Living in a Mindful Universe: A Neurosurgeon's Journey by Dr Eben Alexander III

Piatkus

Details Condition: New Format: Paperback ISBN: 9780349417431 Publisher: Piatkus Overview Living in a Mindful Universe is a thought-provoking exploration of consciousness from Dr Eben Alexander, the neurosurgeon whose own near-death experience inspired the bestselling Proof of Heaven. Co-written with meditation teacher Karen Newell, this paperback edition blends rigorous scientific insight with practical spiritual guidance. It's an essential read for anyone curious about the intersection of neuroscience, mindfulness, and the nature of the mind, offering both intellectual depth and everyday tools for cultivating a more harmonious, purposeful life. About the Book In this follow-up to his phenomenally successful Proof of Heaven and The Map of Heaven, Dr Eben Alexander turns his attention to the practical implications of his extraordinary journey into consciousness. Having survived a week-long coma that left him with vivid memories of an afterlife experience, Alexander set out to reconcile his medical training with what he witnessed. Teaming up with Karen Newell, who had spent years exploring meditation and expanded awareness through direct practice, the pair present a shared account of how anyone can learn to access deeper states of consciousness. The book moves between memoir, scientific explanation, and guided practice, walking readers through breathing exercises, meditative techniques, and heart-centred approaches designed to help quiet the mind and open awareness to a "greater mind" beyond ordinary perception. Rather than asking readers to take claims on faith, Alexander grounds much of the discussion in current thinking about the brain, consciousness studies, and quantum physics, while Newell's contributions add a grounded, experiential counterpoint. Together they argue that direct experience — not just theory — is the surest path to understanding our place in a conscious universe. The result is a book that appeals equally to sceptical scientific minds and those already immersed in spiritual practice, offering a bridge between the two that few authors are positioned to build with such credibility. Written by a Harvard-trained neurosurgeon with firsthand near-death experience Combines neuroscience with practical meditation and mindfulness techniques Co-authored with meditation expert Karen Newell for a balanced perspective Includes guided exercises for cultivating heart-centred awareness Ideal for readers of spirituality, science, and personal growth genres Compact paperback format, easy to carry for study groups or personal reading About the Author Dr Eben Alexander is an academic neurosurgeon and the author of the international bestsellers Proof of Heaven and The Map of Heaven, following a near-death experience that transformed his understanding of consciousness. Karen Newell is a meditation teacher and co-founder of Sacred Acoustics, with decades of personal experience exploring expanded states of awareness. Together, their combined backgrounds in clinical medicine and contemplative practice give this book a distinctive authority, bridging the gap between hard science and lived spiritual experience. Why You'll Love This Book For readers fascinated by the mysteries of consciousness, this paperback offers a rare mix of medical credibility and genuine spiritual insight — practical, thoughtful, and grounded in real experience rather than abstract theory. Please Note: Book cover, ISBN and edition may vary slightly from the image shown, as this is the UK paperback edition.