Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28232 in Books
• Published on: 1995-03-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Consciousness, not matter, is the ground of all existence, declares University of Oregon physicist Goswami, echoing the mystic sages of his native India. He holds that the universe is self-aware, and that consciousness creates the physical world. Calling this theory "monistic idealism," he claims it is not only "the basis of all religions worldwide" but also the correct philosophy for modern science. Once people give up the assumption that there is an objective reality independent of consciousness, the paradoxes of quantum physics are explainable, contends Goswami, writing with his wife and Reed ( Building the Future from Our Past ). He also applies his hypothesis to the so-called mind-body schism, which he attempts to heal. Sketching a model of the self, this demanding but rewarding treatise uses analogies from the "new physics" to throw light on choice, free will, creativity, the unconscious and paths to spiritual growth. Illustrated.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Goswami (Physics/University of Oregon; coauthor, The Cosmic Dancers, 1983) uses quantum physics to promote monistic idealism- -the theory that both matter and mind have their origin in consciousness. The villain here is materialism--the teaching that everything is comprised of atoms--and its tag-along doctrines of locality (that interactions between objects occur in local space-time), strong objectivity (that objects exist independently of consciousness), and epiphenomenalism (that mind is an accidental by-product of brain function). According to Goswami, quantum physics has laid to rest this view of reality: Quantum objects jump from here to there without passing through intervening space, disproving locality; Heisenberg's uncertainty principle disproves strong objectivity, etc. Goswami's explication of modern physics- -which draws on everything from Winnie-the-Pooh to optical illusions--is a model of clarity. Vastly less satisfying is his brief for monistic idealism. For one thing, he writes off an important alternative, dualism--the ``common-sense'' view that mind and matter both exist, that a rock is a rock and a thought is a thought--in a few skimpy paragraphs. For another, his argument is inconsistent: He cites paranormal events as evidence for idealism, but when an exception arises (such as out-of-body experiences, which suggest dualism), he becomes a debunker. Worst of all, when he tries to describe how idealism actually shapes the world, he sounds like Madame Blavatsky with a hangover (``the universe exists as formless potentia in myriad possible branches in the transcendent domain''). Goswami's aim is inviting--who does not wish us to ``realize our full potential--an integrated access to our quantum and classical selves''?--but most readers will remain agnostic. More substantial than Fritjof Capra, which isn't saying much. This is one cosmic egg that may be too big to crack. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Well Developed Understanding of the necessary Bridge between Science and Religion
Good Metaphysical understanding of life - that it consists of "The one consciousness". And that, all there is anywhere is this one consciousness. That all life interacts instantaneously and non-locally through a mechanism of life and living, difficult to comprehend when understood through the distorting lens of scientific thought and object orientated materialistic living. It underlines that matter is for the most part redundant or better considered as a reflex of thought and arises totally out of conditioning and sedimentations, termed quantum collapse - or "The classical self".

On the otherhand, the past does not need to exist, to the Quantum Self, that is not beholden to the Samskaras of conditioned and congealed thought, to space or time but has access to all that is and all that happens as it happens and which underscores all our creativity and Quantum evolutionary capabilities. Also, good synopsis of the current state of physics and the current belief systems prevailing in the world at present from (i) Behaviorism to (ii) Materialism to (iii)Monistic Idealism , along with their limitations.

Does not go that step further in understanding the metaphysical derivatives of Aspect's experiment, and in realizing that everything communicates instantaneously, only because space does not really fundamentally exist at all - and with it Time - which is just another aspect of the same illusion based on Minkowsky's elucidations! And so - there is no out-there - out there! The realization that everything and ever being is just subjective essence needs to be fully assimilated. A major affront to Science. Hui Neng's understanding that "From the beginning, not a thing is"! would be a further development! along with realizing that the entire seeming objective and object-orientated functionality of the universe is just a reflex of unpurified thought - also ACIM's Statement that "Objects leave not their Source" would help usher in the new metaphysics and the transcendental understanding and awareness needed to propitiate quantum leaps in mankind and the one joined and universal consciousness.

The last section of the book, that deals with yoga and ethics is at best third rate. Reiterates OSHO, Krishnamurti and the basics of yoga! focuses on Eka Rupa and attaining the Eka Grata state in meditation as well as those of Samadhi with objects. Very fundamental but does not capitilize or deliver on the clever, well developed scientific statements that are their precursor earlier in the book.

Oneness of the Universe
We are all one consciousness experiencing our reality seperately. Each of us learning and contributing to this universal mind.
I found this book to be very fascinating. Maggie & Amit Gaswami take you on a journey through physics to explain our existance in the universe. Implicitly detailing what science is really telling us about life and living systems, exactly how we are connected and what we can do with this new-found knowledge. I highly recommend this book!

The Self-Aware Universe
Very interesting book, a little bit into speculation and religion.
The scientific part was well explained.
The view about the universe changed for me.
I would recommend this book to any one who is interested in quantum mechanics and filosofy...

Your's

Dr. MJ v Dijk PhD