From Science to God: A Physicist's Journey Into the Mystery of Consciousness

by Peter Russell

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1577314948
• ISBN13: 9781577314943
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: New World Library
• Length: 129 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.4" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A great start

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.

From complexity to sublime simplicity

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!

Brilliant, readable, thoughtful, did I mention brilliant?

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.

Novel and Inspiring

Of the many books on the nature of consciousness that I've read over the years, I consider From Science to God to be the best. Like the cover illustrates, it is an attempt to bridge the gap between science and religion by identifying consciousness in measurable terms. Woven with enough autobiography to give context to his claims, one finds the author, Peter Russell, has an extensive background at each end of the divide. He argues with the clarity and breadth of someone who not only understands his topic, but more importantly, knows it. With this particular subject, the distinction is important. Such familiarity is crucial here, as scientific research into a condition as nebulous as consciousness suffers a fundamental handicap in the limitations imposed by the materialistic paradigm within which it must be examined. It is almost a purely philosophical matter, but that's where Russell's scientific training provides the necessary contrast.Although the book stands firmly on its own merits, I found it to be a complimentary supplement to his previous work, Waking Up in Time, where the nature of consciousness was discussed but not explored in detail. Instead, there he concentrated on the "nurture" end of the spectrum, advocating the practice of meditation to stimulate spiritual awakening and a mindful awareness, that we may better know true happiness by living more in the moment. He explained, through what I consider to be his signature talent for thorough but succinct argument, how the Western materialist mindset not only has failed to provide humanity the comfort it long has sought, arguably leading to more ruin than reward, but also how it has obscured the path to inner peace by suggesting the objects of true satisfaction are external rather than innate. The central theme in that book was that as technology advances, the rate of change quickens, eventually to the point where a threshold is reached and the rate overwhelms us, essentially destroying a system no longer capable of containing its own growth. This threshold is fast-approaching. To avoid it, we must change the way we relate to technology. That means we have to dissociate our sense of identity from external influence and instead focus inward to the essence of self, which doesn't mean we forego technology, but requires we abandon the current materialistic cultural paradigm that shapes our perception of it. To effect this paradigm shift requires spiritual awakening, which first requires we understand the nature of consciousness.In this book, Mr. Russell deals entirely with the innate. He illustrates that consciousness is not a mechanical process creating experience, but rather is the realm of experience itself--ubiquitous and eternal. That clarification alone is profound, as consciousness is commonly misidentified in the West as a physical mechanism underlying experience. He then draws an insightful comparison to the character of light and

Tremendous! Gives hope for the future of civilization!

I urge anyone interested in bridging gaps between different worldviews to read this book! Peter Russell presents a profound and deep look into essential core issues of our times. Science and spirituality are two of my greatest passions, and in this book the author brings them together in a way far beyond anything I have read to date. My worldview perceptions have been beautifully expanded, and I have been given a glorious glimpse of the potentials of human consciousness that are completely applicable to our new millennium. I recommend this work wholeheartedly! Peter Russell is one of my favorite authors. He brings a brillance and clarity to his books and videos that have deepened my understanding of the world condition and given me hope for the future!