From Science to God: The Mystery of Consciousness and the Meaning of Light [Paperback]

Peter Russell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2001

The Mystery of Consciousness and the Meaning of Light is the story of Peter Russells lifelong exploration into the nature of consciousness.

Blending physics, psychology, and philosophy, he leads us to a new worldview in which consciousness is as fundamental to the cosmos as space, time, and matter. He shows how all the ingredients for this worldview are in place; nothing new needs to be discovered. We have only to put the pieces together and explore the new picture of reality that emerges.

Integrating a deep knowledge of science with his own experiences of meditation, Russell arrives at a universe similar to that described by many mystics-one in which science and spirit no longer conflict. The bridge between them, he shows, is light. From Science to God invites us to cross that bridge to a radically different, and ultimately healing, view of ourselves and the universeone in which God takes on new meaning, and spiritual practice a deeper significance.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Russell, a "scientist at heart," seems somewhat oversold as a physicist, although his undergraduate work at Cambridge brought him into Steven Hawking's office on occasion. But his curiosity about the mystery of consciousness is real enough, leading him from a fascination with TM in his student days to studies in India with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, to a successful career as a corporate consultant on meditation, creativity and personal development. Russell's explanations and arguments are generally clear enough-presumably well-suited for seminar audiences-if a bit superficial when presented in book format. He rightly complains that the establishment science and philosophy of the 1960s showed minimal interest in problems of consciousness, but barely acknowledges subsequent developments in neuroscience, cognitive science and philosophy of mind that have attempted more or less successfully to grapple with these problems. Instead, he offers readers an unexceptional argument for a "metaparadigm shift" in which consciousness is accepted as a fundamental constituent of the universe and of scientific explanations, supplemented by analogies between consciousness, light and God and a lavish abundance of epigrammatic quotes from Einstein, Schrudinger and Eastern religious teachers. Readers in search of "a journey of ideas that starts with science and arrives at God" can find much more to work with in the writings of Douglas Hofstadter, Paul Davies and John Polkinghorne.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Russell, well known for his work on the physiology of meditation, describes his personal struggle to bring science and spirit together and conducts readers through some of the more mysterious discoveries of contemporary physics. Physics--"queen of the sciences"--may seem an unlikely source of spiritual inspiration, and when younger, Russell found his growing spiritual curiosity at odds with the mechanistic science exemplified by Stephen Hawking, with whom Russell studied at Cambridge. Dropping out to study transcendental meditation, about which he has written several definitive books, he later returned to academe to engage in scientific study of consciousness and attain the insight that consciousness is what religions call God. Although the conventionally religious may take issue with Russell's effort to connect science and spirit, many, including some of them, may welcome his lucid exploration of their similarities. Patricia Monaghan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Elf Rock Productions; 2 edition (December 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1928586066
• ISBN-13: 978-1928586067
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,782,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From complexity to sublime simplicity, December 7, 2003

By 

Orva Schrock "Author of "Worthless Boy"" (goshen, in United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: From Science to God: A Physicist's Journey Into the Mystery of Consciousness (Hardcover)

A beautiful book! It is little in size but big in content. Peter Russell has graced us with the story of his own journey from common-sense atheistic scientist to one who has Awakened. Along the way he builds a fascinating bridge between the developing theories of science and the inner mysteries of consciousness itself. The theme is not new but then this story is always new when it unfolds itself again in you. This is indeed the ultimate meaning and purpose of life; the discovery that your own self is non-other than the wondrous Self of all. That your deepest being is already one with the light and energy which ever creates and sustains the universe. This is a very timely and wise and well written book. Don't miss it!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great start, November 30, 2004

By 

J. A. Tiesi (Sarasota, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Science to God: A Physicist's Journey Into the Mystery of Consciousness (Hardcover)

I love this book. It is so clear, so concise, so readable. Deep, yet easily understandable. It is a short book, but if you're like me, it will take you a few days to read as you constantly put the book down to contemplate and digest what Russell says.

It's especially valuable to those of us with a science background who have found it hard in the past to find a satisfying middle ground between science and spirituality.

A great book to start your journey with.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, readable, thoughtful, did I mention brilliant?, May 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: From Science to God: The Mystery of Consciousness and the Meaning of Light (Paperback)

I just finished reading this, which couldn't have come at a better time for me. After the murder of a loved one a few months ago, I've been catapulted into a search for understanding that is taking me through science, religion, metaphysics, philosophy, meditation, with lots of tears along the way. I can't say I found this book comforting, but it seems to be pointing in the same direction as other reading I'm doing. Wonderful tour of the history of physics for the layperson, it's also a compelling argument for taking up meditation. I also recommend How to Know God, by Deepak Chopra. I know, I know, I thought so too, until a skeptical friend recommended it to me. Both are mind-expanding.