{"product_id":"spiritual-brain-beauregard-oleary-9780061625985","title":"The Spiritual Brain | Mario Beauregard \u0026 Denyse O'Leary","description":"\u003csection class=\"product-description\" style=\"color: #1a1a1a; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.75em; margin-bottom: 15px; border-bottom: 2px solid #2c3e50; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eThe Spiritual Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Case for the Existence of the Soul\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eExtended Synopsis\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe Spiritual Brain\u003c\/em\u003e, neuroscientist Dr. Mario Beauregard and journalist Denyse O'Leary present a rigorous and controversial scientific critique of mechanical biological reductionism. Challenging the mainstream materialist dogma that dismisses religious experience as an evolutionary glitch or random neural misfiring, the authors establish a compelling alternative thesis: the human brain does not organically manufacture spiritual experiences, mystical insights, or conscious self-awareness out of material mechanics. Instead, it functions as a highly sophisticated biological receiver engineered to process an objective, non-physical reality that exists outside the physical body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eRather than arranging their arguments as a casual theological essay, the authors structure their investigative critique across three rigorous empirical and philosophical pillars. They begin by systematically breaking down popular “neuro-reductivist” theories that attempt to explain away faith via a singular “God gene” or a specific “God spot” in the temporal lobes. The core of the volume delivers Dr. Beauregard's groundbreaking neuroimaging research conducted at the University of Montreal, detailing laboratory protocols used to record the brain activity of contemplative Carmelite nuns during states of deep mystical union. Utilizing both fMRI and advanced electroencephalography (EEG) data, Beauregard demonstrates that mystical experiences do not activate a solitary switch but illuminate a widely distributed network spanning multiple cortical and subcortical brain structures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eThe book reaches its operational conclusion by outlining a non-materialist cognitive framework that allows researchers to better understand anomalous psychological phenomena—ranging from the placebo effect and the clinical successes of cognitive behavioral therapy to near-death experiences (NDEs) on the operating table. This extensive volume serves as an essential reference resource for university libraries, neuropsychology research collections, and serious readers tracking the complex boundaries separating the physical brain from the human mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Mario Beauregard, Ph.D.\u003c\/strong\u003e is a researcher and neuroscientist who has held affiliations with institutions such as the University of Montreal. He is recognized internationally for his functional neuroimaging experiments exploring the neural correlates of emotional regulation and mystical states. \u003cstrong\u003eDenyse O'Leary\u003c\/strong\u003e is an award-winning Canadian journalist and author specializing in science, religion, and the broader social and philosophical implications of modern cognitive theories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eReader Targeting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eResearchers, academics, and students in cognitive science, neuropsychology, and the philosophy of mind.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eReaders exploring serious, data-driven critiques of scientific materialism and reductionist biological frameworks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eTheology scholars, institutional libraries, and general readers interested in empirical investigations into near-death experiences and spiritual practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eBibliographic \u0026amp; Physical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 0.95em; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50; width: 40%;\"\u003ePublisher\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eHarperOne (An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003ePublication Date\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eSeptember 30, 2008\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eFormat \u0026amp; Binding\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eReprint \/ Trade Paperback Edition (Standard perfect binding with smooth matte laminate finish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eISBN-13 \/ ISBN-10\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a; font-weight: bold;\"\u003e9780061625985 \/ 0061625984\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003ePage Count\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003e384 (Includes multi-part research narrative, empirical data summaries, technical reference notes, and index)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eDimensions \u0026amp; Weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003e8.00 x 5.31 x 0.86 inches | 10.4 oz (295 grams)\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f8f9fa; color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eBISAC Categories\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eSCIENCE \/ Cognitive Science \u0026amp; Brain Theory\u003cbr\u003eRELIGION \/ Religion \u0026amp; Science\u003cbr\u003ePSYCHOLOGY \/ Cognitive Psychology \u0026amp; Cognition\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat specific research serves as the empirical foundation of this book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is built around Dr. Beauregard’s functional neuroimaging studies evaluating the brain activity of contemplative Carmelite nuns. By using fMRI and EEG technologies, the research monitors what happens neurally when individuals actively experience states of deep spiritual connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the primary scientific argument against materialist neuro-reductionism?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe authors show that mystical encounters do not rely on a singular neurological spot or “God gene.” Instead, spiritual states activate a widely distributed, complex network across multiple brain structures, suggesting that the brain operates as a receptor processing external spiritual phenomena rather than generating them internally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n  {\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n      {\n        \"@type\": [\"Book\", \"Product\"],\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/spiritual-brain-beauregard-oleary-9780061625985#book\",\n        \"name\": \"The Spiritual Brain: A Neuroscientist's Case for the Existence of the Soul\",\n        \"author\": [\n          {\n            \"@type\": \"Person\",\n            \"name\": \"Mario Beauregard\"\n          },\n          {\n            \"@type\": \"Person\",\n            \"name\": \"Denyse O'Leary\"\n          }\n        ],\n        \"isbn\": \"9780061625985\",\n        \"sku\": \"9780061625985\",\n        \"mpn\": \"0061625984\",\n        \"numberOfPages\": \"384\",\n        \"publisher\": {\n          \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n          \"name\": \"HarperOne\"\n        },\n        \"datePublished\": \"2008-09-30\",\n        \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/Paperback\",\n        \"inLanguage\": \"English\",\n        \"description\": \"Discover Dr. Mario Beauregard's compelling non-materialist neuroimaging research proving the brain functions as a receiver for spiritual experiences.\",\n        \"offers\": {\n          \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n          \"price\": \"10.99\",\n          \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n          \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n          \"priceValidUntil\": \"2027-12-31\",\n          \"seller\": {\n            \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n            \"name\": \"Bust-Down Books, LTD.\"\n          }\n        },\n        \"about\": [\n          { \"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Neuroscience\" },\n          { \"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Cognitive Science\" },\n          { \"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Religion and Science\" },\n          { \"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Philosophy of Mind\" }\n        ]\n      },\n      {\n        \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/spiritual-brain-beauregard-oleary-9780061625985#faq\",\n        \"mainEntity\": [\n          {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"What specific research serves as the empirical foundation of this book?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n              \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n              \"text\": \"The book is built around Dr. Beauregard’s functional neuroimaging studies evaluating the brain activity of contemplative Carmelite nuns. 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Instead, spiritual states activate a widely distributed, complex network across multiple brain structures, suggesting that the brain operates as a receptor processing external spiritual phenomena rather than generating them internally.\"\n            }\n          }\n        ]\n      }\n    ]\n  }\n  \u003c\/script\u003e\n\n  \u003chr style=\"border: 0; height: 1px; background: #2c3e50; margin: 30px 0;\"\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: #2c3e50; font-size: 1.1em; letter-spacing: 0.5px;\"\u003eBust-Down Books: Armed With Education\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Bust-Down Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49349390827835,"sku":"0061625981","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0855\/2077\/7531\/files\/9780061625985.jpg?v=1783615154","url":"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/spiritual-brain-beauregard-oleary-9780061625985","provider":"Bust-Down Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}