Book Recommendation: The Universe in a Single Atom

[Kalmairn]

I've actually been reading a book - something I pretty well never do, you could count the books I've read since I got out of high school on two hands.

I've been reading the Dalai Lama's new book, "The Universe in a Single Atom". I've read some of his other writing, and this one is the most accessible yet.

It's a book about the convergence of spirituality and science. It talks about the similarities of spirituality - at least his form of it - and the differences between the two, and it does so at a very readable, human level. It's an amazing compare and contrast of the two, and for those of us who are very scientifically-minded, it opens the door to understanding of the Buddhist - and general - views on life, spiritualism and justifying the co-existence of the two.

I can't say enough. It's an amazing work, His Holiness has an incredible mind and capability to understand and explain. Check it out.

Kal.

[Jaylin]

Kal, from the title of the book I would gather that it is about how the Universe was created from a single atom, but from your experience through reading it, it has nothing to do with that, am I correct? Because science and the history of Universe have always fascinated me...I'm the type of person who likes to read deep into things and have been looking for some good nighttime literature on this subject. Unfortunately majority of the books about this subject are relatively boring in the way they are written and will put me to sleep after several pages...Now if this book is somewhat on the lines of what I'm looking for and puts a more human touch on the subject then I would be inclined to pick up a copy of it...

[Kalmairn]

No, it's not a scientific book, and it doesn't talk about the science of the world today. If you're interested in that kind of information presented in human terms, I really like Isaac Asimov's writing.

This is a book about science and spirituality and the combining of the two, how they can co-exist, how each has to adapt to support the other, and how they are slowly getting closer together in many respects.

The term "Atom" in the title is used as it was in ancient Buddhist texts, where an Atom is a representation of matter in the form of the 4 elements (Earth, Water, Wind, Fire), and the 4 tenets (which I don't know).

K-

[dholly]

Kal -

Science is knowledge which can be made into a system, which depends upon seeing and testing facts and stating general natural laws. The core of Buddhism fit into this definition, because the Four Noble truths (see below) can be tested and proven by anyone. In fact, the Buddha himself asked his followers to test the teaching rather than accept his word as true. Buddhism depends more on understanding than faith. To many, Buddhism goes beyond religion and is more of a philosophy or 'way of life'. It is a philosophy because philosophy 'means love of wisdom' and the Buddhist path can be summed up as:

(1) to lead a moral life,
(2) to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and
(3) to develop wisdom and understanding.

The basic concepts in Buddhism can be summed up by the Four Noble Truths (tenets) and the Noble Eightfold Path.

- The first truth is that life is suffering i.e., life includes pain, getting old, disease, and ultimately death. We also endure psychological suffering like loneliness frustration, fear, embarrassment, disappointment and anger. This is an irrefutable fact that cannot be denied. It is realistic rather than pessimistic because pessimism is expecting things to be bad. lnstead, Buddhism explains how suffering can be avoided and how one can be truly happy.

- The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving and aversion. We will suffer if we expect other people to conform to our expectation, if we want others to like us, if we do not get something we want, etc. In other words, getting what you want does not guarantee happiness. Rather than constantly struggling to get what you want, try to modify your wanting. Wanting deprives us of contentment and happiness. A lifetime of wanting and craving and especially the craving to continue to exist, creates a powerful energy which causes the individual to be born. So craving leads to physical suffering because it causes us to be reborn.

- The third truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained; that true happiness and contentment are possible. lf we give up useless craving and learn to live each day at a time (not dwelling in the past or the imagined future) then we can become happy and free. We then have more time and energy to help others. This is Nirvana.

- The fourth truth is that the Noble 8-fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering.

- In summary, the Noble 8-fold Path is being moral (through what we say, do and our livelihood), focussing the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths and by developing compassion for others.

from www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/guide.htm

[Kalmairn]

You're read a lot more about Buddhism than I have, that's for certain. I'm interested from scholarly view more than a practice view, but I find that some Buddhist views are very intriging - others, not so much so.

However, I'd never consider Buddhism a religion - and I'm careful to avoid that comparison. Buddhism is, as you said, a philosophy. I call Buddhism spiritual because it is a spiritual journey of exploration and understanding.

The book does a great job bringing the two worlds together, and provides a path for the two to converge for those who can reach a level of understanding within each. That is what intrigues me - the idea that someone is taking the time to try to bridge the gap between science and spirituality, try to bring them together during a time where most people seem to be trying to lever the gap and widen it.

I'm also awed by the Dalai Lama's intellect and understanding, especially for being raised in a rather non-scientific society. There is something to be said for taking the time to consider (meditate) and work out how everything inter-relates and, at some level, connects.

Kal.

[dholly]

Yep, very intriguing indeed. I have an old friend who has delved far enough into this philosophy to change his life dramatically. Having defined structure in life can help certain people immensely and, in his instance, structure with a purpose higher than his own has saved him from a self-destructive life. That's a good thing, maybe I'll give the book a peek. Thanks.

[Fastforward]

I thought the book was very good as well. It fits into my growing understanding of the oneness of spirituality and science. The links between the mythology of traditional religions and the softening of 'hard' science through the discoveries of nonlocality and ambiguity of form/energy in quantum physics. If you enjoyed it, I would also recommend:

Power Versus Force - David Hawkins
The Field, the quest for thesecret force of the universe - Lynne McTaggart
Tibetan Book of Living and Dying- Sogyal Rinpoche
The Power of Intention - Wayne Dyer

For an interpretation of mythology in traditional religion, I highly recommend most anything from Joseph Campbell:
try Thou Art That for starters.

I would also highly recommend the DVD, What the Bleep Do We Know.

The only book I have read of late in this genre that I did not like too much was The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desires - Deepak Chopra (just too 'guruish' for me)

I would welcome any others you run accross in your readings and any discussion in PM. I discuss these topics with a group of men twice a week and really enjoy it.

Read on. Science and Spirituality do coexist and Heaven is here on earth.

[Lardoggy]

<===== Lardoggy, reads this thread, glances at the buddha sitting next to his laptop and smiles...

[gammawolf]

Okay, I'm sold. I will check this book out. Also, I have always been intrigued by buddhism, DHOLLY thanks for simplifying it.

I knew it before, but that's definitely the faith for me.