Customer Reviews
Exploring cutting-edge research - By: Pieter, 25 Jun 2006 
This book examines developments at the frontiers of science. Schroedinger, Heisenberg, Bohr & Pauli were the pioneers of quantum physics, but numerous scientists in various disciplines have been conducting experiments that reveal profound new possibilities in our view of the universe. The author investigates the work of those scientists who are at the cutting edge of exploration, alll with reference to the life force, universal energy field or Zero Point Field, an ocean of microscopic vibrations. It would appear that evidence is mounting that the universe is one vast quantum field.
Part One: The Resonating Universe, looks at the work of amongst others, Rupert Sheldrake, Fritz Albert Popp, Robert O Becker, Jacques Benveniste & Karl Pribram. The theory of the universe as a collection of resonating frequencies is here examined. Part Two: The Extended Mind, explores the work of inter alia Helmut Schmidt, Jahn & Dunne & Puthoff & Targ. The topics include nonlocality, remote influence & viewing, dreams, clairvoyance, ESP, precognition, the nature of time & how the observer influences the observed, like quantum particles.
Part Three: Tapping into the Field, deals with the experiments of for example Elisabeth Targ & her positive findings of remote healing in AIDS cases, & the work of William Braud, Dean Radin & Roger Nelson. The concept of collective consciousness is fascinating. The speculations include the possibility that negative consciousness is like a germ that infects large numbers of people & could produce evil like the Inquisition, Hitler & the Salem Witch Trial.
On the other hand, positive consciousness might give rise to great periods in history, like the Renaissance & many benign popular trends. The question of the existence of emotional & intellectual synchronicity is addressed here. McTaggart also looks at developments in artificial intelligence & considers how these recent discoveries might influence the future. They are hinting at an immense human potential, validating alternative medicine & confirming some mythical & religious beliefs. The author believes that this scientific revolution has forever ended the concept of dualism.
The book contains notes by chapter, a vast bibliography & an index. McTaggart has performed a great service by making the research of a large number of scientists known to a wide popular audience. Sometimes the reading pleasure is lost in the overly detailed descriptions of various experiments & their preparation. Also, the physical descriptions of the scientists under discussion are often a bit irritating & unnecessary, although it might have been done to keep the narrative accessible & conversational.
Mind-blowing stuff - By: , 01 Apr 2003 This is an excellent book.
I recently lent it to a PhD science graduate on holiday who read the thing cover to cover. Be warned that it is likely to force you to reassess your entire view of the reality! It is one of the most mind-blowing books you'll ever read.
BUT:
On the down side, although Lynne McTaggart is clearly highly intelligent but what she is not, is a scientist. And it shows. She is a journalist. And although her copy has been proofed by scientists, in accordance with her journalist training what she instictively & repeatedly does is to "simplify & exaggerate".
Thus although I loved Lynne's book & highly recommend it, my complaint with it is that it comprehensively fails to be objective. It is extremely one-sided. She fails to give adequate weight (or totallly fails to mention) alll the failed experiments where many of the more exotic experiments have not been replicated elsewhere. (e.g. On many occassions, Homeopathy has in fact been both proved AND dis-proved).
The second thing she fails to do is give the non-scientist reader a feel for the degree of certainty the experimental evidence in each instance has attained. Although good science necessarily does start with a single obervation - an anecdote if you will - where possible it then needs to go through double-blind, placebo-controlled, peer-reviewed (etc) studies... & the whole thing needs to be successfully replicated elsewhere.
Although it is great to see that she has pages & pages of scientific references, the untrained reader is given no sense of just how relatively significant each piece of evidence reallly is. And it turns out that some of the material discussed in her book - fascinating though it is - has in fact failed to be replicated elsewhere.
My final criticism is that her final conclusions are a bit of an anti-climax. It's as if she either runs out of nerve or intellect or both. The principles established in one bit of research are not applied to another. It's as if at the end of each chapter she shouts "zero-point field! zero-point field!" & then ducks.
NONETHELESS, this book serves an excellent wake-up calll for the scientific world. If you didnt know that the mind of the experimentor can actuallly effect the experimental results that he/she gets, then wake up & smell the coffee!
Is this a revolution?
I can hear the very foundations of science & human knowledge as we know it creaking under the strain of this book.
This is a highly accessible book that ties together much cutting edge science & serves as an excellent introduction to the subject.
Dont think twice: buy it.
Thought provoking reading - By: , 30 Aug 2002 Lynne McTaggart has succeeded in writing an accessable account of what can be a mind boggling subject. She presents some of the research that provides a foundation of proof for a "collective consciousness" & certain "supernatural" phenomena (such as precognition & telepathy) that is based in established knowledge of physics. Explainations of these theories steer clear of complex equations in favour of metaphor (comparing the Field to the "Force" in Starwars is a little sensationalist) & simple terms, making it an easy read. However, the experiments are presented as fact without too much explaination of methodolgy, so a little critical thinking is often required. If you are looking for a book to whet your appetite for the subject, then its a good place to start, as it points to some of the more meaty reading (Michael Talbot / David Bohm). If you are looking for difinitive answers to questions about consciousness & your place in the universe, this book will probably leave you with more questions than you started, but with an urge to find out more.
