Even though books that give the average reader a look at our brain never mention the question of our soul, it is inevitable that readers will make this conclusion - that souls, if interpreted according to its existence beyond our physical bodies and particularly, our noodlies, do not exist. Most of our actions, our morality, and even our faith can be attributed to this soft matter that resides within our cranium.
I have wondered, but have not dared to say aloud for a superstitious fear that gripes me concerning the desecration of our beliefs, that perhaps we do not exist after death. What does that mean for one who cannot bear staying in church for the inability to stay awake? It means that my life is indeed spent better elsewhere, and that I have no hell to go to.
If what you mean by "soul" is something immaterial and immortal, something that exists independently of the brain, then souls do not exist.
---Paul Bloom, The Rejection of Soul, What is Your Dangerous Idea?
Knowing that a great deal of our sense of 'oneness' with the universe is more of a concept of the left hemisphere and the fact I am so strongly individualistic, unless I have brain damage, it is hard for me to feel spiritual. In a church meeting several months ago I asked why I could not feel spirituality. A lady who was present eagerly assured me that she was "like that as well when I first joined the church" and that it took her "a very long time studying scripture and devotionals, praying with others and talking with God" before the barrier to spirituality broke down. "For my child, it was a lot easier." All the time she was saying this, I was thinking "You were remolding your brain, and of course it's harder for an older person to reshape her neural connections."
Perhaps the very fact that I cannot experience transcendence is the reason I find the idea of cannibalism when there is no other option quite practical. Breaking down the idea of spirituality in no way demotes our uniqueness as humans. The fact that we are creatures that are capable of creating technology, art and various other works of theory is something exceptional. Nor will the possible existence of extraterrestrial creatures change that.
My life is ruled by reason and logic. I don't believe I have a soul. However, I do have occasions when I feel quite spiritual.
My suggestion, therefore, is that it is a matter of opening up those other conduits to the spiritual side of life.
I do like your idea of "remoulding the brain" though. It does make a lot of sense to me that people have to recondition themselves to believe certain things. For instance, when I was younger, I couldn't believe in religions because no one could explain them adequately to me. Nor could I have faith in science because it didn't make any sense. I learnt a lot about both, but found that the world of science is far more logical and real over time.
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You can't ignore me, for I'll not lie down quietly.
http://insanitek.net
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I am the same in that I am a more logical than spiritual person. But do not let your church tell you what spirituality should mean to you. Discover it on your own. I think most religion is a load of bologna but sometimes I sit outside and watch the rain fall and I have some of the most profoundly spiritual thoughts. My thoughts have no relation to a God or to the afterlife, but are more related to Why are we here? What is my purpose? ... Thoughts that concern the life I'm living more than the supposed afterlife.