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The Living Energy Universe: A Fundamental Discovery that Transforms Science and Medicine

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This book presents the idea that everything, at every level of existence, is alive, remembers, and evolves. Schwartz and Russek's systemic memory hypothesis is proposed to explain not only many puzzles in conventional science, but also major mysteries such as reflective self-awareness, homeopathy, survival after death, and psychic abilities. The authors' serious consideration of these latter topics, and their enthusiastic writing style, is guaranteed to provoke the disdain of mainstream scientists, and that's a pity. Heresy and orthodoxy don't mix, but bold ideas - as are admirably presented in this book - are essential to sustain a vibrant science.

While Schwartz and Russek's hypothesis seems perfectly outrageous at first, the logic is reasonable and the evidence provided is intriguing. In fact, if you carefully read this book and think about the consequences of recursion at all levels of existence, then systemic memory and its broader implications seem quite plausible, maybe even probable. One may quibble over some of the details presented in the "Living Energy Universe," but like Rupert Sheldrake's "A New Science of Life," I believe that this book will stand the test of time as an important contribution to scientific thought.

I find no more important topic than that which is tackled in "The Living Energy Universe" - the nature of the universe, God and survival of consciousness after death. Since fear and anxiety are ultimately linked to the fear of death, the "self" cannot find true peace in a universe where annihilation is always an eye blink away. Without the resolution of this existential anxiety, our entire psychology, lifestyles, attitudes and behaviors are affected (whether we know it or not). Generally, there are two places from which answers to this dilemma arise: Religion and science. Typically, they do not agree. Has this now changed?

University of Arizona scientists Drs. Schwartz's and Russek's new book brings to us an amazing melding of science and spiritual insight and answers our most fundamental questions about the essential nature of life, death, consciousness and "who we are." And, it answers us in a way that has been much needed by those who consider themselves rational, logical thinkers, respectful of evidence and scientific inquiry. In doing this, Drs. Schwartz and Russek appeal to both our hearts and our minds. I appreciated the many examples, books, journals, names of other researchers and sources given for further reading and investigation.

The theories, facts and conclusions posited by Drs. Schwartz and Russek have the potential to revolutionize our world from medicine to politics. Of course, they are not alone in this kind of research, but have put together a unique, well-conceived theoretical treatise worthy of rigorous scrutiny and serious contemplation. Their book is a must read for any thinking person desiring to be on the cutting edge of what is perhaps "the final debate" on the fundamental nature of no less than "all that exists."

I highly recommend this book (though sometimes a challenge to understand) because it offers the real hope of being able to come home again to a universe that is not only logical, but benevolent, purposeful and yes, even loving and eternal. And if the Schwarz/Russek paradigm is accepted, the next question becomes, "What do we do with this information?" If the good news be true, what difference does it now make to our everyday lives? What will people be like in a universe where they are eternally accountable, personally responsible for the fate and well-being of themselves and each other, and profoundly connected in the most personal ways to life and all that exists? Can we go home again and do we have the stomach for it?

And, finally, we find "The Living Energy Universe" to be... a love story. But "love" in its most challenging, profound and far-reaching sense. A love that is unexpectedly built upon science, logic and heart in the most literal as well as poetic manner. "The Living Energy Universe" not only makes us smile, but brings a tear to our eye in the ultimate comfort that it offers. And that may be a problem. "Comfort" can feel threatening when it offers hope... a hope long abandoned by those who have felt betrayed by parents, religion and government. Cynicism dies hard. And so it should. It was born of passionate expectations thrown asunder and replaced by a cold, hard foundation of complexly conceived, well-documented... bias. But, as a philosopher once asked, "Is it okay having stumbled over the truth, to then pick ourselves up and proceed on as if nothing happened?" This book will challenge you... wonderfully so. And comfort you down to your existential toes! - C. Paul Wanio, Ph.D., LMFT, LMHC, MFCC.

It has been over three months since I first read and fully intended to review this book, so the art of procrastination has finally worked in my favor, for it has allowed me to hold THE LIVING ENERGY UNIVERSE up to the light of my own standards of what it takes to transform the gifts of a beautifully written and fascinating book into something much more expansive...into an actual thriving resource of enlightenment and wonder which then becomes reality based and usefully practical in my own personal and professional life. I don't normally buy or not buy a book based on any book review, but anyone interested in turning theory into practical application might take a clue from my words and find it well worth their time to explore THE LIVING ENERGY UNIVERSE. Isn't that the true value of any book...the extent to which it invites us to explore our own inquisitiveness? This book will offer you that and more, for even if you don't believe in or understand the science-based theories, you might believe in the mysteries they represent. You get both sides of the coin with this book. This book offers us the opportunity to expand any rigid beliefs, be they scientific or spiritual. As the saying goes, "take what you like and leave the rest." Use the concepts, theories, and gifts this book offers and turn them into the gold of your own curiosity. Test the theories out for yourself. Start with something simple. Talk to a person who has received an organ transplant. If this book makes you wonder about the ability of a heart to transplant its own memories or preferences within another person's body, then allow yourself to go even deeper and wonder what happens to thousands of people every day who receive blood transfusions. Are we transfusing memory along with life? What are the ramifications of that? If every thought you have experienced still exists in time and space, then allow yourself to marvel at your own responsibility of this never-ending self-creation. It's like shining a flashlight filled with thoughts into the night sky. Where does the light end? Does it end? Think of how an echo holds the memory of your own voice. How long does it hold this memory after your ears have ceased to hear it? Gain peace in exploring not only the possibility of the conscious survival of crossed-over loved ones, but the possibility of their continued evolution. Talk to someone you trust who has experienced an after-death communication with someone they loved. Explore the theories for yourself. Not being a scientist, I surrendered any confusion about the authors' experiments and found a passageway to wonder. Call it alchemy, but something as simple as thinking about the vibration of tuning forks to demonstrate memory theory in water awakened a whole new field of wonder in me. Does the rain remember the rainstorm? I allowed my curiosity to ignite in me the desire to discover more about the power of tuning forks. I don't think the authors intended that I would derive this desire from their experiment, but I was willing to find something of value for myself even when the science got a bit thick for me. Call it some ancient memory theory calling me to the basics of Pythagorean harmonics, but I found myself on a discovery path to study and use a healing art based on the sound intervals of tuning forks. The way this book is written can awaken the Universal Living Memory in each of us, and when this happens it becomes much more than a theory. It becomes a practical application of the work of these two researchers, and the proof of the theory then becomes a personal adventure. What I discovered for myself was not written upon the pages of this book, but woven into its energy field. An already well-documented arena became available to me because of the way a quasi-related concept was expressed within the pages. This resource of sound healing was already out there waiting for me, but I wonder how much longer it would have taken me to find my way to it without awakening my own Universal Living Memory ignited by a non-related experiment. I am not a book critic, I am a sincere seeker of scientific wisdom and spiritual magic. I have countless books on my shelves which hold the hints and echoes of similar concepts which these two wise researchers have so skillfully and respectfully spun together in order to offer us the Univeral Living Memory theory; but unlike so many other works, Schwartz and Russek offer something extra to their readers. They offer us their respect and their hearts, their enthusiasm and expansive curiosity. They even offer us an inter-active website so we can tell them what we think of their efforts. Obviously, they care what we think of their work. They have captured the ability to speak to the mystic within the scientist and the scientist within the mystic, for the voice of their language creates an invitation to right-and-left brainers, alike. What they are truly exploring and offering to any reader is a hint of the infiniteness of creation. This book surpasses even my own standards for what makes a good book great, for within its scientific and far-reaching challenges it has created its own energy of practical application and spiritual wonder, and this commotion of fascination is a wake-up call for anyone's Universal Living Memory.

What do you do when you have a brainstorm and feel you've just touched bases with a universal truth?

Simple. Make up some esoteric but mysterious-sounding new words to cloak your lack of explainability, throw in some circular logic to confound the easily mystified, and voila! You have a new book to sell. Such was my first impressions. The dry and suspiciously wandering beginnings of this book tempts one to add the pages to the slow-burning logs on the fireplace.

Determine to wade through it, however, and you find yourself understanding then believing that in fact everything is connected, and nothing is lost in the universe around us. When we realize via the author's patient plodding that conductivity of all energy including thoughts are possible in the space between atoms, all things become a system rather than individual entities. We learn that the system is not only instantaneously fast, but all-inclusive as well. From heart transplants which affect the personalities of the receiving parties to a remembering universe that is eternally ordered to a perfect system of death and rebirth while never losing an iota of energy, the logic of systemic memory and connectivity becomes very convincing.

The implications which sweep onto the stage are vast. Scientist and clergy alike may have some hard turns ahead if the author's thesis is correct, and the man on the street may at long last have no conflict between scientific pronouncements and his own spiritual enlightenments. Suddenly the scientist and the clergyman climbing opposite sides of the mountain arrive at the top and find they have both been wrong, and both right, all along. They simply both never saw the entire view until now.

Eternally evolving, forgetting or losing nothing in the process, and having nothing that does not serve a purpose from the tiniest speck to the largest galaxies is a tall order. Systemic memory may provide a clue to how it accomplishes this grand design, and bring us one step closer to answering the ages-old questions. Who are we, what are we, where did we come from, where are we going, and who is responsible for it all are questions which may not be finally answered by this book, but it does give a tantalizing glimpse into the possible that makes the journey well worth the effort.

Wade into this book with a purpose. You won't be disappointed.

The Living Energy Universe Gary Schwartz & Linda Russek The living Energy Universe is an incredible book-- incredible because it is hard to believe, especially when you think of all the repercussions the theory it proposes presents. But the authors do a very credible job of arguing for its feasibility.

Basically, it posits that every action, every moment of existence is reflected out into the universe to reverberate and interact as a living energy memory with the universe, including the myriad of other living energy memories. The book ties together everything, from eastern philosophical ideas of non-duality and connectedness to Rupert Sheldrake's morphogenic field theory (which is elegantly explained) to the phenomenon of organ transplant memory, in which recipients of heart and other organ transplants develop habits or experience memories whcih could only come from the organ donor.

This theory has so much potential to change the world and the way we think of it. I'm not just talking about technology. It can change the way you think about God, death, the afterlife, relationships, karma, organ transplants.

A beautiful aspect of this book is it manages to let the reader get to know the joyful, loving personalities of its authors. And that even flows into the theories-- theories filled with love. The book is unusual for its author, because it is the first book not written for a professional audience. Gary Schwartz has a huge CV, with several hundred publications to his credit, and he is one of the most respected psychologists in America. It's a treat-- like candy for the mind-- (vitamin enriched<g>) to get such a digestable big chunk of Schwartz's ideas (most likely made more easily understood by his lifemate, Linda Russek. Isaac Newton, in crediting his scientific predecessors, commented that he got his ideas by standing on the shoulders of giants. If you want to stand on an extra tall pair of visionary shoulders, try the ones who wrote this book. As the organizer of The Futurehealth Winter Brain Meeting, I've had a wonderful opportunity to get to know some of the world's most brilliant visionary scientists and thinkers. Gary Schwartz, a regular speaker at the conference, is, among this stellar group of peers, regarded as somewhat special, guaranteed to surprise and delight by not only expanding the realms and reach of science, but by doing it with scintillating, clear sparkle. He not only sees what others have never seen before, but he shares his ideas with the excitement of discovery he must have experienced on his own.

It is a wonder to watch a room full of brilliant, world famous brain researchers shake their heads in astonishment and surprise when Gary, giving a lecture, drops another of his new explosive ideas. There are always a few who literally walk out, shocked by the boldness of the proposals. But most keep coming back for more, because the ideas force us (or better, lift us up) to see the world with new eyes, and that's a very special gift. Read this book and you will change the way you see the world and your relationship to it and everyone and eveything in it. Take Gary's advice, and read chapters 6 through the end first, before going into the scientific explanation. Rob Kall, President, Futurehealth, Inc, Founder/organizer The Winter Brain Meeting

Gary E. R. Schwartz, Ph.D. and Linda G. S. Russek, Ph.D. say they know "scientifically that everything is eternal, alive, and evolving." Their book, The Living Energy Universe, details their theory about "universal living memory" and how they developed it.

Schwartz is a professor of psychology, medicine, neurology, and psychiatry; and has taught at both Harvard and Yale, as well as held various directorships. Russek is a professor of medicine and directs several health-related organizations. Both are trained scientists dedicated to the search for truth.

They first became interested in the question of whether life exists after physical death after Russek's father died. They investigated phenomena as diverse as homeopathy and organ transplants, and concluded that everything in the universe has a memory. Everything that is living retains a memory of all that's gone before it.

Schwartz and Russek cite several cases of organ transplant recipients who have memories that belong to the organ donor. The organ cells have retained the memories of the body they originated in. The doctors also discuss homeopathy, where a remedy can be very powerful although the solution is so diluted that it may not contain even one molecule of the healing substance added to the water. The water has retained the memory of the substance.

They speculate that not only are beings living on Earth continually evolving, perhaps there is a cosmic consciousness that is also evolving, noting that evolution cannot take place without memory, and offering evidence that memory survives death.

The doctors finish with a chapter listing ways in which their theory could be wrong, and their responses to those arguments.

The Living Energy Universe elegantly explains Schwartz and Russek's hypothesis "that the whole universe is a living, remembering, self-revising process . . . and, therefore, in a deep sense, all things--great and small, visible and invisible, material and spiritual, past and future--are in an energetic state of 'becoming'." Readers will find themselves fascinated and comforted as the doctors explain how this means there is no true death.

If Science is not your strong point do not worry, this book offers important explanations on the possibility of our continuing life form that anyone can understand. This is a must read for anyone looking to answer our biggest question of all time, is there an afterlife?

I am only 2/3 of the way through this book at present, but I feel nevertheless qualified to comment. Some of (say 65%+) of the ideas in the book are interesting and perhaps illuminating. However, they are diluted by seemingly endless self-promotion ({breathlessly} 'and, in the next chapter, just like we told you last chapter, we're finally going to tell you the secret to life the universe and everything, and the proof too') and tarnished by a flaky abundance of silly acronyms (SOUL, SMILE, LOVE) etc. Plus, I have to admit not entirely believing the jumps that the authors make when expounding their core logic. To top it all, the authors appear uncertain as to their target audience - the tone keeps hopping back and forth between new age bruhaha, and pseudo-scientific analysis, serving, I suspect, neither audience in full. It isn't as if the public at large can't swallow and comprehend well explained science, but there is little if any of that contained in this book. Cut 100 pages, cut the flake appeal, and repackage the logic in better linguistic form, and I think this could be a 5 star book. Most readers will probably be better satisfied elsewhere.

Being a native american it is gratifying to see science 'discovering' what we have said all along..

This brilliantly articulated, provocative work is both entertaining and informative. The authors boldly traverse new ground that makes this work a watershed, and leaves the reader hungry to see further applications of the Universal Living Memory Theory, especially regarding the issue of survival of human consciousness and the tests now being performed under Schwartz and Russek's watchful eyes at the Human Energy Systems Lab.

This book is a gift to humanity.