The Big Book of the Soul: Rational Spirituality For The Twenty-First Century [Paperback]

Ian Lawton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2008

Rational spirituality: surely this is a contradiction in terms? How can spirituality be rational, when it relies on faith and revelation? The simple answer is it does not have to any more...

There is persuasive evidence from near-death and out-of-body experiences that the physical brain is merely the instrument through which our soul consciousness expresses itself in the physical world. There is equally persuasive evidence from children and adults who spontaneously remember past lives, and from past-life and interlife regression, that we are individual souls who reincarnate to experience and grow.

A careful analysis of skeptics' arguments in each of these areas of research proves in most cases just how reductionist, and in fact illogical, they are. Nevertheless not all the evidence put forward by believers stands up, and careful discrimination is required. Such a balanced and in-depth critique of both sides of the argument is rare if not unique. Equally unique is the accompanying collation and comparison of the interlife regression research of a number of pioneering psychologists.

But what of the idea that 'we are all One', which is the universal message of all transcendental experiences? Can it be squared with the idea of the individual, reincarnating soul, or is this merely an 'illusion' in itself? Perhaps the answer lies in a theory of total elegance and simplicity... that of the 'holographic soul'.

Editorial Reviews

Review

After reading this book, I will be recommending it to my students. It is one that intellectuals need not be ashamed of having on their shelves. And I predict that the author's proposal of a holographic model of the soul will be one of the most important concepts of our time. --Hans TenDam, pioneering regression therapist and author of Exploring Reincarnation

I predict that the author's proposal of a holographic model of the soul will be one of the most important concepts of our time. --Hans TenDam, pioneering regression therapist and author of Exploring Reincarnation

This book is filled with thorough reviews of research and thoughtful analysis of its implications. It makes a significant contribution to the field. I recommend it highly. --Jim Tucker, University of Virginia Division of Perceptual Studies and author of Life Before Life

About the Author

Ian Lawton is a spiritual philosopher, and the architect of Rational Spirituality and the idea of the holographic soul.

Product Details

• Paperback: 330 pages
• Publisher: Rational Spirituality Press; 2nd edition (December 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0954917634
• ISBN-13: 978-0954917630
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,058,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ian was born in 1959. After gaining a degree in Economics from UCL and qualifying as a chartered accountant, he sold computer software for several years before, in the late eighties, helping to found a business and IT consultancy company. Throughout this period he spent most of his spare time racing motorcycles and then cars.

Then in his mid-thirties he forsook the commercial world to become a writer-researcher specializing in ancient history, esoterica and spiritual philosophy. His first two books, Giza: The Truth (1999) and Genesis Unveiled (2003), have sold over 30,000 copies worldwide. In The Book of the Soul (2004) he first developed the idea of Rational Spirituality, also establishing himself as one of the world's leading authorities on the interlife. And in The Wisdom of the Soul (2007) he first introduced the idea of the holographic soul.

His other non-fiction books include The Little Book of the Soul (2007), The Big Book of the Soul (2008, a complete rewrite of the 2004 book), Your Holographic Soul (2010), The Future of the Soul (2010) and The History of the Soul (2010, a revision of the 2003 book). Since then he has published his first novels, Dead Man Talking (2011) and Autobiography of an Angel (2012).

Ian also has a regression therapy practice in Dorset. In his spare time he creates artwork using driftwood collected from local beaches, and rebuilds classic motorcycles.

For more information visit www.ianlawton.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Big Book of the Soul, April 4, 2009

By 

Glenn King (Coonabarabran NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Big Book of the Soul: Rational Spirituality For The Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

Life's journey is simple if we understand the wholistic purpose of each individual incarnation as an expression of the Divine Creative Source of all (call that God if you like). That Creative Source is ultimate love, compassion, beauty and as such is the call to all in incarnation to return to the true source and nature of out being. Rarely does a single life journey in the physical return us to the Creator. Physical lives are a challenge, a major learning and a prefective process that Spirit (our true nature)engages with as part of the totality of Creation. We are all connected by spirit and are all on a common journey yet too easily believe this one life is all there is.
Evidence has been presented (and documented) in Ian Lawton's book that will surely tip the scales for those questioning and wavering souls who intrinsically know there is more to life than just this single earthly life.
An enlightening exposition of Other Life Experiences; very well presented and documented in a well written book that should inspire any reader to re-evaluate his or her journey, and perhaps help understand the reason behind some of the challenging experiences in this life.
As one who has read widely and deeply on the purpose of our journey and coming to understand and know many of my own past experiences, I have valued the writing of Ian Lawton as another believer on the Path.
Thank you.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic resource for anyone interested in the nature of the 'soul', April 5, 2009

By 

John W. Ratcliff "John W. Ratcliff" (Lake Saint Louis, MO, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Big Book of the Soul: Rational Spirituality For The Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

The 'Big Book of the Soul' is a synthesis of the research and deep thinking done by one man over the course of a life time. Ian has spent many years studying the idea of a human spirit, or soul, and during that time he tried to approach the subject using logic, reason, and rational thought. He did an enormous amount of research, some of it based on personal experience, but most through reading the works of others.

I would strongly recommend buying 'The Big Book of the Soul' if, for no other reason than to read a synthesis of a vast collection of research in compact form. Think of it this way, Ian Lawton read hundreds of books so you don't have to. His book is well referenced and if you find any particular part of his thesis particularly interesting then you can use those references to do further investigation and research on your own.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Big Achievement, December 5, 2009

By 

Peter W. Jenkins "Peter Watson Jenkins" (Elk Grove Village, IL, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Big Book of the Soul: Rational Spirituality For The Twenty-First Century (Paperback)

Ian Lawton deserves widespread recognition for a readable yet scholarly review of his subject. He tackles the case for near-death experiences fairly, dealing with those who are sceptical in an understanding way, without losing sight of the case he is making. I found him equally balanced in his approach to the research of Dr. Ian Stevenson and his team, although he could have been less critical of Stevenson's support of physical evidence in evaluating claims by children that they remembered their previous personality.
In talking about past-life and life-between-life issues, I was impressed by the sheer range of his knowledge of the research and contributions that others have made to this important topic. He did not forget the sceptics either, and gave them fair coverage. Lawton carefully avoided the minefield of channelled evidence concerning the journey of the soul,which is my speciality, for which I have forgiven him.
I was anticipating being equally excited by hs treatment of the holographic universe theme at the end of the book. He was convincing but I was unsure whether my lack of enthusiasm for his truly important findings was my fault or simply the need for a fuller discussion of the matter. I look forward to his picking up this theme in a subsequent book. I'll certainly buy a copy if he does.
Altogether the Big Book of the Soul is a must for intelligent readers who want to be given a thorough review of the knowledge we have gained about the nature and purpose of the human soul. Highly recommended.
Peter Watson Jenkins, MA, CH, Author "Talking with Leaders of the Past."