Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) is involved in moral and ethical decision making as well as making meaning of life. It is also part of the self-referencing center of the brain. It helps ask questions such as “who am I or what’s in it for me.”

In their book The Wise Advocate, Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz, Josie Thomson, and Art Kleiner show how we can refocus our intention and attention to listen to the inner voice of our true self. They show how that if we are mindful, we can take a step back to thoughtfully look at our core hopes, dreams, and identity.

Our past mistakes or bad habits might seem to define who we are. When we habitually choose sin these parts of the brain are strengthened and activated. But our true self is much more than any of our bad habits. As a community of faith, who we are is more about whose we are. We are transformed from thinking egotistically into thinking and acting to make heaven on earth. What’s in it for me becomes what’s in it for all of us.

Learn more about faith and neuroscience at www.neurotheology.info ( spiritual neuroscience / neurotheology )