Amazon Reviews
18 of 20 people found the following review to be helpful:
The Living Universe. Duane Elgin, 2009., May 4, 2009
By Kathy A. Kelly
Is the universe a smattering of objects and gases in a vast, lifeless void? Or is the universe a living organism with its own consciousness and purpose?
In The Living Universe, Elgin articulates the concept that the universe is a living being. He documents current scientific knowledge alongside core beliefs from the world's spiritual traditions to illustrate that wisdom from these disparate arenas points to a shared impression that the universe is alive.
With an understanding garnered over decades of research and profound personal experience, Elgin contends that the basic nature of the universe is a creative force giving birth to self reflective systems at multiple levels. He presents the exciting possibility that the cosmos is a purposeful learning system. Humanity plays a vital role in the process as the universe manifests its creativity and develops its consciousness through us.
Elgin explores the significance and implications of a shift in how we see ourselves as part of a living universe rather than a dead one. This change in perspective brings new meaning to humanity's struggles. Elgin considers who we are as a species, playing out our collective story as cosmic, heroic, maturing, or witnessing species beings. In mythological terms, he poses the question, what if the crises we face on Earth right now constitute humanity's initiation process? At this stage of our developing maturity and growing consciousness, we have opportunities for transformation. Elgin names six vital tasks for the journey, and offers meditations and conversation initiators to engage us in co-creating our story of awakening.
Writing beautifully, the author employs an expansive array of jubilant descriptors to convey the awesome phenomenon and beauty of the universe. Words of others - from Rumi to Sagan, David Bohm to Walt Whitman - elaborate and supplement Elgin's descriptions.
Containing seeds from Elgin's earlier works and expanding on his life's passion, The Living Universe is rich with insight from this wise, well-informed, and caring man.
Already known as a researcher, writer, teacher, visionary leader and media activist, Elgin - through The Living Universe - reveals himself to also be a healer.
9 of 11 people found the following review to be helpful:
The universe is alive...and this changes everything, April 1, 2009
By Alan W. Zulch
In this remarkably potent and highly accessible book, Duane Elgin lays out a compelling argument for what is surely one of the most critical insights we as a collective humanity must come to know, and soon: life on earth isn't the only life in the universe...indeed, the universe itself is alive! And, knowing this, our entire way of seeing, being and doing is transformed, and made meaningful. One of the things I liked most about this book is that it goes beyond concepts and makes the notion of a living universe relevant in our individual, daily lives. If you want a book that is clear and profound, and are ready to have your worldview stretched to accommodate the universe itself...read this. Very highly recommended.
10 of 13 people found the following review to be helpful:
Living large in a living universe -- get this book., April 3, 2009
By Chris M. Bache
Whether we are living in an unconscious universe of dead matter or a universe that is genuinely alive and intelligent is a question that lies at the core of the intellectual transformation we are undergoing, and few writers speak to these issues as deeply and competently as Duane Elgin. Elgin has been ahead of the curve of our collective awakening for decades, and he continues to push our edges in this beautiful and powerful book.
Elgin's survey of the scientific evidence for a living universe is both compelling and accessible, a hard combination to pull off. Going beyond science, he draws out the existential implications of living consciously in a living universe, demonstrating the parallels with elevated spiritual teachings from multiple cultures and bringing it down to the nit and gritty detail of the choices we make every day. This synthesis of science, philosophy, spirituality, and ethical reflection is a powerful combination that will stretch the reader's mind and heart. Both the novice and the advanced student will be rewarded.
There are some books that have the rare capacity to actually trigger the awakening to which they are pointing. The Living Universe is one of these. It is a book for the years ahead.
9 of 12 people found the following review to be helpful:
Alive and On the Move, April 9, 2009
By Brooks Jordan
I love this book, am touched by it. Inspired. Informed.
I don't think I've read another one quite like it. Here's what I mean:
What if all of the trouble the world is experiencing right now actually has a purpose, a direction?
What if rather than a financial and ecological collapse in our near future because we simply can't get our act together, it's an inflection point?
And what if an author could explain, in a way one could trust, where we are in that inflection process and why where we're going is very much worth our attention and effort?
Duane Elgin has done just that in 200 pages using the best science available, a science that's big enough and confident enough to include the world's wisdom traditions, to show that the universe is alive, and so are we.
But not only has he accomplished this near impossible task - a task of a lifetime - by pulling so much together and integrating it into one approachable text, he has somehow been able to make his point through the quality or resonance of his words as well as their meaning.
What I'm saying is that this book gets under your skin. You actually feel the aliveness in the world, in yourself, that Duane speaks of after you've read each chapter.
It's hard to say exactly why . . . does it come from Duane's personal experiences, his use of certain experiments or evidence from science, or simply the way he crafts a paragraph? Not sure, but the way I felt after reading the book (twice now) was as important to me, as convincing, as the information in it.
If we're really going to turn the corner in these times we live in, the things that Duane so elegantly brings to light in "The Living Universe" are going to be part of the solution. Ultimately, it makes you want to get up and go.
2 of 2 people found the following review to be helpful:
Most Inspiring, December 5, 2009
By Linda McMillan
I read a lot of metaphysical type books and I can tell you this is one of the most inspiring books that I have ever read. What this wonderful man has, over a period of many years, managed to integrate within himself and materialize in this book is a huge contribution to all of us looking to get to the core of things. If you are looking to broadening your understanding of who you are, what you are and why you're here - you will be delighted with this book and will likely reread it many times.
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