A Sense of the Cosmos - the Encounter of Modern Science and Ancient Truth

by Jacob Needleman

"With this one compact statement, Jacob Needleman has forced the discussion of both science and religion in our time into a new, more mature and discriminating phase. . . . It is a way station where those who are seriously exploring the transformation of consciousness will have to stop, take thought, and perhaps re-plot their course."-Theodore Roszak "I want to strongly recommend it to every reader seriously interested in our present cultural situation."-Fritjof Capra "Needleman is unique; he is really on to something. . . . A fine book"-Harvey Cox Western science has operated for centuries on the assumption that we can understand the universe without understanding ourselves. We are just now seeking to make the necessary connection between the general laws of nature to those of our own (inner) nature. But the job won't be done with "massive injections of the new consciousness"; we cannot democratize the sacred by cheapening its demands. "My aim in this book therefore" says Needleman, "has not been to speak of the convergence of science and spirituality, but of their separation. As in nature itself, organic unity is a reciprocal relationship between separate but interdependent entities. In human life as well, there can be no real unity except through the awareness of real divisions. One may then hope to experience the magic power of sustained awareness by itself to bring the harmony that we have until now fruitlessly attempted to impose on ourselves and on our endangered civilization." Jacob Needleman is a professor of philosophy at San Francisco State University and the author of many books, including Money and the Meaning of Life , and The American Soul . In addition to his teaching and writing, he serves as a consultant in the fields of psychology, education, medical ethics, philanthropy, and business, and has been featured on Bill Moyers's acclaimed PBS series A World of Ideas .

Genres: Philosophy, Science, Nonfiction

178 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Jacob Needleman is Professor of Philosophy at San Francisco State University, former Visiting Professor at Duxx Graduate School of Business Leadership in Monterrey, Mexico, and former Director of the Center for the study of New Religions at The Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He was educated in philosophy at Harvard, Yale and the University of Freiburg, Germany. He has also served as Research Associate at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, as a Research Fellow at Union Theological Seminary, as Adjunct Professor of Medical Ethics at the University of California Medical School and as guest Professor of Religious Studies at the Sorbonne, Paris (1992).

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the only book that I have literally thrown across the room and it deserved it. I would have given negative stars but that was not an option.

[Billy Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob Needleman seeks to bring science and consciousness into harmony. He speaks of the “tyranny of the isolated intellect.” He concludes that “[m]ind, feeling and body must enter into a more harmonious relationship for these ideas to be digested.” It is refreshing to hear this author explore the implications of great concepts and discoveries in science as they may be harmonized in each of us. The ancient concept of “as above, so below” begins a process of incorporating the substance of new science into the “self” or consciousness. Needleman finds in science a need for the great new invisible concepts and discoveries to find meaning in the body and the mind. This is important work. Needleman’s approach is deeper than the “What the Bleep” sensationalism and travesty in its understanding of the need for an incorporation of the newer concepts in scientific thought into the mindfulness and body consciousness of modern thought.

[Brian Shipman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will be difficult and/or maddening to those who expect this to be a traditional, intellectual approach to the dualistic view of the science vs. faith debate.

However, for those who have a longing to escape from the Matrix of "science is all there is" - from the current human obsession of analysis and manipulation of the physical world - and into a journey of discovery of the human soul, this book is an oasis.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging exploration of modern science, religion and the need for higher consciousness reached through gaining understanding of the 'path' and the cosmos within each of us mirroring the outer universe.