The Role of Dopamine in Spiritual Formation
How do people change? This is a question that has fascinated, and borderline haunted me over the years of pastoring people. Whether they be students, young adults, or parents, I often catch myself wondering “Will you ever grow up?” Now, admittedly, this can come from a misplaced, self-righteous frustration with people (such is the crucible of ministry). However, the question of how people change is critical for leaders to ponder.
Willard’s VIM – Vision, Intention, Means
The late USC philosopher Dallas Willard wrote extensively on this subject. In his book The Renovation of the Heart,[1] Willard, in utilizing the acronym VIM for vision, intentions, and means, contends this is the process people change. And the process for students of Jesus to change into more Christ-like character starts with a vision of the Kingdom life, the desire and will to do what is necessary to attain such a vision, and the means (the spiritual disciplines) to get there.[2] Without one of these ingredients, change becomes at best unsustainable and at worst impossible. Vision and the desire to pursue such a vision are vital ingredients to how people change.
Dopamine and H&N in Spiritual Formation
This is where the chemical dopamine comes into the picture. In The Molecule of More,[3] Dr. Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long write about the miracle chemical in our brains that is responsible for drive. This is the chemical of desire to attain something that is not yet ours.[4]The reason one gets out of bed in the morning is because of dopamine. And, I would argue, the vision of a Kingdom life with Christ-like character is not possible without dopamine. However, it is not dopamine alone that is required for spiritual formation into Christ-likeness.
My contention is this: The way God changes us from the inside out is through a Kingdom vision, a re-forming of our desires to align with God’s desires, and the means, also known as the spiritual disciplines, to change. But the spiritual disciplines are a balance of dopamine and, what Lieberman and Long call Here and Now (H&N) chemicals. I am now going to highlight spiritual disciplines that lean more into dopamine followed by disciplines that rely more on H&N chemicals.
A Breakdown of Dopamine-driven Spiritual Disciplines and H&N-Driven Spiritual Disciplines
When it comes to spiritual disciplines that are driven more by the chemical of pursuit for a preferred future (dopamine), I argue the following (though there could be more) are in this category:
- Intercessory prayer – contending in prayer for God to change present circumstances
- Acts of justice and mercy – partnering with God to bring about the future renewed world of justice and peace into the present
- Meditation and contemplation on our future hope (the not-yet-ness of the Kingdom of God)
- Rule of Life – creating a structure for our lives in order to become (pursuit of a future self) who God desires for us to become
- Spiritual Direction – Spirit-attentive guidance in figuring out the next steps for our spiritual growth
- Worship – Delighting in the future hope we have
- Fasting – Prioritizing our desire for God and his will over our desire for food
These are disciplines that pull us toward a future we long for – a future where God’s will is done fully on earth as it is in heaven.
But there needs to be a balance of the dopamine-driven disciplines with the H&N-influenced disciplines. As dopamine drives us towards a preferred future, H&N grounds us in the present world where God can already be found. The following are some spiritual disciplines influenced by H&N chemicals:
- Gratitude – Praising God for the present, here and now, blessings in our lives
- Meditation and contemplation on our present experience of God’s presence and his gifts (the already-ness of the Kingdom of God).
- Sabbath – A day dedicated to delighting in God’s goodness, presence, and rest that we can experience now (though, one could argue, the dopamine kicks in to draw our hearts towards what the Sabbath points us to – our true rest in the future).
- Celebration – Delighting in and enjoying God’s good gifts in the present
- Silence – Listening to the still small voice of God right here, right now
- Worship – Adoring God
- The Practice of the presence of God – Bringing our minds to the presence of God all around us
The Kingdom of God is both now (H&N) and not yet (Dopamine). I, admittedly, do not know what that means for our future when evil is done away with and God dwells again with humanity like God did in the garden (Revelation 21:3). Will this mean we will have no more need for dopamine in our resurrected bodies? I doubt it, but it’s a fun thought experiment.
The Need for Harmony
But in the present, there is a balance required for our dopamine and H&N chemicals in order to live a healthy, full life. As Lieberman and Long write, “There’s only one thing that will save us: the ability to achieve a better balance, to overcome our obsession with more, appreciate the unlimited complexity of reality, and learn to enjoy the things we have.”[5] Harmony, not dopamine over H&N or vice versa, is the key. As the Native American theologian Randy Woodley writes, “Everything is created in harmony and balance with everything else and with the Creator.”[6] Sounds like shalom.
[1] Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ – 20th Anniversary Edition (NavPress, 2021).
[2] Ibid. 82-86.
[3] Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long, The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity-and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race (Dallas, TX: BenBella Books, Inc, 2018).
[4] Ibid. ix.
[5] Ibid. 208.
[6] Randy Woodley, Shalom and the Community of Creation: An Indigenous Vision (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2012), 42.
About the Author
David Beavis
David is Australian by birth, was raised in Southern California, and is the Youth and Young Adults Pastor at B4 Church in Beaverton, Oregon. David and his wife, Laura, live in Hillsboro with their dog, Coava (named after their favorite coffee shop). M.A. Theology - Talbot School of Theology B.A. Psychology - Vanguard University of Southern California13 responses to “The Role of Dopamine in Spiritual Formation”
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David, love how you’ve connected the different hormones associated with motivation and decision making with spiritual disciplines.
I had been under the impression that the increase in dopamine, oxytocin, and vasopressin, generally coincided with an external phenomenon (especially dopamine since it’s associated strongly with unexpected rewards). I’m curious if you think that the practice of these disciplines are accompanied by the increase in activity of dopamine. Or maybe if you can think of some ideas to curate environments where the release of dopamine may be more likely for spiritual formation. I think the spiritual disciplines probably have a stronger link to the release of oxytocin and vasopressin. (although I’m not too familiar with how these things work either!)
I think what has been frustrating for me about this particular book is the way it simplifies and generalizes the different hormonal pathways and the corresponding effects that almost mislead the readers into further conclusions or assumptions.
Hey Caleb,
My biologocial psychology class from undergrad was too long ago to provide an honest, well-informed answer to the question you pose. Yes, I believe oxytocin and vasopressin are significantly involved in one’s spiritual formation. I am not sure if they are involved more or less than dopamine. You have, once again, got me thinking. I imagine these chemicals are behind finding our delight, peace, and satisfaction in God.
David,
I appreciate how you connected this to Spiritual Formations especially with Dallas Willard. Well done, way to take a stand in your beliefs.
I admit that I did not think about how dopamine is used spiritually. Your post has truly been an enlightening read. Do you believe that it is important as a Christian to know what we are driven by, if we know who we are driven by?
Hi Shonnell,
That’s a good question. “Do you believe that it is important as a Christian to know what we are driven by, if we know who we are driven by?” I am not sure if I understand it completely. But here’s my best guess at answering your question.
We are complex beings. I would like to say I am driven to know God and love others, but I am also driven to indulge in chocolate and put myself before others. If I am unaware of these false drives that pull me away from Mysterious Creator, then they have power. But when things are brought into the light, the power they have is lessened. So, in short, yes, we need to be introspective and aware of what drives us, because it is not going to always be God.
David
I like your thoughts regarding our resurrected bodies. It is a curious thing-how will will operate! I believe there will be an amazing balance, or in your words-harmony!
I mentioned this blog in my response to a question Shonell asked me. Please check out my blog: “What is missing in the Molecule of More.”
WOW! My work has been cited! I’ve officially made it as a writer! Thanks Kristy!
David, what a great post! I love your comparison of dopamine and H&N to spiritual disciplines and the Kingdom being both now and not yet. We live in the juxtaposition of the now / not yet ness of the Kingdom, but imagine what it will be like when Jesus returns. It makes me think of the song, “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me.
“Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees, will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine”
I imagine that the moment we see Jesus face to face will be a full on dopamine moment!
Thanks Becca! Yes, I imagine that moment being a high release of dopamine, vasopressin, oxytocin, and all of the good chemicals redeemed in God’s renewed world.
David,
What an incredible post! I love how you have taken something as plain as dopamine and “here and now” molecules and woven them into spiritual disciplines. You are a gifted writer and thinker. You have caused me to think and rethink about these neurotransmitters and their God-ordained purposes in our lives. Thank you for that.
Hi David,
Fascinating post. I love how you are seeking to apply this understanding of the brain and human behavior to transformation. It is a question that I continue to wrestle with.
I would like to “yes-and” your examples of spiritual formation and add a pragmatic use of the observation. Perhaps, when introducing the practice to the person, they experience a dopamine hit due to the anticipation and novelty of the new activity. It works for awhile and a person feels like they are growing in their relationship with God. But as the dopamine effect wears off, the person begins to practice the discipline less if it does not transition into the H&N category. Much like love, the person has to transition into a different relationship with the discipline than the initial novelty of it. Perhaps your observation about the dopamine inducing disciplines may give a continuous “hit” to the person that practices them (like attending a social justice rally). Any thoughts on this in your work as a pastor?
Chad, this question you pose is fascinating. I makes me think of Lewis’s line from The Last Battle “Futher up, further in” as it related to the adventure of exploring the renewed Narnia. Maybe “further up, further in” can be related to the spiritual disciplines the way you wrote about them.
Also, this line stood out: “But as the dopamine effect wears off, the person begins to practice the discipline less if it does not transition into the H&N category. Much like love, the person has to transition into a different relationship with the discipline than the initial novelty of it.” I wonder if there’s a “Dark Night of the Soul” element to the novelty fading in our disciplines and connection with God. You’ve got me thinking Chad!
Which dopamine-driven disciplines do you think that is most easily misunderstood and misguiding to individuals?
For me personally I worry about about worship within some contexts of the church. When worship gets more about the concert than the words and feeling of the spirit …how can we keep ourself in check? I fought a church with drums for the longest time. I swore I would never go to a church with them. Here I am… attending one but very prayerful about my silence, meditation, and worship.