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I end with the question that launched my journey: Is there more than this? Yes, I believe there is, and the new science of spirituality buttresses my instinct. Science is showing that you and I are crafted with astonishing precision so that we can, on occasion, peer into a spiritual world and know God. The language of our genes, the chemistry of our bodies, and the wiring of our brains—these are the handiwork of One who longs to be known. And rather than dispel the spiritual, science is cracking it open for all to see.

Of course, these are only my conclusions. But I am not alone in this. This impulse animated the mystics and gave voice to believers down the centuries.

For you formed my inward parts, the Psalmist wrote. You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

We have all about us the fingerprints of God.

Acknowledgments

It takes a village, it turns out, to write a book. I am astonished at how many people generously offered their help and guidance.

I am indebted to my unsurpassed agent, Rafael Sagalyn, who took a risk on a first-time author with an offbeat topic. Rafe was there at every critical juncture: He stepped in when my book needed to be reshaped and (along with Shannon O’Neill) lent me his flawless editorial guidance. He soothed me when I was upset, and reveled even in small victories. Soup to nuts, Rafe made this book happen.

Jake Morrissey, my editor at Riverhead, believed in this book from the start. He spurred me to write my own story—territory far outside my comfort zone—and on occasion talked me off the ledge. Jake’s wit and cheerful intellect made the whole endeavor a pleasure. Thanks, too, to Sarah Bowlin, who graciously answered my tiniest questions.

I owe much to Jeff Goldberg, one of the most talented writers in my generation, and an impossibly nice guy. Jeff offered to read my manuscript and spared me from clichés and other embarrassments.

There are many people who contributed to the research, with little or no credit in these pages—but without their efforts, this would be a thin endeavor. My thanks to Kelli Cronin, a resourceful researcher who volunteered her services, and to Mary Glendinning at NPR, who is simply priceless. Rachel Guberman spent countless hours working with me for a pittance; without her, this book would have not been completed before 2020.

I interviewed many scientists, some of whom are featured in the book. Others, however, spent hours explaining the science to me, which was no small task. My huge thanks to Patrick McNamara at Boston University, who shared years of research with me; Dave Nichols at Purdue University, who explained the neurochemistry; Rick Doblin, who knows all about psychedelic research; geneticist and twins researcher Lindon Eaves at Virginia Commonwealth University; epileptologist Alan Ettinger at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System; neurologist Steven Schachter at Harvard University; psychologist Michael McCullough at the University of Miami; Grace Langdon, who walked me through the quantum physics; and Solomon Katz at the University of Pennsylvania and the Metanexus Institute, who is at the vanguard of research into spiritual experience.

Elsevier, the finest scientific publisher in the world, granted me free access to all of its journals for two years; I simply could not have completed the research without its generosity. Mary Ann Liebert Publishers allowed access to its journals as well.

I owe much to my friends at NPR, including Bill Marimow, former Vice President for News (and now editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer), who instantly granted me a leave of absence, and Ellen Weiss, current Vice President for News, who graciously held my job open during that year. My thanks as well to Steve Drummond and Cindy Johnston, my NPR editors, who looked the other way when I dragged myself into the office after early-morning bouts of writing.

Nothing can be done without friends and family, and in this, I am rich indeed. One person has inspired me for nearly thirty years. Fred Stocking,