Beliefs are the Essence of Our Being
HealthyWealthynWise
All his life, Dr. Andrew Newberg has searched for answers to the biggest questions in life such as "Why am I here?" and "How do we really know right from wrong?'. His passion for philosophy led him to the University of Pennsylvania where he studied philosophy and also neurosciences. The University is also where he met Gene d'Aquili who had an equal passion for psychiatry and anthropology.
While in college, Dr. Newberg was all the more intrigued by philosophical ideas. He knew that on one hand, he had to look inside himself for answers, because our brain makes such deep thought possible, but on the other hand, he could get different perspectives of reality based on Western traditional ideas, Judeo-Christian traditions, and Eastern schools of thought such as Buddhism and Hinduism.
As luck would have it, Dr. Newberg ran into a psychiatrist, Gene d'Aquili while at the University of Pennsylvania. d'Aquili's background in psychiatry and anthropology and Newberg's background in neurosciences and philosophy created a magical relationship with the potential for great learning. Dr. Newberg realized he could actually test what goes on in a person's brain during periods of deep meditation.
Whether you're a Buddhist, Christian, or atheist, your beliefs have a strong impact on your life and health. People who live on the sunny side of life tend to have less stress, deal with stress more efficiently, and have fewer heart problems than those who are not so optimistic. These people also tend to have a better immune system than those who aren't optimistic
Why do we have beliefs? This is a question Dr. Newberg has contemplated for years. Belief starts in childhood. As children develop, nerve cells are connected and strengthened. The more a child hears something, the more likely that child is to believe it. It's not easy to break those connections and believe something contrary to what you have learned in the past, but the brain IS capable of change.
No matter whether a person is religious or not, our beliefs shape our being and have a strong impact on our health. People who are more optimistic and look at the world in a more positive way have less stress, and because they have less stress, they have fewer problems with heart disease, and they have an overall improved immune system.
The best way to change yourself is through rituals. We have rituals when we get out of bed in the morning, when we work, when we worship, when we are out with friends, and in nearly every aspect of our lives. To change something in your life that is keeping you from living your passions, you have to change the ritual surrounding it. Breaking habits is hard, so changing your beliefs would surely be a daunting challenge. The more you're able to incorporate your thoughts, emotions, and senses, the more likely you'll be to make a positive change in your life.
Our beliefs are like a pair of glasses. We view things in a certain clarity or color because of the lenses we've chosen to enhance our sight. People with one pair of glasses may be more likely to see the world in a positive way and achieve their goals, while those of a different background and different pair of glasses will see the opposite and have a hard time achieving their goals. For example, people with a strong religious belief might feel comfort and even joy in the death of a loved one knowing that person is going to another world of paradise. Someone who does not have a strong religious belief might be more inclined to slip into depression.
Breaking habits is hard, so changing your beliefs would surely be a daunting challenge. The more you're able to incorporate your thoughts, emotions, and senses, the more likely you'll be to make a positive change in your life.
Dr. Andrew Newberg's latest book is Why We Believe What We Believe. For more information on Dr. Andrew Newberg check out the FREE interview with HealthyWealthynWise.com at www.healthywealthynwise.com/cmd.asp?Clk=2088961.
Why We Believe What We Believe is Dr. Newberg's beliefs's latest book. You can learn more about Dr. Newberg's beliefs at the http://www.healthywealthynwise.com/cmd.asp?Clk=2088961) Healthy, Wealthy 'n Wise website. Get your own completely http://www.uberarticles.com/?id=15549&b=79 unique content version of this article.
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