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One Mind: How Our Individual Mind Is Part of a Greater Consciousness and Why It Matters
In One Mind, New York Times best-selling author Larry Dossey, M.D., proposes an inspiring view of consciousness that may reshape our destiny. Dossey’s premise is that all individual minds are part of an infinite, collective dimension of consciousness he calls the One Mind. This state—which we can all access—explains phenomena as diverse as epiphanies, creative breakthroughs, premonitions of danger or disaster, near-death experiences, communication with other species and with the dead, reincarnation, the movement of herds, flocks, and schools, and remote healing.Dossey presents his theory in easily digestible, bite-sized vignettes. Through engaging stories, fascinating research, and brilliant insights from great thinkers throughout history, readers will explore the outer reaches of human consciousness, discover a new way to interpret the great mysteries of our experience, and learn how to develop the empathy necessary to engender more love, peace, and collective awareness. The result is a rich new understanding of what it means to be human and a renewed hope that we can successfully confront the challenges we face at this crossroads in human history.Even before publication One Mind drew praise from the finest minds of our time. It has been heralded as "landmark," "a brilliant synthesis," a "magnum opus," a "feast" of ideas, "compelling," "gripping," and "a major shift in our understanding of consciousness."
339 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
177 people are currently reading
1179 people want to read
About the author
Larry Dossey
63 books86 followersLarry Dossey is a physician and author who propounds the importance for healing of prayer and spirituality. He combines science and prayer to advance the cause of healing the sick.
Larry Dossey studied medicine, graduating from University of Texas at Austin & the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas in 1967. While attending medical school, he became interested in Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Taoism. Severe, recurring migraines prompted him to study biofeedback and meditation in hopes of finding a means of controlling the headaches. He began to practice meditation regularly, while remaining skeptical about the type of praying he had learned in his youth. After graduation, Dossey went on to a distinguished medical career, which included service in Vietnam as a battalion surgeon and residencies at the Veterans Administration Hospital and Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Dossey's curiosity about the connections between science and religion prompted him to begin researching medical studies focused on the power of prayer to aid healing. In the 1980s, Dossey began writing books to document and explain his findings.
Dossey's 1993 book, Healing Words: The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine, made it to the New York Times bestseller list and sold close to 150,000 copies in the first three years after its publication.
Larry Dossey studied medicine, graduating from University of Texas at Austin & the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas in 1967. While attending medical school, he became interested in Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Taoism. Severe, recurring migraines prompted him to study biofeedback and meditation in hopes of finding a means of controlling the headaches. He began to practice meditation regularly, while remaining skeptical about the type of praying he had learned in his youth. After graduation, Dossey went on to a distinguished medical career, which included service in Vietnam as a battalion surgeon and residencies at the Veterans Administration Hospital and Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Dossey's curiosity about the connections between science and religion prompted him to begin researching medical studies focused on the power of prayer to aid healing. In the 1980s, Dossey began writing books to document and explain his findings.
Dossey's 1993 book, Healing Words: The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine, made it to the New York Times bestseller list and sold close to 150,000 copies in the first three years after its publication.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 2, 2014
If you want a book that lists a lot of research in favor of universal consciousness, this is the book for you. If you are looking for a well written, well supported take on the idea of universal consciousness, this is not it. The author often contradicts himself or makes leaps of logic through assumptions not supported by the research he is citing.
December 30, 2013
One Mind by Larry Dossey M.D., is a perfect book to read as the new year dawns. Why is this discussion so needed today? Because as Dr. Dossey explains, the collective One Mind of which we're all a part, is a vision that is powerful enough to confront the threats to our existence that we now face… from climate change to terrorism and war.
In his beautifully written and well researched book, Larry Dossey explores the many ways of experiencing a transcendent, unifying state of being called One Mind... in altered states, mystical experiences, reverie, epiphany, psychic and highly creative moments. He explores the fascinating topics of Near Death Experiences and reincarnation, mediums, savants, twins, telesomatic events, healing energy and other examples of the manifestation of One Mind, the source, the all, the whole, the absolute, the universe, the collective unconscious, God, or Allah.
Reading this book, I was convinced that I am only one of many, many people who have felt extraordinary experiences, that I am connected to all. The many anecdotes and stories contained in his book help to explain the concept of universal consciousness, and also offer the concept of universal consciousness as an explanation for the extraordinary experiences that science cannot explain.
We can perhaps save ourselves and the earth by realizing our connection to everything else and play the One Mind's calling card of love and caring. A beautiful message from Larry Dossey and one I was very thankful to read.
Namaste!
Becca Chopra, author of The Chakra Diaries, Chakra Secrets, and Balance Your Chakras - Balance Your Life
my link text
In his beautifully written and well researched book, Larry Dossey explores the many ways of experiencing a transcendent, unifying state of being called One Mind... in altered states, mystical experiences, reverie, epiphany, psychic and highly creative moments. He explores the fascinating topics of Near Death Experiences and reincarnation, mediums, savants, twins, telesomatic events, healing energy and other examples of the manifestation of One Mind, the source, the all, the whole, the absolute, the universe, the collective unconscious, God, or Allah.
Reading this book, I was convinced that I am only one of many, many people who have felt extraordinary experiences, that I am connected to all. The many anecdotes and stories contained in his book help to explain the concept of universal consciousness, and also offer the concept of universal consciousness as an explanation for the extraordinary experiences that science cannot explain.
We can perhaps save ourselves and the earth by realizing our connection to everything else and play the One Mind's calling card of love and caring. A beautiful message from Larry Dossey and one I was very thankful to read.
Namaste!
Becca Chopra, author of The Chakra Diaries, Chakra Secrets, and Balance Your Chakras - Balance Your Life
my link text
August 3, 2017
I liked this book but I do feel like the author does not deliver on his promise. He presents the idea of collective consciousness as a solution to many global problems. Because of this, I was expecting him to use collective consciousness to reframe his readers' global outlook. He doesn't do that. Instead he just makes argument after argument in favor of collective consciousness, painstakingly proving the idea with scientific evidence. But he never comes back around to how each of us can use this paradigm to help make us feel better about global warming, political unrest, economic disparity, etc. The book is like a nut graph without the final nut.
For instance, he acknowledges that we have done irreparable damage to our planet. He says that the One Mind can help us fix that. But he doesn't say how. Does the One Mind make us all greener? We can hardly wait for that. Does the One Mind make the reader care less about the nuances of this problem? How does the One Mind help you not feel incredible sadness when you see a world filled with spray-on sunscreen, toxic food supply, overconsumption of disposable items, and a great plastic reef? Because whatever this solution was supposed to be, I missed it.
Despite this, I did feel uplifted while reading this book due to so much evidence of global consciousness in a positive way. It was more of an author's essay to himself about his various beliefs though and not necessary a pledge or a plea as I was hoping it would be.
For instance, he acknowledges that we have done irreparable damage to our planet. He says that the One Mind can help us fix that. But he doesn't say how. Does the One Mind make us all greener? We can hardly wait for that. Does the One Mind make the reader care less about the nuances of this problem? How does the One Mind help you not feel incredible sadness when you see a world filled with spray-on sunscreen, toxic food supply, overconsumption of disposable items, and a great plastic reef? Because whatever this solution was supposed to be, I missed it.
Despite this, I did feel uplifted while reading this book due to so much evidence of global consciousness in a positive way. It was more of an author's essay to himself about his various beliefs though and not necessary a pledge or a plea as I was hoping it would be.
August 3, 2015
Unfortunately for the author, anecdotal evidence is not the same as scientific evidence no matter how much he wants it to be. Assumptions abound and conclusions are jumped to so quickly it will make your head spin. I would love to have a universal connection of mind proven scientifically but, as this book proves, we're not there yet.
February 15, 2014
Like water to a soul in the desert...I found myself teary with the relief and comfort that this commonsense, logically argued treatise offered. Soul Food.
October 30, 2022
One Mind: How Our Individual Mind Is Part of a Greater Consciousness and Why It Matters is an exploration of what makes us all connected as part of the human experience. Author Larry Dossey begins by identifying the Patron Saint of One Mind, the Austrian physicist Edwin Schrodinger who had a specific definition of he One Mind. It is as follows: "Mind is by its very nature a singulare tantum; I should say the overall number of minds is just one". Dossey explains that Schrodinger's philosophy was honed over many years, Explored are the whys of people who put their lives on the line, in the chapter Saving Others, how twins think the same thoughts and have similar experiences even if they are miles apart and raised in different families as noted in the chapter Twins, How "savants" or those with singular intelligence but minimal relational skills can pull complex mathematical computations out of thin air, and do not know how they know the answer in the chapter Savants, and many other riveting ideas that belie scientific inquiry but can support science by identifying meaning with minds that are both open and curious. Filled with stories about experiences of patients, doctors and scientists, One Mind is an important book that may hold the seed to healing the many divisions in the Global Community.
March 7, 2014
Consciousness through One Mind; the nonlocal ways of knowing that bypass physical senses
I very much enjoyed this thought provoking book which is largely built on the concept of One Mind of Vedanta Philosophy of Hinduism. Erwin Schrodinger, a physicist and philosopher and a strong believer of Vedanta, echoed its basic concepts of All in One, and expounded on the foundations of quantum physics that in One Mind, the consciousness is transpersonal, universal, collective, and infinite in spacetime. Therefore it is immortal and eternal. Although there are billions of apparently separate human minds but their view of the world is largely coherent. He saw perfect harmony between the philosophy of quantum physics and the metaphysics of Vedanta.
In this book, the author argues that the ability to acquire information at a distance without the mediation of physical senses or the machines is an example non-local communication. If consciousness is non-local, it exists everywhere in spacetime. Therefore the mind and the consciousness cannot be confined to brain or a body, but it is universal. The author has done an exhaustive literature work to compile his One Mind theory supported by numerous examples; both historical and scientific facts. The One Mind is like an invisible, non-physical cloud computing platform with infinite storage capacity. There is no need to link to the storage, because all minds are connected non-locally in a unitary whole, says the author.
Examples from many paranormal and parapsychological experiences such as Near-death experience (NDE), parapsychology, and dreams have been discussed. All these involve nonlocal ways of knowing that bypass the physical senses. They reveal linkages and connections between distant individuals. In ancient India, yoga was practiced by sages and rishis to obtain spiritual insight and tranquility that far exceeded their original mental capabilities. During meditation, reverie, or in a state of seep thoughts, time is perceived as eternal and the distinctions between past, present and future disappears, and it opens the door to One Mind. When One Mind is the source of all information that is known and knowable, then it is omniscient and if it is nonlocal, unconnected to body or mind in spacetime, then it is omnipresent and eternal.
The book is written as a series of stand-alone, bite size vignettes about One Mind concept for general readers, and it does not require any knowledge of neurobiology, if some sections are not interesting, skip it. It is the big picture that emerges from the discussions of the book that is important in appreciating the book.
I very much enjoyed this thought provoking book which is largely built on the concept of One Mind of Vedanta Philosophy of Hinduism. Erwin Schrodinger, a physicist and philosopher and a strong believer of Vedanta, echoed its basic concepts of All in One, and expounded on the foundations of quantum physics that in One Mind, the consciousness is transpersonal, universal, collective, and infinite in spacetime. Therefore it is immortal and eternal. Although there are billions of apparently separate human minds but their view of the world is largely coherent. He saw perfect harmony between the philosophy of quantum physics and the metaphysics of Vedanta.
In this book, the author argues that the ability to acquire information at a distance without the mediation of physical senses or the machines is an example non-local communication. If consciousness is non-local, it exists everywhere in spacetime. Therefore the mind and the consciousness cannot be confined to brain or a body, but it is universal. The author has done an exhaustive literature work to compile his One Mind theory supported by numerous examples; both historical and scientific facts. The One Mind is like an invisible, non-physical cloud computing platform with infinite storage capacity. There is no need to link to the storage, because all minds are connected non-locally in a unitary whole, says the author.
Examples from many paranormal and parapsychological experiences such as Near-death experience (NDE), parapsychology, and dreams have been discussed. All these involve nonlocal ways of knowing that bypass the physical senses. They reveal linkages and connections between distant individuals. In ancient India, yoga was practiced by sages and rishis to obtain spiritual insight and tranquility that far exceeded their original mental capabilities. During meditation, reverie, or in a state of seep thoughts, time is perceived as eternal and the distinctions between past, present and future disappears, and it opens the door to One Mind. When One Mind is the source of all information that is known and knowable, then it is omniscient and if it is nonlocal, unconnected to body or mind in spacetime, then it is omnipresent and eternal.
The book is written as a series of stand-alone, bite size vignettes about One Mind concept for general readers, and it does not require any knowledge of neurobiology, if some sections are not interesting, skip it. It is the big picture that emerges from the discussions of the book that is important in appreciating the book.
July 20, 2020
This book is a plethora of anecdotes with a healthy dose of empirical studies to make the case for a nonlocal, unitary, and infinite consciousness. While anecdotes are typically something the critical thinker should be wary of letting persuade them, Dr. Dossey makes a good argument for their use in this area right at the beginning of the book, helping me to unpack some of my unconscious scientific prejudices.
However, with all that being said, I come away reflecting that the biggest mark this book has left on me is a deeper awareness and appreciation for the flaws within typical Western science, and an openness to seeking out yet still critically evaluating that phenomena which may fly in the face of "rationality".
However, with all that being said, I come away reflecting that the biggest mark this book has left on me is a deeper awareness and appreciation for the flaws within typical Western science, and an openness to seeking out yet still critically evaluating that phenomena which may fly in the face of "rationality".
October 7, 2014
Enlightening. Educational.
November 25, 2022
A good topic, but not a great book. It feels like it’s just a bunch of stories and theories glued together to fill a few hundred pages.
December 5, 2024
I admit I'm a fan of Larry Dossey. He's dedicated his life to collecting evidence of spiritual realities that many people deny. My only complaint about this work is that even though the evidence for these things is overwhelming to anyone with an open mind (and you'll soon discover how many people have closed minds if you bring up evidence of such phenomena)—the problem is there's no reliable "channel" to help us know whether to trust an intuition, a dream, or a feeling—any way to distinguish it from error. At least there's no way to prove someone else's.
To quote Richard Feynman, "The dream is to find the open channel. . . . if you have a tyranny of ideas, so that you know exactly what has to be true, you act very decisively, and it looks good—for a while. But soon the ship is heading in the wrong direction, and no one can modify the direction anymore."
Maybe we're not meant to prove things like this to others. Maybe we're only to grow individually with a few trusted people. I don't know. I only know that after spending many years to find my way out of Mormonism, I don't dispute any divine guidance that people experience. I don't dispute any subjective experience at all. You could lump me into practically any camp of belief—including atheist or agnostic—but don't ever call me a nonbeliever.
I've had so many experiences, lately more than ever, that demonstrate to me the existence of something or someone in the universe that loves me. If I told you all the serendipity I've experienced, you'd probably believe it too. But I don't think a book review is the place for that, and I don't need to prove it to anyone.
I'll just say this: you won't be wasting your time reading Larry Dossey for a balance to all the empirical study out there. Even the anecdotes that fall short of "proof" are absolutely useful to form a more accurate picture of how the universe works. They might even be the best we can do to demonstrate some things for which experiments may be impossible. Even Feynman recognized that: "A very great deal more truth can become known than can be proven."
To quote Richard Feynman, "The dream is to find the open channel. . . . if you have a tyranny of ideas, so that you know exactly what has to be true, you act very decisively, and it looks good—for a while. But soon the ship is heading in the wrong direction, and no one can modify the direction anymore."
Maybe we're not meant to prove things like this to others. Maybe we're only to grow individually with a few trusted people. I don't know. I only know that after spending many years to find my way out of Mormonism, I don't dispute any divine guidance that people experience. I don't dispute any subjective experience at all. You could lump me into practically any camp of belief—including atheist or agnostic—but don't ever call me a nonbeliever.
I've had so many experiences, lately more than ever, that demonstrate to me the existence of something or someone in the universe that loves me. If I told you all the serendipity I've experienced, you'd probably believe it too. But I don't think a book review is the place for that, and I don't need to prove it to anyone.
I'll just say this: you won't be wasting your time reading Larry Dossey for a balance to all the empirical study out there. Even the anecdotes that fall short of "proof" are absolutely useful to form a more accurate picture of how the universe works. They might even be the best we can do to demonstrate some things for which experiments may be impossible. Even Feynman recognized that: "A very great deal more truth can become known than can be proven."
October 5, 2017
Since my childhood, for no reason I use to think that we are very much wired to each other, if not, on a very basic level, how would we ever understand each other on the first place?
A very much riveting piece of work, I was spellbound by most of the case studies framed across the book and the ONE MIND concept is nothing anymore to be left alone on the shelf of debatable topics, rather on an upgraded esoteric level, so to speak. It must be just like all other perceptions/reality we are already accustomed to. ONE MIND in a nutshell is an engrossing subject and speaking about the book, it's a cargo of answers to my legendary questions that was again quite esoteric to be shared with someone :)
Hats off to the author, Larry Dossey.
A very much riveting piece of work, I was spellbound by most of the case studies framed across the book and the ONE MIND concept is nothing anymore to be left alone on the shelf of debatable topics, rather on an upgraded esoteric level, so to speak. It must be just like all other perceptions/reality we are already accustomed to. ONE MIND in a nutshell is an engrossing subject and speaking about the book, it's a cargo of answers to my legendary questions that was again quite esoteric to be shared with someone :)
Hats off to the author, Larry Dossey.
December 31, 2019
The stories presented as evidence for one mind were not particularly persuasive because my sceptical mind was not convinced that the sources were unquestionable. However, as a whole, this theory makes a lot of sense, more so because of my own experiences. I think that this is something that must be felt, must be known in your blood and bones. I don't know that any epiphanies will arise through absolute scientifically proven facts. Still, I enjoyed the recognition of similar experiences and views.
November 6, 2022
So many reviews were saying that this book has too much pseudo science, and the research was lazy. I’m SO glad I didn’t listen to those reviews. Material of this type of content REQUIRE a bit of a leap of faith. Consciousness is still a strange and mysterious study. All we can do is take the evidence and stories and weave something together that might make sense. It’s for every individual to decide. I for one, got a lot out of this book. I thought it was organized very well, that it covered a wide range of possibilities, and gave me much to consider. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
December 21, 2023
Great Compendium of Psi
Very enjoyable read, packed with evidence attesting to man’s innate supernormal abilities. Near-death and mystical experiences, telepathy, psychokinesis precognition, clairvoyance, collective dreams, and supernormal healings are among the topics covered at length. This is one of the best books I’m aware of that covers such a diverse array of topics in one volume. As such it serves as a great primer for anyone interested in seeing the evidence, especially for those that may be unfamiliar with these subjects.
Very enjoyable read, packed with evidence attesting to man’s innate supernormal abilities. Near-death and mystical experiences, telepathy, psychokinesis precognition, clairvoyance, collective dreams, and supernormal healings are among the topics covered at length. This is one of the best books I’m aware of that covers such a diverse array of topics in one volume. As such it serves as a great primer for anyone interested in seeing the evidence, especially for those that may be unfamiliar with these subjects.
February 2, 2018
Excellent, Excellent Read.
Anyone that has been awakened by a voice saying their name,. Anyone who has experienced thinking about someone and they call. Anyone who has sensed someone they love needs them or is in trouble. Read this book! I found this book to be so reaffirming. Those who know there is no such thing as death, there is only life after life will enjoy this as much as I.
Anyone that has been awakened by a voice saying their name,. Anyone who has experienced thinking about someone and they call. Anyone who has sensed someone they love needs them or is in trouble. Read this book! I found this book to be so reaffirming. Those who know there is no such thing as death, there is only life after life will enjoy this as much as I.
February 13, 2020
In his latest book, One Mind: How Our Individual Mind Is Part of a Greater Consciousness and Why It Matters, Dr. Larry Dossey provides compelling data for the existence and power of a collective consciousness. What’s more, the evidence irrefutably shows that people who are in tune with their deeper consciousness are happier, healthier, wiser and more creative. Dossey’s remarkable book stretches us to re-imagine and embrace the power of our true selves.
December 8, 2023
Delving into 'One Mind' by Larry Dorsey felt like navigating a cosmic rollercoaster. While the repetitive undertones could be a hiccup, the book's sporadic bursts of inspiring narratives serve as celestial pit stops. It's an interstellar reminder of the enigmatic beauty within the universe, making it a good journey (not exceptional) but a gentle nudge to embrace the uncharted realms of our collective consciousness.
October 6, 2024
This book covers a wide spectrum of psi phenomena and explores topics such as telepathic communication, clairvoyance/remote viewing, premonition/precognition, psychokinesis, psychic healing, OBEs/NDEs, possible survival after death and more. It also includes love as an entry to the One Mind and the nature of transcendence. Where available, it includes anecdotal/case history accounts, related research findings and discussions on how they can be interpreted within the concept of the One Mind.
October 13, 2025
I was skeptical as I read the introduction, but continued until I started chapter 3. At the beginning of that chapter there is a recounting of a woman looking at a jumble of numbers, the choosing some of them and found it to be the phone number of the emergency room where her son was being treated after being in a car crash. This is given as evidence that the One Mind connects us in ways we cannot know.
In my view, this is crackpot, woo woo imitation "science".
In my view, this is crackpot, woo woo imitation "science".
May 23, 2018
Many unexplained phenomena
The variety of subjective paranormal experiences is staggering, making rejection and denial the most comfortable pathways away from the mystery. The broad sweep into one phenomenon is superficial and not compelling. One cannot prove a vague theory wrong. Better to hold the mystery!
The variety of subjective paranormal experiences is staggering, making rejection and denial the most comfortable pathways away from the mystery. The broad sweep into one phenomenon is superficial and not compelling. One cannot prove a vague theory wrong. Better to hold the mystery!
December 4, 2022
Great if you want documentation and history
This reads like meta research, not it's own novel perspective or language. Dossey is well read and very thorough but comes across as defensive - which he admits to. Good for sourcing or for someone new to the concept who needs evidence.
This reads like meta research, not it's own novel perspective or language. Dossey is well read and very thorough but comes across as defensive - which he admits to. Good for sourcing or for someone new to the concept who needs evidence.
July 8, 2019
Enjoyed the concepts a lot. Interested to understand how science and data collection may have advanced the realities as written (in 2013). Also interested to read more about how this aligns with religion and spirituality.
February 8, 2023
Brilliant! Just remarkably brilliant. The reader will need to want to know the topic because it is intense in its coverage, but Dossey makes the whole book easy to read and contemplate, and challenges the reader to update their world/life view.
October 9, 2017
A gift from Bob Jones. Tremendous validation for the energy of the universe and the power we all share in our hearts and minds. Call it quantum physics if you want. I call it love.
November 22, 2017
An amazing achievement.
April 13, 2019
Read it a second time.
April 25, 2019
Twins in this book: the author is a twin! Also, there’s a whole section on twin studies and co-mindedness (or whatever the real fancy and awesome word is)
March 21, 2020
I wish I could give more than 5 stars
April 21, 2020
4:34:25
Intro- 25:11
100 pages- 1:41:35
200 pages- 3:14:52
Intro- 25:11
100 pages- 1:41:35
200 pages- 3:14:52
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews