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The Universe in a Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 657 ratings

Gallileo, Copernicus, Newton, Niels Bohr, Einstein. Their insights shook our perception of who we are and where we stand in the world and in their wake have left an uneasy co-existence: science vs. religion, faith vs. empirical enquiry. Which is the keeper of truth? Which is the true path to understanding reality?

After forty years of study with some of the greatest scientific minds as well as a lifetime of meditative, spiritual and philosophical study, the Dalai Lama presents a brilliant analysis of why both disciplines must be pursued in order to arrive at a complete picture of the truth. Science shows us ways of interpreting the physical world, while spirituality helps us cope with reality. But the extreme of either is impoverishing. The belief that all is reducible to matter and energy leaves out a huge range of human experience: emotions, yearnings, compassion, culture. At the same time, holding unexamined spiritual beliefs–beliefs that are contradicted by evidence, logic, and experience–can lock us into fundamentalist cages.

Through an examination of Darwinism and karma, quantum mechanics and philosophical insight into the nature of reality, neurobiology and the study of consciousness, the Dalai Lama draws significant parallels between contemplative and scientific examination of reality. “I believe that spirituality and science are complementary but different investigative approaches with the same goal of seeking the truth,” His Holiness writes. “In this, there is much each may learn from the other, and together they may contribute to expanding the horizon of human knowledge and wisdom.”

This breathtakingly personal examination is a tribute to the Dalai Lama’s teachers–both of science and spirituality. The legacy of this book is a vision of the world in which our different approaches to understanding ourselves, our universe and one another can be brought together in the service of humanity.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As the Dalai Lama observes in this wise and humble book, dialogue between scientists and those interested in spirituality is important because science is not neutral; it can be used for good or ill, and we must approach scientific inquiry with compassion and empathy. Similarly, a spirituality that ignores science can quickly become a rigid fundamentalism. Sometimes the Dalai Lama discovers similarities between the two fields. For example, Einstein's idea that time is relative dovetails neatly with Buddhist philosophical understandings of time. Still, His Holiness does not accept all scientific thinking as holy writ: though he is intrigued by scientific stories of origins, like the Big Bang theory, Buddhism holds that the universe is "infinite and beginningless." The penultimate chapter brings ethical considerations to bear on technological advancements in genetics. The Dalai Lama gently suggests that although parents who select certain genetic traits for their children may intend to give their children a leg up, they may in fact simply be capitulating to a social pressure that favors, say, boys over girls or tall people over short. He also cautions that we do not know the long-term consequences of genetically modifying our crops. In fact, it is disappointing that the Dalai Lama devotes only 18 pages to these urgent and complex topics. Perhaps this prolific author has a sequel in the works.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Fascinated by science since boyhood, the Dalai Lama, unlike fundamentalists who resist scientific realities, has become convinced that a dialogue between religion and science will advance the wisdom of both disciplines and greatly benefit humankind. He explains why in illuminating explications of how Buddhism and science are both predicated on focused observation, reasoning, and the ability to abandon outmoded ideas in the ongoing search for reality. He compares quantum physics with Buddhist philosophy and reveals how the theory of evolution echoes the Buddhist understanding that all of life is interconnected and in flux, and he writes with deep feeling about the pressing ethical questions raised by advancements in biotechnology. For all the provocative and detailed reasoning found in this soulful and mind-expanding book, what emerges most powerfully is the Dalai Lama's belief that science must embrace Buddhism's mission and work toward increasing compassion and alleviating suffering. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000FCKCZQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harmony (September 13, 2005)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 13, 2005
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 959 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 657 ratings

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Dalai Lama
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His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born in 1935 to a peasant family in northeastern Tibet and was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama. The world's foremost Buddhist leader, he travels extensively, speaking eloquently in favor of ecumenical understanding, kindness and compassion, respect for the environment, and, above all, world peace.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
657 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and interesting. They describe it as a brilliant book that links science and spirituality, providing a deeper understanding of Buddhism and its philosophy. However, opinions differ on readability and clarity - some find it concise and easy to understand, while others find parts difficult to follow due to heavy philosophy content.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

73 customers mention "Insight"73 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and interesting. They say it connects the mind, religion, physics, and thousands of years of Buddhism. Readers describe it as an important book that clarifies some core issues in Buddhism. The book offers an enriching way to explore ideas and poses great questions for reflection.

"...This is a fascinating, well-written book. I recommend it to fellow Buddhists and anyone interested in the interaction between science and religion." Read more

"...It is an easy read and is both an overview of a number of critical areas in current scientific research and a spiritual interpretation and synthesis...." Read more

"...Lama seems to have wanted to write this book thanks to a life-long fascination with science coupled with insights of his years of Buddhist training...." Read more

"...It's a beautiful, connected, and enriching way to explore ideas. It's an offer of a true meeting...." Read more

52 customers mention "Convergence"47 positive5 negative

Customers find the book a good guide for understanding science and spirituality. They say it's a well-thought-out book that can help Buddhist believers integrate science into their lives. The author has a curiosity about science and a pragmatic streak, putting them in context of Buddhism.

"...This is a fascinating, well-written book. I recommend it to fellow Buddhists and anyone interested in the interaction between science and religion." Read more

"...This is not just a book for Buddhists, but for anyone interested in the broader issues of life and the Universe. Highly recommended." Read more

"Who can critique the Dalai Lama? He is a smart, wise, man with a curiosity about pure science, and a pragmatic streak about technological..." Read more

"...book he shows himself exactly as such, as he attempts to compare and contrast the methods of science and the methods of Buddhism...." Read more

13 customers mention "Readability"6 positive7 negative

Customers have different views on the book's readability. Some find it concise and easy to understand, providing a layperson's perspective on quantum technology and science. Others feel the book is difficult to read in its current format and not suitable for everyone.

"...I will warn that it is not light bedtime reading -- I've switched it to my daytime reading; you want to absorb the brilliance of this book when you..." Read more

"...This is without doubt the clearest and most accessible of the Dalai Lama's books examining the relationship between contemporary Buddhist thought..." Read more

"...the basic premise to be very interesting, but after reading it I felt unsatisfied." Read more

"A must read for anyone who wants a really easy to read layperson's perspective on and explanation of quantum mechanics and other elements of modern..." Read more

8 customers mention "Clarity"4 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the book's clarity. Some find it clear and concise, while others find some concepts difficult to understand and parts heavy with philosophy.

"...This is without doubt the clearest and most accessible of the Dalai Lama's books examining the relationship between contemporary Buddhist thought..." Read more

"...Beautifully written , the guy is a complete genius! Somewhat difficult to follow, because his knowledge of areas of science and spirituality is..." Read more

"A clearly and concisely written book that shows the author's journey on the path of deeper understanding of science and spirituality..." Read more

"I enjoyed this book immensely. I found some parts difficult to get through because they were heavy with philosophy, a subject I'm not particularly..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2007
    As a Zen student with a Ph.D. in physics I often ponder the integration of scientific and religious world views. This is a bit easier for Buddhists because our religion places less emphasis on belief than other faiths do. I see science as a tool that uses measurement to understand nature, while religion deals with ethics and human experience. The Dalai Lama comes to similar conclusions, although more eloquently, in his book "The Universe in a Single Atom."

    Both science and religion inspire a sense of wonder and help us understand our place in the cosmos, so comparing them, as the Dalai Lama does in this book, can be worthwhile. He writes well about science. I found his descriptions of physics accurate, although he missed some of the subtleties of the EPR experiment. As expected from a meditator, he points out that science has yet to explore subjective experience. The Dalai Lama draws parallels between the empirical exploration of mental states in the Tibetan tradition and the scientific method. This empiricism first drew me to Buddhism. In fact, my intimate thoughts and feelings have often seemed more immediate and real than some ghostly trace on an oscilloscope that represents "objective reality."

    The Dalai Lama gently points out questionable assumptions made by scientific reductionists. For the most part I think his criticisms are valid. Although he's willing to abandon doctrines disproved by modern science, I wonder if the Dalai Lama would be willing to put the Buddhist bedrock teachings of karma and rebirth to the empirical test. If these are truly universal laws, they should be demonstrable by more than personal anecdote. I would have been interested if he'd discussed this more.

    This is a fascinating, well-written book. I recommend it to fellow Buddhists and anyone interested in the interaction between science and religion.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2006
    Many people feel that one of the really important issues facing us all, is whether it is possible to find some middle ground between science and spirituality, or whether they are simply different experiential and philosophical categories that have no business trying to get together.

    For over thirty years, the Dalai Lama has been at the forefront of efforts to find a rapprochement between the insights of Buddhism and the discoveries made using the scientific method. His journey has led him to have detailed discussion with some of the finest minds: the late David Bohm, John Eccles and Karl Popper to name just three. This is without doubt the clearest and most accessible of the Dalai Lama's books examining the relationship between contemporary Buddhist thought and Western science.

    There are many gems in here, but there are one or two of particular importance. I still hear people translate the term "Karma," as "Fate," or as a law of causality. The author makes it clear that karma means "action," and he clearly differentiates it as the mechanism by which an intentional act will reap certain specific consequences. Karma refers to the intentional acts of sentient beings.

    The book is full of such insights. It is an easy read and is both an overview of a number of critical areas in current scientific research and a spiritual interpretation and synthesis. This is not just a book for Buddhists, but for anyone interested in the broader issues of life and the Universe.

    Highly recommended.
    59 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2019
    Who can critique the Dalai Lama? He is a smart, wise, man with a curiosity about pure science, and a pragmatic streak about technological applications. Should they benefit mankind, alleviate suffering, they are good. The Dalai Lama seems to have wanted to write this book thanks to a life-long fascination with science coupled with insights of his years of Buddhist training. He tells us as a boy growing up he had no training in western science whatsoever, but he was fascinated with a few (first-half 20th century) examples of western technology belonging to his predecessor. As a young man, once vested in his office, he availed himself of a new-found access to many of the world's greatest minds, philosophers, scientists, artists, and so on. He has gone on talking and learning from great minds ever since.

    After this introduction, the book looks at the physical (cosmology, quantum mechanics, relativity) and then life sciences. I was hoping he would not get into a "Buddhism discovered it first" argument, and mostly he does not. He comes close on the subject of quantum mechanics but I think mostly because at the time, the people from whom he learned it still took seriously the idea that individual human minds (for example that of a researcher) could be responsible for wave-function collapse. If this were true (the idea has long been put to rest as concerns individual minds) the tie-in with the Buddhist mind-first world-view and deep exploration of that first-person (consciousness) world would indeed be strong.

    Even within quantum mechanics his eminence is sensitive to the great gulf between the western scientific paradigm and the focus of Buddhism. He well illustrates these differences while pointing out to scientists that much of what they take to be the "structure of reality" is a metaphysical assumption. It does not follow necessarily from scientific methodology which so well illuminates structure as concerns the physical world.

    But this same methodology can say very little about consciousness. It is with consciousness that he spends much of the book examining the views of modern brain-science and how they might relate to Buddhist discoveries. The views of these different worlds stem as much from the purposes of their separate investigations as the technique; empirical 3rd-party evaluation versus highly-trained rigorous introspection. Becoming a master monk takes as many years as obtaining a PhD in physics (more in fact), but he mis-uses the term 'empirical' here. What the monk does and what the monk learns in the doing should not be dismissed by western science, but it is still subjective and for that reason not empirical. He advocates for joint research. Neuro-scientists together with trained monks, he thinks, might help unlock some of the mind's mysteries. He also is aware that not all mysteries are unlock-able!

    In the book's penultimate chapter he uses the then-new technology of genetic manipulation to plead with the scientific community to take it slow. He wants us all to be asking the right questions concerning the long term affects of the possibilities on our humanity. Here the contribution of Buddhism is the importance of compassion, of constant awareness of the mission to alleviate suffering. He is very good at identifying frightening possibilities in the technology and lists them. At the same time, aspects of the field, the need to produce more food, provided it isn't motivated purely by financial gain, can be good. In his last chapter, his eminence returns to the same subject, a cooperation between science and Buddhism's focus on bettering the human estate, not only physically or biologically, but socially, psychologically, and spiritually.

    The book is full of interesting philosophical implications I will perhaps explore on my blog. These have more to do with physics, cosmology, and what western philosophy calls metaphysics than with consciousness which Buddhism takes more or less for granted. The idea that the stuff of the universe is fundamentally phenomenal suffuses all schools of Buddhism, while in the West the idea, while not unknown, is viewed with great suspicion. Where consciousness is concerned, his emphasis falls on intentionality, our capacity to direct our attention, but he never mentions free will. Like consciousness itself, perhaps Buddhism takes free will for granted.
    13 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Nuno Tanacković
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buddhism / Science
    Reviewed in Spain on January 30, 2024
    Love this book! A book for live. To study again and again.
  • Dr.K.Vasantakumar Pai
    5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect blend of spirituality and science
    Reviewed in India on February 8, 2020
    A perfect blend of spirituality and science,people are believing that science and religion are parallel concepts.But in this book these are unified.
  • Michael Daum
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wirklich lesenswert!
    Reviewed in Germany on January 16, 2016
    Dem Dalai Lama gelingt es, Wissenschaft und Die Frage nach dem Bewusstsein in den Kontext von Spiritualitaet zu setzen. Dabei ist er stets auf dem Boden der Dinge, findet anschauliche Bilder und berührt den Leser. Wir sind alle eins, Danke fuer das gute Buch! Hat mir viel Freude bereitet.
  • Big Bill
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heavy duty Stuff. Read "A Universe from Nothing" , then this...
    Reviewed in Canada on April 20, 2014
    I recently read " A Universe from Nothing " by Prof L. Krauss. I recommend it highly , it is cutting edge quantum physics in
    laymans terms , and is very interesting and entertaining to read. "The Universe in a Single atom " is from 2005 , but the ideas
    discussed by the Dalai Lama are somewhat older. The blending of ancient thoughts with modern quantum physics is
    mind boggling. Any book that the Dalai Lama produces is worthy of a look , he is a knowledgeable fellow , but this book is a gem in
    two different disciplines . Very heavy stuff, highly recommended , and on the Amazon used market it is inexpensive.
  • Giovanni A. Orlando
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un Libro ispirtatore e chiarificatore ...
    Reviewed in Italy on September 24, 2013
    Anche se ho acquistato in libreria questo libro in Spagnolo a Caracas, nel 2007, ho preferito acquistarlo nuovamente in Inglese, che sarebbe per cosi dire, la versione originale.

    Infatti sua Eminenza il Dalai Lama, spiega e racconta il Punto di vista del Big Bang, l'esempio di Paradosso dei Gemelli collegato con il viaggio di Asanga all'Universo di Maitreya, nella tradizione Budista ... ecc.

    E' un libro il cui piano mentale ... mi ha inspirtato significativamente il mio libro, in fase di sviluppo, 'Why Einstein Theory of Relativity is Wrong?' ... che pubblichero anche in Italiano ... Infine la proposta del Dalai Lama, viene assolutamente da questo libro ed é ... 'La Scienza della Coscienza'.

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