Waking Up in Time: Finding Inner Peace in Times of Accelerating Change by Peter Russell

by Peter Russell

In this special edition of his award-winning bestseller, visionary scientist Peter Russell updates his classic manifesto for awakening to the mounting planetary crisis while deepening the connection to inner tranquility. Amid fears of ecological catastrophe and political chaos, this book stands out for its message of sanity and hope.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Self Help, Science, Psychology, Metaphysics, Social Issues

Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Peter Russell M.A., D.C.S., is a British author of ten books and producer of three films on consciousness, spiritual awakening and their role in the future development of humanity. He has designed and taught personal development programs for businesses, and has remained a popular public speaker.

In 1965 he was awarded an Open Exhibition to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, to study Mathematics. In 1969, he gained a First Class Honours in Theoretical Physics and Experimental Psychology. He then went to Rishikesh, India, where he trained as a teacher of Transcendental Meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In 1971, he gained a post-graduate degree in Computer Science. From 1971 to 1974, he studied for a Ph.D. on the psychophysiology of meditation at Bristol University.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Waking Up in Time: Finding Inner Peace in Times of Accelerating Change, Peter Russell presents an interesting perspective on the crises our planet and species are facing. He takes the reader through a convincing explanation for why we have reached this point of materialism and self-centered shortsightedness that explains without placing blame, and suggests that what we are really trying to do is fulfill inner needs with exterior solutions. Therefore, the solution to the crises may well lie in us rediscovering inner peace and realizing that inner needs can only be fulfilled internally.

Towards the end of the book Russell moves into a realm that was less compelling to me, proposing that we may reach a "singularity" in our evolution soon and that there may be a "hidden purpose to evolution". He makes the mistake of assuming that just because the probability of all factors being right for life to begin on earth was very low, that because it did happen, therefore it was somehow "meant" to happen or there is a "purpose" to it. This sort of argument bothers me, but I think the earlier parts of what Russell had to say were still valid even if the end of the book got a bit strange.

The book is a fast read with short chapters, but still felt a little repetitive at times. Overall I found it interesting and I'm glad I read it.

[Sandra Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book originally published in 1992 as The White Hole in Time, and then with updates by the author in1998 is both amusing and insightful with so many changes that Peter Russell proclaimed might happen and since that time certainly has happened. People complain now even more that time is going too fast; inventions are outdated as we buy them and everything is moving in a furious rate outpacing the thousands of years of evolutionary inventions/discoveries to minutes/seconds. The challenge, the warning of mankind is given clearly in the book:

"If we are to continue our evolutionary journey, it is imperative that we now make some equally prodigious leaps in our ability to transform our minds. We must wake up and develop the wisdom that will allow us to use our new powers for our own good and for the good of all. This is the challenge of our times."

The actions needed are very meaningful to these times but whether we have already passed the time to wake up is something to think about.

[Srikanth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that was first published in 1992 and still remains relevant even to this day. The author gives a decent picture of the accelerating change that is unfolding on planet earth and hypothesizes on what lies ahead and how to cope with it. In the end, the author also tries to hack into the eternal question - the purpose of the universe.

[Sherry Cassedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful essay connecting the many dots of our lives leading to potential vanishing point.
Brilliant.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

New Age bunk!

[Benjamin Lupton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Added many much needed insights to humanity and the struggles we are facing together and alone, from many different perspectives and angles. The biology and chemicals stuff has had a huge impact on me, as well as the rates of accelerating change and what that means for spiritual/internal adaption and revolution. The last section rambled on a bit, and a bit of the data is now a bit outdated, however they are minor shortcomings in regards to the value that this book still offers in today's world. It's a quick and digestible read, one you feel better after each moment with it. Worth the investment if you ever ponder life, what it means, where it is heading, and will we survive in time.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russell gives the most amazing overview of the earth's evolution and, along with it, man's development. One cannot help but be startled by the acceleration of significant developments especially in man's technology and Russell lays out the wonder of it all in such a way that this book reads almost like a fantasy/scifi novel. He quickly grabs his reader's attention and, as the facts unfold, we are left with a serious wakeup call for all of mankind. His message is not without hope, but it is one that anyone who is concerned about preserving this earth for future generations must read.

[Kenneth Mcklinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waking Up In Time is a compelling book that provides lucid insights to the paradigm shifts going on around us with regards to technology, civilization, and elements of spiritual interperitation to make sense of it all. As the period between epiphanies in our comprehnsion of the world we live in shortens, we must be able to adapt and evolve accordingly to keep up with changes as they occur.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is an example of Gladwell's Outliers. Talent is not enough or this book would be tops of any in the personal development field. None of the repetitive mantras I so often find. Written in 1992 with reflections on technology yet not outdated today. A must.

[Jane Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

A walk through a new way of seeing things.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

A couple chapters catured my attention and made me think but the majority of this book I felt like I could skip and skim over, not missing anything of great importance.

[Miranda]

My favorite!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew me away! I own a hardback signed copy.