About the Book
Volume I provides an overall survey and appreciation of the field of enquiry. Whilst fully valuing the worth of science, at the same time its limitations, concerning the deeper questions of life and consciousness, are laid bare. This then defines the legitimate boundaries of science and so establishes the need for invoking the Perennial Philosophy to provide the deficit that mainstream science, constrained by its philosophy of materialism, is unable to accomplish.
This entirely new way of looking at the world, and human beings, through the lens of the Perennial Philosophy, embracing diverse world cultures and epochs, creates a hunger to probe further into the nature of the human being and his consciousness beyond (but not excluding) the dictates of scientific materialism.
The overriding purpose of Volume I is to explain the scientific position on consciousness and the nature of the human mind; and then reveal the added insights to be gained from the Perennial Philosophy. This Volume will answer the pressing question 'whom to vote for', so to speak, on questions of life, mind, and consciousness: should it be for mainstream science, the Perennial Philosophy, or possibly both? It will soon become apparent that in making the case for embracing the Perennial Philosophy, what is needed is a true union, not an 'either-or' dichotomy between the two. Science and the Perennial Philosophy move in different orbits in their respective search for truth, but they also have areas of overlap and it is important to recognize this. To this end, their respective paradigms are summarized, along with their attendant strengths and limitations, in the framework of their respective disciplines.
Volume I is therefore written in two major sections. The first section, covering Chapters 1 to 6, constitutes the scientific portion with the principal objective of exposing the shortcomings of science when faced with problems lying outside its legitimate bounds of expertise. The second major section, comprising Chapters 7 to 9, explains the Mystery Teachings of the East and the West, ancient and modern, and the insights that they provide concerning the human being at all levels, from the spiritual to the physical. The final Chapter is a recapitulation that provides the link with Volume II.
This Volume closes with two appendices showing a timeline of advances from the late nineteenth century to the present: the first in physics and cosmology; and the second in life science (molecular and developmental biology, and psychology). Both appendices trace parallel developments in the mainstream and more enlightened viewpoints of these scientific disciplines.
About the Author :
Born in India and educated at the universities of London, Sussex and Oxford, Edi Bilimoria presents an unusual blend of experience in the fields of science, arts and philosophy.
Professionally, Edi is an award-winning engineer and consultant to the petrochemical, oil and gas, transport, and construction industries. He has been Project Manager and Head of Design for major innovative projects such as the Channel Tunnel, London Underground systems, petrochemical plants and offshore installations. He also worked in safety and environmental engineering for several Royal Navy projects, including the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier and the fleet of Offshore Patrol Vessels.
A student of the perennial philosophy for over half a century, Edi has given courses and lectured extensively in the UK, and internationally in California, The Netherlands, India and Australia. He has organized and chaired conferences with the object of encouraging discourse on the different, but overlapping, roles of science, religion and practical philosophy. He worked as Education Manager for the Theosophical Society in Australia developing courses and study papers, researching, lecturing and organizing international conferences; as well as supervising the Research Library, National Media Library, National Members Lending Library and the development of the website.
Edi has published extensively in the fields of science, engineering and the esoteric philosophy. His book The Snake and the Rope was awarded a prize by the Scientific and Medical Network on which he now serves as a Board Director.
An enthusiastic glider pilot for many years, Edi is a choral singer and a dedicated pianist of concert standard.
Review :
"I know of no other work of such scope and depth relating to the ultimate questions raised by human existence both in terms of our origins and destiny." David Lorimer is Chair of the Galileo Commission and International Programme Director of the Scientific and Medical Network, Editor of Paradigm Explorer. ; "Unfolding Consciousness is a remarkable tour de force through spiritual meanders of esoteric traditions, from East and West, and their dialogue with modern science. It is as fascinatingly provocative, as it is informative - and it will equally challenge the scientist, the philosopher, and the artist." Dr Ana-Maria Pascal, BA (Hons), MA, MBA, PhD, SFHEA. Principal Lecturer, Regent's University London; "This book presents a comprehensive, lucid and well-written overview, with careful attention to detail and yet full of far-ranging and potentially transformative ideas." Rupert Sheldrake PhD, biologist and author of The Science Delusion
