Consciousness Science

What does it mean to “be you” - that is, to have a specific, conscious experience of the world around you and yourself within it? There may be no more elusive or fascinating question. Historically, humanity has considered the nature of consciousness to be a primarily spiritual or philosophical inquiry, but scientific research is now mapping out compelling biological theories and explanations for consciousness and selfhood.

The effects of spiritual practices are now being investigated scientifically as never before, and many studies have shown that religious and spiritual practices generally make people happier and healthier. In this pioneering book, Rupert Sheldrake shows how science helps validate seven practices on which many religions are built, and which are part of our common human heritage: meditation, gratitude, connecting with nature, relating to plants, rituals, singing and chanting, and pilgrimage and holy places.

Millions of Americans know yoga as a superb form of exercise and as a potent source of calm in the midst of our stress-filled lives. Far fewer are aware of the full promise of yoga as "the way of the fully alive human being" - a 4,000-year-old practical path of liberation that fits the needs of modern Western seekers with startling precision. Now Stephen Cope, a Western-trained psychotherapist who has lived and taught for more than 10 years at the largest yoga center in America, offers this marvelously lively and irreverent "pilgrim's progress" for today's world.

In The Embodied Mind, internationally renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas R. Verny sets out to redefine our concept of the mind and consciousness. He brilliantly compiles new research that points to the mind's ties to every part of the body.

Ikigai is a Japanese phenomenon commonly understood as "your reason to get up in the morning". Ikigai can be small moments: the morning air, a cup of coffee, a compliment. It can also be deep convictions: a fulfilling job, lasting friendships, balanced health. Whether big or small, your ikigai is the path to success and happiness in your own life. Author Ken Mogi introduces five pillars of ikigai to help you make the most of each day and become your most authentic self.

How does the brain generate a conscious thought? And why does so much of our knowledge remain unconscious? Thanks to clever psychological and brain-imaging experiments, scientists are closer to cracking this mystery than ever before. In this lively book, Stanislas Dehaene describes the pioneering work his lab and the labs of other cognitive neuroscientists worldwide have accomplished in defining, testing, and explaining the brain events behind a conscious state.

The present framing of the cultural debate in terms of materialism versus religion has allowed materialism to go unchallenged as the only rationally viable metaphysics. This book seeks to change this. It uncovers the absurd implications of materialism and then, uniquely, presents a hard-nosed non-materialist metaphysics substantiated by skepticism, hard empirical evidence, and clear logical argumentation.

The Origins and History of Consciousness draws on a full range of world mythology to show how individual consciousness undergoes the same archetypal stages of development as human consciousness as a whole. Erich Neumann was one of C. G. Jung's most creative students and a renowned practitioner of analytical psychology in his own right. In this influential book, Neumann shows how the stages begin and end with the symbol of the Uroboros, the tail-eating serpent.

Here is a concise, comprehensive overview of Wilber's revolutionary thought and its application in today's world. In A Theory of Everything, Wilber uses clear, nontechnical language to present complex, cutting-edge theories that integrate the realms of body, mind, soul, and spirit. He then demonstrates how these theories and models can be applied to real-world problems in areas such as politics, medicine, business, education, and the environment.

It originated in Asia, moved to Europe, and is now consumed worldwide — a slightly-fermented tea that is purported to cure everything from indigestion to cancer. We’re talking about kombucha, which has exploded in popularity in the last quarter century. While the exact health benefits of kombucha remain unproven, it’s quite certain that the effervescent elixir provides its worldwide fans with a spiritual lift unlike any other drink.

Why has there been such an explosion of discussion about sex in the West since the 17th century? Here, one of France's greatest intellectuals explores the evolving social, economic, and political forces that have shaped our attitudes toward sex. In a book that is at once controversial and seductive, Michel Foucault describes how we are in the process of making a science of sex which is devoted to the analysis of desire, rather than the increase of pleasure.

"Over the twenty years since my first book I have channeled over one thousand hours of messages about the one consciousness — expressions of what I experience as an eternal library of wisdom (‘The Akashic Records’). The message has not changed; it has only deepened. In this book, I have taken ‘The Messiah Seed’ text and blossomed it to include this new depth (tripling the length). What has emerged is a bloom that is beyond expectation. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. With love, Story Waters" In 'One Consciousness: The Matter of Consciousness,' the...

Have you ever wondered why you exist? What had to happen for you to be alive and conscious? Scientists have come a long way in answering this question, and this book describes what they have found out. It also examines whether our existence was inevitable at the universe's birth 13.77 billion years ago—or whether we are just incredibly lucky. The book is aimed at those who are interested in science but are not experts.

Optimizing consciousness and performance is the theme of this book. If you are looking for strategic scientific and psychological hacks to boost performance, this book is for you. Quantum physics and consciousness have been linked in various ways. Some theories suggest that consciousness plays a fundamental role in shaping the physical world, while others suggest that quantum mechanics provides a possible explanation for the relationship between consciousness and the physical world. May this book bring you to the next level of self realization and consciousness where you may achieve the ...

Respect, trust, and commitment are the cornerstones of a dedicated relationship between a teacher and a student. For a passionate student yearning to learn and understand the essence of a subject, they must demonstrate these traits before a teacher will take them under their wing. In this case, the teacher was Thomas Troward of Cornwall England and the student was Genevieve Behrend. He imparted his personal insight to the one and only pupil who could perpetuate this knowledge and share it with the world.

No listener curious about our "little gray cells" will want to pass up Harvard neuroscientist John E. Dowling's brief introduction to the brain. In this up-to-date revision of his 1998 book Creating Mind, Dowling conveys the essence and vitality of the field of neuroscience - examining the progress we've made in understanding how brains work, and shedding light on discoveries having to do with aging, mental illness, and brain health.

Embark on an enlightening journey with "Rumi Meets Quantum Physics," where the timeless wisdom of Rumi intertwines with the revolutionary insights of quantum mechanics. This book invites you to explore the profound connection between ancient mysticism and modern science, revealing a harmonious fusion that can transform your understanding of reality. In this captivating exploration, you will discover how Rumi's poetic teachings resonate with the principles of quantum physics, offering a fresh perspective on the nature of existence, matter, and energy. Delve into the mysteries of the ...

In simple and straightforward language, Bhante Gunaratana shares the Buddha's teachings on mindfulness and how we can use these principles to improve our daily lives, deepen our mindfulness, and move closer to our spiritual goals. Based on the classic Satipatthana Sutta, one of the most succinct yet rich explanations of meditation, Bhante's presentation is nonetheless thoroughly modern.

A Rogue AI Threatens the Future of the Human Race... When interstellar traders arrive at a distant human colony, they encounter an enraged rogue AI named Grendel who has slaughtered the local population. Grendel's anguish over his own mortality in an infinitely complex, unknown, and terrifyingly dangerous universe makes him a threat to humans everywhere. The ensuing human struggle is a tale of duty, courage, and sacrifice. But for their "tame" AI partner, Patrice, this encounter will test the limits of intelligence as a survival trait. The outcome will turn on his capacity to collaborate, ...

Unlock the Secrets They Don’t Want You to Know—And Awaken to the Power Within You What if everything you’ve been told about reality... is a lie? You feel it. That something isn’t right. That no matter how hard you try, a hidden force seems to block your path to peace, purpose, and true freedom. You’ve played by the rules, followed the programs, chased success—and yet, deep inside, you know: this world is not what it seems. Welcome to The Hidden Truth—a spiritual revelation, a metaphysical exposé, and a practical roadmap for awakening from the dream of illusion. In this ...