From Science to God: A Physicist's Journey into the Mystery of Consciousness

by Peter Russell

Peter Russell went from being a strict atheist and scientist to discovering a profound personal synthesis of the mystical and the scientific. That transition is the basis of this book. In From Science to God, he blends physics, psychology, and philosophy to reach a new worldview in which consciousness is a fundamental quality of creation. Russell shows how all the ingredients for this worldview are in place; it remains only to put the pieces together and explore the new picture of reality that emerges. Integrating a deep knowledge of science with his own experiences of meditation, Russell arrives at a universe similar to that described by many mystics — one in which the inner and outer worlds no longer conflict. The bridge between them, he shows, is light, and this book invites readers to cross that bridge to find new meaning in God and a deeper significance in spiritual practice.

Genres: Science, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Psychology, Philosophy, Metaphysics, Religion

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Peter Russell M.A., D.C.S., (07 May 1946 - ) is a British author of ten books and producer of three films on consciousness, spiritual awakening and their role in the future development of humanity.

He has designed and taught personal development programs for businesses, and has remained a popular public speaker.
In 1965 he was awarded an Open Exhibition to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, to study Mathematics. In 1969, he gained a First Class Honours in Theoretical Physics and Experimental Psychology. He then went to Rishikesh, India, where he trained as a teacher of Transcendental Meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In 1971, he gained a post-graduate degree in Computer Science. From 1971 to 1974, he studied for a Ph.D. on the psychophysiology of meditation at Bristol University.

Reviews

[Trent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading Chapter Seven online a few years before I purchased the book. It completely shifted my world view and had me questioning everything I thought I knew. If anything this book opens the eyes of those clouded by logic and science. These words brought me to life from my deep atheistic thought and, among other writings, led me towards my current university studies. This book is not for everyone, but those who can read objectively and openly will gain more and more from every page. 5 STARS.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Unlike the God I rejected as a youth, God as the light of consciousness neither conflicts with my scientific leanings, nor does it run counter to my intuition and reason. Indeed, it points towards an ultimate convergence of science and religion."

[Ronald Fife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Russell offers an easy to understand work that describes his new “paradigm of paradigms”. I was first enlightened by him through watching his video lecture,
“The Primacy of Consciousness”, which I highly recommend. His simplification that light may be the fundamental source of existence is a good starting point, but I don’t think he is really saying that. In my interpretation he seems to be saying that light is a good place to look to get closer to a fundamental source. In the above video lecture, he presents another idea that may be more profound. There, he looks at the manifestation of light, but he also points out that all of known physics is a description of the fundamental quality of action. In other words, although it may be helpful to equate the fundamental substance of consciousness with light, I think Russell is really saying that light is the manifestation of consciousness in this universe. Consciousness may not be a substance, but it is a process. If we add physicist David Bohm’s ideas about an emergent universe, we may go a little further beyond what Russell is showing. For me, Russell has been a great teacher and this is an excellent book with profound ideas. But, Russell doesn’t quite go far enough. He doesn’t explore how the fundamental process of consciousness that he believes creates our universe may be derived from an un-emergent dimension of unified consciousness.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fascinated by consciousness. Nothing in the physical sciences predicts the phenomenon of consciousness. Yet its reality is apparent to each and every one of us. Qantum Physics is the only branch of science, I think, that has even a remote chance of exploring human consciousness and the realm of "deep mind". This book is a fantastic intro to this new field of study.

[Blaž · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author gives a nice overview of modern physics, western idealism and eastern spiritual thought, but fails to connect them, as promised in the book's title. His assumption on where consciousness emerges from and panexistentialism are laid on very weak foundations.

[Deborah Veres · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really good study on consciousness and where it exists. Very interesting!

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting concept and book: it has put me onto consciousness as an area of exploration. As a sometime process theologian I found it intriguing.

[Dolf van der Haven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Russell almost did it right: bringing together his backgrounds in physics and spirituality and linking the two. This book has strong chapters about consciousness and quantum mechanics and I was eagerly await a convincing union of the two, but this never came. At least he understands both and doesn’t fall into the new age trap of abusing QM to explain spirituality. A missed chance, but nevertheless a book that is worth reading and, as far as it goes, that I find little fault with.

[Marwa Madian- مروة مدين · Rating 3 out of 5]

من العلم إلى الله- بيتر راسل
كتاب يحكي في صفحات قليلة نسبيا تجربة كاتبه التي تطورت به بشكل طبيعي ليصل به من الإيمان بالعلم كإله في حد ذاته إلى الإيمان بإله حقيقي. وهذا ممتع. إذ تجد نفسك متابعا لتطور فكر الإنسان وكيفية وصوله إلى ما وصل إليه..
أكثر ما يميز الكتاب هو المنهجية المتميزة والواضحة في الفكر. وبرغم صعوبة الكلام في بعض الأحيان، إلا أنه مع بعض من التفكير والتأمل تجد أن كل خطوة تلي الأخرى بمنطقية شديدة. وهذا ليس بغريب على عالِم تخصص في الرياضيات والفيزياء كما نال شهادات في علوم الكمبيوتر وعلم النفس.
رحلته بدأت كطفل من بيئة كاثوليكية، قرر في الثالثة عشر من عمره ألا ينتمي الى دين، وسار في طريقه العلمي الذي اهتدى من خلاله إلى وجود إله، وذلك من خلال إيمانه بالوعي الإنساني. ولكن المحزن من وجهة نظري انه اهتداء مقلوب!
والبداية عنده كانت من الضوء. درس الضوء وخصائصه العجيبة وحقيقته التي- على حد تعبيره- لم يتوصل لها العلم بعد. فالضوء يبدو لدارسه يفوق نطاق الحس والعقل والفهم. وهنا يقول:
"يقال ان الله مطلق وكذلك الضوء... الله خارج نطاق التجسيد المادي في هذا العالم أو الشكل وخارج الزمان والمكان وكذلك الضوء... الله لا يمكن أن يُعرف بشكل مباشر وكذلك الضوء... الله هو مصدر كل شيء وكذلك الضوء... وعلى ذلك، فإذا كان الله هو الضوء أو ما وراء الضوء إذا فضوء أو نور الوعي الإنساني الذي يشرق داخل كل واحد منا هو أحد صور الإله.. ومن هنا يصل إلى إن الإنسان هو الإله أو أن الإله بداخل كل انسان منا- سبحان الله وتعالى عما يصفون.
هذا الاستنتاج –في رأيي- أكبر دليل على أن منهجية الفكر لا تؤدي بالضرورة إلى النتيجة الصحيحة! فلابد من الهداية.
هو يرى أنه وجد الله ولكنه نسبه إلى نفسه! لقد بحث عن صفات وضعها هو بنفسه، وعندما وجد -من خلال التأمل- أنها موجودة في نفسه وصل إلى إن الله بداخله وبداخل كل شيء على وجه الأرض!
ربما لأنه ممن تربوا على المركزية.. مركزية الإنسان في الكون، فالكون يبدأن من الإنسان واليه ينتهي، وكل شيء ينتسب إلى الإنسان... وهذا غريب! في حين أننا –المؤمنين بالله- منه المبتدى وإليه المنتهى، ونستدل منه على كل شيء.
أحترم طريقة تفكيره وانحني أمام منهجيته التي نفتقر إليها ولكني أختلف معه تماما فيما وصل إليه. حتى النصوص الصوفية التي استشهد بها أخطأ في فهمها كما أخطأ في فهمها كثيرون فظلموا الصوفية. ولأن الشعور الذي يشعر به الصوفي أثقل وأعقد من أن تحمله كلمة أو تعبير واضح لا يخطئه أحد، تجد الكثير يسيئون فهم كلامهم تماما كما حدث مع الحلاج!
تبقى الهداية دائما هي الفارق.. فالهداية هي التي توصل الى النتيجة الصحيحة .. وتمنح القدرة على حسن التعبير لتوصيل الفكرة. ومن دون الهداية يكون المصير إما كمصير الحلاج أو مصير بيتر راسل!
نسأل الله الهداية لنا ولجميع خلقه.

[John Spiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russell writes eloquently and logically about life and the nature of reality. Much of the book contains his reflections on his life and why he walked the path he did.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of you who are familiar with the basic principles of Quantum Physics, you will no doubt be familiar with the enigma physicists have known for decades: At the most fundamental level of matter, the very fact of observation directly affects what's being observed. Put another way, our consciousness actually shapes the "reality" we perceive. Peter Russell does a fantastic job of making complex ideas and advanced scientific models easily understandable in simple, every-day language and terms. He shows the parallels between consciousness and the nature of light, while reflecting on the esoteric meaning of "light" in the world's many different religions.
A great read for those who have abandoned organized religion, but still seek a spiritual path; as well as those who tend to be more scientifically (skeptically) inclined while examining the esoteric claims and teachings the world over.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dislike memoirs for the simple reason that there's nobody on Earth that I want to know that much about (and unless you created or led something truly major, it's a self-indulgence and form of therapy to write one, not a public service). This book is partly a memoir, but I didn't realize that when I started reading it.

I've admired Peter Russell's work and thinking, so I kept reading. I learned from what he has learned and what that led him to he believe. The title is (thankfully) a bit misleading. He has not forsaken science for religion. He does not see them in conflict, but that depends on one's beliefs and knowledge, of course.

It was published in 2003, but it's even more relevant in 2025 when the world is in even worse crises everywhere, it seems. If you're interested in consciousness, any form of spiritual quest and history of the evolution of beliefs in that realm, and not sure how to reconcile all of that, I highly recommend read this short book.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young mathematician at Cambridge University Peter Russell had some deep, fundamental questions about the nature of the universe and he realized that math, or the sciences in general, could not adequately address his questions. Leaving Cambridge on his quest for knowledge Peter studied with Indian sages and he became intrigued with religion, philosophy and even quantum physics.

Peter Russell uses his unique blend of life experiences to connect these seemingly diverse fields into one interconnected whole. In the end, with his easy to understand approach, Peter does a fantastic job of leading the reader to see how the concepts of Science and God are not mutually exclusive and how indeed they are part of the same whole.

[Josh Stroud · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a nutshell:
Russell proposes a paradigm shift from a materialist viewpoint, in which objective reality is made of time, space, and energy, to a consciousness viewpoint, in which reality is constructed by our collective consciousness and therefore subjective.

Consciousness is "built-in" to the universe, and everything is made out of mindstuff, not physical-stuff.

This paradigm would combine science and religion as two halves of humanity's collective search for truth.

[Kay Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's good to be reminded from time to time that there's a whole lot we don't know about what's "out there". Russell offers a thoughtful explanation of some of the possibilities, and how they may alter our perception of who we are and who God is.

[Richard Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick interesting read that left me eager to learn more.
excellent up to india, about 1/2 way, then became just good because of lack of detail.
question: exactly how does he meditate?
oe what did he learn in india and how can i repeat his lesson for myself?
followup topic: experiential knowledge.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorites. Very well done. If you like physics, at all, it explains the power of positive thinking with the help of quantum physics. Sounds difficult, but he writes it so well, even I could get it. And, I knew nothing of the subject before hand.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nearly a 5; only drawback was it left me wanting more detailed practical information and guidance on meditation and how exactly that leads one to utilize “consciousness to connect to spirit”. World improving work, and I hope to explore more of Russell’s work on meditation practice..

[Tim Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly thought provoking.

[Eric Blackstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deceptively simple and clear presentation of paradigm-shattering concepts and current understanding surrounding the intersection between science and spirituality.

[Pattie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply written book about one man's journey through physics and the principles of light to the inner journey of finding God.

[WarriorShihTzu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most thought provoking books I've read. I read it periodically and enjoy it every time, learning something new.

[Shankar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinarily simple yet profound book!

[Jo-jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great help to awaken.

[Sukhdeep Singh]

A book with perfect intersection between science and spirituality.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A PHYSICIST RELATES HIS JOURNEY TO NEW PERSPECTIVE ON GOD & CONSCIOUSNESS

Author Peter Russell wrote in the Introduction to this 2002, “We need more than a new theory of consciousness. We must reconsider some of our fundamental assumptions about the nature of reality. That was the insight that was trying to break through… Our whole worldview needed to be turned inside out. Over the following months, I worked on an essay pulling together the various pieces of a model of reality in which consciousness played a primary role. In the process, I discovered that the implications were even deeper than I had supposed. The new worldview not only changed the way science looked at consciousness, it also led to a new view of spirituality---and, most surprisingly, to a new concept of God… As much as the book is a journey of ideas that starts with science and arrives at God, it is also my own personal journey from being a physicist with little interest in spiritual matters to an explorer of consciousness who now begins to appreciate what the great spiritual teachings have been saying for thousands of years.” (Pg. 1-2)

He observes, “David Chalmers, professor of philosophy at the University of Arizona, calls this the ‘hard problem’ of consciousness… The really hard problem is consciousness itself. Why should the complex processing of information in the brain lead to an inner experience? Why doesn’t it all go on in the dark, without any subjective aspect? Why do we have any inner life at all? I now believe this is not so much a hard problem as an impossible problem---impossible, that is, within the current scientific worldview. Our inability to account for consciousness is the trigger that will, in time, push Western science into what … Thomas Kuhn called a ‘paradigm shift.’” (Pg. 18)

He continues, ‘I now believe that rather than trying to explain consciousness in terms of the material world, we should be developing a new worldview in which consciousness is a fundamental component of reality. The key ingredients for this new metaparadigm are already in place. We need not wait for any new discoveries. All we need to do is just put various pieces of our existing knowledge together and explore the new picture of reality that emerges.” (Pg. 29)

He recounts, “My studies in experimental psychology had taught me much about neurophysiology, memory, behavior, and perception. Yet, despite all I was learning about brain function, I was no closer to understanding the nature of consciousness itself. The East, however, appeared to have a lot to say about the subject, and so did many mystics from around the world. For thousands of years such seekers had focused on the inner realm of the mind, exploring its subtler aspects through direct personal experience.” (Pg. 69)

He adds, “I traveled to … a lake high up in the Italian Alps, for a meditation retreat with Maharishi [Mahesh Yogi]. I was instantly charmed… he looked the classic Indian guru. Bubbling over with joy, he never tires of talking to us novices about finer levels of being and higher states of consciousness. This was not book knowledge, but wisdom that was coming from someone who clearly had direct personal experience of these states. I knew then that I wanted to study further with him.” (Pg. 74)

He suggests, “the Biblical injunction ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ It does not mean ‘stop fidgeting around and recognize that the person who is speaking to you is the almighty God of all creation.’ It makes much more sense as an encouragement to still the mind and know, not as an intellectual understanding but as a direct realization, that the ‘I am’ that is your essential self, the pure consciousness that lies behind all experience, is the supreme Being, the source of all. This concept of God is not of a separate being, beyond us in some other realm, overlooking human affairs and loving or judging us according to our deeds. God appears in each and every one of us as the most intimate and undeniable aspect of ourselves, the consciousness shining in every mind.” (Pg. 89)

He states, “God is often said to be the creator and the source of all creation. So is consciousness. Our entire personal world---everything we see, hear, taste, smell, and touch; every thought, feeling, fantasy, intimation, hope, and fear---is a form that consciousness has taken on. Consciousness is the source of creator of everything we know.” (Pg. 90)

He explains, “Unlike the God I rejected as a youth, God as the light of consciousness neither conflicts with my scientific leanings, now does it run counter to my intuition and reason. Indeed, it points forward toward an ultimate convergence of science and religion.” (Pg. 101)

He summarizes, “This meeting of science and spirit is crucial, not just for a more comprehensive understanding of the cosmos, but also for the future of our species. Today, more than ever, we need a worldview that validates spiritual inquiry, for it is the spiritual aridity of our current times that lies behind so many of our crises.” (Pg. 117)

He concludes, “In expanding our worldview to include consciousness as fundamental to the cosmos, this new model of reality not only accounts for the anomaly of consciousness; it also revalidates the spiritual wisdom of the ages in contemporary terms, inspiring us to dedicate ourselves anew to the journey of self-discovery. If this new worldview becomes a personal experience---a shift in the way we perceive reality rather than just a new understanding of reality---our world would change in ways that we can hardly imagine… today, we can have little appreciation of how the world might be when generations have been brought up knowing that consciousness is primary, and that each and every one of us is holy. One thing we can say: It will be a much kinder and wiser world… Freed from many of our delusion, and from much of our fear and judgment, we will no longer cause each other unnecessary pain and suffering. Inner well-being and happiness will become the true measure of social progress… By today’s standards this might sound like heaven on Earth, but isn’t what spiritual teachings have always prophesied? When we realize the errors in our thinking, let go of our attachments, transcend our limited sense of self, and discover the true nature of our being, then darkness will give way to light. We will find the salvation we have been seeking, and our hearts will be at peace.” (Pg. 128-129)

This book may interest these seeking new perspectives on consciousness and spirituality.

[Maryam Kh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first chapters of the book and I was hoping that the writer would go deeper into those topics. The chapters talked about subjectivity of our senses against what’s going on actually in the physical world. Peter explains that we can only see the world the way it is because of how our senses allow us to (the way our mind sees colors, reads sounds, experience space and time, sensations, (he gave tons of examples) etc. He then concludes that the world we know and see is not made of matter, it’s made in our minds; “everything is structured in consciousness”
For me this was the most interesting point of the whole book and I was hoping that the writer would continue on this path, method. The following chapters moved to talking about spirituality and Buddhasim. it was basically his interpretations of how he understood consciousness, light and God. I didn’t find anything for me there
But it’s a book worth reading

[Sreedevi Viswambaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a path-breaking book for me. The initial chapters are a pure gem and it gave me a completely new perspective towards everything. When we say 'life as we see it', you never know how limited that 'seeing' is. Linking science to God is not easy, especially when those are considered as opposite poles by current world view. Peter Russell's transition is almost seamless. I would stress on the word 'almost' because the chapters on consciousness to God were mainly based on Author's own experiences with meditation and his journey to east. There weren't enough on those topics to convince me to go along with the author's views. I will go with a four for this one. This may not be a go-to book for those who seek the ultimate meaning of life and everything, but the book can point towards the right direction.

[Phil Calandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"From Science to God" is a compelling book based on the author's struggles to align his scientific beliefs with his growing spiritual awakening and dissatisfaction with conventional religion. The author is a scientist who studied mathematics and theoretical physics at Cambridge and later changed to experimental psychology. Subsequent to his studies, the author travelled to India and studied meditation and Eastern Philosophy. It should also be noted that the author studied under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The author has developed a unique perspective and adeptly speaks to the synthesis of mysticism and science. The author's scientific background and spiritual awakening has led him to the conclusion that consciousness underlies all manifestation, is the underpinning of all Reality and is synonymous with the Absolute. I would highly recommend this book.

[Viriyavaṃsa Bhikkhu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first few chapters where he argues for the primacy of consciousness is quite well done in simple convincing language. His argument for panpsychism in terms of consciousness being in everything hints at an unexamined residual materialism.

The rest of the book is filled with assertions based on the assumption that consciousness is the self as well as "God", and that every single historical figure who hinted at the "light of consciousness" is enlightened. To assume all spiritual traditions are ultimately saying the same thing defies any logic or reason. Shame.