Prayer and meditation are key features of religious and spiritual practices around the world, suggesting they’re intimately linked to the human condition. But what is going on in the brain during prayer? And is praying beneficial for our mental health? CrowdScience listener Hilary is keen to find answers to such questions. She’s a counsellor with a strong Christian faith, and is curious to know whether science can illuminate religious and spiritual practices. Presenter Caroline Steel talks to neuroscientists researching how our brains respond to prayer and meditation; and practices mindfulness herself to explore its similarities to prayer. She discovers that having a relationship with God may depend on more than religious practice. And is there a ‘spiritual part’ to our brains? Or is prayer just one activity among many - like going for a walk or playing music - that can have similar effects on our state of mind? Featuring: Professor Andrew Newberg, Director of Research Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University and Hospital, USA Tessa Watt, mindfulness teacher Ven. Hin Hung Sik, Centre of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong Dr Junling Gao, Centre of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong Dr Blake Victor Kent, Westmont College, USA Presenter: Caroline Steel Producer: Jo Glanville Editor: Cathy Edwards Studio Manager: Tim Heffer Production Co-ordinator: Liz Tuohy (Photo: A crowd of people praying. Credit: Digital Vision/Getty Images)
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So we're in a beautiful, beautiful wood that I love coming to and lots of flowers out.
The bluebells, the anemones are out.
It's very near to where I live and very precious to me.
You're listening to Crowd Science from the BBC World Service.
I'm Caroline Steele and I'm with listener Hilary.
We're walking through woodland near her home in the south of England.
There's a carpet of white flowers, birdsong, and not another human in sight.
Hillary's moments of peace in these woods made her wonder, how does prayer affect.
The brain and mental well being?
What made you think of the question?
Many different reasons, actually.
I think that science isn't sometimes put alongside faith, which interests me to see how that works out.
I'm a counsellor and I teach people to become counselors.
And part of how I work with my students and clients is very holistically.
So we look at the whole person, which includes their spiritual side, which this would be relevant to.