Religion, Spirituality and Creativity: Historical, Psychological and Biological Perspectives

Religion, Spirituality and Religion, Spirituality and Creativity:Creativity:

Historical, Psychological and Historical, Psychological and Biological PerspectivesBiological Perspectives

Janet E. Johnson, MD, MPHJanet E. Johnson, MD, MPHTulane University School of MedicineTulane University School of Medicine

Department of Psychiatry and NeurologyDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurology

The Many Images of SpiritualityThe Many Images of Spirituality

Religion versus SpiritualityReligion versus Spirituality

Religion:Religion:– Latin Latin religarereligare: “to bind : “to bind

together”together”– Organizes the collective Organizes the collective

spiritual experiences of spiritual experiences of group of people into group of people into system of beliefs, system of beliefs, practices, and ritualspractices, and rituals

– Tradition, oral and writtenTradition, oral and written

Spirituality:Spirituality:– Latin Latin spiritualitasspiritualitas: “breath”: “breath”– Broader concept than Broader concept than

religion--dynamic, religion--dynamic, personal, experiential personal, experiential processprocess

– Quest for meaning and Quest for meaning and purpose, transcendence, purpose, transcendence, connectedness, valuesconnectedness, values

– Personal quest for answers Personal quest for answers to ultimate questions about to ultimate questions about life, meaninglife, meaning

– Gives one a sense of Gives one a sense of peace/joypeace/joy

Brain versus MindBrain versus Mind

BrainBrain– Collection of physical Collection of physical

structures that gather structures that gather and process sensory, and process sensory, cognitive and cognitive and emotional dataemotional data

MindMind– Phenomenon of Phenomenon of

thoughts, memories thoughts, memories and emotions that and emotions that arise from the arise from the perceptual processes perceptual processes of the brainof the brain

Why is this Important?Why is this Important?

Surveys show that 90% of Americans believe in Surveys show that 90% of Americans believe in a higher beinga higher being90 % pray or meditate90 % pray or meditate> 70 % believe in life after death> 70 % believe in life after deathMajority want their physicians to discuss religion Majority want their physicians to discuss religion with themwith themDSM-IV inclusion of diagnostic category DSM-IV inclusion of diagnostic category “religious or spiritual problem”“religious or spiritual problem”ACGME made instruction in religious-spiritual ACGME made instruction in religious-spiritual issues a curricular requirement in 1995issues a curricular requirement in 1995

Psychiatrists and SpiritualityPsychiatrists and Spirituality

Psychiatrists are measurably less religious than:Psychiatrists are measurably less religious than:– The general populationThe general population– Their patientsTheir patients– Other physiciansOther physicians

Generally endorse positive influences on healthGenerally endorse positive influences on health

More likely than other physicians to note that More likely than other physicians to note that religion/spirituality can cause negative emotions religion/spirituality can cause negative emotions that lead to increased patient sufferingthat lead to increased patient suffering– (82 % versus 44%)(82 % versus 44%)

Psychiatrists and SpiritualityPsychiatrists and Spirituality

More likely to encounter religion/spirituality More likely to encounter religion/spirituality issues in clinical settingsissues in clinical settings– (92% versus 74%)(92% versus 74%)

More open to addressing religious/spiritual More open to addressing religious/spiritual issues with patientsissues with patients– (93% versus 53%)(93% versus 53%)

Psychiatrists are more comfortable, and have Psychiatrists are more comfortable, and have more experience, addressing religious/spiritual more experience, addressing religious/spiritual concerns in the clinical settingconcerns in the clinical setting

Curlin et al, Am J Psychiatry, 2007Curlin et al, Am J Psychiatry, 2007

Studies and Physical HealthStudies and Physical Health

Majority of the ~350 studies of physical health Majority of the ~350 studies of physical health have found that religious involvement and have found that religious involvement and spirituality are associated with better health spirituality are associated with better health outcomes.outcomes.– Cardiovascular, decreased rate of CVA’sCardiovascular, decreased rate of CVA’s– Lowers blood pressureLowers blood pressure– Health-promoting behaviorsHealth-promoting behaviors

““Lack of religious involvement has an effect on Lack of religious involvement has an effect on mortality equivalent to 40 years of smoking one mortality equivalent to 40 years of smoking one pack of cigarettes/day.pack of cigarettes/day.

Harold Koenig, MD, DukeHarold Koenig, MD, Duke

Studies and Mental HealthStudies and Mental Health

Religious involvement associated with:Religious involvement associated with:– lower risk of depression.lower risk of depression.– less anxiety.less anxiety.– less substance abuse.less substance abuse.– Improved self-esteemImproved self-esteem– Less social isolationLess social isolation

Inverse relationship between religious Inverse relationship between religious involvement and suicide.involvement and suicide.

Spirituality and the Chronically Spirituality and the Chronically Mentally IllMentally Ill

Generally viewed as pathological or Generally viewed as pathological or symptoms of mental illness.symptoms of mental illness.

Little research done in this area.Little research done in this area.

Religious delusions and auditory Religious delusions and auditory hallucinations common in psychosis.hallucinations common in psychosis.

Hyper-religiosity common in mania.Hyper-religiosity common in mania.

Spirituality and the Chronically Spirituality and the Chronically Mentally IllMentally Ill

Solution versus symptomSolution versus symptom

Treatment conflict or collaborationTreatment conflict or collaboration

Socialization or increased isolationSocialization or increased isolation

Negative versus positive religiosityNegative versus positive religiosity

Psychosis or mystical experience or Psychosis or mystical experience or normal experiencenormal experience

Mystic versus psychoticMystic versus psychotic– Distinct differencesDistinct differences

Negative ReligiosityNegative Religiosity

““I feel God is punishing me for my sins or I feel God is punishing me for my sins or lack of spirituality”lack of spirituality”

““I wonder why God has abandoned me”I wonder why God has abandoned me”

““If I believed more/was a better person this If I believed more/was a better person this wouldn’t have happened”wouldn’t have happened”

Sees God as judgmental and punitiveSees God as judgmental and punitive

Negative ReligiosityNegative Religiosity

Negative AH from God, Satan, demonsNegative AH from God, Satan, demons– command AH especially worrisomecommand AH especially worrisome

Negative/harmful/dangerous delusionsNegative/harmful/dangerous delusions– worthless person, offended God, have to pay worthless person, offended God, have to pay

for their sins, perform acts to appease God or for their sins, perform acts to appease God or atone for their actionsatone for their actions

– Andrea YatesAndrea Yates

Positive ReligiosityPositive Religiosity

““I look to God for strength, support and I look to God for strength, support and guidance”guidance”

““God will help me through this”God will help me through this”

Sees God as benevolent and caringSees God as benevolent and caring

Religious beliefs provide positive self Religious beliefs provide positive self esteem and imageesteem and image

Prayer/meditation as coping mechanismPrayer/meditation as coping mechanism

Chronically Mentally IllChronically Mentally Ill

Survey, 1995Survey, 1995– 28 CMI patients from rehabilitation center28 CMI patients from rehabilitation center– 60% reported that spirituality had a “great 60% reported that spirituality had a “great

deal” of helpful impact on their illness by deal” of helpful impact on their illness by helping them feel cared for and not alonehelping them feel cared for and not alone

– 76% thought daily about spiritual matters76% thought daily about spiritual matters– 38% expressed discomfort with discussing 38% expressed discomfort with discussing

spiritual matters with their therapistspiritual matters with their therapistLindgren and Coursey (1995) Psychosocial Rehab J,18, 93-Lindgren and Coursey (1995) Psychosocial Rehab J,18, 93-

111.111.

Bipolar Affective DisorderBipolar Affective Disorder

Questionnaire covering religious, spiritual, Questionnaire covering religious, spiritual, philosophical beliefs and religious practice.philosophical beliefs and religious practice.Sample of patients with BAD in remission.Sample of patients with BAD in remission.78% held strong religious/spiritual beliefs.78% held strong religious/spiritual beliefs.81.5% practiced their religion frequently.81.5% practiced their religion frequently.Most saw a direct link between beliefs and Most saw a direct link between beliefs and management of illness.management of illness.Many reported conflict in understanding and Many reported conflict in understanding and managing their illness between medical and managing their illness between medical and spiritual advisors.spiritual advisors.

J Affective Disord (2003) 75(3):247-57.J Affective Disord (2003) 75(3):247-57.

AssessmentAssessment

Several routine screening questions about Several routine screening questions about religion and spirituality should be part of religion and spirituality should be part of the psychiatric assessment.the psychiatric assessment.

More thorough assessment necessary if More thorough assessment necessary if religious-spiritual problem is part of religious-spiritual problem is part of presentation, if clinical issue involves presentation, if clinical issue involves morality or guilt, concerns regarding morality or guilt, concerns regarding meaning of life, life cycle issues.meaning of life, life cycle issues.

FICA Spiritual HistoryFICA Spiritual History

Faith: Do you consider yourself spiritual? Do you Faith: Do you consider yourself spiritual? Do you have a religious faith?have a religious faith?Importance: How important are your religious Importance: How important are your religious beliefs and how might they influence decisions beliefs and how might they influence decisions related to your health?related to your health?Community: Are you part of a religious or Community: Are you part of a religious or spiritual community? If so, how does this spiritual community? If so, how does this community support you?community support you?Address: How might I address your spiritual Address: How might I address your spiritual needs?needs?

History of Science and ReligionHistory of Science and Religion

Evidence of spiritual practices dating back to ancient Evidence of spiritual practices dating back to ancient cave drawingscave drawingsMyths: from Greek “mythos” meaning “word” Myths: from Greek “mythos” meaning “word” one one spoken with deep and unquestioned authorityspoken with deep and unquestioned authorityMyths of all world cultures are strikingly, consistently Myths of all world cultures are strikingly, consistently similarsimilar– Virgin births, world-cleansing floods, lands of the dead, Virgin births, world-cleansing floods, lands of the dead,

expulsions from paradise, dead and resurrected heroesexpulsions from paradise, dead and resurrected heroes

All religions are founded on mythAll religions are founded on mythMyths are created by basic, universal aspects of the Myths are created by basic, universal aspects of the brain , particularly the fundamental neurological brain , particularly the fundamental neurological processes through which the brain makes sense of the processes through which the brain makes sense of the worldworld

Historical PrecedentHistorical PrecedentMedicine and ReligionMedicine and Religion

Medicine and religion historically linkedMedicine and religion historically linked

Hippocratic writingsHippocratic writings– physicians received authority from godsphysicians received authority from gods

Middle AgesMiddle Ages– sickness punishment from Godsickness punishment from God– cure by prayingcure by praying– doctors were “collaborators with God”doctors were “collaborators with God”

15th to early 18th century15th to early 18th century– close relationship continuedclose relationship continued


Cotton Mather Cotton Mather (1663-(1663-1728)1728)– Prominent Puritan ministerProminent Puritan minister– Advised physicians to Advised physicians to

prescribe “admonitions of prescribe “admonitions of piety” as well as drugs.piety” as well as drugs.

– Smallpox epidemic, Boston Smallpox epidemic, Boston 1721 1721 advocated for advocated for inoculation despite great inoculation despite great controversy and risk to controversy and risk to himselfhimself

– Influential in Salem Witch Influential in Salem Witch TrialsTrials


19th, early 20th centuries still viewed 19th, early 20th centuries still viewed religion as important in practice of religion as important in practice of medicinemedicine

Mid 20th century, unacceptable to discuss Mid 20th century, unacceptable to discuss religion in a secular health care settingreligion in a secular health care setting

Past two decades, increased interest in Past two decades, increased interest in medicine and spiritualitymedicine and spirituality

Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud

Religion was irrelevant if Religion was irrelevant if not clinically harmfulnot clinically harmful““an obsessional neurosis”an obsessional neurosis”Religious individuals were Religious individuals were weakweakNeeded to create a god in Needed to create a god in their own image rather their own image rather than deal with their frailty than deal with their frailty and helplessnessand helplessness““Mystical experiences are Mystical experiences are illusions triggered by a illusions triggered by a neurotic, regressive urge neurotic, regressive urge to reject an unfulfilling to reject an unfulfilling reality”reality”

Carl JungCarl Jung

Broke with Freud in 1912 over Broke with Freud in 1912 over Freud’s insistence that he omit Freud’s insistence that he omit references to religion in references to religion in Psychology of the Psychology of the UnconsciousUnconsciousBelieved that humans are by Believed that humans are by nature religiousnature religious““I attribute a positive value to I attribute a positive value to all religions”all religions”Regarded the religious Regarded the religious problems that the patient problems that the patient brought to therapy as relevant brought to therapy as relevant to the neurosis, and as to the neurosis, and as possible causes of it possible causes of it Modern Man in Search of a Modern Man in Search of a SoulSoul, 1933, 1933

Carl JungCarl Jung

Myths are symbolic Myths are symbolic expression of expression of archetypal ideas archetypal ideas inherited forms of inherited forms of thought that exist, in thought that exist, in universal form, in the universal form, in the depths of every depths of every human mindhuman mind

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

““Religion without science is Religion without science is blind; science without religion blind; science without religion is lame”is lame”““Quantum mechanics is Quantum mechanics is certainly imposing. But an certainly imposing. But an inner voice tells me it is not yet inner voice tells me it is not yet the real thing. The theory says the real thing. The theory says a lot, but does not really bring a lot, but does not really bring us any closer to the secret of us any closer to the secret of the Old One. I, at any rate, am the Old One. I, at any rate, am convinced that He does not convinced that He does not throw dice”. throw dice”. ““There is a central order to the There is a central order to the universe, an order that can be universe, an order that can be directly apprehended by the directly apprehended by the soul in mystical union”soul in mystical union”

Larry DosseyLarry Dossey

"I used to believe that we "I used to believe that we must choose between must choose between science and reason on one science and reason on one hand, and spirituality on the hand, and spirituality on the other, in how we lead our other, in how we lead our lives. Now I consider this a lives. Now I consider this a false choice. We can recover false choice. We can recover the sense of sacredness, not the sense of sacredness, not just in science, but in just in science, but in perhaps every area of life." perhaps every area of life."

- Larry Dossey, M.D.- Larry Dossey, M.D. from Reinventing Medicine from Reinventing Medicine

Trend TodayTrend Today

Many books on Many books on science and science and spiritualityspirituality

Popular literaturePopular literature

Templeton Templeton FoundationFoundation

Curriculum in medical Curriculum in medical schools and schools and residenciesresidencies

Psychology and SpiritualityPsychology and Spirituality

DreamsDreams– Pre-death dreams and ability to help prepare Pre-death dreams and ability to help prepare

for deathfor death– Grief dreamsGrief dreams

Visitation, message, reassurance, traumaVisitation, message, reassurance, trauma

– Prophetic or future dreamsProphetic or future dreams

ESP, “visions”, ESP, “visions”, deja-vu, deja-vu, out-of-body out-of-body experiences, past-life regressionsexperiences, past-life regressions


Intercessory prayerIntercessory prayer– Can individuals mentally help heal distant Can individuals mentally help heal distant

persons who were unaware they were doing persons who were unaware they were doing so?so?

– “Various, broader meta-studies of the literature have arrived at conflicting conclusions. For instance, a 2006 meta analysis on 14 studies concluded that "There is no scientifically discernable effect for intercessory prayer as assessed in controlled studies".[2] However, a 2007 systemic review of 17 studies on the use of intercessory prayer indicated that there are "small, but significant, effect sizes for the use of intercessory prayer" in the reviewed literature.[3]”


Intercessory PrayerIntercessory Prayer

California (UCLA) study of AIDS patientsCalifornia (UCLA) study of AIDS patients– No difference in CD4 countsNo difference in CD4 counts– Patients receiving intercessory prayer Patients receiving intercessory prayer

showed:showed:Fewer AIDS related illnessFewer AIDS related illness

Fewer hospitalizationsFewer hospitalizations

Fewer hospital daysFewer hospital days


Near-death experiencesNear-death experiences– Accounts remarkably similarAccounts remarkably similar– ““Bright light”, music, tunnel or passageway, feeling of Bright light”, music, tunnel or passageway, feeling of

great peace, someone there to receive themgreat peace, someone there to receive them

Death bed visionsDeath bed visions– Vast majority of dying individuals, families, and care-Vast majority of dying individuals, families, and care-

takers find the experience comforting and/or spiritually takers find the experience comforting and/or spiritually movingmoving

– 85% of nurses surveyed felt experiences were of a 85% of nurses surveyed felt experiences were of a spiritual naturespiritual nature

– Only 15 % attributed them to hallucinationsOnly 15 % attributed them to hallucinations

Biology and SpiritualityBiology and Spirituality

Approaches from multiple avenues:Approaches from multiple avenues:– AnatomyAnatomy– ElectrophysiologyElectrophysiology– Brain ImagingBrain Imaging– GeneticsGenetics

NeurotheologyNeurotheology

Pinpoint which brain Pinpoint which brain regions turn on or off regions turn on or off during experiences that during experiences that

seem to existseem to exist outside outside time and space.time and space.

Association areas in Association areas in cerebral cortexcerebral cortex– VisualVisual– OrientationOrientation– AttentionAttention– Verbal conceptualVerbal conceptual

Orientation Association AreaOrientation Association Area

Located posterior Located posterior section of parietal section of parietal lobe lobe

Orients the body in Orients the body in space; allows for 3D space; allows for 3D sense of the bodysense of the body

ResearchResearch

Monks mediating, nuns prayingMonks mediating, nuns praying

SPECT scans before and at peak of experienceSPECT scans before and at peak of experience– prefrontal cortex (quieting of activity)prefrontal cortex (quieting of activity)– ““orientation association area”orientation association area”

Determines where the body ends and the rest of the world Determines where the body ends and the rest of the world begins.begins.

Sharp reduction in activity at peak of meditative experience Sharp reduction in activity at peak of meditative experience brain perceives that the self is endless and intimately brain perceives that the self is endless and intimately interwoven with everyone and everythinginterwoven with everyone and everything

Verbal descriptions of ExperiencesVerbal descriptions of Experiences

““As the river flowing east and westAs the river flowing east and west

Merge in the sea and become one with itMerge in the sea and become one with itForgetting that they were ever separate rivers,Forgetting that they were ever separate rivers,So do all creatures lose their separationSo do all creatures lose their separationWhen they merge at last into”When they merge at last into”

Hindu UpanishadsHindu Upanishads

““I possessed God so fully that I was no longer in my I possessed God so fully that I was no longer in my previous customary state, but was led to find a peace in previous customary state, but was led to find a peace in which I was united with God and was content with which I was united with God and was content with everything”everything”

Franciscan nunFranciscan nun

ElectrophysiologyElectrophysiology

Epilepsy linked with spirituality throughout historyEpilepsy linked with spirituality throughout history– ““Sacred disease” by Greeks; demon possession in BibleSacred disease” by Greeks; demon possession in Bible

Close to 5 % of patients with epilepsy report religious Close to 5 % of patients with epilepsy report religious aurasaurasStudy from UCLA showed that patients with temporal Study from UCLA showed that patients with temporal lobe epilepsy have a heightened response to religious lobe epilepsy have a heightened response to religious language, specifically religious terms and iconslanguage, specifically religious terms and icons““Temporal lobe transients”Temporal lobe transients”– bursts of electrical activity in the temporal lobes producing bursts of electrical activity in the temporal lobes producing

sensations of out-of-body experiences, sense of the divine, sensations of out-of-body experiences, sense of the divine, finding Godfinding God

Increased activity in the attention association area (pre-Increased activity in the attention association area (pre-frontal cortex) during certain types of meditationfrontal cortex) during certain types of meditation– Particularly pronounced among Zen practitionersParticularly pronounced among Zen practitioners

GeneticsGenetics

““Spirituality is among Spirituality is among the most ubiquitous the most ubiquitous and powerful forces in and powerful forces in human life”human life”

Genes can Genes can predispose us to predispose us to believe.believe.

Don’t tell us WHAT to Don’t tell us WHAT to believebelieve

The God GeneThe God Gene

Measuring spiritualityMeasuring spirituality– ““Self-transcendence scale” Self-transcendence scale”

Cloninger, U Washington in St. LouisCloninger, U Washington in St. LouisOut of system of personality classification called the Out of system of personality classification called the

biosocial modelbiosocial model– Self-forgetfulness, transpersonal identification, Self-forgetfulness, transpersonal identification,

mysticismmysticism

HeritabilityHeritability– Twin studies show that spirituality is significantly Twin studies show that spirituality is significantly

heritableheritable– Similar to many personality traits and greater than Similar to many personality traits and greater than

some physical traitssome physical traits– More heritability than religiosityMore heritability than religiosity


Monoamines influence spirituality by altering Monoamines influence spirituality by altering consciousnessconsciousness– Serotonin, dopamineSerotonin, dopamine– Blurring of the normal distinction of self and othersBlurring of the normal distinction of self and others– Provided clue as to where to search for gene Provided clue as to where to search for gene

candidatecandidate

Identifying a GeneIdentifying a Gene– Specific individual gene associated with self-Specific individual gene associated with self-

transcendence scaletranscendence scale– Codes for a monoamine transporterCodes for a monoamine transporter– VMAT2 geneVMAT2 gene

Makes protein that packages different monoamines into Makes protein that packages different monoamines into secretory vehiclessecretory vehicles


Selective AdvantageSelective Advantage– Important role God gene plays in selective Important role God gene plays in selective

advantage is to provide humans with an advantage is to provide humans with an innate sense of optimisminnate sense of optimism

– Psychologically, optimism provides the will to Psychologically, optimism provides the will to live and procreatelive and procreate

– Physically, optimism promotes better health Physically, optimism promotes better health and quicker recovery from diseaseand quicker recovery from disease

Religion versus Science?Religion versus Science?

Science, especiallyGeometry and Astronomy was linked directly to the divine for medieval scholars.The compass in this13th C manuscriptis a symbol of creation

Third panel of “Education”Tiffany glass, 1890Science and Religion in harmonyCentral personification of“Light-Love-Life”

“Touching the Void”

Integrated ViewIntegrated View

Creativity, Spirituality and Mental Creativity, Spirituality and Mental IllnessIllness

Artists and affective disordersArtists and affective disorders– Vincent van GoghVincent van Gogh– Edvard MunchEdvard Munch– Jackson PollackJackson Pollack

Abstract Expressionist Artists of the NY SchoolAbstract Expressionist Artists of the NY School

The Green Muse

Albert Maignan1895

Absinthe (the Green Fairy)Absinthe (the Green Fairy)

References appear in Bible, Egyptian and References appear in Bible, Egyptian and early Syrian textsearly Syrian texts

Greek word Greek word apsinthionapsinthion (undrinkable) (undrinkable)

Wormwood leaves soaked in wine or Wormwood leaves soaked in wine or spiritsspirits

Major ingredient is alpha thujoneMajor ingredient is alpha thujone– convulsant that blocks the type A GABA convulsant that blocks the type A GABA

receptor chloride channelreceptor chloride channel

AbsintheAbsinthe

““Cocaine” of the artists of the 19th centuryCocaine” of the artists of the 19th century

1890’s had outgrown cult status and was 1890’s had outgrown cult status and was drunk by millionsdrunk by millions

Production, circulation and sale of Production, circulation and sale of absinthe banned in France in 1915absinthe banned in France in 1915

Vincent Van GoghSelf-Portrait1889

Vincent van GoghVincent van Gogh

Born March 30, 1853, NetherlandsBorn March 30, 1853, Netherlands– son and grandson of a preacherson and grandson of a preacher

Age 20, decides to become a clergymanAge 20, decides to become a clergyman

1876, England1876, England– assistant preacherassistant preacher– obsessed with evangelical Christianityobsessed with evangelical Christianity– refused admission in theology schoolrefused admission in theology school– briefly entered missionary schoolbriefly entered missionary school


Goes to southern Belgium (coal-mining)Goes to southern Belgium (coal-mining)

Extreme commitment draws disfavor from Extreme commitment draws disfavor from Church and he is dismissedChurch and he is dismissed

Becomes an artist while in God’s serviceBecomes an artist while in God’s service““To try to understand the real significance of To try to understand the real significance of what the great artists, the serious masters, tell what the great artists, the serious masters, tell us in their masterpieces, that leads to God; one us in their masterpieces, that leads to God; one man wrote or told it in a book; another in a man wrote or told it in a book; another in a picture”.picture”.


Various diagnosesVarious diagnoses– Bipolar affective disorder (I versus II)Bipolar affective disorder (I versus II)– Substance abuseSubstance abuse

absinthe, alcoholabsinthe, alcohol

– Temporal lobe epilepsyTemporal lobe epilepsy– Borderline personality disorderBorderline personality disorder– Acute intermittent porphyriaAcute intermittent porphyria– SyphilisSyphilis


Psychotic episode 1888Psychotic episode 1888– threatens Gauguin, cuts own earthreatens Gauguin, cuts own ear– hospitalized for several monthshospitalized for several months– ““acute mania with hallucinations of sight and acute mania with hallucinations of sight and

hearing”hearing”– ingested his paints (? suicide attempt)ingested his paints (? suicide attempt)– paints Pieta (original Delacroix)paints Pieta (original Delacroix)– Starry Night also done during this timeStarry Night also done during this time

The Pieta1888


May, 1890 leaves hospital and is relatively May, 1890 leaves hospital and is relatively stable for two monthsstable for two months

Paints nearly a painting per dayPaints nearly a painting per day

July 27, 1890, walks to wheatfield and July 27, 1890, walks to wheatfield and shoots himself in the chestshoots himself in the chest

Dies two days laterDies two days later– ““The sadness will last forever”The sadness will last forever”

words spoken on deathbedwords spoken on deathbed

The Raising of Lazarus 1890 (after Rembrandt)

Edvard MunchEdvard Munch

1863-1944, Norway1863-1944, Norway

Pioneer in Expressionist movementPioneer in Expressionist movement

Father deeply religious military doctorFather deeply religious military doctor– ? mentally ill ? mentally ill

Mother died of TB when Munch 5 y.o.Mother died of TB when Munch 5 y.o.

Older sister died of TB age 15 y.o.Older sister died of TB age 15 y.o.

Younger sister diagnosed with mental Younger sister diagnosed with mental illness at an early ageillness at an early age

By the Deathbed 1895

Edvard MunchEdvard Munch

““Sickness, insanity and death were the Sickness, insanity and death were the angels that surrounded my cradle and they angels that surrounded my cradle and they have followed me throughout my life”have followed me throughout my life”

1908, admitted to private psychiatric clinic 1908, admitted to private psychiatric clinic in Copenhagenin Copenhagen

Alcohol abuse and depressionAlcohol abuse and depression

Spent eight months thereSpent eight months there

The Scream

1893

Most extremeof Munch’s “soul paintings”

“Inner Hell”

Anxiety andApocalypse

Madonna

1895

Self-Portraitin Hell

1903

Jackson Pollack 1912-1956Jackson Pollack 1912-1956

American Abstract ExpressionistAmerican Abstract ExpressionistHad recurrent episodes of depression and Had recurrent episodes of depression and probable hypomanic episodesprobable hypomanic episodesAlcohol abuse, hospitalized at least twice Alcohol abuse, hospitalized at least twice for alcohol tx, once with co-morbid for alcohol tx, once with co-morbid depressiondepressionDied in a single vehicle accidentDied in a single vehicle accidentTreated with psychotropic medications and Treated with psychotropic medications and psychotherapypsychotherapy

Abstract ExpressionistsAbstract Expressionists

““The last generation of modern artists who The last generation of modern artists who challenged the secular materialism of society challenged the secular materialism of society resulting from industrialization and they were resulting from industrialization and they were thus among the last active carriers of spiritual thus among the last active carriers of spiritual value in a materialist age”.value in a materialist age”.

Jung wrote of the artist’s role in putting the Jung wrote of the artist’s role in putting the viewer back in touch with the spiritual forces viewer back in touch with the spiritual forces repressed by the culture.repressed by the culture.

““Abstract art is a form of mysticism”Abstract art is a form of mysticism”

Head1938-41

Circumcision 1946

ConclusionsConclusions

Religion/spirituality and its relationship to health Religion/spirituality and its relationship to health and illness is increasingly being discussed and and illness is increasingly being discussed and researched.researched.

Much more research in this area needed for the Much more research in this area needed for the Chronically Mentally Ill.Chronically Mentally Ill.

Spiritual assessment is recommended as part of Spiritual assessment is recommended as part of a psychiatric evaluation.a psychiatric evaluation.

Are artists with affective disorders more likely to Are artists with affective disorders more likely to include religious content in their work?include religious content in their work?

ConclusionsConclusions

Religion and Science do not have to be in Religion and Science do not have to be in opposition or incompatibleopposition or incompatible

Evidence suggests that the deepest Evidence suggests that the deepest origins of religions are based in mystical origins of religions are based in mystical experienceexperience– Religions persist because the wiring of the Religions persist because the wiring of the

human brain continues to provide believers human brain continues to provide believers with a range of experiences that are with a range of experiences that are interpreted as assurances that God existsinterpreted as assurances that God exists

Conclusions Conclusions

Much evidence demonstrates that the Much evidence demonstrates that the transcendent states from which religions arise transcendent states from which religions arise are neurologically realare neurologically realAre these experiences merely the result of Are these experiences merely the result of neurological function?neurological function?Or are they genuine experiences which the brain Or are they genuine experiences which the brain has evolved the ability to perceive and has evolved the ability to perceive and experience a higher plane of being that actually experience a higher plane of being that actually exists?exists?Does our brain wiring CREATE the idea of God, Does our brain wiring CREATE the idea of God, or did God create our brain wiring?or did God create our brain wiring?


““There are two ways to live your life. One is There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle; the other is as though nothing is a miracle; the other is as though everything is a miracle”as though everything is a miracle”

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

““Those who love wisdom must investigate many Those who love wisdom must investigate many things”things”

HeraclitusHeraclitus


““We are not physical We are not physical creatures having a creatures having a spiritual experience. spiritual experience. We are spiritual We are spiritual creatures having a creatures having a physical experience”physical experience”

Pierre Teilhard Pierre Teilhard de Chardinde Chardin

(1881-1955)(1881-1955)French philosopher, French philosopher,

Jesuit Jesuit priest, palentologist and priest, palentologist and geologistgeologist

Religion, Spirituality and Creativity: Historical, Psychological and Biological Perspectives

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