Humble before the Void: A Western Astronomer, his Journey East, and a Remarkable Encounter Between Western Science and Tibetan Buddhism

by Chris Impey, Dalai Lama XIV (Foreword)

“This book will provide readers with a greater awareness of the spirit of curiosity and inquiry that lies at the heart of the Buddhist tradition, as well as the fruitfulness of maintaining active communication between the Buddhist and scientific commu­nities.” ―from the Foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama In Humble before the Void , Impey, a noted astronomer, educator, and author gives us a thor­oughly absorbing and engaging account of his journey to Northern India to teach in the first-ever “Science for Monks” leadership program. The pro­gram was initiated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to introduce science into the Tibetan Buddhist monastic tradition. In a vivid and compelling narrative, Impey intro­duces us to a group of exiled Tibetan monks whose charm, tenacity and unbridled enthusiasm for learning is infectious. Impey marvels not only at their enthusiasm, but at their tireless diligence that allows the monks to painstakingly build intri­cate sand mandalas―that can be swept away in an instant. He observes them as they meticulously count galaxies and notes how their enthusiasm and diligence stands in contrast to many American students who are frequently turned off by sci­ence’s inability to deliver easy, immediate payoffs. Because the Buddhist monks have had a limited science education, Impey must devise creative pedagogy. His new students immediately take to his inspired teaching methods, whether it’s the use of balloons to demonstrate the Hubble expansion or donning an Einstein mask to explain the theory of relativity. Humble before the Void also recounts Impey’s experiences outside the classroom, from the monks’ eagerness to engage in pick-up basket­ball games and stream episodes of hip American sitcoms to the effects on his relationship with the teenage son who makes the trip with him. Moments of profound serenity and beauty in the Himalayas are contrasted with the sorrow of learning that other monks have set themselves on fire to protest the Chinese oppression in Tibet. At the end of the three week program, both the monks and Impey have gained a valuable edu­cation. While the monks have a greater under­standing and appreciation of science, Impey has acquired greater self- knowledge and a deeper understanding of the nature of learning and teaching in the East and West. This understand­ing leads to a renewed enthusiasm for making his topic come alive for others.

Genres: Science, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Education

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Chris Impey is a University Distinguished Professor in the Astronomy Department and Associate Dean in the College of Science at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He has written popular articles on astronomy and is the author of a number of popular science books. The Living Cosmos is a tour of the search for life in the universe, and the pair of books How It Ends and How It Began cover the origin and fate of everything in the universe. Talking About Life is a series of conversations with pioneers in astrobiology. With Holly Henry, he wrote about the scientific and cultural impact of a dozen iconic NASA missions, Dreams of Other Worlds. A book about his experiences teaching cosmology to Tibetan monks, Humble Before the Void was published in 2014, and his book about the future of humans in space, called Beyond, was published in 2015. His first novel is called Shadow World.

Reviews

[Barbara Adde · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a deeply thoughtful book that will stay with me. The cosmology lessons were creative and clear, the interactions with the monks fascinating.
It took me awhile to read because at times the science was dense, and because other books needed to be read, but it’s now one of my favorites. I’m planning to give it to several friends who I know will appreciate it too.
Thank you, Prof. Impey.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably would have done better in school if teachers had been this enthusiastic and dynamic.

[John Grange · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's difficult not to be both intrigued and warmed by the subject matter of Impey's "Humble Before The Void". Some of my favorite books have centered around the intersection of eastern spiritualality and science, specfically quantum physics and cosmology. Zukav's "Dancing Wu Li Masters" and even Dalai Lama's "Universe in an Atom" are great examples of hard science and edifying pedagogy being informed by eastern spirituality in a powerful way.

This book doesn't quite live up to those two examples, however. The science in this book trace that of a actual 3 week science course Mr Impey is teaching to Tibeten Monk's. Therefore, the science itself is a survey and slightly elementary. Yet, the teaching techniques and classroom dynamics are quite interesting. This book is at it's best when the author is introspective and delivering very rich, if not philosophical, descriptions of his experience at the edge of the world teaching science, his relationship with his son, and the impress of the Buddhist world-view on his western sensibilities.

I would have preferred that the book focus even more on author's narrative and less of the science program's impact on the Monk's. Impey was at his best critiquing the western culture towards education and comparing it with eastern attitudes. Overall, I really enjoyed this and very much valued Mr. Impey's thoughtful perspective.

[Todd Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Impey describes his experiences in the Science for Monks program, and the details of his teachings of the Tibetan Buddhist exiles in Dharamsala, India. His writing style is fluid and not difficult to follow. Given the fact that he had to teach using an interpreter probably aided his descriptions in the book of the complex physical phenomenon he was conveying. The speed of light, relativity, quantum mechanics, evolution and other concepts were front and center. A portion of the material was the description of the nonstandard props and exercises he used to impart the cumulative wisdom that is science. The parallels between science and buddhist philosophy, and the wonder he found upon this realization, were sprinkled throughout the book.
An engaging book that was a bit tedious at times---mainly his descriptions of the setups of some of the lessons he gave---but well worth the effort, regardless. I look forward to reading other books by this author.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for teachers who are in need of inspiration. Impey's an engaging storyteller, and his explanations are as simple as they can be. His main focus is conveying the course material (which would probably be titled Astrophysics for Non-majors in a course catalogue) as well as the structure of the program and his personal reflections about how the trip transformed him (global educators, take note), BUT his methodology was really exciting. Can I use Zoob to teach English grammar? Should I wear masks of our most famous applied linguists to class and engage students in the Socratic method? Which methods will YOU want to try after reading this book?

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

It sort of reminded me of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and yet it was sometimes more than that.

It just seemed it could have been even more. It could have been transcendent. Maybe. In the end I learned more about cosmology and science and Buddhism so it certainly wasn't a waste of my time.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book for it's cultural, historical, and educational observations. Communicating the very big and very small is difficult, and I really enjoyed how he was able to teach through physical analogy.

[Phillip Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book on science and the teaching of science with Buddhism and the monks who practice it as a backdrop. I would like to have read more about the intersection of Buddhism and science or more about Buddhism itself but from the science was very informative.