To summarize the esoteric perspective in modern terms, brain and DNA are the physical nodes of a multi-dimensional matrix of energy. The energy matrix is composed of etheric, emotional, mental, and spiritual fields. These are the extensions of our “psyche” or identity that stands behind and works through–and are functionally integral with the physical body, brain, DNA, and glandular system. Emotional, mental, and spiritual consciousness exists as energy fields that are, in essence, independent of the physical body (as in after death condition) but dependent on the body while in physical embodiment.
So brain and DNA are not a fundamental cause but secondary causes. This is apparent from a study of the ageless wisdom. What may not be so apparent is the extent to which this understanding is staring to shift the orthodox scientific perspective–at least so far as the pioneers are concerned:
“DNA might be the ultimate “Dynamic Noetic Antenna” Dynamic meaning vibrant, evolving, systemic; Noetic meaning knowledge, pattern, recognition; and Antenna meaning antenna, receiver, tuner. Maybe DNA is nature’s version of a profoundly complex radiolike circuit that receives information rather than creating it. Of course, it will create information too, but it may be designed to selectively register and read electromagnetic patterns in the body and beyond. “
“The Living Energy Universe,” Gary Schwartz, Ph.D & Linda Russek, Ph.D
“Through the research of Dr. Lipton and other leading-edge scientists, stunning new discoveries have been made about the interaction between your mind and body and the processes by which cells receive information. It shows that genes and DNA do not control our biology, that instead DNA is controlled by signals from outside the cell, including the energetic messages emanating from our thoughts. Using simple language, illustrations, humor, and everyday examples, he demonstrates how the new science of Epigenetics is revolutionizing our understanding of the link between mind and matter and the profound effects it has on our personal lives and the collective life of our species.” “The Biology of Belief,” Bruce Lipton, PhD
“beliefs and emotions can trigger the expression of DNA strands.”
“The Genie in Your Genes” Dawson Church
The Living Matrix Movie Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne-I7JTXCbo
“…emotional and mental diseases are associated with specific imbalances or disturbances in the chakras and human energy fields.”
“The Chakras and the Human Energy Fields,” Dr. Shafica Karagulla
The Biology of Belief | IONS Library | Institute of Noetic Sciences
Addenda: Some References to Peer Reviewed Journals
“Because of four major clinical, prospective studies done in three countries, and a host of papers published in peer-reviewed journals, the near-death experience today is the number one choice of scientists worldwide to study consciousness itself…Medical schools and medical personnel in country after country are now acknowledging this: that the near-death experience is real, valid, and verifiable – a condition they must deal with – that defies what is known medically about the human body and the brain/mind assembly.”
http://books.google.com/books?id=dvsO1nT80eAC&pg=PT169&dq=%22peer+reviewed+journals+%22++%22near+death+experiences%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=n8GCUeWSNYyE8QTqjYDYAQ&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAA
“Existing research is mainly in the disciplines of medicine, psychology and psychiatry. Interest in this field of study was originally spurred by the writings of Jess E. Weiss (combat veteran who collected near-death testimony from soldiers in World War II), Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (psychiatrist), Dr. George Ritchie (psychiatrist), and Dr. Raymond Moody Jr. (psychologist and MD). Moody’s book Life After Life, which was released in 1975, brought much public attention to the topic of NDEs. This was soon to be followed by the establishment of the International Association for Near-death Studies (IANDS ) in 1981. IANDS is an international organization that encourages scientific research and education on the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual nature and ramifications of near-death experiences. Among its publications are the peer-reviewed Journal of Near-Death Studies and the quarterly newsletter Vital Signs.”
http://near-death.com/faq.html
“Near-death experience in survivors of cardiac arrest: a prospective study in the Netherlands”
http://www.pimvanlommel.nl/files/publicaties/Lancet%20artikel%20Pim%20van%20Lommel.pdf
“Because of four large clinical studies done in three countries, and a plethora of papers published in peer-reviewed journals, it can now be said that the near-death phenomenon is not caused by conditions such as: oxygen deprivation, carbon dioxide in the blood (hypercarbia), optical illusions, temporal lobe excitation/seizures, drug-induced hallucinations, depersonalization, dissociation, reliving birth trauma, culture dependence, dying brain theory, self-fulfilling prophecy, visual deception, or any other known cause. No critic or skeptic of near-death states has ever studied or researched the entire phenomenon as it occurs – which covers the conditions involved, the full slate of scenario elements, how that effects the individual, and the pattern of physiological and psychological aftereffects that tends to be lifelong. . . with both adults and children, including babes being born, after birth, toddlers, and the very young (who talk about their experience when proficient at language, or draw or act it out).”
http://www.pmhatwater.hypermart.net/resource/resource/NDEPressKit.html
Mystic Muse 
Hi !
Excellent fields where science should have paid her attention much earlier ! When she pays attention on similar fields, freeing herself from the singular DOGMA of materialism, the celebrated scientific method become true to its spirit and meaning. She must seek reality of life and existence beyond matter, as it has been established beyond all doubts at the sub-atomic-particle field that ‘objective’ reality is non-achievable target for science. The jump of an electron observed by the physicist is its response or reaction to him, or his probing instrument ! This vital finding should be applied to all similar objective realities that science target, including that of the whole reality of life and existence.
The proposition in your above paper;’ maybe DNA is nature’s version of a profoundly complex radio like circuit that receives information rather than creating’ was of special importance. I have been on a metaphysical journey after man;s faculty of reason for over 2-3 decades. What I finally observed was that it could be nothing else but man’s not yet recognized internal ‘sense’ (organ) that detects/senses existential category of ORDER, that lies between causes and effects, evidences and conclusion, and analogies and their object of comparison. Its such a role was never recognized by logicians and philosophers yet. This mystery sense organ could be linked with the above referred perspective of DNA you have referred in your paper. This unexplained category of order and consistency is not created by mind, but it receives it from somewhere UP above.
I request the author of the paper to share my finding on faculty of reason at my amazon.com book link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008NOEE9I
Abraham, Thanks for your thought. Do you have an abstract or summary of your book?
James