You Are the Universe: Discovering Your Cosmic Self and Why It Matters

by Deepak Chopra, Menas Kafatos

Deepak Chopra une forças com o eminente físico Menas Kafatos para explorar algumas das questões mais importantes e intrigantes acerca do lugar que ocupamos no mundo. O que acontece quando a ciência moderna atinge um ponto de viragem crucial que desafia tudo o que sabemos acerca da realidade? Nesta obra brilhante, oportuna e prática, Chopra e Kafatos afirmam que chegámos a esse ponto. Na era que se avizinha, o universo será totalmente redefinido como um «universo humano», radicalmente diferente do vazio frio e deserto onde a vida humana não passa de uma partícula no cosmos. Cada um de nós é um cocriador da realidade, que se estende aos recantos mais longínquos do tempo e do espaço. Esta proposição aparentemente impossível decorre do atual estado da ciência, onde alguns mistérios fundamentais permanecem por - Como começou a vida? - O que existia antes do Big Bang? - De onde veio o tempo? - Estará o mundo quântico ligado à vida quotidiana? - Vivemos num universo consciente? "A mudança para um novo paradigma está a acontecer", escrevem os autores. "As respostas sugeridas neste livro não são invenções nossas, nem voos excêntricos da imaginação. Todos nós vivemos num universo participativo. Quando você decidir participar em pleno, de corpo, mente e alma, a realidade que habita será sua, para abraçar ou alterar."

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Science, Philosophy, Self Help, Psychology, Personal Development

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Deepak Chopra, MD serves as the Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Foundation, and Co-Founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing.

As a global leader and pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, Chopra transforms the way the world views physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellness. Known as a prolific author of eighty books books with twenty-two New York Times best sellers in both fiction and non-fiction, his works have been published in more than forty-three languages.

Chopra’s medical training is in internal medicine and endocrinology. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Dr. Chopra serves as Co-Founder and Chairman of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Founder of The Chopra Well on YouTube, Adjunct Professor of Executive Programs at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, Columbia University, Assistant Clinical Professor, in the Family and Preventive Medicine Department at the University of California, San Diego, Health Sciences, Faculty at Walt Disney Imagineering, and Senior Scientist with The Gallup Organization.

GlobeIn acknowledges Chopra as "one of top ten most influential spiritual leaders around the world." TIME magazine has described Dr. Chopra as "one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century and credits him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine."

Reviews

[Ramona · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not finish. I have enjoyed some of Chopra’s books in the past, but this book felt like it couldn’t decide whether it was a college physics textbook or new age positive thinking essay. Listening on audio I felt as if I was being forced to listen to a college professor drone on and make strange connections. After a few chapters I ended up giving up, as it was causing serious drowsy driving. If you can’t sleep, listen to this on audio. Your problem will be solved.

And when will Goodreads make a Did Not Finish option?

[Maria Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hablar de este libro sin desvelar nada es un poco difícil, así que me quedo al otro lado de la línea y digo: ¡cuánto nos falta por llegar a comprender realmente qué es el universo! De momento, un misterio cargado de teorías.

[Evan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author gives a good overview of some interesting phenomena in physics and the universe, this convinced me to give an extra star to the review. Some of the ideas he poses about consciousness are interesting to consider. But the logical leaps he makes to back these ideas up had me rolling my eyes. the book is littered with logical fallacy. what more would you expect from a Dr. who's published 85 books and a physicist from a Christian University? These people are out to take your money. Glad I got this book for free, will be repurposed as kindling.

[Emma Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

280 pages of pseudoscience. The authors consistently start with a true assertion and then take huge, unsupported logical leaps. I picked this book up for a library reading challenge and would recommend it to exactly zero people.

[Nastja · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title might be a bit misleading - for the most part, this book is about quantum physics and other branches of science. But what is interesting is the fact that the authors make very unique and bold conclusions about the scientific research. Some might call it esoteric or maybe some far-fetched bullshit, but for me, it sounded like a possibility. In fact, it sounded much like what I have imagined might actually be true about the universe and our reality. It also sounded a lot like something some religions might preach, or some people on psychedelics, or people practicing mindfulness and yoga and leading a deeply self-reflexion oriented lifestyle. Basically, it sounded like a conclusion many people can reach by VERY different roads and processes.

In short, the book tries to tell you that the universe is a living organism, like a sort of a big and all-embracing consciousness, and that each and every person is a part of that consciousness, being basically an output for the big mind to manifest itself through. It's a viewpoint that can't be forced on someone, nor can people really be persuaded to adopt this way of thinking, but it's amazing to arrive to this kind of understanding and see other people understand it the same way, although they might have reached this conclusion by a totally different path. It was truly inspiring to find that someone has written a whole (basically) scientific book about this viewpoint. I now want to read more books of this kind and try to discover some more spiritual practices, viewpoints and ways of life. Hit me up if you know some cool yoga shit, self-discovery camps, creative exercises or spiritual getaways, hippie shops or self-development classes. My Aquarius Sun has found its real deal.

[Noah · Rating 1 out of 5]

What an extremely dumb book. Did not finish.

Some real philosophical howlers here. Can't imagine how many scientific ones I missed.

[Paula Cappa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of a conscious universe is not terribly new and has been debated for several years now. The thinking presented here is that the universe is alive and exists in a state of pure consciousness, and it's alive as a 'human universe.' This book explores way too much science, far too technical on quantum physics and evolutionary processes (big bang theory), and really doesn't convince that 'we are the universe' or that the universe exists as pure consciousness. I've read Chopra books before but this one was a disappointment. Chopra and Kafataos say our purpose is to align ourselves with the creativity of the cosmos. Okay, I like that. They also advocate that we participate in the same consciousness that IS the universe. See the message here? It's more belief, philosophy, spirituality, and choice than science; and yet for over 200 pages the emphasis is on science, the earth, quanta energy and mechanics. I did not find it riveting and nothing here blew my mind wide open as some reviews claim. Still, the value in this book are the associations made between our minds and the universe, and of course the reality we create. The last five pages, Appendix 2, was the clearest and most enjoyable: "How Cosmic Consciousness Behaves" and "How Every Cell Mirrors the Cosmos. But clearly the statements are the interpretations of the authors. The foundation of this book is that "Pure consciousness gives rise to everything, including the human mind."

[Ruchira Khanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating Deepak Chopra's books is not at all tedious since he always has a logical explanation to everything.
How the “conscious” and “humans" network in this universe. Einstein’s special theory of relativity (STR) equation to help illustrate how our thoughts (i.e., energy and the unseen) and the physical universe (i.e., mass and the seen) are connected and, at times, interchangeable. Then he goes on to explain the Quantum World and Quantum Reality and how the Heisenberg cut can be applicable in explaining the “conscious and human universe” in scientific and mathematical terms.
The truth is that we are the universe and can create a universe of our likings if it is accompanied by consciousness!
That's what the Vedanta School has also concluded, while Deepak has proven the above via Einstein's theory!

[Brittany McCann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was definitely NOT what I was expecting.

Do you like quantum physics? Do you like contemplating the theory of relativity? Do you like to think about matter and how thoughts form matter, and how this can relate to religious relics? Does pondering the creation of the universe thrill you? Do you like to thread religion into science? Then this is the book for you.

It is not so much that the book was poorly written. Instead, it was a failure on the marketing side and how the book was advertised. I have done many of Deepak & Oprah's 21-day Meditations and perused some of his other literature.

This is VASTLY different. Felt like I was getting a physical lecture. This isn't necessarily bad, but I didn't go into it with that kind of expectation. There is a lot of fascinating information to speculate on here.

But as is and how dry much of it can be... Not more than ok which is a Goodreads 2 star.

[Lisa Nikolits · Rating 1 out of 5]

A waste of time, this offered nothing new. A rehash of of Physics 101 and Philosophy 101. I certainly expected more.

[Collin Reynolds · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sagan said we are made of star stuff and the Vedas and Gita state we are the Universe. There is nothing within us that is not without and we are all one.

You might think being a devotee of the teachings of the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita, it would be a no-brainer that I would love this newest offering from Deepak Chopra. However, I was frustrated and disappointed by 'You are the Universe', even though I agree with the underlying principles.
Instead of going on and on, as Chopra's book does, I will break it down into bullet points.

1) The book is far too technical and very repetitive. If you aren't familiar with modern quantum theory, philosophical camps of the origin of the universe and mind, you will be lost at times. If like myself you have advanced classwork in these things, the discussion will range from overly technical to arduous.
2) Billing the book as an analysis of the current research and theory, Chopra surprisingly uses pejorative modifiers to describe camps such as "physicalists" as grumbling, dismissive chumps while giving preferential qualitative and quantitative description to "fine-tuning" theorists.
3) Finally, he gives his theory of qualia being the basic building block of consciousness/cosmos the billing of "perfect tuning".

This is a long read with few "oh yeah" moments and many "well I guess we know how he feels about that" moments.

Chopra made my list as one of the top spiritual teachers of our time with his book 'The 7 Secrets of Spiritual Success." He remains at the top of my list. I am a believer that the cosmos is within us as we experience it, and it is one and interconnected. I seek this insight in meditation as routine. However, I am not so ready to dismiss every scientific theory but my own as "dualist" and "dismissive".

[Mehtap exotiquetv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was ich besonders gut an dem Buch finde, ist es wie beide Autoren Quantenphysik erklären. Es wird mit einfachen Beispielen aus dem Alltag die komplexen Zusammenhänge veranschaulicht.
Das hat es auch sehr lesbar gemacht.

An einigen Stellen im Bezug auf Neurowissenschaften fand ich die Ansicht persönlich nicht richtig und überholt. Die Autoren haben im Bezug auf das Bewusstsein eine andere Ansicht und beziehen sich auf das Konzept der Qualia. Also das man den Geist nicht mit Neuro- und Kognitionswissenschaften erklären kann.

2/3 des Buches waren super, nur wurde das letzte 1/3 leider etwas übernatürlich, was nicht ganz meinem Geschmack trifft! Trotzdem ganz nett auch mal andere Ansichten zu lesen, die an einigen Punkten sicherlich auch Sinn machen.

Allerdings gibt es noch keine Erklärung für den Geist, dass die Wissenschaft gelöst hat. Deswegen wäre es falsch zu sagen, dass irgendjemand im Bezug auf dieses Thema recht hat!

[Vani Kaushal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a fascinating book and even though I couldn't understand it completely and might have to read it again, I liked it, esp as it introduced me to the concept of Qualia (Qualia are the real building blocks of the Universe. According to the book, Qualia are all-inclusive: every experience is made of Qualia, or qualities in consciousness).

The book asks some very basic questions and opens up some of the grandest mysteries of the Universe. In the end, it concludes that every human being creates his/her own Universe.

[Yazaid Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boosted my faith in God

This entire book can be summarized by one Aya that God mentioned:
"
We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness? Unquestionably, they are in doubt about the meeting with their Lord. Unquestionably He is, of all things, encompassing.
" - Quran

He also said:

"
( 19 ) And those who have believed in Allah and His messengers - those are [in the ranks of] the supporters of truth and the martyrs, with their Lord. For them is their reward and their light. But those who have disbelieved and denied Our verses - those are the companions of Hellfire.
( 20 ) Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of ***delusion***." - Quran

The fact that reality is not real did not surprise me at all.

What surprised me is that science could reach this conclusion.

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chopra and Kafatos make an argument that the universe is pure consciousness - that mind creates matter. They make the argument that science has come to an empirical end and cannot explain our origin story using the scientific method, but there were so many leaps and bounds and assumptions that I really cringed to get through the book without arguing with it. Regardless, it is fascinating to read different origin and meaning of life stories from scientists ... and I learned a lot about popular science theories by reading this book. However, I don't know that I really followed a lot of the conclusions "if this, then that — if not this, then definitely that" style of argument presented in the book. I am interested by consciousness and I don't doubt that consciousness is a frontier ... that what we know about it is barely surfacing... but I also don't know that they have really hit the nail on the head with this theory.

Read with an open mind.

[Michelle Halliwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book utterly unreadable. I couldn't get past page 33 without a drink. I didn't have alcohol at home, so I stopped reading.

[Linda Maxie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boom! Creak! Splash! Crash! Those are the sounds of my brain reading this book. Deepak Chopra and computational physicist Menas Kafatos have written a book that aims to "not to put just another popular science book in the reader's hands. We have an agenda, which is to show that this is a participatory universe that depends upon its very existence on human beings."

That's a big claim. For two authors trained in science, their conclusions are far from scientific. But they are upfront about that from the beginning. Science, they point out, has found many answers to questions about our world. But on the big, important, metaphysical questions, science is coming up short because of the very methods that have served us so well over the past four centuries. Since science is based on observation and thus far answers to these questions are unobservable, maybe it is time to move on, they suggest, to other ways of viewing reality itself.

They examine eight mysteries: What came before the big bang? Why does the universe fit together so perfectly? Where did time come from? What is the universe made of? Is there design in the universe? Is the quantum world linked to everyday life? Do we live in a conscious universe? And finally, how did life first begin?

Do they answer these questions and meet the agenda they set out in the Preface? That depends, I suppose upon your own consciousness. I do not pretend to understand all the science in this book. But I gathered enough to know that we really don't understand a lot of things from dark energy to from whence our thoughts spring. The information I picked up in this book was astounding. Overall, I believe they made a good case for the need for a new scientific paradigm. The view of randomness is nearing its useful end, it is breaking down and failing to explain reality with any satisfaction.

I am a bit more hesitant to hang view of reality on their assertion that consciousness depends on humans. Our consciousness depends on humans, but if humans were wiped off the face of Earth and there were no other human beings in the cosmos, I think the universe would still be here. We may have a piece of cosmic consciousness, but is a very small picture of the whole. I don't believe in a human-centric universe but that the universe itself is conscious--that is an idea I can support. If for nothing else, I give this book five stars for entertainment.

[Najat Alheela · Rating 3 out of 5]

على ميكانيكا الكم أرسى الكتاب قواعده، مفنِّداً أن تؤخذ الأمور وتُفهمَم على نحو تفكيكي بين ما يُرى وما لا يُرى، بين المجرة -التي تُرى- وفوتونات ما دون الذرة -التي لا تُرى-. وإن التعارض الذي يظهر -كما يُثار- بين الفيزياء وميكانيكا الكمّ قد تُحسب على نحو التكامل لا التناقض !

تصدى الكتاب بالنسبة الأكبر من محتواه ضد مؤمني “العشوائية" من حدوث الكون، كما وحاور "الواقعية الساذجة"، وأيّد/واختلف مع المبدأ الانساني “الانثروبي” الذي جاء فيه: “من غير الممكن وجود كون قابل للمعرفة دون وجود البشر فيه. لابد من أن يؤدي تطوّر الكون بالضرورة إلينا”.

أضاع الكتاب الكثير من أناقته الفكرية عبر الجدل الذي خالط التسطيح في بعض أمثلته -أو ربما أغلبها- والتي وُجهت ضد الماديين، فردّ الفعل لدى المذهب المادي أنتج الرد الفعل نفسه من الجهة المقابلة لدى مؤلفيْ هذا الكتاب، مما أفرَطا بجهديهما بمسافات، بُعداً عن طرح الكثير -ربما- من جماليات التماشي الكوني (الذهني) مع الإنسان.

وأبْلغ ما جاء في الكموم وشدّد عليها الكتاب، كان بخصوص فكرة “المراقِب والمراقَب” للفوتون أثناء عملية مراقبته، حيث لوحظ غرابة تصرفاته في أول النظر إليه وفي الأثناء، وكأنما هناك عامل نفسي، قرار يُتخذ، وصورة يراها المراقِب بحسب مبتغاه، بمعنى: أنك لن تستطيع إظهار جانبك المُحب والمُبغض تجاه ندّك الإنسان في آن واحد، فإذا أظهرت أحد الأمرين وفق ما يفرضه عليك الآخر، سيختفي بالضرورة جانبك الآخر. وبالتالي -كمراقِب- سيُريك الفوتون ما أردت رؤيته منه وحسب. نسبة الوعي في عملية المراقبة هنا هو الأمر الحاسم !

لا يتفق الكتاب مع الروحانية المحضة إلى جانب المادية المحضة، معتبراً أن كلاهما "طلاقاً مع العقل الكوني"، في حين يدعو المؤلفان إلى الخيار الثالث، الذي يدمج بين الأمرين ويتماشى فيه العقل الذاتي مع العقل الكوني، مؤكِّديْن بالخيار التطوري بأن "تتحرّك الحياة الخارجية والحياة الداخلية ككيان واحد. لا يزال النشاط اليومي فردياً، أنت هو الشخص بعينه الذي يستيقظ ويُدير السيارة ويذهب إلى العمل، ولكنَّ الوعي الذي يخلق الواقع، كونيٌّ".

[Jacob Mahaffey · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I finish a book, I rate it a minimum of 3 stars—this is an exception. What posits itself as an astrophysics meets philosophy book, this reads more of a self-help guide written by someone who got a C+ in Astronomy 101. The authors argue for an entirely “new” understanding of the universe, one in which objectivity is disregarded and subjective experiences rule. Their base argument can be hyperbolized (albeit not that grandly) and summarized as “Einstein’s theory of relativity suggests that our perception doesn’t match reality, therefore everything is a matter of perception, which makes the universe and humanity basically the same.” I’m giving it one extra star because they’re analogies for explaining certain aspects of astrophysics and quantum mechanics are quite helpful, however, these scientific ideas are only loosely connected to their pseudo-philosophy, opting to use the words “consciousness” and “quantum” ad naseum to suggest some sort of scientific backing. Their grand new view of life, the universe, and everything is marketed as a brand new way of understanding, but when their logical reasoning fails, they resort to the age old trick: If you don’t follow, you’re just too limited.

[Ross · Rating 1 out of 5]

I managed to get half way through before giving up. The authors argue that there is a "consciousness of the universe" that has designed the universe for the benefit of man.
The basis for their argument is things can't have just evolved with no purpose, and the mind of man is the most important thing we know of, therefore this was all created just for us.
All pure nonsense as they warn "physcalists" will take their argument. The physcalists are those people who, like scientists such as I am, want hard evidence before they believe something.

[Spencer Poston]

I’m too biased to rate this. I fundamentally disagree with the philosophy laid out in the book. It’s not necessarily poorly written, although it’s dense until page 200.

[Saul Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un análisis profundo a las teorías del origen del universo, el funcionamiento cuántico de las partículas y el papel que desempeñamos en medio de todo esto.
Con un enfoque espiritual se nos presenta el como no somos solo un producto del universo, sino una parte importante de el e incluso creadores de la misma realidad en cierta medida como observadores.
"No estás en el universo, ERES el universo, un punto focal donde el universo se vuelve consciente y se experimenta a si mismo"

[Johnathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, my goodreads jewel showed at my doorstep. I carressed the pages before diving in. I had known I would win this book, but having it felt magickal.
As I read, I realized that our authors have managed to rediscover what may be the very essence of life. Most beautifully, it is written as to be comprehended by most and without causing any offense to those who have rigid belief systems.

I've always thought to describe it thus: if only paper existed, and it was divided in ten pieces; would there not exist ten pieces of paper? Yet, still only a total of one sheet!

I felt that intent and interpretation deserved a bit more notice.
As well as our part in evolving the whole.
During my candlelight reading I managed to discover a fundamental flaw in quantum mechanics.

In summary, I loved this read. I learned a plethora of new vocabulary directly related to my favorite topic. I found deep confirmation which complemented my knowledge set.

I'd like to point out, again, all effect is a result of intent where cause is not bound by action.
So.... Keep the observer in the room and have him or her direct the particles. Otherwise, you are only experimenting on energy awaiting direction.. Which isn't really quantum mechanics. As the authors said, the measurement is necessary for the particles behavior exist. The task now isn't to see what they do without us (which, we can't, but they just wait to be used), the task is to learn yo make conscious energy obey thought.

I'll be reading this again.

[Jj Dz · Rating 2 out of 5]

It does bring up new, interesting concepts, the kind you're probably searching for once you pick the book.
However, all along, the authors will alternately approach things in quite a graspable way (considering readers who are not versed in science/physics) to then just go on and on over ideas you'd have to read hundreds of times in order to make anything out of.
I guess it lacks a bit of straightness as to keep the readers going...they go round and round to many times go not much anywhere.
Maybe - just maybe - this is that kind of book you're supposed to read over so as to have a better understanding of it all?
Mind you, also, the title in Portuguese ("Transform your life", "Create your own reality") does not apply.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this book was difficult reading and the subject matter is elusive yet commonplace. What a paradox. Then enters quantum physics. Mind boggling. Not for everyone. It explores the various theories of our world and it's origin. Pretty heavy reading, but also fascinating. The pros and cons of the theories were deeply explored. Really makes one think. After sifting through all of this, the writer's present their conclusion and that too is fascinating. An open mind is definitely needed for this book.

[Megan Aldridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating would be 2.5 if that were possible and only that high because some of his discussions of consciousness interested me. Many of the thought experiments in this book fell flat. I may be biased against this because it felt too anthropocentric and seemed to profess a stand-in for God and I was expecting just another book on space.

[Angelina Filias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Struggling between 4 and 5 stars but idk if a nonfiction book can ever be 5 stars…

This book was the perfect combination of science and philosophy. This is also definitely NOT an intro book to the concepts that were discussed. Personally, it was the justttt right level of complicated for me to comprehend but also still constantly be learning new things.

Title is kinda misleading. This isn’t some cheesy self help book. This is an explanation of space and time and what consciousness even means.

My third eye is opened. OOOOOH. Just kidding. But this is as close as I think I can get to some spiritual awakening. My new religion is the universe!

[Darren Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read overall and a thought-provoking intro to the concept of the "human universe". Not the definitive text on explaining consciousness but enough to whet one's appetite to learn more.

A full 2/3 of the book is dedicated to recapping the history and current state of the art of theoretical and experimental physics. This will be helpful for readers unfamiliar with the subject, however for readers who already have a strong understanding of quantum physics and the struggle to rectify quantum theory with general relativity (and with neuroscience and consciousness) this book won't offer any new information or insights.

The last 1/3 is dedicated to introducing the concept of the "human universe" as an explanation for the observations we see in quantum physics. This last bit was interesting but felt a little rushed. At times it described the concept in too shallow a way while at other times it went too deep too fast making it difficult to follow.

[Dania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took away one star because beginning reads like a textbook and the book’s emphasis on humanistic worldview but overall a very profound book about the earth. Excellent read for anyone struggling to assimilate science and spirituality.

[Dave Biln · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deepak Chopra explores the intersection of spirituality and science. If you're interested in a profound perspective on the nature of reality and consciousness, this book dives into these subjects.