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Summary: Enlightning
Review: 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!
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Summary: what a waste of time and money!
Review: Any of Dennett, Edelman, Pinker, Blackmore, Carter, LeDoux, Wegner, Damasio, Flanagan, Sacks, etc. does a much better job than this particular one. A self-alleged scientist who doesn't seem to understand scientific methodology and keep on mixing up metaphysical realm with scientific arena, wrote a book to confuse people. The typical 'argument from simplistic credulity' type of exegesis. The writer writes ok, but with quite several passages entertaining wishful thinking and jumping conclusions often, he doesn't seem to have fulfilled his job in really 'explaining' what this book seems to be proclaiming. He is 'explaining away' the problem by jumping right to conclusions. How disappointing! I really regret spending a whole afternoon on it!
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Summary: Russell is not a guru
Review: But he sure writes and talks like one. I just attended a workshop with this man and I found it very helpful. The book has amazing insights into science and God. You begin thinking about the limits of science in explaining the function of consciousness in the universe. I read the book in one sitting and came away with the clarity of mind that helps me understand the function of our true self in the world. He spoke at our church about the ideas in his books. He really brings God to the common people. Check the book out and marvel at the universe and God's presence!
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Summary: a MUST read for EVERYONE!
Review: Do not let the title put you off FOR ANY REASON! This book has answers for those devoted to their religion and for those with little or no religion at all - it is a fantastic book full of info about LIFE and actual reality.
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Summary: A personal and impressive testimony of hope and peace
Review: From Science To God: The Mystery Of Consciousness And The Meaning Of Life is a profoundly compelling and philosophical examination of the nature of consciousness. Author Peter Russell persuasively seeks to reconcile faith and science within the context of the observable universe. A meaningful book, written to be clearly understood by non-specialist general readers of all educational backgrounds, From Science To God is a personal and impressive testimony of hope and peace in a world where too many people uphold either religious belief or science and unilaterally denounce one or the other.
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Summary: A great start
Review: 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.
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Summary: Tremendous! Gives hope for the future of civilization!
Review: 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!
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Summary: A book that needed to be written (Like Russell's others)
Review: Larry Dossey, another great author, describes Russell on the back cover as a "courageous traveler who has ventures where scientists aren't supposed to go". Not that they aren't supposed to as much as they don't, at least they don't speak of it. Not only does Russell speak of it he gives a good argument for it (it being spirituality and the existence of God). He spends time scientifically describing how we construct our reality and it's philosophical implications then delves into the scientific problems of consciousness finally giving us a wonderful chapter on the meaning of light to our perception of reality. A comprehensive little book meant to bridge scientific and eastern psychological understanding.
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Summary: Novel and Inspiring
Review: 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 ultimately connects the two with compelling evidence, thus giving shape and form to the transcendent. His theory is novel by modern concepts of self, although it is alluded to throughout classical mystical doctrine. More significantly, it is the first example of which I'm aware that conveys the essence of what consciousness is in a way that can easily be understood by the modern materialist mindset--critical to a successful paradigm shift. While scientific research on consciousness has not been exhaustive, the weight of evidence, largely from quantum physics, rests squarely in Russell's favor. Religious philosophy and metaphysical traditions are shown to support him completely. Mr. Russell has indeed built a bridge to heaven. That such an elegant framework has been erected by a Western mind is cosmic justice. That it spans the gap as lightly and liberating as spirit itself seems preordained.
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Summary: A MARRIAGE OF SCIENCE AND RELIGION
Review: This little book offers hope for all who thirst for plausable answers to humanity's most haunting questions: Who is God?... Why should I believe?...Is there more than dirt, rocks, air and light? A brilliant scientist who overcame years of disbelief and his own personal doubts, expresses with simplicity his case for becoming a believer. Not at all religious, and certainly not a "soul-saver," Russell places the entire universe in the lap of the reader. You'll love learning about 'paradigms' and the relation of light to all creation. Once you've finished reading, you'll likely flip back to page one and read it through a second time.
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