Observing nature, meditating, and awakening the brain’s energy senses can lead us to experience the divine presence already within ourselves.
On a small farm in New Zealand, I watched my golden retriever give birth to a litter of puppies. She was less than two years old and gave birth to ten puppies. When it was time, the mother dog found a safe place for herself and settled in.
After each pup was born, she carefully cut the umbilical cord and licked the amniotic fluid to clean it. Afterward, she ate the placenta to replenish her energy and regain her strength. The puppies, without any guidance, instinctively searched for their mother’s body to nurse and sustain their lives. No one taught the mother dog how to give birth and care for her pups, and the pups were never taught how to find milk. They were following an innate wisdom, life’s guidance built into their nature.
Watching the birth of the golden retrievers, I felt deeply connected to the presence of God. I saw how life unfolds with wisdom far more significant than anything we can consciously grasp. I’ve never met God face-to-face, never heard a voice declare, “I am God.” Yet, I feel a profound certainty of God’s existence—a natural law, an energy, a life force that governs the world.
Nature follows an inherent order and flow, finding harmony and balance amid constant change. This ability is present in all living things. It’s evident in how the Earth revolves around the sun at the perfect distance, how tree roots grow deep into the soil in search of water, and how birds navigate the skies on the wind.
This flow ensures the sun rises every morning, rivers continue their course, and oceans stay in motion. It’s a force that connects everything, from the smallest particle to the vast universe, creating a seamless web of interconnection. This force—this natural energy and wisdom—is what I understand as universal energy and universal mind. To me, this is God. It is a force that sustains life, present in the rhythms of nature and woven into everything around us.
This force is not only around us. It’s within us. A baby’s heart begins to beat on its own at birth, and our breath continues unconsciously, sustaining us moment by moment. When we are injured, our bodies start healing on their own. At night, sleep overtakes us, restoring our minds and bodies. We often believe we are the ones sustaining our lives through our efforts, yet the truth is that we do not earn the most essential aspects of life—they are gifts. They unfold naturally, guided by the divine workings within our bodies and minds, the laws of nature, and the profound wisdom of life itself.
The Brain as a Gateway to the Divine
This idea is beautifully articulated in the Chun Bu Kyung, an ancient Korean scripture. Unlike texts that focus on teaching about good and evil, the Chun Bu Kyung conveys, in just 81 characters, the origins of the universe, its workings, and the nature of humanity.
One passage describes the divine within us this way: “Our mind is as bright as the sun, and when it is illuminated, heaven and earth become one in human.” This insight suggests that our minds share the same brightness as the divine. We can become one with the divine by recognizing and realizing this truth within ourselves.
Another passage from the Samil Shingo, another ancient Korean scripture, deeply resonates with me. It states: “Find God in your own nature. It already descended in your brain.” This message emphasizes that the essence of God is already within us—specifically, within our brains. It’s fascinating that, more than 5,000 years ago, people understood that humans could experience the divine through their brains, even without the knowledge of modern neuroscience. This understanding likely came from their intuitive insights and direct experiences.
We don’t need to search for the divine outside of ourselves; the essence of the divine is already within our minds. We can experience this connection through the brain. Even the feeling of connecting with the divine in a sacred place or the beauty of nature is shaped by our brain. The longing to connect with the divine, as well as the recognition of that connection, also arises from the brain.
I believe the most critical value of the human brain is its ability to help us discover the divine within ourselves. Likewise, the greatest purpose of being human is to realize that divinity and become God itself. The essence of humanity is divinity, and the core of what it means to be a person is the realization of this inner divinity.
I recognize that this statement may lead to misunderstandings. When I talk about God, I’m not referring to an all-powerful being that transcends physical limitations or controls everything, as some religious traditions describe. Instead, I am referring to our spiritual potential—the capacity for infinite creativity and wisdom, unconditional compassion, and boundless love.
By reclaiming the potential of our brains, we uncover our true humanity and take a step toward living more meaningful, impactful lives.
Pathways to the Divine Energy
Meditation is the most effective way to experience the divine through the brain. Beyond relaxing the body and mind, meditation allows you to observe your inner world more clearly. It awakens observer consciousness—the part of you that notices your thoughts, emotions, and sensations from a calm, detached perspective.
This awakened state enables you to see your feelings and thoughts as temporary experiences rather than being controlled by them. As observer consciousness develops, it enhances your self-awareness and mindful presence. Many practical benefits of meditation, such as greater stress tolerance, improved resilience, and sharper clarity and focus, arise from cultivating this powerful state of awareness.
As meditation deepens, observer consciousness takes us into a more profound experience. Over time, the line between the observer and the observed begins to fade. For example, the sense that we are watching our emotions, thoughts, or breath gradually disappears, and it feels like we become the breath itself. It is as if all the experiences and sensations within us merge into one continuous flow of energy, and we feel like a single vibration, one energy, moving within a cosmic flow. At this point, the distinction between observer and observed disappears, and we are no longer the observer but the experience itself.
One word that describes what many people experience in this meditative state is “oneness.” In this state, you don’t just understand. You deeply feel with your whole body that you, the universe, and everything around you are connected. You realize that everything is moving together as part of the same flow of energy and consciousness.
In this state of unity, the passage of time seems to vanish. The moment stretches infinitely, and you feel yourself dissolving into the eternal now. Anxiety, worry, and fear fade, replaced by a profound sense of peace, stillness, and stability. The heavy emotions that once weighed you down dissipate, making space for feelings of infinite love, peace, and freedom. You also feel connected to limitless potential and strength, free from boundaries or restrictions. This sense of unity brings a feeling of being deeply connected to everything around you in complete harmony.
There are many meditation methods available, and many of them can help you experience a sense of unity with the divine. From my practice and teaching meditation to many people, I’ve found that energy meditation is one of the most effective ways to feel the divine within yourself.
Energy meditation involves directly sensing and experiencing the subtle energy that flows within and around your body. While most people are not usually aware of this energy, with practice, anyone can develop the ability to feel it.
When you activate your energy centers using techniques like breathing, qigong, vibrational exercises, or sound, your energy senses awaken. You might feel energy flowing from your fingertips or toes or notice areas of your body becoming warm or vibrating. These sensations often expand, creating a feeling that your body is connected to the space around you. This clear and direct experience reveals how you are part of a larger energy field beyond your physical boundaries.
At first, you may intentionally guide and work with this energy, but over time, it flows naturally, leading you into a deeper sense of unity. As this experience deepens, the boundaries of self start to dissolve, and your mind and body feel as though they are expanding infinitely, merging with the energy of the universe. This creates a profound sense of oneness and connection.
The Value of Energy Experiences
In this experience of oneness, you feel an immense love for all things. This love has no conditions or reasons—it simply exists. In this state, the ego fades away, and human divisions and boundaries disappear. Whether caused by us or others, wounds and pain dissolve, leaving a renewed sense of love and hope for ourselves, humanity, and all life.
Energy led me to my most profound spiritual insights, and modern physics reveals that energy is also the foundation of existence. Energy bridges spirituality and science, showing us that these two realms are not as separate as they might seem.
For these reasons, I believe a worldview rooted in energy can help heal and integrate the dualistic thinking and conflicts underlying many of our society’s challenges. This worldview isn’t new—it has deep roots in many spiritual traditions, and energy has long been a key framework for understanding the world in East Asia. Energy has been applied to many areas of life, including martial arts, medicine, art, and personal development. By embracing this energy-centered perspective, we can create a healthier and more harmonious way of living that nurtures our bodies and minds, strengthens our relationships, and fosters harmony with nature. This is why I believe it’s so important for everyone to learn how to sense and work with energy.
Editor’s Note: This post was excerpted from Ilchi Lee’s book, Take Back Your Brain: Reclaim Your Power with Brain-Centered Living.
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