Clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Lisa Miller joins us to reveal the groundbreaking neuroscience that connects spirituality with mental health, purpose, and human flourishing. Drawing from decades of research at Columbia University, she shares how spiritual awareness literally changes the brain — rewiring us for resilience, compassion, and meaning. From the awakened brain to the power of awe, Lisa bridges empirical science with lived spirituality, showing how we are biologically built for connection with something greater than ourselves.
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Andrés Book Recs: https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com/book-list
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00:00 Intro
03:40 What Is the Awakened Brain?
07:10 How Spirituality Changes the Brain
10:50 Depression as a Doorway to Awakening
14:25 The Biology of Faith and Meaning
18:05 The Parietal Lobe and the Sense of Oneness
22:00 From Egoic Mind to Spiritual Awareness
26:15 Dorsal vs. Ventral Attention Networks Explained
30:10 How Prayer and Meditation Rewire the Brain
34:00 The Neuroscience of Love and Connection
38:25 What Happens in the Brain During Awe
42:10 Synchronicity and the Science of Guidance
46:00 Raising Spiritually Connected Children
50:20 Addiction, Recovery, and the Search for Spirit
54:35 The Brain as an Antenna for Consciousness
59:15 Science Meets Mysticism: Where They Overlap
1:03:30 The Future of Mental Health and Spirituality
1:07:40 Reawakening the Innate Spiritual Brain
1:12:00 Living with Awe, Service, and Gratitude
1:16:10 Closing Reflections
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Episode Resources:
https://www.lisamillerphd.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dr.lisamiller/
https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/
https://www.instagram.com/knowthyself/
https://www.youtube.com/@knowthyselfpodcast
https://www.knowthyselfpodcast.com
Listen to the show:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4bZMq9l
Apple: https://apple.co/4iATICX
