Huberman's Spiritual Journey: Exploring Faith and Science
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Andrew Huberman on God and the Brain
Huberman explained that while many aspects of the brain and its development can be explained by science, such as the conservation of genes and proteins across species, there are still certain things that science cannot fully explain.
He openly shared his belief in God, emphasizing that the elements of science are entirely compatible with the idea of a divine creator.
Throughout history, many prominent scientists, including Albert Einstein and Carl Jung, have also believed in God. Huberman acknowledged that there are scientists who hold various beliefs, ranging from atheism to agnosticism, but he firmly stated his own conviction in a higher power.
Huberman's fascination with the brain stems from its unparalleled capabilities, such as the ability to perceive and understand language, the vast range of bodily movements, and the creation of remarkable technologies like the internet and spaceships.
He marveled at the brain's potential for both extraordinary achievements and profound complexity.
In addition to his scientific pursuits, Huberman revealed that he has always prayed, despite growing up in a religiously diverse family.
He shared that he has recently started reading the Bible from start to finish, driven by a desire to learn and compare the Old and New Testaments.
Huberman expressed that prayer has brought him immense peace and has helped him resolve internal struggles that he previously found difficult to overcome. He emphasized the transformative power of prayer, stating that it has allowed him to cultivate greater care and love for others and himself, ultimately enabling him to serve a higher purpose and feel more connected.
Huberman's Journey in Prayer
Despite his reservations about pushing religion on others, Huberman shared his personal experience with prayer and how it has helped him navigate life's challenges. He emphasized that prayer is a highly individual practice and that one can engage in it regardless of their religious beliefs, whether they are an atheist or agnostic.
For Huberman, prayer became a means to address aspects of himself that he couldn't resolve through therapy, plant medicine, exercise, podcasting, science, or friendship.
The concept of prayer was introduced to him by a close male friend who simply stated, "prayer is powerful."
This prompted Huberman to explore the idea further, recognizing that prayer allows one to get outside of themselves, give up control, and simultaneously take control.
Huberman's personal prayer involves asking for help in removing his character defects, enabling him to show up better in all aspects of his life and do good work, which he defines as learning and teaching.
By acknowledging the existence of something greater than himself, beyond his understanding and control, Huberman finds solace in surrendering to this higher power.
Throughout his life, Huberman has secretly prayed during both good and bad times, but he felt ashamed of this practice for reasons unknown to him. It wasn't until college, when he was facing a particularly difficult situation involving a high school girlfriend, that he found the courage to pray openly.
By asking for the ability to be brutally honest with himself and others, Huberman was able to navigate the painful divergence in their relationship and eventually find resolution.
