In the realm of spiritual growth and personal development, the concept of “relational discipleship” has gained significant traction. This model, which I first encountered in Moscow, ID, emphasizes the importance of relationships in our spiritual journey. Discipleship and the interpersonal side of Christianity were things sorely lacking. However, it’s crucial to understand that relationships extend far beyond our immediate social circles. They encompass every human interaction we engage in, from social media exchanges to mundane activities like grocery shopping or driving.
The Pervasive Nature of Relationships
Our world is fundamentally built on relationships. Institutions, families, and our economic systems are grounded in relational structures. They are, in a real sense, “made up” and built on trust. By “made up,” I mean the actual relationship only exists within the minds of humans – there’s nothing to point at directly other than the relationship that exists between individuals. Marketing strategies, for instance, target our position within these social contexts, appealing to our desires to be more attractive, intelligent, powerful, or important. As psychologist Robert Cialdini notes in his book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, “We are deeply social creatures. We like people who are similar to us, who pay us compliments, and who cooperate with us towards mutual goals.“
This relational foundation of society often goes unnoticed and reinforced, profoundly shaping our daily experiences and decision-making processes. From the currency we use to the social media platforms we engage with, relationships form the bedrock of human interaction and societal structures.
Christianity and Discipleship
At its core, Christianity is discipleship—a commitment to follow Jesus’ teachings and example with others in a world that is also trying to figure its crap out. However, the implementation of this simple idea has often fallen short in many churches. As theologian Dallas Willard observes in The Great Omission, “The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as ‘Christians’ will become disciples – students, apprentices, practitioners – of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence.“
This disconnect between professed beliefs and live experiences in American Christianity has led many to seek spiritual transformation outside traditional church settings. It also is driving the Hypocrisy label both Christians and non-Christians are fully aware of. The fruits of the American Evangelical church over the past few generations have been mixed at best, leading some to question whether we’ve made more “sons of Hell than Heaven” (Matthew 23:15).
The Need for Spiritual Transformation
The search for authentic spirituality is not unique to Christianity. It’s a desire in all of us – God has put eternity into the heart of humanity. It reflects a broader human yearning for meaning and connection that transcends religious boundaries. We all want to know we’re living in truth and are loved. As Carl Jung stated, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Perhaps what we call our heart is also our brain, and we just forget.
This quest for spiritual transformation has led many to explore alternative practices and traditions. A friend of mine, and a church planter, for instance, found himself reaching “out of his tradition” to Christian mystic practices to experience the Holy Spirit finally. He isn’t the only one. Such experiences highlight the limitations of isolated religious practices in meeting the deep spiritual needs of many individuals. We can’t mandate spirituality and relationships, so we have become proficient with tribal mindsets.
By the way, everything positive we are discussing that happens within our neurology is also just as applicable to the negative of our lives. How we treat people and the world is undeniably a spiritual conversation. Everything is spiritual, from Bill Maher to Donald Trump, and Joe Rogan to NPR. America’s politics has turned into our new spirituality. The spiritual aspect of every human is an objective fact, as are their brains.
The Science of Spirituality
Recent scientific research has begun to shed light on the neurological basis of spiritual experiences. Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, in his book How God Changes Your Brain, explains, “Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer, and contemplation, can alter the neural circuitry of the brain in ways that improve physical and emotional health.“
This intersection of science and spirituality challenges both the “non-spiritual” and the overly “spiritual” to reconsider their positions. For the former, it’s important to recognize that spiritual experiences are a fundamental aspect of human nature. As atheist philosopher Sam Harris argues in Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion, “Our world is dangerously riven by religious doctrines that all educated people should condemn, and yet there is more to understanding the human condition than science and secular culture generally admit.”
For those who consider themselves spiritual, it’s equally important to embrace scientific understanding. The false dichotomy between faith and science has led to unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings. As physicist and theologian John Polkinghorne writes in Belief in God in an Age of Science, “Science and religion are friends, not foes, in the common quest for knowledge. Some people may find this surprising, for there’s a feeling abroad that science and religion are at odds.“
The Neurological Reality of Spiritual Transformation
When we experience something spiritual or feel God’s influence, tangible neurological changes occur in our brains. After all, faith without works is dead. Neurons fire, connections strengthen or weaken, and new neural pathways form. Whatever spiritual experience we may have had or will have, it must fundamentally influence us and leave its evidence, or else it isn’t “real,” in any sense of the word. There’s a reason that the saints all have halos around their heads in artwork – the same is true in the artwork of other spiritual traditions. Even “fake” spiritual experiences are changing the wiring inside our minds. This neuroplasticity is at the heart of personal growth and transformation. When “spiritual” things happen, they happen also within the structures of our brains.
Recent research in consciousness studies has even led some philosophers and physicists to consider consciousness as a fundamental field, potentially more fundamental than the Higgs boson. The famed Carl Penrose and others are on such scientific explorations. As neuroscientist Christof Koch suggests in Consciousness: Confessions of a Romantic Reductionist, “Consciousness is a fundamental property of complex things… The entire cosmos is suffused with sentience. We are surrounded and immersed in consciousness; it is in the air we breathe, the soil we tread on, the bacteria that colonize our intestines, and the brain that enables us to think.“
This perspective challenges our traditional understanding of spirituality and consciousness, suggesting that spiritual experiences may be more than mere subjective phenomena but could be rooted in fundamental aspects of reality itself.
Holistic Spirituality
From a scriptural and philosophical perspective, everything is spiritual. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” This holistic view of spirituality aligns with modern psychological concepts like Carl Jung’s idea of integration. Holiness is about becoming whole. Everything is spiritual, as is everyone. We all desire peace, meaning, joy, truth, and acceptance. If we think we don’t, we just need to remove or challenge something in our lives to find those things we depend on for security. This, by the way, includes our ideas.
In this context, seemingly mundane activities like decreasing caffeine intake, doing homework with a kid, or making progress on personal goals are seen as spiritual experiences. Every action in the tangible and material world becomes infused with meaning and purpose. Reality is no longer a threat but an invitation. This perspective challenges the dualistic assumptions that often separate the “spiritual” from the “material.”
Facing Mortality and Responsibility
At the core of spiritual transformation lies the confrontation with our mortality and responsibility. Existential psychologist Irvin Yalom emphasizes, “The confrontation with the givens of existence is painful but ultimately healing and transformative.” Our spirituality, even among those who deny having one, is what sets the direction and calibrates our orientation in the world. Who we are, what we value, how we see ourselves and each other, and how we live in the world are all “spiritual” realities.
For the Christian, the call is to pick up our own cross, die to self, and follow Him. Our faith is found in the person we follow and model rather than conformity to a social group – our faith ought to be not in the group itself. The call to become more like Jesus is still there, muzzled under the noise that the American Church is having meltdowns over. How many more generations of young Christians need to divorce themselves from their parents’ “Christianity” for the Church to understand this? We point the finger consistently out but never reflect inward where the greatest catalyst for change exists.
Experiences that force us to face our mortality and responsibility—such as confrontation, accountability, marriage, ego death, mindfulness meditation, birth of a child, death of a loved one, or sitting in rehab—can catalyze profound spiritual transformation. These are fundamental neurological and spiritual experiences. These experiences often lead to a reevaluation of meaning and purpose in life.
They need not be extreme – it’s just that these have enough power to wake us up. The more extreme we are living in one way will often determine the amount of pain we will experience to let go of it. The disciplines and practices found within early Christians, as well as those found in other spiritual practices, were oriented for this – for us to get ourselves right in the world rather than making the world right around us. If I may be so bold, we’re now at a point in history where this preposition could not only be suggested but difficult to argue against.
The reality of our finite existence and the weight of our choices create a tension that can drive spiritual growth. As we grapple with these existential truths, we are compelled to seek deeper meaning and purpose in our lives. As we make every decision, neurons are being used or not used. Every moment becomes a moment of change or not-change. We waste a lot of time staying stuck and avoiding change. We love control so much that we aren’t willing to see things differently because of how they simply make us feel.
The Power of Introspection
True spiritual transformation requires looking inward rather than constantly seeking external validation or answers. As the ancient Greek aphorism, passed up through Christianity and other spiritual traditions, advises, “Know thyself.” Carl Jung said we don’t see God because we don’t look low enough. “Man cannot see God because man knows not humility. Man cannot see God because he looks out and beyond, and not within.” This introspective journey can be challenging, as it often involves confronting uncomfortable truths about ourselves and our place in the world.
The process of self-discovery and self-awareness is not always linear or comfortable. We like our left brains too much. It may involve periods of confusion, doubt, and even existential crisis. There can be times when it feels like there’s an old you inside. This may even make you feel crazy…for a bit. However, it is through this process that we can achieve genuine spiritual growth and transformation. The world is crazy enough it can handle a little more.
The Challenge and Reward of Spiritual Transformation
For those seeking spiritual transformation, the process can be disruptive and challenging. There is often a lot to disrupt and challenge. We are big beings in small bodies. It may require letting go of long-held beliefs and confronting aspects of ourselves we’d rather ignore. You bet there will be some relationships that need to be revisited. However, the potential rewards—wholeness, peace, joy, and love—are immeasurable. The only expense is control and comfort.
This journey often involves a deconstruction of previously held beliefs and a reconstruction of a more authentic and integrated worldview. It’s a process that requires courage, patience, and perseverance. It means unlearning old habits and learning new ones we don’t have yet.
Implications for the Church and Society
If the concept of neurological spiritual transformation were widely embraced, it could revolutionize not just individual lives but entire communities and institutions. Addiction research has long been beating this drum and the world is full of dopamine and egomaniacs. Churches could shift from merely talking about change to actively facilitating it. As Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.“
This approach would require a fundamental shift in how many religious institutions operate. Instead of focusing on doctrinal adherence or ritual observance, churches would posture these in proper relationship to the individual human. We would be less concerned with how well a person conforms to our church and more about how well the person is doing. Churches could become centers for genuine spiritual growth and transformation. Teaching and rituals would still exist, just in proper relationship and order. Sermons would definitely change.
These would help navigate the chaos instead of making chaos Truth. This could involve incorporating practices of various spiritual traditions, embracing scientific insights into human consciousness, and creating spaces for authentic community and personal exploration. All truth would be allowed in Christianity, a faith that promises Truth and Love for its followers.
The Role of Community in Spiritual Transformation
While much of spiritual transformation is an individual journey, the role of community cannot be overstated. As social beings, we often find our greatest growth occurs in the context of relationships. This is where the concept of “relational discipleship” becomes particularly relevant.
Community provides support, accountability, and diverse perspectives that can challenge and enrich our spiritual journey. It’s in the crucible of relationships that many of our deepest transformations occur. As author and pastor John Ortberg notes, “Spiritual formation happens most profoundly in the context of a group.” Everything spiritual fundamentally influences our context within all groups we interact with.
The Future of Spirituality
As we continue to bridge the gap between scientific understanding and spiritual experience, we are on the cusp of a new era in human spirituality. The world is ready and everyone is aware of their own issues, even if denying it vehemently like a raging alcoholic. This integration could lead to more holistic approaches to education, healthcare, social organization, and, yes, politics.
Imagine a world where schools teach not just academic subjects but also emotional intelligence and spiritual awareness. Have you ever seen a politician be vulnerable and confident without ego? Consider what it could be like to have a society where we help children learn about their self and ego, and how to fundamentally accept themselves, others, and reality. Dare to dream of families that just do this naturally. Imagine if all the issues in your family and immediate context were framed in such a way – can you?
Imagine where you would have been if you were completely comfortable with your mortality and personal responsibility at a younger age. Think of healthcare systems that address not just physical symptoms but the whole person, including their spiritual well-being. Economics wouldn’t just be a numbers game and argument between social-economic divisions. We would stop encouraging people’s avoidance and need to “fix” things. These are not far-fetched ideas but potential realities if we embrace a more integrated understanding of human nature and spirituality, right now.
Learning to Face Ourselves
The journey of spiritual transformation is deeply personal yet universally relevant. This is an objective fact now well observed. Western humanity is just getting over ourselves enough to come to terms with it. By understanding the neurological reality of this process, we can bridge the gap between science and spirituality, fostering a more holistic approach to personal growth and societal change.
As we individually explore the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and spirituality, we open up new possibilities for understanding ourselves and our place in the universe. This integrative approach has the potential to heal divisions, foster empathy, and create a more compassionate world. It starts, however, in the small and everyday life – it starts with the relationships and brain we have right now. And it never starts with “them.”
C.S. Lewis famously said “You do not have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.” He was close. We are soul and body – soil and spirit. We are human and we’ve avoided understanding ourselves too long. Instead, we debated God and told Him what to say. We are no longer allowed to separate the spiritual from the material if we’re going to take the Bible seriously.
In the words of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” By embracing this perspective and actively engaging in our own spiritual transformation, we can unlock our potential to create positive change in ourselves and the world around us.
The path of spiritual transformation is not always easy, but it is infinitely rewarding. As we face our mortality and embrace our responsibility, we open ourselves to profound growth and change. In doing so, we not only transform our own lives but contribute to the evolution of human consciousness and the betterment of our world.
