Neuro plastic possibilities for expanded consciousness: A consideration of the effects on brain dynamics and consciousness of neurophysiological alterations attributed to temporal lobe epilepsy and post temporal lobectomy recovery

This dissertation is a neurophenomenological examination of how retraining a damaged limbic system suggests that the human brain is more malleable than previously believed. The work is an integration of third person scientific research with first-person neurophenomenology.;Integrating these two approaches provides a deeper understanding of neuroplastic possibilities. A study of people with enhanced malleability who have specific neurological aberrations also isolates specific forms of consciousness that contribute to a deeper awareness of reality that may be considered a form of spiritual consciousness. A neurological foundation and social dynamics are proposed for why some develop what may be considered to be a spiritual personality.;The dissertation presents a study of conscious alterations due to brain dynamics caused from temporal lobe seizures in epilepsy and healing after removal of the non-dominant temporal lobe of the human brain. It includes a neurophenomenological study, research of accepted medical realities, and a historical reflection of how people with an invisible physical brain disorder have been viewed throughout history. It pursues an embodied and large-scale dynamical approach to the neurophysiology of consciousness as the brain continues to change years after a temporal lobectomy.;Integrating subjective experience and the study of brain dynamics in the neuroscience of consciousness is critical when attempting to work with people who have neurological alterations. This work proposes that what I call other ability consciousness (heightened and/or decreased embodied awareness in specific areas of consciousness) is a reality due to altered neurology. Both subjective and objective data are included in the development of this new theory.