In his study, Newberg finds that the frontal lobe of the human brain is the source of attention in prayer and meditation. The parietal lobe is the point of sensory information and the limbic system regulates our emotions and is responsible for feelings of awe and joy.
"When we think of religious and spiritual beliefs and practices, we see a tremendous similarity across practices and across traditions," Newberg says.
"So I find it fascinating that the part of the brain that normally makes us think we're in control, in fact the part of the brain that usually helps us with language and the production of language, all of these areas decreased in people speaking in tongues," Newberg further added.
Newberg and his team at the University of Pennsylvania studied Franciscan nuns, Tibetan Buddhists, and Pentecostal Christians under their study.
