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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
1 less star purely for the fact that this is quite scientifically technical. The Dalai Lama knows more about quantum physics and neuroscience than most of us will ever understand. But on the whole it’s great. I’d suggest to read this as an audiobook to push past the scientifically dense stuff and get to the more ethical and philosophical parts.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
challenging
hopeful
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
A lot of this book was over my head but I still found a lot to think about. I will likely need to re-read this in a few years to see if I have grown and maybe gotten a bit smarter. The parts concerning quantum physics and the relationship to spirituality were beyond my comprehension but I will work on this. I also have a better understanding and appreciation for buddhism. The consciousness of sentient beings and the desire to eliminate suffering is not so different from other religions. The fact that the early buddhist scholars had so many things figured out that science has only proven in the past century or so is interesting. The idea of doing thought experiments should be utilized much more often in today’s decisions in both religion and politics. I also learned how much education the Dalai Lama experienced in his life and appreciate his desire to learn more throughout his life.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I am delighted that this jumped into my queue right after Harari's Homo Deus. (I randomize what I read so to stay on theme, I am chalking this one being my next book up to potential intervention by higher powers beyond scientific analysis.) It was just what my sanity needed, a more compassionate view of the somewhat bleak and reductionist pure-science perspective of our future that I had been grappling with.
In addition, I do find this a remarkably thoughtful weighing of religious and scientific insight. There is no smudging of scientific facts here nor forcing of congruence where it doesn't exist. Rather, it is the perspective of a spiritual scholar who has deeply conversed with the scientific community, and can now find overlap, identify where religious teachings need to catch up with scientific insight, and point out potential synergies.
In addition, I do find this a remarkably thoughtful weighing of religious and scientific insight. There is no smudging of scientific facts here nor forcing of congruence where it doesn't exist. Rather, it is the perspective of a spiritual scholar who has deeply conversed with the scientific community, and can now find overlap, identify where religious teachings need to catch up with scientific insight, and point out potential synergies.
The Dalai Lama fully embraces scientific discovery in this book, (which was really refreshing to hear from a religious leader) and shares how Buddhism aligns with current theories and where it stands on the ethical issues that are arising around us as a result of "progress." That being said, it'd help to come to this book with an interest and working knowledge of Buddhism and scientific concepts like quantum physics. (Even with both, I found myself a little lost every so often.)
I appreciated the Dalai Lama's voice, and his humility, in the face of these complex topics. He openly admits in points of the book when his knowledge on a scientific topic ends and when, for him, it began to get confusing. Considering there were times I was also confused, I was thankful he didn't get too technical.
While this book was dry at times, I really enjoyed the perspective the Dalai Lama brings to the constantly changing landscape of scientific discovery and how Buddhism can help enhance this understanding.
I appreciated the Dalai Lama's voice, and his humility, in the face of these complex topics. He openly admits in points of the book when his knowledge on a scientific topic ends and when, for him, it began to get confusing. Considering there were times I was also confused, I was thankful he didn't get too technical.
While this book was dry at times, I really enjoyed the perspective the Dalai Lama brings to the constantly changing landscape of scientific discovery and how Buddhism can help enhance this understanding.