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Summary: Quantum interconnectedness.
Review: "The purpose of this book," Austrian-born physicist and ecologist, Fritjof Capra writes, is to explore the "relationship between the concepts of modern physics and the basic ideas in the philosphical and religious traditions of the Far East" (p. 18). First published in 1975, THE TAO OF PHYSICS has since sold more than one million copies worldwide, and has been translated into more than two dozen languages (p. 324). Although some of his critics believe quantum reality is worlds apart from mystical phenomena, Capra also notes "that in all the criticism I have had from fellow physicists, not one of them has found any fault in my presentation of the concepts of modern physics . . . to the best of my knowlegde nobody has found any factual errors in THE TAO OF PHYSICS" (pp. 337-38).THE TAO "aims at improving the image of science by showing that there is an essential harmony between the spirit of Eastern wisdom and Western science. It attempts to suggest that modern physics goes far beyond technology, that the way--or Tao--of physics can be a path with a heart, a way to spiritual knowledge and self-realization" (p. 25). In his non-technical book, Capra examines the way that twentieth-century physics reveals the world's web of nonlinear interconnectedness, an idea that is also central to the mystical experience of reality. In providing his reader with an introduction to "The Way of Eastern Mysticism," i.e., Hinduism (pp. 84-91), Buddhism (pp. 92-99), Chinese thought (pp. 100-111), Taoism (pp. 112-119), and Zen (pp. 120-127), Capra demonstrates that the essence of Eastern thought "is the awareness of the untiy and mutual interrelation of all things and events, the experience of all phenomena in the world as manifestations of a basic oneness. All things are seen as interdependent and inseparable parts of this cosmic whole; as different manifestations of the same ultimate reality" (pp. 130; 188). Similarly, modern physics "has abolished the notion of fundamentally separated objects, has introduced the concept of the participator to replace that of the observer, and may even find it necessary to include the human consciousness in the description of the world. It has come to see the universe as an interconnected web of physical and mental relations whose parts are only defined through their connections to the whole" (p. 142). Modern physics views matter not as passive and inert, "but as being in a continuous dancing and vibrating motion whose rythmic patterns are determined by the molecular, atomic and nuclear structures." This, too, is the way in which Eastern mystics view the material world, as an inseparable web with interconnections that are dynamic and not static. (pp. 192; 194). "The cosmic web," from both views, "is alive; it moves, grows and changes continually" (p. 192). Shiva's dance, Capra observes, is the dance of subatomic matter (p. 245). For Capra, the everyday world is actually a network of relationships that cannot be understood properly without also understanding how one part is related to and influenced by the others (p. 304). Both modern physics and Eastern mysticism encourage us to think systemically, that is, to think in terms of the whole. In the insightful Afterward to the new 25th Anniversary Edition of his book, to live sustainably, Capra encourages us to adopt an ecological view in which we are not separate from the natural world, and to realize that all phenomena are fundamentally interconnected and interdependent. "Deep ecology," he writes, "recognizes the intrinsic values of all living beings and views humans as just one particular strand in the web of life. It recognizes that we are all imbedded in, dependent upon, the cyclical processes of nature" (p. 326). In short, Capra's physics are fascinating, and I highly recommend this book. G. Merritt
Rating:
Summary: Unexpected Bonus
Review: I have to admit that I haven't finished reading The Tao of Physics yet. I finished the section titled "The Way of Eastern Mysticism" and raided the library for many of the referenced books. For a brief but helpful overview on Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Zen, & Neo-Confucianism as well as information about the important scriptures & texts for each. I've never found any source more helpful!
Rating: 
Summary: A Classic
Review: A good companion to Gary Zukav's "The Dancing Wu Li Masters", Fritjof Capra's classic _The Tao of Physics_ weaves the delicious semantic structure of Maya (illusion / creation) and the empirical world of particle physics into a crisp, entertaining Unity. If you get only one book on the topic, get this one, then check his sources for background. Especially good are Capra's treatment of 'S'-theory and the implications for how we should view time and space.
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Summary: Tao of Physics
Review: This book clears the mysteries about God, life, science, religion etc. Extremely reader-friendly.
Rating: 
Summary: Unfortunate and ill-concieved
Review: I hope for the sake of the masses not all literature on physics and/or metaphysics written for the layman are simply incorporated as truth just because it's been written, and this is one very reason. Capra's relations bewteen mysticism and physics are quite objectable and some references made to theory confoundingly irrational. His assertion at times that subatomic particles can "think" and are almost "organic" are simply contradictory to sensical physics. Many of his "parallels" are perspective-sensitive beliefs with basis on unsupported theory. It is exactly information of this nature that keep the world of science balancing on its ears trying to keep from falling into the abyss of superstition from which we spewed less than half a millenia ago. My advice to the reader of this: do so for the sole purpose of experiencing just how unscientific books categorized under "science", can be.
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Summary: Kudos to Capra
Review: One has to be wary of books which attempt to draw parallels between religion and science in order to vindicate the former. For the most part these books fail utterly to convince because of the tortuous "logic" employed in trying to reconcile cherished notions to hard fact. Capra thankfully manages to avoid this pitfall and instead just lays out his own observations about physics and the eastern mystic traditions and the remarkably similar worldviews both have come to adopt. In the examples he gives, but for the terminology involved, the two disciplines do indeed appear to be discussing the same things. Does this then mean that the eastern mystical traditions can be reconciled with western science ? To Capra's credit, his answer is a blunt "no", pointing out that while the two may have reached the same conclusions they are essentially polar and complementary viewpoints of use for different things. Sadly having given such a wonderfully Taoist answer to this question he spends the latter two chapters advocating the one worldview over the other, without realising that, as he himself pointed out, "balance is maintained by change" nor also that if Zen enlightenment can be achieved through swordsmanship (kendo/bushido), archery (kyudo), tea-making, gardening and indeed motorcycle maintenance surely there can be "Zen science". Certainly there are well-balanced and seemingly enlightened scientists around. Does not the author call quantum physics a new Zen koan ? Anyway there are developments in other fields which would seem to add more weight to Capra's thesis and these are as follows:- In philosophy the Cosmological argument for God postulates that the universe was caused (ie contingent) and that it's cause, God, is uncaused (or necessary). Having a wider look at the four possible outcomes of the universe being here we can reject the combinations of a contingent God and a contingent or necessary universe as a contingent God begs the question "what caused God ?". Likewise we can reject a necessary God and a necessary universe as a necessary universe doesn't need a God. The theists proposition must also be rejected because necessary facts cannot explain contingent facts (if A caused B such that no A would mean no B, then A and B are both contingent). This rules God as an explanation of the universe out completely leaving a necessary universe as the only sound conclusion. A necessary universe (or the eternal Tao) is at the heart of all eastern traditions. In cosmology Dr Joao Maguejiro and Dr Andy Albrecht (one of the torch-bearers of inflation-theory) have come up with the clunkily titled "variable speed of light theory" to explain the inflation of the universe after the Big Bang. In the initial aftermath of the explosion in order for all parts of the universe to "keep in touch" they posit that the speed of light would have had to have been greater than it is now. This is supposedly impossible, it is supposed to be a constant after all. However recent research into the phenomenon of barrier tunnelling suggests that the speed of light can be exceeded (by anywhere between 1.7 and 5 times) when physical space is restricted. In the explosion outwards after a singularity (all matter collapsed to one point in space) conditions for this phenomenon would be prevalent. In the course of the Big Bang matter changes to energy (thankyou Einstein) for the explosion and this energy condenses or forms matter when it expands and cools. The universe expands and forms and entropy results in loss of energy from all things and universal decay. The energy is lost into the vaccuum whereupon when it collects to critical mass another Big Bang will occur. Thus the universe is infinite Big Bangs stretching back in time and also forward in time and more crucially as Dr Maguejiro says "the void is not nothing, it possesses energy and can salt matter out or take energy out of the system". Analysis of the spectra of the most distant gas clouds of quasars points to this theory being correct because either matter was different back then or the speed of light was just faster. In eastern traditions it is held that the void is not "nothingness" it holds the "emptiness of all potential" and "all things come from the void". The latest cosmology looks like adding more weight to Capra's observations but regardless of whether Capra is correct or not it is very clear that if any religion is to be reconciled to western science it's going to be an eastern one and the theistic religions had better stand in line (or rather, just give up). But western science, I would suggest is just an equally valid path to enlightenment as any eastern religion so reconciliation need not be an issue.
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Summary: Stimulating food for thought
Review: I can understand why this enlightening book achieved cult status as it is an excellent exposition of some real correspondences that had probably never before been pointed out. Having known very little on the physics side, it has certainly taught me a lot and I am sure these parallels will become even more obvious with advances in the studey of quantum physics. Tao was a great pleasure to read as the author takes pains to be clear and understandable, and the book is lavishly illustrated with plates and drawings. I fround the section on the I Ching hexagrams of particular interest. Dana Zohar's The Quantum Self is a good choice to read at the same time, whilst "Tao" also further stimulated my interest in sacred geometry.
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Summary: Thought provoking with a bridge between East and West
Review: I've read "The Tao Of Physics" two and one half times. The first time was fifteen years ago (the original paperback was a different edition, with a far more thought provoking cover). I then read this edition when it came out (I need to read it a third time, this time with more life experience to draw from). I'm sure most readers struggled with the technical dialogue and laws of physics throughout. I was more able to intuitively appreciate these tougher chapters than intellectually understand these sometimes very abstract and difficult theories and concepts. Mysticism at times can seem equally abstract and difficult when one has not expereinced specific "mystical" experiences or enough of life itself. However, I intuitively connected to the threads which Capra so painstakingly weaved into his book. I was not looking for the answers to the universe in this book. What I was hoping to find was guidance, and a springboard in which to think in a larger universe. And when I look back, I realize my awareness and receptiveness to a "universe"and "consciousness" which is infinitely larger and wiser than the human experience and consciousness does indeed exits. "The Tao Of Physics" opened a window or two for me, and the inertia in which I had formed my opinions and prejudices and, then, learned to see and feel and judge the world around me, seemed embarrassingly narrow, lacking and unwise. That was a great insight for this young man at that time. "The Tao Of Physics" remains one of those books and experience that initially changed me in a small way, that eventually evolved into a substantive life change in how I think and perceive the world around me, and my relationship to it.
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Summary: Not as left field as the tittle implies.
Review: Jacob Bronowski, "The Ascent of Man" ISBN: 0316109339, would turn me over in my grave if he found out that I was reading such books as this. There are too many quasi science quasi religion books that want to take some principle and reinterpret it to be a New age truth or prove the some old blind philosopher beat us too it for example (The Seat of the Soul.) Dr. Capra is drawing parallels in two fields and not trying to say "see I told you so". He takes the time and pages to describe the science and also does a pretty good job of distilling complex religions down to single chapters. I leave it up to Dr. Capra and you to determine if there really is any parallel. If you are a Gary Zukav sort of person this book will not help you at all.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but needs a bit more
Review: This was one of those books that I had read when younger, but could not fully arrive at a conclusion until recently. This time I re-read afresh after spending a better part of a decade studying both science as well as Indian philosophy and language. The book is well written overall, but in overemphasizing the mystical view, the author tends to unintentionally give a misleading view to the non-specialist with regards to the need of the scientific method. (ref. my own personal experiences) As a rationalist, I also needed more emphasis on the fact that all ancient thinkers (Greek, Indian and Chinese) DID NOT understand modern physics in the same way the scientific community at large does today, as this tends to be what some readers take home. In that sense, I can only agree with the global correlations and parallels because they can be the product of a philosophical thought process. The micro parallels are Dr. Capra's vision, which is an independent debatable viewpoint. However, this was a very good attempt to show that these people were nonetheless leading intellects of their time and deserve due credit (often prejudged negatively) for a unique ancient philosophical approach to understand nature. I wanted an equally detailed discussion of the other half of the picture, as all eastern thought was not limited to mysticism as many in the West tend to conclude. Thinkers of the time also frequently chose a very systematic method. Examples include Panini, Aryabhatta, Brahmagupta and Bhaskara, whose contributions to modern Mathematics and Sushruta to plastic surgery are profound. For the future, I would like to see a composite rendition of eastern thought in a new book by ??.
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