Luminous Life: How the Science of Light Unlocks the Art of Living

by Jacob Israel Liberman, Erik Liberman, Gina Liberman

The most important things in life are our health and happiness. Yet most of us are neither healthy nor happy. We have been led to believe that if we think ahead and make the right choices, we can manifest our dreams. Yet despite our best efforts, we still have more disease and discontent than ever before. Is it possible that our essential ideas about life are flawed?

We are all aware of the impact of sunlight on a plant’s growth and development. But few of us realize that a plant actually “sees” where light is emanating from and positions itself to be in optimal alignment with it. This phenomenon, however, is not just occurring in the plant kingdom — humans are also fundamentally directed by light. In Luminous Life, Dr. Jacob Israel Liberman integrates scientific research, clinical practice, and direct experience to demonstrate how the luminous intelligence we call light effortlessly guides us toward health, contentment, and a life filled with purpose.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Science, Spirituality

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Jarmo Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was skeptical when I saw Eckhart Tolle's name on the first page in the endorsment section of the book. The skepticism subsided a little bit when I, a little further down, saw John Gray's name, the author behind the "Mars Venus" books, as well as Dr. John Ott's name, a pioneer in the field of photobiology and the author behind the book "Health and Light". I still thought that this had to be a book with mixture of New Age type of self-help and of more solid science from the field that has to do with light. I got it quite right. Jacob Israel Liberman writes engagingly about what he is passionate about, namely the field that has to do with light, sight and consciousness. Here he has a solid scientific background, but he also includes a spiritual sphere and also connects much of the light science in the book, from a spiritual side, and it's not always easy to draw a dividing line. And although much of it sounds nice, I as a Christian am skeptical of such new age/pantheistic that is expressed in terms such as seeing the divine in ourselves and other people, as well as unity with the universe, and the power of light, in a spiritual sense. Although he also refers to the Bible in terms of light, it is clear that he more or less has a different concept behind light than the biblical concept, although there is also can be some mixed truths in his interpretations. So here a believer must read carefully, although I think it can be positive that different authors also can draw God's Word into books like this, but it does not help much when the author interprets it from a more New Age perspective while not a Christian himself.

What I liked most about the book was the scientific side. Liberman takes, among other things, forth how our emotional past is able to affect our physical sight and vision, and he points to several of his patients who have gained a much better vision after becoming aware of this, by having cleared their mind of their emotional past and becoming aware of these feelings as a possible cause of their visual impairment. In his cases he shows a cause and effect connection. Another tip he gives on the road is to be aware of what you are looking at, because many people today walk around blind even if they can see. Liberman nevertheless encourages us to become aware of the nature around us, the small things our eyes notice throughout the day, and then he goes on to show how this has actually helped to improve the vision of many of his patients. In other words, a metaview of what's around us can have a lot to say when it comes to how we see the world around us. Ultimately, he casts a critical eye on modern lighting in the form of screens and digital media as disruptive to both our eyes and sight, and our biological clocks that controls our circadian rhythm. It is good that light scientist focus more on this, because the research is pretty clear in this field and should me lifted up as Liberman does. Although the book sometimes has a spiritual side that pulls the book down, the scientific side still pulls the book back up again. So, the book ends up with three strong stars in my opinion.

[T Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light up Your Life

I loved this book. Living in flow, with presence, allowing for life to move and guide us – that’s what this book brings to light. Through personal experience, research studies and quotes from historical notables, Dr. Liberman provides a vast array of information that is simple to understand allowing the reader a way of being that is easy and fluid – having awareness, noticing the guidance that is seeking us rather than going through life working so hard seeking what we think we need. I found it fascinating; quite simply I could not put it down. Highly recommend. Read it once, then read it again – you’ll get so much more out of it the second time.

[Jennifer Rossetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught my eye as I walked by it at the library so I checked it out. Once you read the book you will understand the science of why it caught my eye. I found it at just the right time in my life and found it to be a fascinating read. It is a book that I will purchase and share with others.

[Anastasia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not sure what I think. I feel this is just trying to add a light hypothesis to mindfulness meditation. Very anecdotal and the science correlation is weak.

[Leta-Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the principles expounded of light as life and as a guide. Includes some useful visualization practices. While I didn’t agree entirely with everything he says (I give great importance to agency, for one) there was certainly plenty to highlight and ponder in this book, and much of the content fits (and enhances) my personal beliefs, albeit in different terminology. I’d sincerely recommend it to the reader open to a somewhat oblique approach to spirituality and desirous of practical support for a more guided life. If this book happens to “catch your eye,” do read it. I’m glad I did.

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all books I've read that pertain to explaining our spiritual lives, this resonated above and beyond anything I've read elsewhere to-date. I have 118 highlighted items in my Kindle and I easily could have highlighted twice that number. I don't "believe" everything said but I appreciate everything said, and value and have internalized much of what is presented in this book. If this is a topic of interest I definitely recommend it.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this books after viewing a webinar by Liberman. I already had his book Take Off Your Glasses and See, but this one jumped out at me as something I needed to read soon. I’m glad I did, but I’m still ruminating on what he has to say. Parts of this seem so true, while other ideas seem to be the opposite of what I believe to be true. I need more time to think about it and try out his exercises. I think he may be saying the same thing as aligning our will with God and living by every prompting of the Holy Spirit.

As a side note, I happened to be reading this alongside Brave New World. Light and living in coherence with it seem to be what Civilization is missing in that novel. Liberman says to live a choiceless life, while the people in Brave New World are living a different kind of choiceless life.

[Tom Bloom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this book caught my eye (this event is discussed in chapter 14 of the book). I can think of several real and meaningful descriptions of the book. It astounded me in multiple ways (no spoilers), mostly which served to show me that I don't know much and need to pay attention here. The book challenged me continuously. He seems to have valid science, and he has extended research into new realms of wisdom and enlightenment. I was amazed by the continuity and connectedness of life and light presented in the book. Many traditions have had their influence on his experiences.
I first gave five stars and finally changed it to four. I need more understanding and experience to really review where he is going and has gone.

[CelticMoonGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book to listen to and was pleasantly surprised how much I really enjoyed it.
One for re-reading from time to time as there is quite a lot in it, information, tips, exercises and lots of little bits of wisdom, quotes and good sound wisdom.
Covers a lot in one book, but a lovely book that should be read at least once and I will be recommending it to friends who I know will enjoy it and to open up a discussion to compare perspectives and want experienced from the many insights.

[Jade 🦢 ✨ W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of gems, sparkles of light, and profound clarity. ✨
I took my time with this book and allowed myself to sit with the philosophical wisdom and the science backed evidence. This book has the potential to provide healing and direct your life on a much brighter path. I will definitely re-read and recommend.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, gives great insights about eyesight and why sometimes we have see poorly but it has nothing to do with your eyes! Think about trauma, life events. Jacob gives great tips, I only still need to try them to improve my eyesight. I highly recommand.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is thought provoking and engaging. There are some author's personal observations with references to scientific research. One thought kept occurring to me though. A surmon is still a surmon even if delivered by a person with a PhD.

[Shannon Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this, but sometimes it seemed like a bit of a stretch to me.

[Roy Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a book for someone who wants to take their learning further. He mentions Fourth Phase of Water, Light in Shaping Life, Fritz Popp, and Alexander Wunch.

[Julie Whipple · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had some good information that I would like to try.

[Umm · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good