The Mindful Universe: A Journey Through the Inner and Outer Cosmos

by Mark Westmoquette

The ​Mindful Universe explores the scientific workings of the Universe, its awe-inspiring nature and how it can be partnered with mindfulness to bring meaning to our lives. 

The universe is an infintely complex concept. Containing countless galaxies, solar systems and unknown planets. It encompasses everything we know, and everything we don't. This book explores how through exploring some of the deepest questions about the universe, we can also uncover insights about ourselves. 

Mark Westmoquette takes you on a fascinating journey through space, time, our mind and the mysteries of the cosmos in this lovingly-written book. Through practical meditations, facts and anecdote, he points the reader to a life-affirming that when we start to observe things mindfully, just as they really are, we start to find the secrets of the Universe revealing themselves before our very eyes.

Part of the Mindfulness series, this book ​ looks at science through the lens of mindfulness and spirituality, bringing together two seemingly opposed beliefs through topics such  The journey of a photonOur chemical origins from the birth of starsThe nature of timeThe limits to our sensesThe beauty of nebulaeNon-duality and quantum theory... and much moreIf you like this, you might also be interested in Einstein and the Art of Mindful Cycling . . .

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Spirituality

144 pages, Hardcover

Published September 15, 2020

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through mindfulness, spirituality and science, the author says, we can better understand ourselves and the Universe. This original application of awareness in the moment is intriguing and ultimately brings hope to the reader. Includes helpful meditations and surprising scientific facts to broaden our vision, providing a life-changing exploration of our interior and exterior worlds. Highly recommended!

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 15 Sep 2020

Thanks to the author, to Quarto Publishing Group — Leaping Hare Press, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#TheMindfulUniverse #NetGalley

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've felt disconnected lately; I feel trapped in the two-mile radius of city blocks around my apartment, bored of the park nearby, longing for new dirt. Over the past few months I've been stitching together what I thought my purpose was, what my expectations were for my life and what they are now, and what I want know.

In high school I was set to be a theoretical astrophysicist. I made choices that made that dream untenable, and sometime between mental breakdowns and the crush of college I lost the wonder and inquiry into the cosmos that first grew me to look upward.

I read this book then, with some very specific experiences that it speaks to. There's current me, grasping for something to ground me during this pandemic time; past me, who I imagine would judge my current self for not having an astrophysics PhD; and a very uncertain future me, future world, as case counts and deaths sharply spike and maybe there is no end to lockdown in sight.

I've struggled with mindfulness since I started attempting to practice it consciously; not struggle in the sense of lifetime striving but rather being too literal and unable to figure out what I'm supposed to do. Lots of my meditation time is me scolding myself for thoughts—I can't "notice it" and "let go." Westmoquette's approach to describing mindfulness, coupled with the low-stakes exercises, got through to me when it feels like nothing else has. Maybe I'm predisposed to vibe with anything related to astronomy, even after all these years; or how Westmoquette doesn't position himself as an authority but as someone still learning and having difficulties with his practice.

When I started reading I struggled with whether Westmoquette was talking figuratively or literally about being part of the Universe, but as I read on (and read not right before I was trying to fall asleep) his words made more sense. Linking science and spirituality spoke my language—I have difficulty with purely theoretical works, and Westmoquette's technique of using scientific dialogue and discoveries (e.g. the advent of quantum physics and the discovery of wave-particle duality) as analogies to spiritual growth resonated with me and helped me understand more concretely what "being one with the Universe" means.

If you're looking for something, this would be a good book to read. I did the exercises as I came across them in the book, perhaps more guidance on when to do them would be nice, since in this ARC they were placed directly in the text, occasionally breaking up sentences. Thank you to Netgalley and Leaping Hare Press for this ARC—I'm grateful to review this special book.

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reminder to my everyday life

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice take on mindfulness. Some of it is in the context of outer-space and the cosmos, which seems rare. It also pulls-in nature, which is much more common. It's written in a very relaxed and friendly style that is quite effective, and it includes a number of simple exercises which are great. It is a bit mind-blowing a times. but that should be a good stretch for readers. Recommended.

Thanks very much for the review copy!!

[Daphne · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed the meditations and reminders to let go. definitely looking for a translation of Eihei Dogen's Bendowa now! :)

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mindful Universe by Mark Westmoquette is a book written to help the reader actively learn and apply knowledge on experiencing the Universe with presence. Each chapter includes sections with research, anecdotes, and a variety of exercises. I identified with the author the experience of directing your energy and attention to academics as numbing and avoidance of the "real world" outside of academia. I enjoyed the mindfulness exercises throughout the book and the author introduced some new exercises I had not heard of such as examining a leaf with "sharp eyes" for a period of time, taking a break, and then with examining with"soft eyes". I find this book interesting, but I struggle with it feeling a bit "woo-woo" for me. This may be in part to becoming overly "heady" as the author mentions so it will be interesting to see how my thoughts change after reflecting and re-reading down the road.

Many thanks to the publisher Leaping Hare Press and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

[Jen Tidman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mixture of mindfulness, science and secular spirituality, this book provides advice and exercises to allow the reader to better understand themselves and be present in the moment. In the past, I've struggled with some of the spirituality in such books, but have always felt a sense of awe and wonder with nature and the cosmos, so this was a really helpful tool to develop my meditation practice. In addition, this book is beautifully designed and laid out.

[Dale Muckerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good insights in this book and overall a nice introduction to mindfulness. At times, however, author seems to be speaking from on high, not as a brother but as some superior being. If you aren’t overwhelmed by the night sky, you are a lesser being. For me the book just didn’t have the right tone and seemed inauthentic at times. I wish the author came across as a more fallible person.

[Paul Feetham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to read and re-read.
Beautifully and carefully crafted, poignant and inspiring.
A wonderful blend of astrophysics, physics and Buddhist philosophy.

[Kerstie Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, quick read on a more scientific view on mindfulness that gives it a really tangible feel.

[Castles · Rating 3 out of 5]

a nice short introduction to mindfulness from a perspective of astrophysics and science, very much for beginners in both fields.

[M. Labadi · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I appreciated most about this book was the author’s discussion of the physical sensations that accompany emotions. By directing attention to the bodily aspect of an experience, the reader stays grounded instead of allowing the mind to drift and thoughts to lead elsewhere. I found this approach valuable because it encourages focus on what is concrete and observable, rather than getting caught up in perception, imagination, or illusion.

However, I felt the author did not succeed in linking the cosmos—through quantum mechanics, string theory, and related concepts—to mindfulness in a convincing way. Moreover, the tone often came across as condescending, as if the writer were a master speaking down to the reader, who was cast as a mere student.

There are plenty of better books about both subjects: mindfullness and cosmos.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this little book. It caters to scientific minds while creating a bridge to non-dualistic states of mind.