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Spiritual Science: Why Science Needs Spirituality to Make Sense of the World
It is often assumed that there are two ways of interpreting the world: a rational scientific way, or an irrational religious way. Spiritual Science offers a third alternative: a spiritual view of reality that transcends both conventional science and religion, and answers many of the riddles that neither can explain. The standard model of science has had little success in explaining such areas as human consciousness, the connection between the mind and the body, altruism and ‘anomalous’ phenomena such as near-death experiences, psi phenomena (such as telepathy) and spiritual experiences. But from a ‘panspiritist’ point of view – which sees spirit or consciousness as a fundamental essence of reality – it is possible to make sense of all these things.
Steve Taylor puts forward the evidence for a spiritual view of reality, drawing on the insights of philosophers, physicists, mystics, as well as spiritual traditions and indigenous cultures. He systematically shows how a ‘panspiritist’ view can explain many puzzling aspects of science and the world, including evolution and the origins of life, and a wide range of other phenomena such as quantum physics, the placebo effect, precognition and neuroplasticity.
Spiritual Science offers a new vision of the world that is compatible with both modern science and ancient spiritual teachings. It provides a more accurate and holistic account of reality than conventional science or religion, integrating a wide range of phenomena that are excluded from both. After showing how the materialist worldview demeans the world and human life, Spiritual Science offers a brighter alternative – a vision of the world as sacred and interconnected, and of human life as meaningful and purposeful.
Spiritual Science explains how the standard materialist model of reality developed, and turned into a belief system. This belief system can only function by denying (or explaining away) a whole range of phenomena that are part of human experience. It is possible to be scientific without adopting this belief system – in fact, it is much more rational to do so.
Steve Taylor puts forward the evidence for a spiritual view of reality, drawing on the insights of philosophers, physicists, mystics, as well as spiritual traditions and indigenous cultures. He systematically shows how a ‘panspiritist’ view can explain many puzzling aspects of science and the world, including evolution and the origins of life, and a wide range of other phenomena such as quantum physics, the placebo effect, precognition and neuroplasticity.
Spiritual Science offers a new vision of the world that is compatible with both modern science and ancient spiritual teachings. It provides a more accurate and holistic account of reality than conventional science or religion, integrating a wide range of phenomena that are excluded from both. After showing how the materialist worldview demeans the world and human life, Spiritual Science offers a brighter alternative – a vision of the world as sacred and interconnected, and of human life as meaningful and purposeful.
Spiritual Science explains how the standard materialist model of reality developed, and turned into a belief system. This belief system can only function by denying (or explaining away) a whole range of phenomena that are part of human experience. It is possible to be scientific without adopting this belief system – in fact, it is much more rational to do so.
256 pages, Paperback
Published September 18, 2018
81 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Steve Taylor
234 books127 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Steve Taylor is a senior lecturer in Psychology at Leeds Beckett University, UK. His latest books in the US are The Calm Center and Back to Sanity: Healing the Madness of the Human Mind. He is also the author of The Fall, Waking From Sleep, and Out Of The Darkness. His books have been published in 19 languages. His research has appeared in The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, The Journal of Consciousness Studies, The Transpersonal Psychology Review, The International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, as well as the popular media in the UK, including on BBC World TV, The Guardian, and The Independent.
Steve Taylor is a senior lecturer in Psychology at Leeds Beckett University, UK. His latest books in the US are The Calm Center and Back to Sanity: Healing the Madness of the Human Mind. He is also the author of The Fall, Waking From Sleep, and Out Of The Darkness. His books have been published in 19 languages. His research has appeared in The Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, The Journal of Consciousness Studies, The Transpersonal Psychology Review, The International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, as well as the popular media in the UK, including on BBC World TV, The Guardian, and The Independent.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 13, 2019
This is a bold reassessment of the validity of scientific materialism, the contemporary cultural and scientific assumption that matter alone is the reality of the universe—that everything has a physical origin and can only be explained on that basis. The author sets forth an alternative view that something higher and greater is actually at work in the world.
Taylor's examination of the dynamics of the cosmos is fresh and illuminating. It is bound neither by the imperious ideology of modern science nor the myopia of religious tradition. Instead, it is founded on the remarkable but generally disregarded evidence that a higher, all-encompassing consciousness is the animating force of the universe. With courage and clarity, the author uncovers the "missing link" that is conspicuously absent in a materialistic accounting of the universe.
This is not merely philosophical or intellectual muscle flexing. It is a purposeful, concise, and very readable exploration of new territory. These are concepts way out ahead of the herd and challenge some of the most fundamental assumptions of contemporary science. Be warned, like all pioneers of new ideas, it will strike at comfortably entrenched assumptions and draw some ridicule and scorn. But summon the courage to read it for it has the potential to expand and transform our basic understanding of the world and profoundly shape the future well-being of humankind and the Earth we inhabit. Discover here a cosmic perspective that is both startlingly radical yet profoundly rational.
Taylor's examination of the dynamics of the cosmos is fresh and illuminating. It is bound neither by the imperious ideology of modern science nor the myopia of religious tradition. Instead, it is founded on the remarkable but generally disregarded evidence that a higher, all-encompassing consciousness is the animating force of the universe. With courage and clarity, the author uncovers the "missing link" that is conspicuously absent in a materialistic accounting of the universe.
This is not merely philosophical or intellectual muscle flexing. It is a purposeful, concise, and very readable exploration of new territory. These are concepts way out ahead of the herd and challenge some of the most fundamental assumptions of contemporary science. Be warned, like all pioneers of new ideas, it will strike at comfortably entrenched assumptions and draw some ridicule and scorn. But summon the courage to read it for it has the potential to expand and transform our basic understanding of the world and profoundly shape the future well-being of humankind and the Earth we inhabit. Discover here a cosmic perspective that is both startlingly radical yet profoundly rational.
January 20, 2019
I recently purchased a copy of the new book 'Spiritual Science'. I’d previously read one of Steve Taylor's earlier books titled ‘The Leap’, which helped me (and many others) to frame some of my own spiritual experiences.
I’ve always known that there’s more than what we can evidence with conventional science. A subtler intelligence or force that lies beyond the atom. It’s what I call the spiritual dimension. Like many others, I’ve referenced this in my writing and teachings without necessarily backing it up with evidence and proof.
Spiritual Science provides a comprehensive portfolio of evidence that supports the existence of this dimension. For example, near-death experiences, psychic phenomena and how the mind changes the brain and body. At times, I was both positively shocked by what Steve presented, whilst feeling that my beliefs were being reaffirmed. The book describes a 'panspiritist' view of reality - arguing that spirit-force pervades everything.
When you examine the bibliography, you’ll see quite how much work has gone into researching and linking out to other materials. This really adds to the credibility of the book and reassured me that what was presented had been thoroughly investigated and challenged. This is a great book that you can use as an overall reference guide for spiritual experiences and then follow up with references in the bibliography should you wish to explore a particular area further.
It took me a while to read this book. It was partly to give time to integrate Steve’s findings, and also to cherish the reading experience. Reading Steve’s work always takes me into a state of mindfulness and presence. It’s enjoyable! His style is very accessible, interesting and engaging.
As well as opening my mind up in so many ways, this book also contained many useful practical pointers. Spiritual and psychological truths that you can integrate and benefit from right away.
In summary, this is a ground-breaking book, which I believe will contribute greatly towards helping folk see beyond conventional science. It will help more people realize that spirit, consciousness, presence, whatever you might like to call it, is indeed real!
I’ve always known that there’s more than what we can evidence with conventional science. A subtler intelligence or force that lies beyond the atom. It’s what I call the spiritual dimension. Like many others, I’ve referenced this in my writing and teachings without necessarily backing it up with evidence and proof.
Spiritual Science provides a comprehensive portfolio of evidence that supports the existence of this dimension. For example, near-death experiences, psychic phenomena and how the mind changes the brain and body. At times, I was both positively shocked by what Steve presented, whilst feeling that my beliefs were being reaffirmed. The book describes a 'panspiritist' view of reality - arguing that spirit-force pervades everything.
When you examine the bibliography, you’ll see quite how much work has gone into researching and linking out to other materials. This really adds to the credibility of the book and reassured me that what was presented had been thoroughly investigated and challenged. This is a great book that you can use as an overall reference guide for spiritual experiences and then follow up with references in the bibliography should you wish to explore a particular area further.
It took me a while to read this book. It was partly to give time to integrate Steve’s findings, and also to cherish the reading experience. Reading Steve’s work always takes me into a state of mindfulness and presence. It’s enjoyable! His style is very accessible, interesting and engaging.
As well as opening my mind up in so many ways, this book also contained many useful practical pointers. Spiritual and psychological truths that you can integrate and benefit from right away.
In summary, this is a ground-breaking book, which I believe will contribute greatly towards helping folk see beyond conventional science. It will help more people realize that spirit, consciousness, presence, whatever you might like to call it, is indeed real!
August 18, 2019
Scientific materialism has foisted highly effective blinders on our world-at-large. Future historians will likely be incredulous at the century-long gap between the advent of investigation into quantum physics and any meaningful assimilation of its revelations into the mainstream scientific culture. "Spiritual Science" expertly argues the evidence for the primacy of consciousness, an inevitable realization that will engender the greatest revolution in the history of human thought. Science will ultimately ripen through the influence of our spiritual nature. I highly recommended Steve Taylor's brilliant book. Combined with Mark Gober's "An End to Upside Down Thinking" and Alexander/Newell's "Living in a Mindful Universe", the pathway forward for the science of consciousness studies and quantum physics is becoming clearer, for the benefit of all of humanity.
June 2, 2021
read in mother daughter spirituality group. Thought provoking and very informational
May 17, 2023
If you are interested in the connection between the mind and the body, altruism and ‘anomalous’ phenomena such as near-death experiences, psi phenomena (such as telepathy) and spiritual experiences, then you need to read this book. Taylor demonstrates that this is a part of science...it is an extension of science. He will convince any science minded individual that we are much more than physical bodies. It's impossible to be an atheist after reading this well researched book.
November 2, 2023
Incredible
This books is fascinating from start to finish. There is so much more to learn about this world and the author explores so much in one book. I especially like the research on NDEs and hypnosis. This book pushes the boundaries of what many people know. If you’re curious about the world and the universe and people place it then I totally recommend this book. Thanks for sharing this book with your readers.
This books is fascinating from start to finish. There is so much more to learn about this world and the author explores so much in one book. I especially like the research on NDEs and hypnosis. This book pushes the boundaries of what many people know. If you’re curious about the world and the universe and people place it then I totally recommend this book. Thanks for sharing this book with your readers.
August 28, 2019
Such an amazing book - a really good balance of spiritual aspects viewed through a scientific lens. Prooving the two are not mutually exclusive. Highly recommended for anyone on a spiritual path or even just curious about living a more spiritual life but in a practical and accessible way. Highly recommended.
November 1, 2020
A very analytical & scientific approach to understanding concepts such as consciousness, altruism & the need for spirituality in a materialistic world.
A great read, especially for those rationally minded & inclined towards materialism
A great read, especially for those rationally minded & inclined towards materialism
May 6, 2023
I found this to be an enjoyable exploration of an alternative way to see the world. It doesn't go into as much detail as similar books (The Science Delusion for example), but as a primer on panspiritism it has a lot to recommend it.
April 24, 2020
Most of what the author writes is good universalism, but stretched a bit far for me by unsupported and irrelevant claims. Not great poetry nit great science, but interesting enough.
September 21, 2020
A very informative, easy to read and accessible break down of the materialist world view.
December 27, 2023
An incredible book that changes the way you see the universe and your place within it. Also allows for a tiny insight into the quantum world for the complete beginner!
April 2, 2024
I want to make so many people read this
February 3, 2020
I read this book from an interested-but-rather-sceptical point of view. I was pretty convinced by the author's arguments against a wholly materialistic view of reality. As with many belief systems, materialism is often blindly defended by its adherents, even though it appears only partially to account for what is observed in the universe. It is also apparent that unfettered materialism has led to a host of mental, societal and environmental problems through excessive focus on the individual (as opposed to the collective) and the view that competitive capitalism is the only basis for organising modern society. The book goes on to examine a number of areas that the materialist view either dismisses or ignores. I found the most compelling to be near-death experiences, which are described by different people in terms of a number of common aspects. One of these is being able to observe accurately what is going on (often in an operating theatre) from a viewpoint that is outside the body, while being under anaesthetic or in a coma. NDEs, and other phenomena, are used to argue that the mind (and mental processes) are not generated by the brain. Instead the author argues that that consciousness (or spirit force) is a fundamental aspect of the universe that pervades all things and it the driving force of creation. In this view the brain is a receiver (or canaliser) of consciousness, and there is a correlation between the complexity of the brain and the degree of consciousness. The book also argues that the spirit-force drives evolution in the direction of greater complexity, and that the survival of the fittest (as in the idea of the selfish genome) view of evolution is not a full explanation of how life has developed. The most questionable part of the book for me was the author's attempt to link psi phenomena (telepathy, precognition, telekinesis, etc) to quantum physics. It seems to me to be highly speculative to explain these things terms of aspects of quantum physics such as entanglement and acausality.
October 14, 2021
This book is a breath of fresh air for me. For the longest time I’ve accepted that science is the closest I will come to understanding life. Before reading Spiritual Science I knew my understanding of reality was minute. It has made me realize that I knew even less than I thought. I haven’t taken the time to look into the sources provided yet, but I think it is safe to take a great deal of the ideas portrayed as highly speculative, which I believe is the author’s intention. Even with that in mind, it’s apparent to me now that spiritually doesn’t have to work against science as long as evidence is not ignored and conclusions are not made that can’t be adjusted with new information.
While I’m grateful for the answers science has provided us with, I’ve always been concerned that the authority the scientific community has puts barriers in place for new knowledge. Spiritual Science does a great job of explaining how this can have a negative outcome. I have no doubt many would call this book anti-science, and I would have agreed if the author had not been clear about what his speculative views are.
I’m hesitant to accept some of the scientific conclusions that where made on what most would call supernatural, but I’m open to accepting that there is more to it than I can explain, especially with my limited knowledge on some of the topics. Many of the topics would require a lot more information for me to accept.
I would recommend Spiritual Science to anyone regardless of what path they are on, whether it is materialistic, spiritual, or religious.
While I’m grateful for the answers science has provided us with, I’ve always been concerned that the authority the scientific community has puts barriers in place for new knowledge. Spiritual Science does a great job of explaining how this can have a negative outcome. I have no doubt many would call this book anti-science, and I would have agreed if the author had not been clear about what his speculative views are.
I’m hesitant to accept some of the scientific conclusions that where made on what most would call supernatural, but I’m open to accepting that there is more to it than I can explain, especially with my limited knowledge on some of the topics. Many of the topics would require a lot more information for me to accept.
I would recommend Spiritual Science to anyone regardless of what path they are on, whether it is materialistic, spiritual, or religious.
November 11, 2024
Expansive details regarding our inner selves
The author has collected, expanded, and unlocked key understanding as to the inner nature of ourselves. A good book that can be re-read in part from time to time to strengthen a person's mindset.
The author has collected, expanded, and unlocked key understanding as to the inner nature of ourselves. A good book that can be re-read in part from time to time to strengthen a person's mindset.
August 24, 2020
🥰 he's not wrong
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews