In the sacred intersection of science and spirit lies a remarkable discovery: the Von Economo neuron (VEN). These rare, spindle-shaped cells—found only in the most intelligent and socially complex species—may hold profound insight into not only empathy and decision-making but also our deeper capacity for spiritual intuition, embodied presence, and interconnected awareness.
As neuroscience uncovers more about VENs, tools like Roxiva light therapy offer a modern means to support and enhance their function. Together, they form a bridge between empirical understanding and the inner mysticism of consciousness.
What Are Von Economo Neurons?
VENs—also known as “spindle neurons”—are large, fast-signaling neurons primarily located in:
- The Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC)
- The Frontoinsular Cortex (FI)
These brain regions form part of the salience network, which helps the brain prioritize what’s most important—whether it’s internal feelings or external stimuli. VENs transmit signals more rapidly than other neurons, enabling swift integration of bodily sensation, emotion, and moral insight.
Which Species Share These Neurons?
VENs have only been found in:
- Humans
- Great Apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans)
- Elephants
- Dolphins and Whales
What unites these species? Deep emotional lives, complex social structures, and sophisticated communication—evidence that VENs support empathy, intuition, and communal intelligence.
VENs and the Architecture of Awareness
Fast-Track Intuition
VENs facilitate gut-level reactions in high-stakes scenarios. Their rapid signaling allows the brain to:
- Detect emotional shifts in others
- Navigate social and ethical dilemmas
- Connect bodily awareness to conscious insight
This ability for instantaneous inner knowing is often described in spiritual circles as intuitive wisdom or soul-sensing.
Self-Awareness and Empathy
Research shows that VEN-rich areas are active during:
- Mirror self-recognition
- Compassion meditation
- Moral reflection
- “I AM” consciousness in spiritual practice
Loss of VENs is linked to diminished self-awareness and social cognition in disorders like frontotemporal dementia—underscoring their role in conscious, empathetic connection.
Roxiva Light and VEN Stimulation
The Roxiva light is a powerful tool for audio-visual brainwave entrainment, designed to gently guide the brain into optimized states using specific light frequencies and flicker patterns. Certain Roxiva protocols can:
- Activate the ACC and FI (where VENs reside)
- Promote theta, alpha, and gamma brainwaves associated with emotional insight, compassion, and expanded awareness
- Create altered states similar to those experienced in deep meditation or spiritual ritual
In short, Roxiva may help train the brain to access the very regions and functions that VENs support—bringing consciousness into greater alignment with presence, empathy, and spiritual clarity.
Spiritual Neuroscience: A New Frontier
VENs offer a rare biological glimpse into the mystical experience. These cells may be the neural platform for:
- The emergence of “I AM” presence
- Sudden, clear spiritual knowing
- Deep interoceptive awareness (feeling the divine within the body)
- Soul-level empathy and resonance
And when paired with conscious tools like Roxiva, we begin to see a map for enhancing our own internal architecture—not just for wellness, but for wisdom.
Practices to Activate Your Inner VENs
- Mindful Body Scanning
Focused attention on inner sensations engages the FI and promotes self-awareness. - Loving-Kindness Meditation
Triggers the ACC and strengthens compassion circuitry. - Ethical Decision Exercises
Simulate fast moral reflection, tuning VENs’ natural strengths. - Roxiva Light Sessions
Use targeted light protocols to bring these practices into deeper resonance and neuroplasticity.
Conclusion: Merging Science, Light, and Soul
Von Economo neurons are not just scientific curiosities—they are neural bridges between empathy and insight, biology and spirit, the seen and the unseen. When we pair our understanding of these miraculous cells with intentional practices and technologies like Roxiva, we cultivate a new form of inner knowing—spiritual neuroscience in action.
At Shakti, we honor this intersection by offering tools, events, and journeys that invite you into the depth of your own being. The light you seek is already within you—our work is simply to help it shine.
