, I'm being forced to reinvent myself. And that's kind of been the theme of my whole life: reinvention and resilience. I mentioned to some of the people closest to me what I wanted to do next, and boy, did they have opinions of their own. Not only am I still healing ten months after my accident, and my body is still going through trauma, but my brain is also forced to figure out what's next. When I told a couple of people what I wanted to do, they shut me down almost instantly. But then I had to think about their lives. All they've ever done was exchange their time for money. They don't understand me. I'm a creative person. I don't punch in and punch out for a J-O-B. So, I'm guarding my plans closely and only sharing them with...