Product Description Galileo, Copernicus, Newton, Niels Bohr, Einstein. Their insights shook our perception of who we are and where we stand in the world, and in their wake have left an uneasy coexistence: science vs. religion, faith vs. empirical inquiry. Which is the keeper of truth? Which is the true path to understanding reality?
After forty years of study with some of the greatest scientific minds, as well as a lifetime of meditative, spiritual, and philosophic study, the Dalai Lama presents a brilliant analysis of why all avenues of inquiry—scientific as well as spiritual—must be pursued in order to arrive at a complete picture of the truth. Through an examination of Darwinism and karma, quantum mechanics and philosophical insight into the nature of reality, neurobiology and the study of consciousness, the Dalai Lama draws significant parallels between contemplative and scientific examinations of reality.
This breathtakingly personal examination is a tribute to the Dalai Lama’s teachers—both of science and spirituality. The legacy of this book is a vision of the world in which our different approaches to understanding ourselves, our universe, and one another can be brought together in the service of humanity.
An Amazing BookNovember 29, 2008 This book is for anyone who has questions about where and how spirituality and science intersect.
Very AstuteNovember 2, 2008 This man is truly a deep human and a tribute to his lineage and the greatness that it represents. He covers the ground of science very succinctly and explores a new possibility of knowledge that benefits from the objective and subjective process. He brings to us wholeness and the admonition to realize the grave and dangerous territories we now face in this day and age. He call us to rise up to the human in each of us.
His Holiness studies science to look for connections to BuddhismSeptember 13, 2008 In this 6 hour audio book, skillfully read by Richard Gere, the Dalai Lama draws parallels between Buddhism and the extensive studies he has pursued in several different scientific directions. For the past several years His Holiness has regularily invited top scientists from many areas of study to tutor him. He humbly discusses some areas where Buddhist Teachings should be rejected, because of recent scientific discoveries. He also points out several recent scientific discoveries that validate traditional Buddist teachings. A thoughtful presentation, well worth listening to, or reading. I highly recommend this book.
An intelligent & sincere bridge builder.August 22, 2008 His Holiness makes a grand case for using the millennia old traditions of Buddhism (particularly The Middle Way school of thought) and their deeply subjective and esoteric processes in conjunction with the western style of third person objective science to study mind/consciousness. The Dalai Lama makes some exquisite arguments that imply a greater strength of reasoning with the symbiosis of the two desperate modalities. This book clearly demonstrates that each ideology (western science, eastern introspection) has their own distinct merits but that both methods are required if the aim of reducing or eliminating human suffering is to be attained. His Holiness treats the reader to some snippets of Buddhist thought, and I must admit, it is far more complex and rational than I ever suspected. Four stars from me!
Hello, DalaiJuly 5, 2008 A clearly and concisely written book that shows the author's journey on the path of deeper understanding of science and spirituality (specifically Tibetan Buddhism) and the nexus between them.
An important book in clarifying some core issues in Buddhism and in science, and in showing the subjective foundations of science.
Not a book for those, who are not familiar with some of the core concepts of Buddhism, e.g., "emptiness," "karma," "dependent origination," etc. or, who are afraid of learning that science is a method and not an absolute answer.
Perhaps, the key argument of the book is that while science is extremely powerful in answering questions that relate to material things (the phenomenological world) its methods cannot be extended without serious modifications into the non-material (spiritual) world. The Dalai Lama's caution, therefore is that science needs to learn from spiritual traditions (particularly in terms of ethics) while spiritual traditions need to modify their views regarding material reality so as to conform to the scientific view.
A good primer for those interested in understanding more clearly the strengths and weaknesses of each approach to life.
