denbyf's review against another edition
Didn’t like the writing, felt like it never got to the point
cindypager's review against another edition
4.0
After reading Proof of Heaven and Map of Heaven, you might say I am a fan of Dr. Eben Alexander's work, and you'd be right.
This book takes Dr. Alexander's personal story and brings it into a broader context of contemplation, mindfulness, belief, prayer, neuroplasticity... so it may not be for everyone, but I enjoyed reading about Eben's further exploration into the forces that unite us - all of us - rather than divide us.
This book takes Dr. Alexander's personal story and brings it into a broader context of contemplation, mindfulness, belief, prayer, neuroplasticity... so it may not be for everyone, but I enjoyed reading about Eben's further exploration into the forces that unite us - all of us - rather than divide us.
bronkmb's review against another edition
4.0
First, I love this topic - it's my kind of discussion.
Second, it contains what I find mindful: a well rounded perspective on possibilities and perspectives (Mind Full, that fun play on words). I find that Dr. Alexander's approach is honest and as straight-forward as this topic can be. Although I personally believe capturing consciousness inside any container is a bit like herding cats. Many cats captured and released. Some even wandered back of their own free will.
The appendices knitted much together for me. Although my kindle edition has multiple highlighting throughout for personal reference, any future reference for me will begin at the end and work forward. Yes, nuggets throughout.
Second, it contains what I find mindful: a well rounded perspective on possibilities and perspectives (Mind Full, that fun play on words). I find that Dr. Alexander's approach is honest and as straight-forward as this topic can be. Although I personally believe capturing consciousness inside any container is a bit like herding cats. Many cats captured and released. Some even wandered back of their own free will.
The appendices knitted much together for me. Although my kindle edition has multiple highlighting throughout for personal reference, any future reference for me will begin at the end and work forward. Yes, nuggets throughout.
not_irish_patrick's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.0
This book started off strong, but the last half wasn't great. It kept on talking about how great Eben Alexander's girlfriend's binaural beats are. It was hard to get through this book.
I used to be a fan of Eben Alexander. Now, he spends a lot of time promoting his girlfriend's binaural beats company. They seem to be mostly interested in "spiritual" highs. Sometimes, it reminds me of drug addicts.
I used to be a fan of Eben Alexander. Now, he spends a lot of time promoting his girlfriend's binaural beats company. They seem to be mostly interested in "spiritual" highs. Sometimes, it reminds me of drug addicts.
benoitm's review against another edition
2.0
Oh Spirituality. So many books about it yet not really a topic I bring myself to read much about. The only reason why I decided to read this book is because a friend of mine gave it to me as a gift. Would I ever had picked up that book for myself? Definitely not. The book cover, the title and the summary would never have caught my attention to make it to a shopping cart, neither real nor virtual.
Now, I did read through the entire book. I could have stopped reading it if it was no interest so it did have some things going for it in the end. So let's mention now the few things I could appreciate.
1) I did appreciate that the author had a scientific background. The fact that he had science based fact when explaining his near death experience gained him some points in having me continue to read.
2) A lot of people interested in spirituality often to me just seem to be way too preachy which makes my eyes roll so far back in my head and get me to cut it all short real quick. I did not find that this book had this tone to it. It was really more about sharing the authors experience and how as a neurosurgeons, some of it did not add up to simply be making any sense.
This would honestly be the 2 things I can say were of value to me and these are why the book in my opinion make it to 2 stars.
I think the book did have potential after reading it, but it still did not cut it for me.
First of all, the first 5 chapters are really about his knowledge as a neurosurgeons and how it support his spirituality by how the science can not explain his near death experience. As much as him being a man of science added value to what he had to say on the topic, these 5 chapters were way too academic and were going into way too much details that were absolutely not all that interesting. He could had cut that down to 1 or 2 chapter and work on making it more accessible and interesting for the reader.
The next thing which is the main thing that makes this book not worth the read at all for anyone thinking about it is that again, the writing comes from an old white academic dude. The book is about sharing his story and his experience and he is a horrible story teller. There is nothing he wrote that would make you want to keep flipping the pages for hours. Some content was interesting sometimes but his poor story telling skills really went against it.
All and all, I really don't feel that I have much take away from this book and I would not recommend it to anyone. It will certainly not be a book I go back to in any way and that would make me want to find more content about the author.
Now, I did read through the entire book. I could have stopped reading it if it was no interest so it did have some things going for it in the end. So let's mention now the few things I could appreciate.
1) I did appreciate that the author had a scientific background. The fact that he had science based fact when explaining his near death experience gained him some points in having me continue to read.
2) A lot of people interested in spirituality often to me just seem to be way too preachy which makes my eyes roll so far back in my head and get me to cut it all short real quick. I did not find that this book had this tone to it. It was really more about sharing the authors experience and how as a neurosurgeons, some of it did not add up to simply be making any sense.
This would honestly be the 2 things I can say were of value to me and these are why the book in my opinion make it to 2 stars.
I think the book did have potential after reading it, but it still did not cut it for me.
First of all, the first 5 chapters are really about his knowledge as a neurosurgeons and how it support his spirituality by how the science can not explain his near death experience. As much as him being a man of science added value to what he had to say on the topic, these 5 chapters were way too academic and were going into way too much details that were absolutely not all that interesting. He could had cut that down to 1 or 2 chapter and work on making it more accessible and interesting for the reader.
The next thing which is the main thing that makes this book not worth the read at all for anyone thinking about it is that again, the writing comes from an old white academic dude. The book is about sharing his story and his experience and he is a horrible story teller. There is nothing he wrote that would make you want to keep flipping the pages for hours. Some content was interesting sometimes but his poor story telling skills really went against it.
All and all, I really don't feel that I have much take away from this book and I would not recommend it to anyone. It will certainly not be a book I go back to in any way and that would make me want to find more content about the author.
ivydally's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 stars. I will preface this review with a disclaimer: I have always been drawn to texts that deal with the metaphysical, and if you are a straight up materialist this book isn't for you. If you have an open mind towards the fact that there may be things beyond what our five senses can perceive, then read on.
The promise that Living in a Mindful Universe would marry ideas of science and spirituality, and explore the idea of non-local consciousness, immediately drew my attention. And the book does, although I'm not sure if the authors were as successful as they could have been in holding my interest.
The book constantly refers to Alexander's Near Death Experience (NDE) and assumes the reader already has some familiarity with his story. I have not read any of his other texts, however, so I really felt left out of the discussion. Apparently these details are discussed in Proof of Heaven. I would not recommend this book if you have not first read any of his prior works. Perhaps this is why I found the first three chapters dull.
Things get more interesting as the chapters go on. My favorite discussion was his work with binaural beats and how certain sounds can induce experiences similar to an NDE. I even requested the 20 minute free sample, but sadly it hasn't arrived yet. Bummer. I'm ready to prep for what some Buddhists refer to as the direct perception of emptiness! I also enjoyed the discussions of quantum physics and potential avenues for discovery. I was surprised to learn there are places that use scientific methods to study mediums and reincarnation. The reminder that it’s important to cultivate unconditional love was most timely. The inclusion of a story featuring Ram Dass at the end was a nice surprise, and funny enough, the quotes at the beginnings of the chapters were fantastic.
Having read a number of new age spiritual books in the 90s, I applaud the authors of this book for not coming across as campy or providing fluffy entertainment. This does mean, however, that at times the proofs offered up to support his thesis are dry. Nonetheless I highly recommend this book for those on a spiritual path.
The promise that Living in a Mindful Universe would marry ideas of science and spirituality, and explore the idea of non-local consciousness, immediately drew my attention. And the book does, although I'm not sure if the authors were as successful as they could have been in holding my interest.
The book constantly refers to Alexander's Near Death Experience (NDE) and assumes the reader already has some familiarity with his story. I have not read any of his other texts, however, so I really felt left out of the discussion. Apparently these details are discussed in Proof of Heaven. I would not recommend this book if you have not first read any of his prior works. Perhaps this is why I found the first three chapters dull.
Things get more interesting as the chapters go on. My favorite discussion was his work with binaural beats and how certain sounds can induce experiences similar to an NDE. I even requested the 20 minute free sample, but sadly it hasn't arrived yet. Bummer. I'm ready to prep for what some Buddhists refer to as the direct perception of emptiness! I also enjoyed the discussions of quantum physics and potential avenues for discovery. I was surprised to learn there are places that use scientific methods to study mediums and reincarnation. The reminder that it’s important to cultivate unconditional love was most timely. The inclusion of a story featuring Ram Dass at the end was a nice surprise, and funny enough, the quotes at the beginnings of the chapters were fantastic.
Having read a number of new age spiritual books in the 90s, I applaud the authors of this book for not coming across as campy or providing fluffy entertainment. This does mean, however, that at times the proofs offered up to support his thesis are dry. Nonetheless I highly recommend this book for those on a spiritual path.
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