A Neurophenomenological Perspective on the Self and Spirituality: The Role of the Affective Core Self

Summary

Spiritual experiences are closely linked to the self, particularly through the downregulation of the right parietal lobe (rPL), which is important for the embodied self. Disturbances in rPL functions can lead to feelings of 'selflessness' during spiritual experiences. The affective core self, an ancient form of self, is particularly relevant as it aligns with many characteristics of mystical experiences. This suggests that understanding these core self functions can help explain the neurophenomenology behind spiritual experiences.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The self is central to spirituality because the self is necessary for consciousness, and spiritual relations are fundamentally about the self. Diverse research illustrates the role of the downregulation of the right parietal lobe (rPL) in the spontaneous manifestation of spiritual experiences and during meditative practices. The functions of the rPL are central to the self, especially the embodied self. Disturbances of the rPL and embodied self-functions are associated with spiritual experience, exemplified in their association with “selflessness.” Many forms of self appear incompatible with spiritual and mystical experiences. An exception is the affective core self, the most ancient form of the self. Manifestations of the affective core self correspond directly to many characteristics of mystical experiences, illustrating its relevance for explaining the neurophenomenology of spiritual experience. The central functions of the affective core self and right-hemisphere processes in core features of spiritual experiences illustrate a reversion to earlier forms of self-representation and explain the neurophenomenology of some spiritual experiences.

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