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Stalking the Wild Pendulum: On the Mechanics of Consciousness
In his exciting and original view of the universe, Itzhak Bentov has provided a new perspective on human consciousness and its limitless possibilities. Widely known and loved for his delightful humor and imagination, Bentov explains the familiar world of phenomena with perceptions that are as lucid as they are thrilling. He gives us a provocative picture of ourselves in an expanded, conscious, holistic universe.
193 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 1977
537 people are currently reading
4409 people want to read
About the author
Itzhak Bentov
19 books134 followersItzhak Bentov was a inventor, mystic and author.
His many inventions, including the steerable cardiac catheter, helped pioneer the biomedical engineering industry.
He was also an early exponent of what has come to be referred to as consciousness studies and authored several books on the subject.
He had a lifelong interest in meditation to describe quantum physics and the advanced states of higher awareness in ways easily grasped by readers.
His many inventions, including the steerable cardiac catheter, helped pioneer the biomedical engineering industry.
He was also an early exponent of what has come to be referred to as consciousness studies and authored several books on the subject.
He had a lifelong interest in meditation to describe quantum physics and the advanced states of higher awareness in ways easily grasped by readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
June 29, 2007
I picked up this book after reading about the authors bio on wikipedia. I found the ideas fascinating as the author tries to construct a model of the metaphysical world using concepts already known in physics. There is very little in the way of formulas or proofs and he has very good analogies that try to relate concepts on a metaphysical level with real world examples. Some people have problems with his approach and would chastise the work as lacking in scientific rigor. I found the book entertaining and informative. It also made me want to delve into quantum physics more than just the one introductory course I took that was a mandatory part of the curriculum.
His theories are interesting and some of them seem plausible. Some of the most interesting theories that I found from the book include
The physical universe is entirely composed of consciousness and all living and non-living beings contain consciousness (it is just a matter of what degree).
The human body goes into a state of resonance (internally and also with the earth) during meditation.
Planets, stars and galaxies are all living organisms.
The brain is a thought amplifier, not a thought generator.
He relates reincarnation to the newtons second law (conservation of energy). Our metaphysical energy is conserved when we die.
The universe is a giant hologram and all knowledge is available to us if we are able to tap into it.
He builds his model step by step through each chapter of the book until he tries to explain the creation of the universe. The final chapter deals with case studies on Kundalini Syndrome and I am not sure why he included it in the book. My guess is that it was possibly to warn the user of the potential dangers that may arise from prolonged meditation.
Bentov was not a formally trained scientist and he makes the book easy for the lay reader to understand. I personally believe the man was brilliant and someday when we truly understand the mechanics of consciousness, he will get his just due. If anything the book definitely makes you question reality and how it operates on a grand scale.
May 5, 2022
A powerful book on the nature of consciousness and the universe, Stalking The Wild Pendulum is a masterpiece.
Itzhak Bentov weaves together diverse subjects including, physics, cosmology, subtle energy, and spirituality to deliver a groundbreaking book that has become a reference for all those who seek to understand the self and the universe.
With a Forward by the world class physicist, Dr. William A. Tiller, Professor Emeritus of Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University, Stalking The Wild Pendulum is a must read!
João Mendes
Author | Musician | Humanitarian
Co-Author of SOUND—The Fabric of Soul, Consciousness, Reality, and the Cosmos
Itzhak Bentov weaves together diverse subjects including, physics, cosmology, subtle energy, and spirituality to deliver a groundbreaking book that has become a reference for all those who seek to understand the self and the universe.
With a Forward by the world class physicist, Dr. William A. Tiller, Professor Emeritus of Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University, Stalking The Wild Pendulum is a must read!
João Mendes
Author | Musician | Humanitarian
Co-Author of SOUND—The Fabric of Soul, Consciousness, Reality, and the Cosmos
September 9, 2007
This is by far the clearest discussion of quantum theory I have read to date. Few people seem to have a speaking grasp of quantum physics and its implications. This book could change that.
In his chapter, "A Morse Code of Action and Rest," Bentov explains the movement and rest phases of a pendulum in such a way that it is clear to me how we can enter altered or parallel states of reality at the zero point. This fits with what I read in The Power of Now, and the Tobias channels of the Crimson Circle's (See Library channels at www.crimsoncircle.com) repeated admonition, "All power is in the present moment."
I found the diagrams of the energy-exchange curves (of plants, animals, human-physical, and astral) provocative.
In his chapter, "A Morse Code of Action and Rest," Bentov explains the movement and rest phases of a pendulum in such a way that it is clear to me how we can enter altered or parallel states of reality at the zero point. This fits with what I read in The Power of Now, and the Tobias channels of the Crimson Circle's (See Library channels at www.crimsoncircle.com) repeated admonition, "All power is in the present moment."
I found the diagrams of the energy-exchange curves (of plants, animals, human-physical, and astral) provocative.
August 5, 2017
A provocative must-read for anyone looking to take in contemporary theoretical perspectives on the intersection between quantum physics and human consciousness. The first four chapters are quite demanding science reading for the novice, however well worth the effort. Bentov forms a coherent theory following the laying this groundwork, one that places human consciousness on a continuum with light and sound, and consists of a pendulum movement, like the swinging arm of a grandfather clock. Like the clock, consciousness oscillates between motion and rest. It is during the infinitely small units of time in the periodic phase when consciousness comes to rest that all sorts of incredible events (can) occur. Bentov posits that we literally occupy a different reality than the manifested (moving) physical reality during these moments of periodic wave rest, and expansion of space-time, clairvoyance and deep meditative states of altered consciousness, including the absolute, can be accessed.
November 27, 2020
Stalking the Wild Pendulum is easily one of the most provocative and outrageous books I've laid my hands on that had managed to retain my attention.
I do not want to discuss the contents of the book in great detail to avoid looking like I've completely lost it (2020 has been a long year). The book guides the reader through basics of contemporary (1980s) physics using a well-written and easily understandable language, touching topics like the human sensory input receptors, the composition and behavior of solid matter under extreme magnification and later slides into the, ahem, more provocative areas, drawing on the basics of the string theory, consciousness as a property of mass and so on. Additionally, the book is full of author's funny doodles and anecdotes, that help the reader visualize some of the mentioned phenomena and concepts.
If you fancy the topic of consciousness, do not be put off by the seeming complexity hiding in the book's title. In most chapters, the Czechoslovak-born author did an excellent job translating the abstract into the concrete, aptly squeezing new ideas into a juice of information even a 9th grader would be able to consume.
Definitively worth a read!
I do not want to discuss the contents of the book in great detail to avoid looking like I've completely lost it (2020 has been a long year). The book guides the reader through basics of contemporary (1980s) physics using a well-written and easily understandable language, touching topics like the human sensory input receptors, the composition and behavior of solid matter under extreme magnification and later slides into the, ahem, more provocative areas, drawing on the basics of the string theory, consciousness as a property of mass and so on. Additionally, the book is full of author's funny doodles and anecdotes, that help the reader visualize some of the mentioned phenomena and concepts.
If you fancy the topic of consciousness, do not be put off by the seeming complexity hiding in the book's title. In most chapters, the Czechoslovak-born author did an excellent job translating the abstract into the concrete, aptly squeezing new ideas into a juice of information even a 9th grader would be able to consume.
Definitively worth a read!
August 17, 2012
The best simple manual on quantum consciousness.
April 4, 2018
if there's one idea to contemplate and never forget after reading this book for me is this one: The Nothing the zero point is pure potential for all realities possibilities choices...
November 20, 2007
approx. 12,000 hits on Google. Basic premise is taking early thoughts on sympathetic vibration (string theory?) to a metaphysical level. He proclaims our entire existence is subconsciously experienced as swinging back and forth between the time we are individuals and the time when we "are part of the thing that is everything" (sort of like the Matrix only benign)
Knowledge and phenomena exist in "the everything" as big bubbles or concentrations. Great geniuses of all kinds tap in and bring back big chunks of insight and consequently make great leaps. Conversely, "the thing that is everything" is completely present in the smallest of scales.
That said, it IS dated, patronizing and goofy with REALLY bad illustrations. BUT some of the core concepts radically changed my perception of reality when I was young. I still think about it. Especially when I see an "accident bubble" rolling down the street! :) seriously! I guess I still believe the basics.
Knowledge and phenomena exist in "the everything" as big bubbles or concentrations. Great geniuses of all kinds tap in and bring back big chunks of insight and consequently make great leaps. Conversely, "the thing that is everything" is completely present in the smallest of scales.
That said, it IS dated, patronizing and goofy with REALLY bad illustrations. BUT some of the core concepts radically changed my perception of reality when I was young. I still think about it. Especially when I see an "accident bubble" rolling down the street! :) seriously! I guess I still believe the basics.
January 18, 2019
Author presents a model of the universe that combines modern scientific thought with spiritual insight. He does so with great clarity, slashing through theory of relativity, big bang theory and quantum mechanics, presenting it to the reader in a coherent manner. He includes a great scope of paranormal phenomena, modern spiritual and traditional insight. I would recommend this book to intermediate or advanced spiritual seekers interested in aligning their beliefs with scientific accomplishments. This book offers a lot of illumination for well known otherworldly concepts but also gives too much new information to digest in one reading.
January 27, 2018
As mentioned by other reviewers, the beginning the best part.
I think Bentov gets carried away in the latter section of the book but still is on to something.
With some refinement, this could have been a mind-blowing book.
I think Bentov gets carried away in the latter section of the book but still is on to something.
With some refinement, this could have been a mind-blowing book.
May 5, 2020
Most fascinating books on Consciousness, and many of the ideas in are part of panpsychism research today.
December 12, 2025
کتاب خوبیه، ترجمه فارسی نداشت، خودم همزمان که خواندم ترجمه کردم، بد نشده
April 10, 2024
Chapter 7 was 🔥
September 14, 2024
i read this for a book club, and no, i don’t want to talk about it.
June 18, 2020
A bit dated in some areas, but still an excellent look at the mechanics of consciousness by an engineer who was also a dedicated meditator.
October 26, 2025
The book is a amateur 1977, speculation mix of hand-drawn notes which claim to be science and spirituality from somebody who is into transcendental meditation. But is still worthy skimming for those open to new age spirituality.
The main worthy part, in my opinion, are the appendixes. One of them has a very interesting and useful way to visualize or imagine what would it be if the universe was a hologram, and that is used to make the case for why a molecule can become any other specific molecule or be destroyed back into a so-called lower-level molecule, how different aspects, from plants to humans to the sun, have come into being.
Another appendix section talks about how stress impacts and affects the physical body, and how meditation, yoga, a mix of mind and body calming, helps elevate them. Beyond that, the claim is that it comes out as trembling of legs and other physiological syndromes, often temporary, this part is now commonly accepted.
The appendix also covers notes on Chakras (which I kind of believe in, more as model than necessarily actual facts) and case studies on experiences of people whose Kundalini was awakened and they had physical symptoms which it claims were misdiagnosed by doctors.
Some snippets follow:
Trippy chapter 4, page 80-96 on different levels of reality above the default human perceived, astral, energy, etc
The entity “dies,” lives for a while in the lower astral region; then, provided he has made enough progress, he is reborn on a slightly higher level of human existence”
^ like Bhagvad Gita’s rebirth evolution"
".. one has to be very careful not to go off unprotected into the astral plane. the boundary layer between the physical and the astral is populated by creatures of the lowest type: criminals, drunks, etc. That one has no physical body and is “dead” does not change one’s personality or intelligence. These will attack the unsuspecting tourist; therefore, the protection of an experienced teacher is required "
Appendix:
“evidence is mounting to show that emotional stresses are imprinted on the physical body... may develop high blood pressure, and eventually heart attacks due to emotional stress. Others, with high levels of anxiety and frustration, may develop stomach ulcers or other ailments. ”
“chakras, or energy centers. These centers are to be “vivified” or energized by the rising kundalini energy. When this happens, the centers become receptors and distributors of inflowing cosmic energy for the body.”
“I would like to emphasize that when a person is healthy, relaxed, and generally free from psychological stress, these symptoms go unnoticed. Only when the unfolding kundalini reaches areas of stress in the body do the symptoms become troublesome. The symptoms will persist until the stresses in that particular area of the body are released. This will then usually appear as localized pain. When that happens, the kundalini moves on until it reaches the next spot of stress in its path. The severity of symptoms is always proportional to the degree of stress encountered. When the kundalini has run its course, the body is basically free of deep-seated stresses, and since the body is reflected in the cortex, we may say that the brain is also relieved of stresses.”
The main worthy part, in my opinion, are the appendixes. One of them has a very interesting and useful way to visualize or imagine what would it be if the universe was a hologram, and that is used to make the case for why a molecule can become any other specific molecule or be destroyed back into a so-called lower-level molecule, how different aspects, from plants to humans to the sun, have come into being.
Another appendix section talks about how stress impacts and affects the physical body, and how meditation, yoga, a mix of mind and body calming, helps elevate them. Beyond that, the claim is that it comes out as trembling of legs and other physiological syndromes, often temporary, this part is now commonly accepted.
The appendix also covers notes on Chakras (which I kind of believe in, more as model than necessarily actual facts) and case studies on experiences of people whose Kundalini was awakened and they had physical symptoms which it claims were misdiagnosed by doctors.
Some snippets follow:
Trippy chapter 4, page 80-96 on different levels of reality above the default human perceived, astral, energy, etc
The entity “dies,” lives for a while in the lower astral region; then, provided he has made enough progress, he is reborn on a slightly higher level of human existence”
^ like Bhagvad Gita’s rebirth evolution"
".. one has to be very careful not to go off unprotected into the astral plane. the boundary layer between the physical and the astral is populated by creatures of the lowest type: criminals, drunks, etc. That one has no physical body and is “dead” does not change one’s personality or intelligence. These will attack the unsuspecting tourist; therefore, the protection of an experienced teacher is required "
Appendix:
“evidence is mounting to show that emotional stresses are imprinted on the physical body... may develop high blood pressure, and eventually heart attacks due to emotional stress. Others, with high levels of anxiety and frustration, may develop stomach ulcers or other ailments. ”
“chakras, or energy centers. These centers are to be “vivified” or energized by the rising kundalini energy. When this happens, the centers become receptors and distributors of inflowing cosmic energy for the body.”
“I would like to emphasize that when a person is healthy, relaxed, and generally free from psychological stress, these symptoms go unnoticed. Only when the unfolding kundalini reaches areas of stress in the body do the symptoms become troublesome. The symptoms will persist until the stresses in that particular area of the body are released. This will then usually appear as localized pain. When that happens, the kundalini moves on until it reaches the next spot of stress in its path. The severity of symptoms is always proportional to the degree of stress encountered. When the kundalini has run its course, the body is basically free of deep-seated stresses, and since the body is reflected in the cortex, we may say that the brain is also relieved of stresses.”
May 31, 2024
A Mind-Expanding Journey into Consciousness
As I delved into Stalking the Wild Pendulum, I found myself on an exhilarating voyage through the cosmos of consciousness. Itzhak Bentov, the brilliant mystic and inventor, weaves together science, metaphysics, and humor to create a thought-provoking tapestry that left me both enlightened and inspired.
Key Insights:
1. Consciousness Everywhere: Bentov's audacious claim-that the physical universe is entirely composed of consciousness-challenges conventional thinking. He asserts that every living and non-living entity possesses consciousness to varying degrees. This paradigm shift invites us to see the world anew.
2. Resonance and Meditation: During meditation, our bodies resonate with the Earth and the cosmos. Bentov beautifully describes this harmonious dance, where our inner rhythms align with universal frequencies. Suddenly, meditation becomes more than a practice; it's a cosmic symphony.
3. Living Planets and Stars: Buckle up for a mind-bending revelation: planets, stars, and galaxies are living organisms. Bentov's cosmic vision paints a vibrant portrait of interconnected life forms, each contributing to the grand cosmic orchestra.
4. The Brain as an Amplifier: Forget the notion that the brain generates thoughts. According to Bentov, it's an amplifier-a receiver and transmitter of consciousness. Suddenly, our minds become cosmic antennae, tuning in to the symphony of existence.
5. Reincarnation and Energy Conservation: Bentov ingeniously links reincarnation to Newton's second law of energy conservation. Our metaphysical energy persists beyond physical death, much like energy in a closed system.
Personal Reflection:
Reading Stalking the Wild Pendulum ignited my curiosity. I yearned to explore quantum physics beyond the introductory courses l'd taken. Bentov's analogies-bridging the metaphysical and the tangible-stirred my imagination. His theories, though daring, resonated with a truth deeper than equations. One thing I wanted to see more was about Yoga / Kundalini and how Hinduism knew about the cosmic energy way before anyone!
Final Verdict:
Stalking the Wild Pendulum is a ground-breaking work that dances on the edge of scientific rigor and poetic wonder. Bentov's wit and suspenseful storytelling make complex concepts accessible. Whether you're a seeker of truth or simply a curious soul, this book will expand your consciousness.
(5 out of 5 stars)
As I delved into Stalking the Wild Pendulum, I found myself on an exhilarating voyage through the cosmos of consciousness. Itzhak Bentov, the brilliant mystic and inventor, weaves together science, metaphysics, and humor to create a thought-provoking tapestry that left me both enlightened and inspired.
Key Insights:
1. Consciousness Everywhere: Bentov's audacious claim-that the physical universe is entirely composed of consciousness-challenges conventional thinking. He asserts that every living and non-living entity possesses consciousness to varying degrees. This paradigm shift invites us to see the world anew.
2. Resonance and Meditation: During meditation, our bodies resonate with the Earth and the cosmos. Bentov beautifully describes this harmonious dance, where our inner rhythms align with universal frequencies. Suddenly, meditation becomes more than a practice; it's a cosmic symphony.
3. Living Planets and Stars: Buckle up for a mind-bending revelation: planets, stars, and galaxies are living organisms. Bentov's cosmic vision paints a vibrant portrait of interconnected life forms, each contributing to the grand cosmic orchestra.
4. The Brain as an Amplifier: Forget the notion that the brain generates thoughts. According to Bentov, it's an amplifier-a receiver and transmitter of consciousness. Suddenly, our minds become cosmic antennae, tuning in to the symphony of existence.
5. Reincarnation and Energy Conservation: Bentov ingeniously links reincarnation to Newton's second law of energy conservation. Our metaphysical energy persists beyond physical death, much like energy in a closed system.
Personal Reflection:
Reading Stalking the Wild Pendulum ignited my curiosity. I yearned to explore quantum physics beyond the introductory courses l'd taken. Bentov's analogies-bridging the metaphysical and the tangible-stirred my imagination. His theories, though daring, resonated with a truth deeper than equations. One thing I wanted to see more was about Yoga / Kundalini and how Hinduism knew about the cosmic energy way before anyone!
Final Verdict:
Stalking the Wild Pendulum is a ground-breaking work that dances on the edge of scientific rigor and poetic wonder. Bentov's wit and suspenseful storytelling make complex concepts accessible. Whether you're a seeker of truth or simply a curious soul, this book will expand your consciousness.
(5 out of 5 stars)
December 21, 2021
I'm about half-way or more though this book. I just put that I've read it so I could leave a review. I thought several of the underlying points in this book were illogical conclusions. And most of the rest of it I just don't buy. It's not because I'm a physicalist or scientistic (I'm not), as this is a very spiritual book, just his strange take on things.
Examples of pillars of this book's content that I thought were illogical:
1. If you have a nanoscopic pendulum, at the points where it has zero velocity its location is anywhere, because according to Heisenberg Uncertainty the more precisely position or velocity is defined the less precisely the other is on quantum scales, and mathematically at the apexes of the pendulum's motion you know its velocity is exactly zero. And atoms and other things behave like pendulums, therefore we're all in omnispace several times a second. This makes no sense because you can calculate the velocity of a pendulum to total precision at any point in its motion, not just where it's zero. I'm not a physicist, but I strongly suspect there's something wrong with his assuming it's relevant on a quantum level that we can theoretically calculate the the position/velocity/acceleration of a pendulum at any given time or place.
2. He likens the uncertainty of position at tiny scales to motion that's faster than light, and compares that to the fact that you traverse many points of space at once when you travel at light speed, and concludes from that that we're omnipresent. First, uncertainty isn't the same as traveling or propagating, and second, when you travel at light speed you only occupy the points in a "world line" (the specific path you follow), not all points in space.
I'm sure there were more things I thought were illogical but I don't remember them.
IMO, the best and possibly only good part of this book is his story of how a large rock or cliff face or whatever it is begins to become sentient and a protector, about half-way into the book. As I said, though, I haven't finished it.
Examples of pillars of this book's content that I thought were illogical:
1. If you have a nanoscopic pendulum, at the points where it has zero velocity its location is anywhere, because according to Heisenberg Uncertainty the more precisely position or velocity is defined the less precisely the other is on quantum scales, and mathematically at the apexes of the pendulum's motion you know its velocity is exactly zero. And atoms and other things behave like pendulums, therefore we're all in omnispace several times a second. This makes no sense because you can calculate the velocity of a pendulum to total precision at any point in its motion, not just where it's zero. I'm not a physicist, but I strongly suspect there's something wrong with his assuming it's relevant on a quantum level that we can theoretically calculate the the position/velocity/acceleration of a pendulum at any given time or place.
2. He likens the uncertainty of position at tiny scales to motion that's faster than light, and compares that to the fact that you traverse many points of space at once when you travel at light speed, and concludes from that that we're omnipresent. First, uncertainty isn't the same as traveling or propagating, and second, when you travel at light speed you only occupy the points in a "world line" (the specific path you follow), not all points in space.
I'm sure there were more things I thought were illogical but I don't remember them.
IMO, the best and possibly only good part of this book is his story of how a large rock or cliff face or whatever it is begins to become sentient and a protector, about half-way into the book. As I said, though, I haven't finished it.
March 24, 2024
What a strange book! I saw this one on an Instagram story or something and liked the sound of it.
I flip flop wildly between the rigidly logical and the implacably spiritual. This often means that a good spiritual title will fall to the sword of my mean and indifferent spirit. I fear that is true in this case.
The working theory I've had for a long time is that the romantically inclined will often overhear some scientific principle, misunderstand it and still attempt to work the florid threads of their personalised wisdom around it.
Just, so as to be impartial, as the classical thinker will study some arcane ritual and extract from it some insight into the medicinal qualities of a plant and instantly lay claim to that discovery in the name of science.
There's just no winning. Misunderstandings have fuelled the great craziness of the 'hypothesis' for as long as there have been people attempting to understand the universe.
The best approach is one of grace, I feel. Just let the duel spirits duke it out and if you find yourself in the middle of it, keep your head down. Try not to bother too much with fawning over either side's machinations and just try to live happily.
This book was marvellously inventive and will prove itself palpable in the vast arena of the impressionable.
I flip flop wildly between the rigidly logical and the implacably spiritual. This often means that a good spiritual title will fall to the sword of my mean and indifferent spirit. I fear that is true in this case.
The working theory I've had for a long time is that the romantically inclined will often overhear some scientific principle, misunderstand it and still attempt to work the florid threads of their personalised wisdom around it.
Just, so as to be impartial, as the classical thinker will study some arcane ritual and extract from it some insight into the medicinal qualities of a plant and instantly lay claim to that discovery in the name of science.
There's just no winning. Misunderstandings have fuelled the great craziness of the 'hypothesis' for as long as there have been people attempting to understand the universe.
The best approach is one of grace, I feel. Just let the duel spirits duke it out and if you find yourself in the middle of it, keep your head down. Try not to bother too much with fawning over either side's machinations and just try to live happily.
This book was marvellously inventive and will prove itself palpable in the vast arena of the impressionable.
June 12, 2023
I would give this book 6 out of 5 stars if possible.
An excellent book for those who are into quantum mechanics & cosmology on the one hand and/or yoga, kundalini and altered states of consciousness on the other hand, and who feel the need to find a common ground between hard science and hippie stuff.
Turns out, the two are not incompatible at all, but simply require that one expands his mind to form a new theory that encompasses all of these different findings.
Itzhak Bentov does an absolutely brilliant performance in this book, and whether you are a physicist or a stoner, an atheist, christian, hindu or else, this should be required reading for anybody who wants to understand his/her place in the universe, why we are here, and what else there possibly could be.
Very accessible, almost as trying to explain it to a six year old (well, perhaps 12), and written with a sense of humour as well. Shame he died a few years later in an airplane accident; but this is clearly a magnum opus.
You can read this as a complete novice on the matter (if such a person exist) and get a good introduction, or come to this as a Phd cosmologist and still find a new and interesting viewpoint.
Very highly recommended.
An excellent book for those who are into quantum mechanics & cosmology on the one hand and/or yoga, kundalini and altered states of consciousness on the other hand, and who feel the need to find a common ground between hard science and hippie stuff.
Turns out, the two are not incompatible at all, but simply require that one expands his mind to form a new theory that encompasses all of these different findings.
Itzhak Bentov does an absolutely brilliant performance in this book, and whether you are a physicist or a stoner, an atheist, christian, hindu or else, this should be required reading for anybody who wants to understand his/her place in the universe, why we are here, and what else there possibly could be.
Very accessible, almost as trying to explain it to a six year old (well, perhaps 12), and written with a sense of humour as well. Shame he died a few years later in an airplane accident; but this is clearly a magnum opus.
You can read this as a complete novice on the matter (if such a person exist) and get a good introduction, or come to this as a Phd cosmologist and still find a new and interesting viewpoint.
Very highly recommended.
January 27, 2023
I was wandering the stacks of the social sciences at the Mizzou library for some books I needed for a research paper when I suddenly found myself in the the middle of large, dark tomes with authors like Einstein, Oppenheimer and Bohr. I was lost. But then I noticed a small colorful, brightly colored book with the irresistible title, ‘Stalking the Wild Pendulum.’ It was red and white with little cartoons inside, so I checked it out. At home, I delayed work on my own research to read it. It completely blew my mind. It contained a theory of the beginning and development of the universe including humankind and it went on to describe the development of consciousness and its drive to know itself. That book had a profound effect on my worldview. I’ve read thousands of books throughout my lifetime but I’ve never forgotten this title or it’s author, Itzhak Bentov. A few years ago I Googled it to try and find a copy. Unfortunately the version I read was no longer in print but I found this one which is much expanded. I’m still blown away. You will never think of the universe, or you place in it, the same way. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
July 27, 2020
I read this book as a teenager, after seeing it on my father's shelf since I was a kid. We'd discussed science, and my father had tried to explain quantum science to me, or at least the little be understood. So when I started reading this book I was excited.
Sadly it's just another 70s book that takes a mild understanding of quantum physics and turns it into a massive misunderstanding of the how the world works. Making the authors god-of-the-cracks the quantum world.
The biggest disservice this book does, and what makes it dangerous is that it is somewhat entertaining and in parts feels like it gives an intuitive understanding and teaching of what quantum mechanics is, and insight into the world hidden or not understood by in general life. It does neither.
It's complete rot, and it will do the same to your mind. I guess it was good for me because it piqued my interest in the subject. I was just lucky that I got to read real science afterwards.
Sadly it's just another 70s book that takes a mild understanding of quantum physics and turns it into a massive misunderstanding of the how the world works. Making the authors god-of-the-cracks the quantum world.
The biggest disservice this book does, and what makes it dangerous is that it is somewhat entertaining and in parts feels like it gives an intuitive understanding and teaching of what quantum mechanics is, and insight into the world hidden or not understood by in general life. It does neither.
It's complete rot, and it will do the same to your mind. I guess it was good for me because it piqued my interest in the subject. I was just lucky that I got to read real science afterwards.
November 23, 2025
Itzhak Bentov combină fizica, biologia, meditația și spiritualitatea într-un mod care deschide uși în tine. Îți arată cum corpul, mintea și universul sunt construite din vibrații, cum conștiința este un câmp universal la care ne conectăm, și cum experiențele mistice au, de fapt, un fundament fiziologic surprinzător.
Cartea explică trezirile spirituale, simptomele energetice, stările extatice și percepțiile schimbate ale timpului într-un mod pe care nu l-am mai întâlnit.
E liniștitoare, clară și profund transformatoare.
Nu e o carte ușoară, dar dacă o lași să te atingă, începi să înțelegi altfel lumea, corpul și sufletul.
Pentru mine a fost una dintre acele lecturi care aprind lumină în interior și pun ordine în haos.
Recomand tuturor celor care caută sens, structură și adevăr în propria evoluție spirituală.
Cartea explică trezirile spirituale, simptomele energetice, stările extatice și percepțiile schimbate ale timpului într-un mod pe care nu l-am mai întâlnit.
E liniștitoare, clară și profund transformatoare.
Nu e o carte ușoară, dar dacă o lași să te atingă, începi să înțelegi altfel lumea, corpul și sufletul.
Pentru mine a fost una dintre acele lecturi care aprind lumină în interior și pun ordine în haos.
Recomand tuturor celor care caută sens, structură și adevăr în propria evoluție spirituală.
February 15, 2025
If I could give a scientist, engineer, programmer, or anyone with an analytical and rational mind a book on spirituality it would be this one. Itzhak Bentov, a renowned Israeli engineer takes his systems level thinking and gives the building blocks of the universe with concepts teaching sound waves, holograms, entanglement, black and white holes, superposition and more to lead to the books consciousions about consciousness and God. Contrarily, all of this is fit around a sense of humor and childlike illustrations as Itzhak (meaning “laughter” in Hebrew) helps us dance through the aspects of the soul while maintaining a light heartedness about the funny predicament we find ourselves in.
AMAZING AND QUICK READ - REST IN PEACE ITZHAK BENTOV
AMAZING AND QUICK READ - REST IN PEACE ITZHAK BENTOV
May 16, 2025
I want to start by saying that I enjoyed it. It's a solid read (or listen) that presents fun metaphysical concepts in a simple, clean way. There's a lot here that seems to track logically, but theres a general lack of scientific proof. That said, I don't think the aim of the book is to remember it all verbatim, but instead to shift daily awareness of the mundane to something more cosmic...
I have a BIT of formal physics education plus general-enough interest in physics / quantum mechanics that I've read a few short books on the topic. With that said, I didn't find anything here that seemed like pseudoscience; the ideas presented by Bentov attempt to push the boundaries of our understanding of consciousness, the metaphysical realm, and our role in shaping reality.
I have a BIT of formal physics education plus general-enough interest in physics / quantum mechanics that I've read a few short books on the topic. With that said, I didn't find anything here that seemed like pseudoscience; the ideas presented by Bentov attempt to push the boundaries of our understanding of consciousness, the metaphysical realm, and our role in shaping reality.
February 17, 2024
My key takeaways:
We are all a series of vibrating atoms and not as solid as we think
We should try more to be in resonance with the beating sound waves of our heart.
A hologram is an interference pattern of light waves in a photographic plate which means information from the universe can be stored in these interference patterns
Oyster research suggests they will change their opening and closing patterns to the phases of the moon despite not being exposed to any natural light or tides.
Particles at complete rest means their location is unknown. This was used to describe our subjective reality.
The brain could be an thought amplifier
The universe is potentially a torus
We are all a series of vibrating atoms and not as solid as we think
We should try more to be in resonance with the beating sound waves of our heart.
A hologram is an interference pattern of light waves in a photographic plate which means information from the universe can be stored in these interference patterns
Oyster research suggests they will change their opening and closing patterns to the phases of the moon despite not being exposed to any natural light or tides.
Particles at complete rest means their location is unknown. This was used to describe our subjective reality.
The brain could be an thought amplifier
The universe is potentially a torus
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2024
Nothing new here. Riddled with logical fallacies that collapse his thesis. Essentilly arguing consciousness is itself the core substrate of reality. Like (sadly) all conspiracy theories, this can not be proven, or in the needs of the authors publisher, disproved.
Back we go to Sagan; Extraordinary claims warrant extraordinary evidence.
In case you take me for a skeptical follower of scientism, I am myself pantheist. I do not feel what is self-evident to me mystically requires scientific explanation, and those attempting one for profit may be better employed in an honest science-fantasy imprint
Back we go to Sagan; Extraordinary claims warrant extraordinary evidence.
In case you take me for a skeptical follower of scientism, I am myself pantheist. I do not feel what is self-evident to me mystically requires scientific explanation, and those attempting one for profit may be better employed in an honest science-fantasy imprint
May 24, 2024
Hoodstuk 1 tot en met 4 vormen een goed onderbouwd verhaal over hoe deze werkelijkheid functioneert. Onderbouwd in de zin van aangetoond met empirisch onderzoek wat je intuitief eigenlijk wel weet. Namelijk dat alles bewustzijn heeft en met elkaar 'praat'. De hoofdstukken daarna; over de werking hiervan, zijn daarentegen een stuk speculatiever, maar niet minder interessant. Kortom, een hoogst lezenswaardig boek over hoe bewustzijn zou kunnen werken en dat je meer bent dan een zak met vlees en botten.
October 28, 2025
This is certainly an interesting take on consciousness and quantum mechanics. I appreciate that it is stated up front that he did not have formal education in the area. Obviously he had some great intuition, but this led him to extrapolate in some interesting ways.
I went from interested and largely open minded, to skeptical and questioning as he moved into clairvoyance and a strong panpsychism stance. Regardless, it was an enjoyable read.
I went from interested and largely open minded, to skeptical and questioning as he moved into clairvoyance and a strong panpsychism stance. Regardless, it was an enjoyable read.
June 4, 2023
Rating is not a reflection of the book itself but my understanding of the topics and theories presented in it. The start was pretty interesting with the pendulum, its velocity and momentum, and how humans also have a frequency of 7 Hz, but somewhere around chapter 4-5 I had trouble understanding what I was reading. Might revisit later when I have a better understanding.
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