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Hidden Dimensions: The Unification of Physics and Consciousness (Columbia Series in Science and Religion) | 
 enlarge | Author: B. Alan Wallace
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Category: Book
List Price: $24.50
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Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 199743
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 176
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.9
ISBN: 0231141505
Dewey Decimal Number: 126
EAN: 9780231141505
ASIN: 0231141505
Publication Date: August 6, 2007
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Product Description
Bridging the gap between the world of science and the realm of the spiritual, B. Alan Wallace introduces a natural theory of human consciousness that has its roots in contemporary physics and Buddhism. Wallace's "special theory of ontological relativity" suggests that mental phenomena are conditioned by the brain, but do not emerge from it. Rather, the entire natural world of mind and matter, subjects and objects, arises from a unitary dimension of reality that is more fundamental than these dualities, as proposed by Wolfgang Pauli and Carl Jung. To test his hypothesis, Wallace employs the Buddhist meditative practice of samatha, refining one's attention and metacognition, to create a kind of telescope to examine the space of the mind. Drawing on the work of the physicist John Wheeler, he then proposes a more general theory in which the participatory nature of reality is envisioned as a self-excited circuit. In comparing these ideas to the Buddhist theory known as the Middle Way philosophy, Wallace explores further aspects of his "general theory of ontological relativity," which can be investigated by means of vipasyana, or insight, meditation. Wallace then focuses on the theme of symmetry in reference to quantum cosmology and the "problem of frozen time," relating these issues to the theory and practices of the Great Perfection school of Tibetan Buddhism. He concludes with a discussion of the general theme of complementarity as it relates to science and religion. The theories of relativity and quantum mechanics were major achievements in the physical sciences, and the theory of evolution has had an equally deep impact on the life sciences. However, rigorous scientific methods do not yet exist to observe mental phenomena, and naturalism has its limits for shedding light on the workings of the mind. A pioneer of modern consciousness research, Wallace offers a practical and revolutionary method for exploring the mind that combines the keenest insights of contemporary physicists and philosophers with the time-honored meditative traditions of Buddhism.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Another good read from B. Alan Wallace July 15, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is an excellent companion to other books by Wallce which address the relationship between science and spirituality.
 Great Material, not for the layman June 30, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a very good book with some great theories and science in it. Wallace really makes you think and analyze the world around us. It definitely doesn't seem to be for the layman. It helps to know some of what he is talking about before you read it! He writes very sophisticated and some of it can be confusing.
 Hidden Dimensions January 16, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I found this book to be a fascinating review of the evolution of Physics, the accomplishments of trained meditators, and how combining the learnings from both might greatly improve our lives.
Mr Wallace takes us on a grand tour of what current researchers are discovering about Quantum Physics and how difficult it has been to reconcile it's predictions with what Classical Physics says and what we are used to experiencing in our world. He notes that in the Quantum world everything is intrinsically related to the observer. This has some very strange and wonderful implications and is very different from our usual cause and effect notions of how things work.
He details how well science has described our external world but feels it has very poorly described our internal world. Buddhist meditators over many centuries have explored the inner workings of our minds and the nature of consciousness in a way that complements and parallels Western science. His central position is that consciousness is what ties everything together.
This was slow reading for me but well worth my time. The message is optimistic and very thought provoking.
Profound and challenging November 3, 2007
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
The author was a praticing Buddhist monk for many years, working with H.H. Dalai Lama, and when he left the monastic life he turned to the study of physics. In this book he brings these two worlds together in a convincingly intelligent way, presenting what is arguably one of the most comprehensive descriptions of the world around us (and in us).
He relies on the theories of physicist John Wheeler, and at the same time on his own meditative experiences. Emphazising the buddhist 'middle way'. Arguing for a world view that is neither materialistic nor theistic.
Considering the heated and rather depressiv debate between creationists and fanatic, fundamentalist neo-darwinists like Richard Dawkins, this is certainly a breath of fresh air. Making it clear that natural science has NOT been able to explain how life arise out of matter or how intelligence arise out of the material brain. And of course showing the utter lack of need for the postulate of a personal creator 'God'.
A beautiful book that should appeal to 'fans' of people like Osho, Stanislav Grof, Amit Goswami, Deepak Chopra. In many ways this could be seen as an updated version of "The Tao of Physics" by an author with a much more solid grip on the spiritual aspects than Fritjof Capra.
Intelligent arguments for not considering human 'reason' as the highest Intelligence in the Universe!
innovation in mind research October 17, 2007
16 out of 18 found this review helpful
The Dalai Lama often refers to Buddhism as "the science of the mind". This book is very interesting even important by suggesting new research projects about how the minds work. Allan Wallace has deep knowledge about the latest developments in physics and has extensive meditation experience.
Buddhists consider that scientific investigations should contribute to the well being of people. Buddhists also believe that we would become more capable to act positively, decently, and be more satisfied with life if we would know more about how the mind works. His recommendations are therefore very important.
Alan Wallace presents convincingly that rapid progress can be made through scientific studies based on introspection. The experiments should be carried out scientifically with people having "perfectly trained minds".
For those interested in new knowledge in this area I recommend the " Society of Minds" by Marvin Minsky. He follows an "incremental" approach by analysing how different parts of the brain carry out different tasks. Minsky also gained important insights by studying the evolutionary development of the brain. Another complementary approach is "agent based modelling", a method used in complexity economics, as described in the "Origin of Wealth" by Eric Beinhocker. These studies expand the knowledge of what happens when a "group of brains "interact and show how this can lead to positive and negative results, referred to as "emergent properties" The evolutionary model is also used in these projects.
I have not studied physics at an academic level and some sections of the book I do not fully understand. However I understood enough to recommend the book to others that want to know more about the workings of the mind. After reading this book you will have expanded and refreshed your knowledge
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