Caroline Adams Miller

But the spiritual capacity through the lens of science, the neural correlates, all that we've been talking about, the notion that when we build our spirituality, it's 80% protective against addiction. It is 82% protective against suicide, the epidemic of our time. We have the antidote. It's spiritual life when it's shared. Well, this spiritual life, like you say, John, is our birthright.

But through the lens of science, it is only one third innate. It's built into us. It is two thirds cultivated, environmentally cultivated, our inner environment, how we talk to each other and our prayers and our outer environment, how we spend our time, how we treat people, where our service is. One third innate, two thirds environmentally formed means spiritual life is a practice.

But through the lens of science, it is only one third innate. It's built into us. It is two thirds cultivated, environmentally cultivated, our inner environment, how we talk to each other and our prayers and our outer environment, how we spend our time, how we treat people, where our service is. One third innate, two thirds environmentally formed means spiritual life is a practice.

But through the lens of science, it is only one third innate. It's built into us. It is two thirds cultivated, environmentally cultivated, our inner environment, how we talk to each other and our prayers and our outer environment, how we spend our time, how we treat people, where our service is. One third innate, two thirds environmentally formed means spiritual life is a practice.

See, John, you've already been an active mystic. And science only mirrors and applauds you.

See, John, you've already been an active mystic. And science only mirrors and applauds you.

See, John, you've already been an active mystic. And science only mirrors and applauds you.

Yes. And that is so important because we are actually built, and science is very clear about this, in our times of despair, we have extraordinary potential to deepen our connection to God, to awaken spiritually, to deepen. The depth of our spiritual life can increase. So post-traumatic spiritual growth we talked about.

Yes. And that is so important because we are actually built, and science is very clear about this, in our times of despair, we have extraordinary potential to deepen our connection to God, to awaken spiritually, to deepen. The depth of our spiritual life can increase. So post-traumatic spiritual growth we talked about.

Yes. And that is so important because we are actually built, and science is very clear about this, in our times of despair, we have extraordinary potential to deepen our connection to God, to awaken spiritually, to deepen. The depth of our spiritual life can increase. So post-traumatic spiritual growth we talked about.

Another is developmental depression, that suffering does not mean we're off our path or that we've stepped away from God. No, suffering is part of the spiritual path. And in fact, The same parts of the brain, you can hear my dog saying it's important. She knows what's true.

Another is developmental depression, that suffering does not mean we're off our path or that we've stepped away from God. No, suffering is part of the spiritual path. And in fact, The same parts of the brain, you can hear my dog saying it's important. She knows what's true.

Another is developmental depression, that suffering does not mean we're off our path or that we've stepped away from God. No, suffering is part of the spiritual path. And in fact, The same parts of the brain, you can hear my dog saying it's important. She knows what's true.

The same parts of the brain that are involved in perceiving and receiving spiritual life in times of despair are also engaged, okay? So depression can be a knock at the door to spiritual awakening. Depression can be a yearning. And basically as we start to grow and seek, and when things happen to us that we didn't expect, we're in a place, not just of disappointment, but existential turmoil.

The same parts of the brain that are involved in perceiving and receiving spiritual life in times of despair are also engaged, okay? So depression can be a knock at the door to spiritual awakening. Depression can be a yearning. And basically as we start to grow and seek, and when things happen to us that we didn't expect, we're in a place, not just of disappointment, but existential turmoil.

The same parts of the brain that are involved in perceiving and receiving spiritual life in times of despair are also engaged, okay? So depression can be a knock at the door to spiritual awakening. Depression can be a yearning. And basically as we start to grow and seek, and when things happen to us that we didn't expect, we're in a place, not just of disappointment, but existential turmoil.

Like what is my purpose and point? And what is this life about? And is it all worth it? And do I matter? And this bottom of the barrel is a knock at the door for, hey, wait a minute, everything I wanted, I didn't get. Everything I thought I was, I wasn't. What God am I really? And what do you want from me really? And am I really alone or wait a minute?

Like what is my purpose and point? And what is this life about? And is it all worth it? And do I matter? And this bottom of the barrel is a knock at the door for, hey, wait a minute, everything I wanted, I didn't get. Everything I thought I was, I wasn't. What God am I really? And what do you want from me really? And am I really alone or wait a minute?

Like what is my purpose and point? And what is this life about? And is it all worth it? And do I matter? And this bottom of the barrel is a knock at the door for, hey, wait a minute, everything I wanted, I didn't get. Everything I thought I was, I wasn't. What God am I really? And what do you want from me really? And am I really alone or wait a minute?

As horrible as I feel, as awful as the dread can feel, I'm actually buoyant. God is holding me. The image of the footsteps on the sand that you shared. So often, the majority of the time, depression is an awakening. It hurts. It's hard. It's real. But it's the start of a discovery of a spiritual answer of a way forward. And this builds a way of living that is a stance of quest.