Gary Zukav's American Book Award-winning The Dancing Wu Li Masters masterfully introduces the layman to quantum and particle physics, as well as Einstein's relativity theories. With a similar dose of amiable, easy-to-understand prose, Zukav guides readers into the spiritual realm in his bestselling The Seat of the Soul.

Zukav questions the Western model of the soul, alleging that the human species is in the midst of a great transformation, evolving from a species that pursues power based upon the perceptions of the five senses--"external power"--to one that pursues power based upon perceptions of the soul--"authentic power." He believes that humans are immortal souls first, physical beings second, and that once we become conscious of this transformation--once we align our personalities with our soul--we will stimulate our spiritual growth and become better people in the process. This insightful, lucid synthesis of modern psychology and new-age principles has been described as the "physics of the soul." Who better to explain such heady concepts than Gary Zukav?


Amazon.com Audiobook Review
Ready to attain a higher level of understanding? Author Gary Zukav can help you evolve into a multisensory being, one who "values love more than the physical world." As shown in The Dancing Wu Li Masters, his bestselling exploration of physics, Zukav has a gift for presenting complex, even mind-boggling concepts in clearly worded and reasoned logic. In Seat of the Soul, he leads you on an inspirational and potentially life-changing journey into the seemingly intangible realm of the spirit. Reading in a calm, soothing voice he explains why increased sensory perception will mark the next phase of human evolution, how the power of choice can change your existence, and what you can do to infuse your life with more compassion, trust, and understanding. (Running time: 3 hours, 2 cassettes) --George Laney


From Publishers Weekly
"A laser is like a whole personality," writes Zukav. In a sequel to The Dancing Wu Li Masters , this exponent of the spiritual side of the "new physics" goes beyond intriguing parallels. In gracefully written sermonettes with titles like "Evolution," "Light," "Power" and "Addiction," he makes a bold attempt to fuse so-called New Age wisdom with modern psychology, science and sociopolitical reality. Zukav posits two types of people: the "five-sensory human" who puts mind over heart, lacks trust, plays power games and can't tap intuition is contrasted with the "multisensory" individual who seeks alignment of the soul with the personality. One section relates personal and national karma to the theory of Gaia, which holds that Earth is a single living entity with a soul. Though Zukav explores themes long familiar to astrologers and occultists, his high-minded synthesis is something more than old wine in a new bottle. Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Zukav describes a new form of evolution in which humans learn to value authentic powerApower based on the perceptions and values of the spirit. Authentic power differs from external power in that external power is based on perceptions of the five senses and is thus missing a dimension. Zukav (The Dancing Wu Li Masters) recommends that in order to achieve wholeness, we need to recognize a realm outside and beyond ourselves. He insists that we not become caught up in definitions of this higher power or names. The important thing is that we recognize that we need this sixth sense in order to discover the true meaning of life. The Seat of the Soul depicts the transformation from an ordinary, externally powered world to an authentic, new-dimensional life. Although the author seems to come to few conclusions about the benefits of the authentic self or how to achieve this state, this work, narrated by William Griffith, may be of interest to libraries establishing large alternative religion collections.ARavonne A. Green, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Zukav, author of THE DANCING WU LI MASTERS, focuses his attention on the spiritual mission of mankind. He delves into the nature of humankind, their five physical senses, and their "multi-senses," or spiritual nature. Zukav cites Ghandi and Christ as examples of spirituality in this life, then describes various aspects of karma and reincarnation, including explanations of how one's soul defines this life and one's action. Griffith's quiet voice is reminiscent of a teacher or spiritual guide without having the ecstatic charisma of a preacher. In his soothing voice, Griffith lulls the listener into accepting the veracity of Zukav's theories. His narration solidly reflects the spirituality of Zukav's theories. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


Huston Smith, author of The World's Religions
How remarkable--to find one of our finest interpreters of frontier science is equally conversant with the human spirit. This augurs well for our times.


Review
Library Journal A readable, thought-provoking [work] on how our perceptions must change dramatically if we are to survive.


Book Description
With the same extraordinary skill that he used to demystify scientific abstraction and the new physics, Gary Zukay, the award-winning author of The Dancing Wu Li Masters, here takes us on a brilliant and penetrating exploration of the new phase of evolution we have now entered. With lucidity and elegance, Zukav explains that we are evolving from a species that pursues power based upon the perceptions of the five senses -- external power -- into a species that pursues authentic power -- power that is based upon the perceptions and values of the spirit. He shows how the pursuit of external power has produced our survival-of-the-fittest understanding of evolution, generated conflict between lovers, communities, and superpowers, and brought us to the edge of destruction. Using his scientist's eye and philosopher's heart, Zukav shows how infusing the activities of life with reverence, compassion, and trust makes them come alive with meaning and purpose. He illustrates how the emerging values of the spirit are changing marriages into spiritual partnerships, psychology into spiritual psychology, and transforming our everyday lives. The Seat of the Soul describes the remarkable journey to the spirit that each of us is on.


About the Author
Winner of the 1979 American Book Award in Science for The Dancing Wu Li Masters, Gary Zukay, a graduate of Harvard University, lives in Northern California.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

With the same extraordinary skill that he used to demystify scientific abstraction and the new physics, Gary Zukay, the award-winning author of The Dancing Wu Li Masters, here takes us on a brilliant and penetrating exploration of the new phase of evolution we have now entered.

With lucidity and elegance, Zukav explains that we are evolving from a species that pursues power based upon the perceptions of the five senses -- external power -- into a species that pursues authentic power -- power that is based upon the perceptions and values of the spirit. He shows how the pursuit of external power has produced our survival-of-the-fittest understanding of evolution, generated conflict between lovers, communities, and superpowers, and brought us to the edge of destruction.

Using his scientist's eye and philosopher's heart, Zukav shows how infusing the activities of life with reverence, compassion, and trust makes them come alive with meaning and purpose. He illustrates how the emerging values of the spirit are changing marriages into spiritual partnerships, psychology into spiritual psychology, and transforming our everyday lives. The Seat of the Soul describes the remarkable journey to the spirit that each of us is on.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

'A laser is like a whole personality,' writes Zukav. In a sequel to The Dancing Wu Li Masters, this exponent of the spiritual side of the 'new physics' goes beyond intriguing parallels. In gracefully written sermonettes with titles like 'Evolution,' 'Light,' 'Power' and 'Addiction,' he makes a bold attempt to fuse so-called New Age wisdom with modern psychology, science and sociopolitical reality. Zukav posits two types of people: the 'five-sensory human' who puts mind over heart, lacks trust, plays power games and can't tap intuition is contrasted with the 'multisensory' individual who seeks alignment of the soul with the personality. One section relates personal and national karma to the theory of Gaia, which holds that Earth is a single living entity with a soul. Though Zukav explores themes long familiar to astrologers and occultists, his high-minded synthesis is something more than old wine in a new bottle.

Library Journal

Zukav describes a new form of evolution in which humans learn to value authentic power--power based on the perceptions and values of the spirit. Authentic power differs from external power in that external power is based on perceptions of the five senses and is thus missing a dimension. Zukav (The Dancing Wu Li Masters) recommends that in order to achieve wholeness, we need to recognize a realm outside and beyond ourselves. He insists that we not become caught up in definitions of this higher power or names. The important thing is that we recognize that we need this sixth sense in order to discover the true meaning of life. The Seat of the Soul depicts the transformation from an ordinary, externally powered world to an authentic, new-dimensional life. Although the author seems to come to few conclusions about the benefits of the authentic self or how to achieve this state, this work, narrated by William Griffith, may be of interest to libraries establishing large alternative religion collections.--Ravonne A. Green, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

Library Journal

This remarkable treatment of thought, evolution, and reincarnation examines the purpose of the immortal human soul during life and its continuation after physical death. Zukav's extraordinary skill in explaining scientific abstraction and the new physics, displayed in his best-selling The Dancing Wu Li Masters), is again evident as he critically questions the link between the existing Western model of the soul and the subsequent lack of meaningful human evolution. Beginning by examining the debilitating effect of this model, Zukav then describes the importance of non-physical reality, alluding to properties not yet accepted or understood by scientists. Overall, a readable, thought-provoking tome on how our perceptions must change dramatically if we are to survive. -- Kevin M. Roddy, Oakland Public Library, California

AudioFile

Zukav, author of THE DANCING WU LI MASTERS, focuses his attention on the spiritual mission of mankind. He delves into the nature of humankind, their five physical senses, and their "multi-senses," or spiritual nature. Zukav cites Ghandi and Christ as examples of spirituality in this life, then describes various aspects of karma and reincarnation, including explanations of how one's soul defines this life and one's action. Griffith's quiet voice is reminiscent of a teacher or spiritual guide without having the ecstatic charisma of a preacher. In his soothing voice, Griffith lulls the listener into accepting the veracity of Zukav's theories. His narration solidly reflects the spirituality of Zukav's theories. M.B.K. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Gary Zukav believes that your intentions determine your actions and their consequences. Now I don't do anything without being clear about my intentions. — Oprah Winfrey

Filled with wisdom. . .The Seat of the Soul is a book to be savored. -- Author of Many Lives, Many Masters — Brian Weiss, M.D.