Maya: The World as Virtual Reality [Paperback]

Richard L. Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 23, 2003

In the world of modern science, consciousness is reduced to a fading epiphenomenon, left over after the brain has been physically explained. It seems to arise when matter is suitably organized, but scientists and philosophers have been unable to explain why complex organization should produce anything beyond complex physical behaviour. Yet consciousness won't go away. In this book virtual reality is used as a metaphor for our situation as conscious being. This ground breaking book shows how paranormal phenomena can be reconcilied in a natural way with the laws of physics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Alien Identities is a major addition to ufological literature, too much of which has come to seem overspecialized and repetitive. -- Roger W. Wescott, Professor of linguistics and anthropology, Drew University

Alien Identities is brilliant. Thompson's work is both universal and detailed, yet put over in a very readable layman's way. -- Ken Phillips, editor of BUFORA Magazine, U.K.

Awakens the sense of wonder the great classical philosophers recognized as the transforming experience in which all wisdom begins. -- Dr. Gene R. Thursby, Prof. of Religion, University of Florida

I enjoyed the book, and found the parallels Dr. Thompson points out in Vedic literature to UFO lore most interesting. -- David Gotlib, M.D., Toronto, Canada, Editor of Bulletin of Anomalous Experience

I highly recommend Dr. Thompson's book as one which will help Westerners understand Vedic knowledge pertaining to so-called UFO phenomena. -- Reverend Mary Teal Coleman, Dharma Institute

Maya is a wakeup call for all who are curious and wonder about where they have come from. -- Dr. Berthold Schwarz, psychiatrist and author of Psychic-Nexus

Thoroughly researched, thought provoking and eminently readable, I could not put it down! -- Tricia McCannon, founder UFO Forum, Atlanta, U.S.A.

Using the metaphor of 'virtual reality,' Richard Thompson weaves a tapestry of theory and research integrating body, mind, and spirit. -- Dr. Gary E. Schwartz, Prof. of Psychology, Medicine, Surgery, Neurology, and Psychiatry, and author of The Afterlife Experiments

About the Author

The author is born in Birmingham, New York in 1947. H erceived hisw Ph.d. in mathematics from Cornell university, where he specialized in probability theory and statistical mechanics. He has done scientific research in quantum physics, mathenatical biology, and remote sensing. He is the author of seven books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Govardhan Hill Publishing (May 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963530909
• ISBN-13: 978-0963530905
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #824,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, profound and eye-opening, June 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Maya: The World as Virtual Reality (Paperback)

Richard Thompson has done a wonderful job in this book, delving into all kinds of topics, from Deterministic Chaos, Turing Machines, Relativity, Quantum Mechanics to all kinds of psychic and paranormal phenomena while maintaining the overall theme of the book - exploring the possibility that the world we live in may not be the real world. I won't be surprised if 100 years from now, Richard Thompson is hailed as a scientist at par with Einstein, though I feel his insights are better than what Einstein had - after all, even Einstein was wrong some times. But Richard Thompson seems to raise points which no sane scientist can refuse. It is a pity he is not yet recognized for his outstanding writings.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings Science and Religion Together, March 3, 2008

By 

Robert Torzynski (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maya: The World as Virtual Reality (Paperback)

This is a great book. As you can tell from the cover blurb, this book uses Virtual Reality as a metaphorical device to explain consciousness. Brings together threads that relate to the ideas of Michael Talbot (holographic universe), Rupert Sheldrake (concept of morphic resonance), and many other "real" scientists, as well as the Scientific and Religious principals of Srila Prabhupada.

The book is well written and non-biased in my opinion. Many of the scientific concepts that relate to our current understanding of consciousness are well and fairly explained, in a "nutshell" in my (lay person's) opinion. The author doesn't have an axe to grind, which makes the book a bit dry at times, but still a rewarding read.

The only slight criticism I would have is that the end -- where some of the Vedic Religious principals that essentially describe the Spirit-Soul and God are discussed -- is presented as a somewhat abrupt conclusion to the preceding chapters of the book.

All in all, however, this is an excellent book. Mr. Thompson walks a razor's edge in bringing together Science/Religion and God, and he does it successfully. This book will age well.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Science As It Is, November 8, 2010

By 

Leopoldo - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Maya: The World as Virtual Reality (Paperback)

Excelent book for all scientists.

One vision realistic and revolutionary about the paradigms of the modern science.

The best work of the virtual reality.

Indispensable.