Every culture has supernatural agents. Here’s why. | Patrick McNamara
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From DMT elves, to god,
From DMT elves, to god, to the figures in our dreams — why are humans so obsessed with the supernatural?
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Supernatural agents have been a constant part of human experience for at least 30,000 years, across all cultures. According to neuroscientist Patrick McNamara, that’s no coincidence; he argues that these agents, such as the figures in our dreams, provide vital functions for individuals and societal groups, such as healing from trauma, finding purpose, and reducing anxiety.
A supernatural agent is a figure with special superhuman powers, such as gods, spirits, angels, demons, and ghosts: they may know what we're thinking and desiring, have powers to heal and curse, and set up standards for human beings to strive towards. These beings are often revered and worshiped by people, who approach them with respect, fear, and ritual ceremonies. The supernatural isn’t just reserved for those who are religious: they can appear in non-religious contexts such as deep meditation, dreaming, and psychedelic experiences.
McNamara’s research shows a similar pattern of brain activity during psychedelic experiences, REM sleep, and religious experiences, where subjects experienced the supernatural — and these authentic brain activity patterns differ when subjects are shown control agents. While there is argument about whether or not the supernatural is real, those who experience them often describe the agents as real entities, not mere hallucinations. Through his research, McNamara aims to explore that question, and how humans can continue to harness the supernatural for our own development.
Read the full video transcript: https://bigthink.com/the-well/what-ar...
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❍ Up next: Are near-death experiences real? Are near-death experiences real? | Br...
Supernatural agents have been a constant part of human experience for at least 30,000 years, across all cultures. According to neuroscientist Patrick McNamara, that’s no coincidence; he argues that these agents, such as the figures in our dreams, provide vital functions for individuals and societal groups, such as healing from trauma, finding purpose, and reducing anxiety.
A supernatural agent is a figure with special superhuman powers, such as gods, spirits, angels, demons, and ghosts: they may know what we're thinking and desiring, have powers to heal and curse, and set up standards for human beings to strive towards. These beings are often revered and worshiped by people, who approach them with respect, fear, and ritual ceremonies. The supernatural isn’t just reserved for those who are religious: they can appear in non-religious contexts such as deep meditation, dreaming, and psychedelic experiences.
McNamara’s research shows a similar pattern of brain activity during psychedelic experiences, REM sleep, and religious experiences, where subjects experienced the supernatural — and these authentic brain activity patterns differ when subjects are shown control agents. While there is argument about whether or not the supernatural is real, those who experience them often describe the agents as real entities, not mere hallucinations. Through his research, McNamara aims to explore that question, and how humans can continue to harness the supernatural for our own development.
Read the full video transcript: https://bigthink.com/the-well/what-ar...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
❍ About The Well ❍
Do we inhabit a multiverse? Do we have free will? What is love? Is evolution directional? There are no simple answers to life’s biggest questions, and that’s why they’re the questions occupying the world’s brightest minds.
So what do they think?
How is the power of science advancing understanding? How are philosophers and theologians tackling these fascinating questions?
Let’s dive into The Well.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join The Well on your favorite platforms:
❍ Facebook: https://bit.ly/thewellFB
❍ Instagram: https://bit.ly/thewellIG
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