Validating Sufi mystical experiences through neurotheology and spiritual inquiry

Sufi Mystical Experience Debate

THE 'SPARK' of the SUFI

MYSTICAL EXPERIENCES DEBATE

While there are those who dispute the claims of the Sufi as to their mystical experiences validity, the researcher believes that proof exists to support the experiences as claimed by the Sufi.

The 'spark' of Sufism is that which God placed into man or breathed into man as told by the Qur'an and is the part of man that desires to return and unite with the Universal Spirit. (Syed, 2006) According to Dr. Ibrahim Syed of the Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc.: "Sufism is the mystical dimension of Islam based on the esoteric, or 'inner-meaning' of its sacred scripture which is the Noble Qur'an. Sufism' central doctrine is based on a verse of the Qur'an. The Sufi Path is the spiritual journey and is a path of "devotion and love; which leads to none other than God Himself." (Syed, 2006) the origin of the name Sufi is the Arabic word "suf" which means wool or in Persian the word is "saf" which means pure. (Syed, 2006)

I. Mystical Experience Defined

In understanding precisely what a mystical experience is Syed states that these experiences are inclusive of all of some of the following;

sense of unity or totality;

sense of timelessness;

sense of having encountered ultimate reality;

sense of sacredness;

sense that one can not adequately describe the richness of this experience (Syed, 2006)

III. Neurotheology - Biotheology

Syed (2006) relates that: "Neurotheology, also known as biotheology, is an emerging field of scientific study that analyzes the biological basis of spirituality...[and is]...."the scientific study of what happens to brain activity during religious or spiritual experiences." Syed relates that Michael Persinger, a practicing neuropsychological at Laurentian University in Canada has conducted experiments that has shown that when the human mind is exposed to "precise wavelength patterns...." believe that they are seeing God. "The result according to Persinger was to induce a 'mystical experience' in four out of five people taking part." (New Scientist, 19 November 1994, p.29; as cited by Syed, 2006) Another view is expressed by Psychologist at the University of Manchester in England, Richard Bentall, in the work entitled: "Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Examining Scientific Evidence" states that the Broca's area of the brain, which is the area believed to be connected to production of speech is often believed by people to be, instead of their own inner voice, the voice of God causing people to be "more likely to misattribute internally generated thoughts to an external source." (Syed, 2006)

The Two Views Debated

Whether one is following the Islamic or the Christian religious dogma, training, or theology the 'key' to the proof is just as suggested by Richard Bentall in his refutation of mystical experiences is that which is an 'inner' perspective of the individual. The Sufi follow a process referred to as 'Shagal' which is the closing 'off' of the five physical sense of self in order to look and listen 'inward' for a higher voice. In Christianity it is much the same as followers of the faith seek to find the 'inner door' of which Jesus spoke as being the place that the believer would find Him, or He who is "The Way," "The Truth." (Holy Bible, n.d.) in the book of John Chapter 10 and verse 9 Jesus states: "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture." The Sufi state: "But the opening of hearing and sight is not sufficient for the purpose, because it is simply an opening; illumination is something else. With the development of those two faculties by Shaghal the necessity for illumination remains nevertheless. You must know the language of the voice that speaks from within, and you must recognize the letters that you find written on the record within. The mystics heard it and read it and kept quiet; the prophets on hearing and reading this gave it out but little; and this that was given is the only Scripture there is, call it Bible, Kabala, Vedanta or Qur'an." (Khan, n.d.)

IV. Science Provides the Proof

The work of Syed includes studies that have located the regions of the brain that are stimulated during certain experience. For instance, the middle temporal lobe has been proven to the "linked to emotional aspects of religious experience, such as joy and awe." (Syed, 2006) the lower temporal lobe is stimulated during the "viewing of sacred images such as candles or crosses..." (Ibid) the "juncture of three lobes" or the Broca's region is stimulated when the individual is stimulated through a "response to language." Finally, when the individual enters a state of deep spirituality or mystical experience the region of the brain that finally "quiets down" and signifies that the person has entered the place where they may "feel at one with the universe" is the region of the brain which is called the "parietal lobes." (Syed, 2006)

Conclusion

It is clear that in the attempt of Science to disprove the experiences of the Sufi it seems that science has instead provided ample proof for the experiences which the Sufi claim as real through the studies of Neurotheology and Biotheoloy.