The Self-Aware Universe: How Consciousness Creates the Material World

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The Self-Aware Universe: How Consciousness Creates the Material World

by Amit Goswami, Richard E. Reed, Maggie Goswami, Fred Alan Wolf (Foreword by)

3.91 of 5 stars 3.91 · rating details · 347 ratings · 32 reviews

Brings together the most recent discoveries in quantum physics and provides a powerful argument for transforming not only the way we view nature, but also how we view our own personal reality. This book challenges readers to give up their prejudices regarding material realism, to open ourselves up to the new language and new concepts that have paralleled the growth of quan...more

Paperback, 336 pages

Published March 21st 1995 by Tarcher (first published 1993)

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Jun 23, 2012 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

The thesis of this book is that consciousness is the ground of all being and our self-consciousness is That consciousness. Down with matter! Up with brains! Or, well, at least the ‘quantum brain-mind’ as Goswami puts it.

Matter versus mind is one theme explored in depth in this book. Is consciousness epiphenomena of matter/the brain or is it more fundamental and the brain is merely its worker bee, its interpreter of the rest of the explicit universe springing forth from… consciousness?

Wait a seco...more The thesis of this book is that consciousness is the ground of all being and our self-consciousness is That consciousness. Down with matter! Up with brains! Or, well, at least the ‘quantum brain-mind’ as Goswami puts it.

Matter versus mind is one theme explored in depth in this book. Is consciousness epiphenomena of matter/the brain or is it more fundamental and the brain is merely its worker bee, its interpreter of the rest of the explicit universe springing forth from… consciousness?

Wait a second. How can there be just one consciousness yet multiple selves? This is another theme explored in depth. Our self-consciousness is part of a tangled hierarchy of processes interacting in overlapping ways as the potentia in the sub quantum level becomes explicit and real. The duration of this tangled hierarchy of processes give us the impression that we are in fact a separate being from The overall being, which is beyond explicit reality’s subject-object split. That we are observing it is more illusion than reality. It is true and irrelevant.

What is more Godless—a universe of matter or one with consciousness at the root? It is clearly the former, but it is an ironic matter of fact that most theists today are “hard objectivists” meaning they believe or at least operate in their lives as if matter were the ground of all being and logic and rationality are the only guidelines.

How to incorporate the obviously practical principles of science and being rational into this “idealist” world view? This is another topic of coverage in the book—classical physics and rationality in the explicit world are by no means discounted in Goswami’s thesis. Indeed as a physicist, his viewpoint ‘merely’ places physics and rationality within a wider context. He sees science and religion working in tandem—the former in objective studies both theoretical and practical and the later in subjective and meaningful dissemination of this objective material.

He cites many sacred texts, heavy weight scientists and mystics in this book. Some of the harder “coherent superposition” quantum physics topics were are, but he always does a great job summarizing this info as he integrates into a wider context infused with meaning that includes related subjective personal and historical stories as well as examples.
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Mar 31, 2012 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

If Amit could define what consciousness is there would be, to quote Darth Vader, "No Conflict".

But perhaps that is the final, ultimate rub. What IS consciousness? Can you measure it? Can you show me the math behind it? Well, not yet anyway. Can you deny it exists? Of course not. So we say that consciousness exists because we know it exists, without proof, without measure, without quantifiable and repeatable results. In my day we called that circular logic, not science.

That his discussion of qua...more If Amit could define what consciousness is there would be, to quote Darth Vader, "No Conflict".

But perhaps that is the final, ultimate rub. What IS consciousness? Can you measure it? Can you show me the math behind it? Well, not yet anyway. Can you deny it exists? Of course not. So we say that consciousness exists because we know it exists, without proof, without measure, without quantifiable and repeatable results. In my day we called that circular logic, not science.

That his discussion of quantum mechanics is rock solid should come as no surprise since he is the author of the books used by most colleges to teach college level quantum mechanics. So far, so good. But then he proposes what appears to be the final paradigm shift required to explain it all, and it is based upon the circular logic common to every single religion. Matter is not the foundation of everything, Consciousness / God / Mind is the foundation of everything, and this shift explains the current inconsistencies seen in the behavior of the "very small". How can electrons be in two places at the same time unless we are watching, in which case it can only be in one place at a time? Where does the electron go when it jumps levels, and how can it be that it does not travel the intervening distance but instead pops from one place to another? How can we continue to say a theory is solid if experimental data point to the fact that something is clearly missing?

This book, as well as his movie "The Quantum Activist" point to what I BELIEVE to be true. It points to the belief I have had for some time now. Reality IS space-time-consciousness. Not some white bearded jealous god on a cloud making rules, but Everything, without exception, right Now. So, I believe this. I think it is true. But even for someone who believes these things I found that as I read this book I kept waiting for him to lay out the proofs.

It is hard to take, crossing the streams... melding belief and science, adding the heady and fragrant spice of mysticism to quantum physics, turning it all upside down and noticing that if you do, it is explained but not necessarily with proof. So, I believe it and I agree, and yet I find myself fussing and kicking and looking for the data.

A great book, highly recommended, and one that will leave you doing what I am doing. Asking the questions and finding your own way. And isn't that one of the fun parts of being here?(less)

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Sep 11, 2010 Noah rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: scientists and anyone who wants to meet God in the mirror

Recommended to Noah by: Peace Is the Way: Bringing War and Violence to an End by Deepak Chopra

I was intrigued by this book as soon as I learned about what it was about in Peace Is the Way: Bringing War and Violence to an End by Deepak Chopra. The book's main theme is pretty simple: the fundamental building block of reality is not matter (atoms or energy, e=mc2) but consciousness. The results of quantum physics experiments can only be explained by the existence of a conscious observer outside of space time, namely the one universal consciousness, or as some people call it, God.

Because of...more I was intrigued by this book as soon as I learned about what it was about in Peace Is the Way: Bringing War and Violence to an End by Deepak Chopra. The book's main theme is pretty simple: the fundamental building block of reality is not matter (atoms or energy, e=mc2) but consciousness. The results of quantum physics experiments can only be explained by the existence of a conscious observer outside of space time, namely the one universal consciousness, or as some people call it, God.

Because of the conditioning that I've had particularly in the sciences, painstaking going through and explaining everything using the actual results of experiments in quantum physics was helpful for me to be able to overcome limiting beliefs about the nature of reality and my ability to shape it.

What drove me to read it at this time was a desire to reconcile the overwhelming evidence that consciousness creates reality with my inability to understand how, if that is the case, why I cannot instantaneously change reality--why we do not see dream-like changes ala Inception happening on a daily basis. I have experienced instantaneous changes in reality as a result of my thoughts, but it still happened in a way that conforms to the normal rules of classical physics. I do not have the ability to make supernatural things happen, but if reality is simply consciousness, why not?

The book answered that question for me. I can't fully articulate the ideas in the book (check out an interview for that), but I think I understood them. The authors go into detail to explain the illusion of separate consciousnesses and all of the other questions that arise for people operating in a materialist paradigm.

I feel satisfied that yes, the building block is consciousness, but that doesn't mean the laws of physics go out the window, they are part of the creation that has its own existence. I will be exploring his other books to learn more about the practical implications of what it means to live in a world where consciousness creates the reality we live in.
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Jul 15, 2009 Thom Foolery rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: jose-recommendation

The author, famous/infamous for his appearance in the film What the Bleep Do We Know?, begins with a fascinating premise-that the only metaphysical interpretation of quantum physics that accounts for all data is monist idealism. This monist idealist interpretation of quantum physics is akin to the worldview of Advaita Vedanta, in which there is, absolutely speaking, one fundamental reality-Mind/Conciousness (the Sanskrit word is Atman or Brahman, depending on whether one approaches it from the p...more The author, famous/infamous for his appearance in the film What the Bleep Do We Know?, begins with a fascinating premise-that the only metaphysical interpretation of quantum physics that accounts for all data is monist idealism. This monist idealist interpretation of quantum physics is akin to the worldview of Advaita Vedanta, in which there is, absolutely speaking, one fundamental reality-Mind/Conciousness (the Sanskrit word is Atman or Brahman, depending on whether one approaches it from the perspective of the individual or the whole). This nondual, nonlocal fundamental reality is apprehended dualistically as the subject of experience (the noumenal world of the individual mind) and the object of experience (the phenomenal world of individual objects). Goswami's most interesting thesis is that the quantum level of mind is that empty silence wherein free choice and novel creativity occur, whereas the classical level of mind is the conditioned chatterbox that operates on habit and repetition; this "two truths" approach allows his model to include and transcend the insights of behaviorism, etc.

As I said, this is a fascinating interpretation, and one that resonates with the philosophical-religious worldview that has been called the perennial philosophy. Alas, this book is not as well written as I would have liked; sometimes the parables he relates don't connect meaningfully to the material at hand and at other times each paragraph seems only slightly related to those preceding and following. As well, the prose is often stilted and occasionally even embarassing (although, in his defense, he is a professor of physics and not creative writing). He only spends 1/3 of the book developing his thesis, a big mistake when you are rocking the boat so thoroughly. Another problem with this book is that the last 1/3 is a completely unnecessary (in my opinion) application of this interpretation to the spiritual path. There are scores of better books on the religious/spiritual practice of nondualism, so why bother? Is it to give the imprimatur of science to something that had previously been merely religious, and therefore suspect? Or is to fill pages?

In short, Goswami's book expresses an interesting idea, although it is not always an interesting read.(less)

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Jun 14, 2012 Doug Dillon rated it 5 of 5 stars

In this instance, the book cover really does tell the story--All of Existence looking back at itself. Goswani and his co-authors put forth the concept that consciousness is indeed the basis for All That Is. Building on the extensive work already done in Quantum Physics, the authors help give readers meaning and purpose to their existences. This book effectively links mind and body in such a way as to establish a joyful connectivity between all things.

Clearly written, the authors entice readers w...more

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Sep 30, 2012 Katie Sibley rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Self-Aware Universe by Amit Goswami is a book for thought. Given, it gave me plenty of headaches and deep consideration into the world around me and the reality or illusion of it all, I thoroughly enjoy this book. It delves deep into the ideas of quantum physics and mechanics, monistic idealism, consciousness and the way that all of these things play into our lives and into what is actually happening around and inside of us at all times, on both a micro and macro level. Though it may be a lo...more

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Oct 07, 2008 -uht! added it

Shelves: unfinished

God dammit. I thought I was getting a science book but this is hippy dippy. Oh well, I'll keep going until I can't stand it anymore. Should've noticed that one of the reviews on the back was from Yoga magazine.

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Sep 29, 2012 Gregory rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a kind heart Dr Goswami displays

The Self-Aware Universe by Amit Goswami

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a kind heart Dr Goswami displays

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Jun 02, 2012 Chelsea rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really like the goal that this book has, however I don't know if it quite achieves it.

The book seems to be split into two parts. The first part is more of a physics explanation, and this is the part I feel was the weakest. Goswami is a physicist, and I think because of that he doesn't elaborate as much as he probably should in explaining some of these physics concepts. It wasn't until Von Neumann machines were discussed about four separate times that I actually started to glean what they were...more

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Mar 03, 2008 Fred Joy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Challenging, intriguing, fascinating. Try watching "What the bleep do we Know" first.

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Feb 08, 2008 Evan rated it 3 of 5 stars

incredibly wordy but pretty interesting.

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Apr 06, 2012 Justin rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: amit, goswami, awareness, consciousness, metaphysics, mysticism, phenomenology, philosophy, science, theory

I don't recommend this book unless you are prone to looking at the universe in a spiritual light. The author has attempted to use the inherent mysteries of the quantum world to suggest that everything is connected in a wonderful conscious mashup with purpose and spirit - I suspect that this is a uniquely human emotional interpretation of the universe rather than a window into some heretofore unperceived aspect of reality. Don't let the fact that Goswami is a trained physicist fool you into think...more

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Nov 29, 2011 Nicholas rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: physics

The books main argument is against "material realism" and in favor of a more holistic approach to reality in which our individual consciousness is responsible for creating external phenomena.This aim is achieved by invoking the Copenhagen Interpretation which is an outdated concept that wasn't even taken seriously at the time is was proposed as it was unable to explain what happens when conscious observation is absent, but here we have god collapsing the the "wave packet" of information to keep...more

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Oct 30, 2009 Alison is currently reading it

This book is pretty cool and got me on to many other books(both a good and bad thing). The author tries his best to simplify and go slow explain his position and what he's trying to seek an understand. He talks of dream trying to not only understand what consciousness is but to debate and explain it to the various groups able to deicfer any of it.He goes through pscyhology philosophers, and scientists unable to really make a fit but yet there's someone in his dream representing consciousness as...more

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Mar 15, 2013 Stephen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reads, religious-studies

Truly great book. Heady at times and hard to get into at first for me, but once I focused and sort of gained an idea of the terminology being used everything I read had a sense to it. There are some really great moments in this book about the creative process and what it takes and what it affords. I plan to put some of my notes from the book up here and review it in a greater extent when I can.

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Apr 03, 2013 Ricardo Acuña rated it 4 of 5 stars

Some parts difficult to follow, because it goes too technical for me. But the provocative idea of a new paradigm to join science and religion is interesting.

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Jul 30, 2011 Brendan rated it 5 of 5 stars

right up there with "the tao of physics" and "the holographic universe." relatively easy to read and comprehend with little training in quantum physics.

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Mar 29, 2009 Jacob J rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: physics-and-math

This one is pretty out there. If I didn't like the topic so much it would get one star instead of two, but I can't in good conscience recommend it.

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Jan 24, 2011 Meaghan McQuade rated it 5 of 5 stars

Absolutely brilliant. Melds science and spirituality seamlessly together through the amazing and misunderstood quantum reality of our world.

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Oct 19, 2012 Sahm King rated it 5 of 5 stars

Dr. Goswami's text is absolutely one of the most beautiful scientific / metaphysical works I've ever read from any physicist.

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Aug 09, 2011 Lucinda Winslow added it

Self Aware Universe...readable journey into the quantum unknown...interesting, hard to encompass.

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Jan 31, 2010 Sheikh Mohamad rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: spiritual-science

Very interesting book, but I guess it's suitable for those who have some knowledge in physics.

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Nov 14, 2009 Corey M rated it 4 of 5 stars

My eyes were opened to an alternative view of understanding the ultimate structure of reality.

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Aug 21, 2011 Bert Carson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Written well for the mass market - could have gone further, but didn't.

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May 24, 2009 Supriya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Excellent. Combines spiritual and scientific views.

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Mar 31, 2009 Jeff rated it 5 of 5 stars

You'll never look at matter the same way.

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Mar 14, 2013 Preston rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

indubitably amazing

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Mar 24, 2011 David rated it 3 of 5 stars

wicked!

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Aug 30, 2010 Stewart rated it 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads or Firefox "ate" my review, which I spent half an hour on. I am not going to write another one.

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Aug 10, 2009 Nicolle rated it 3 of 5 stars

A great read, but it can be a bit confusing if your not a physics buff. I personally have to keep the laptop near by when reading to look up physics terms that I am not familiar with.
Although, when the author touches upon human perception of matter it gets really interesting!

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About Amit Goswami

Amit Goswami is a nuclear physicist and member of The University of Oregon Institute for Theoretical Physics since 1968. Dr. Goswami is a revolutionary in a growing body of renegade scientists who in recent years have ventured into the domain of the spiritual in an attempt both to interpret the seemingly inexplicable findings of their experiments and to validate their intuitions about the existenc...more

More about Amit Goswami...

Books by Amit Goswami

Physics of the Soul: The Quantum Book of Living, Dying, Reincarnation, and Immortality

God Is Not Dead: What Quantum Physics Tell Us about Our Origins and How We Should Live

The Quantum Doctor: A Physicist's Guide to Health and Healing

How Quantum Activism Can Save Civilization: A Few People Can Change Human Evolution

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