Paul J. Mills, Ph.D.: Bringing Science & Spirituality Together – TPS532

Dr. Paul J. Mills is Professor of Public Health and Family Medicine and Director of the Center of Excellence for Research and Training in Integrative Health at the University of California, San Diego. He has over 400 scientific publications in the fields of pharmacology, oncology, cardiology, psychoneuroimmunology, behavioral medicine, and integrative health. His work has been featured in many national media outlets and he has presented at hundreds of conferences and workshops around the world. His new book is Science, Being, & Becoming: The Spiritual Lives of Scientists.

Highlights

• Metaphysical experiences in childhood stimulated Paul’s curiosity about metaphysics. He eventually discovered that other scientists had similar experiences.
• People on the metaphysical path no longer have to apologize for or hide their beliefs. There have been many studies that prove the validity of the effects of things like meditation and yoga.
• Thirty-one scientists were interviewed for the book about their metaphysical experiences. Paul shares one of their stories.
• Everyone has the inherent urge to find out who they are. The metaphysical experiences allow one to recognize their creative power.
• Our education systems don’t teach us to recognize our innate powers.
• Paul shares about the difficulty in finding ways to express his views within the academic framework. He talks about what he has done to reduce the stress.
• Following a spiritual path often leads to greater creativity.
• When we aren’t allowed to follow the inner urge to find out who we are, suppressing that urge often leads to anger and other uncomfortable emotions.
• Often, young children aren’t allowed to express who they are. Fortunately, some education systems outside of the public school system allow that to happen.
• Paul’s interest in psychoneuroimmunology (the connection between emotions and health) started with his study of the immune system.
• Humans are a beautifully integrated system and Western science is beginning to appreciate that.
• It takes a long time for medicine to talk with published science and what every day people are experiencing.
• What we enjoy as children are often guideposts for our future life.
• Depression is often the result of our not living the lives we were meant to live.

Links

Paul Mills website