"With this one compact statement, Jacob Needleman has forced the discussion of both science and religion in our time into a new, more mature and discriminating phase. . . . It is a way station where those who are seriously exploring the transformation of consciousness will have to stop, take thought, and perhaps re-plot their course."--Theodore Roszak "I want to strongly recommend it to every reader seriously interested in our present cultural situation."--Fritjof Capra "Needleman is unique; he is really on to something. . . . A fine book"--Harvey Cox Western science has operated for centuries on the assumption that we can understand the universe without understanding ourselves. We are just now seeking to make the necessary connection between the general laws of nature to those of our own (inner) nature. But the job won't be done with "massive injections of the new consciousness"; we cannot democratize the sacred by cheapening its demands. "My aim in this book therefore" says Needleman, "has not been to speak of the convergence of science and spirituality, but of their separation. As in nature itself, organic unity is a reciprocal relationship between separate but interdependent entities. In human life as well, there can be no real unity except through the awareness of real divisions. One may then hope to experience the magic power of sustained awareness by itself to bring the harmony that we have until now fruitlessly attempted to impose on ourselves and on our endangered civilization." Jacob Needleman is a professor of philosophy at San Francisco State University and the author of many books, including Money and the Meaning of Life , and The American Soul . In addition to his teaching and writing, he serves as a consultant in the fields of psychology, education, medical ethics, philanthropy, and business, and has been featured on Bill Moyers's acclaimed PBS series A World of Ideas .

This book also includes, The 4 Stages of Soul Evolution. Books on "ascension" typically focus only on the old control programming that to grow spirituality you need to bow to something or someone. They are filled with religious iconography, dogmatic doctrine and highly simplistic messages involving angels and European saints. Shahram Shiva writes, "It's astonishing to me how people are being continuously programmed for hundreds of years to maintain a subservient mind, which is the antithesis to growth, self-empowerment, self-realization and the real ascension process." The 12 Secret Laws of Self-Realization, 4-Stages of Soul Evolution and all the other chapters in this book are only about 1 thing, to empower you in every way possible: mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically. This book helps you to grasp and understand what real spiritually and growth are about. It's about you discovering your own power and realizing that the only limit is you and the only height you need to achieve is tapping your own limitless potential in these bodies at first and then well beyond into your future in other types of incarnations. The goal is not and has never been to become like someone else, real or imaginary, or beg someone to give you inner power. You are God. You are the enlightened one and you are the savior of you. If you choose to take charge of your own destiny instead of being a follower. If you like to think and feel your way through life. If you want to find out what's under the surface and discover the real meaning of things instead of being swayed by the mainstream at all times. If you dust your belief system from time to time and reevaluate your likes and dislikes. If you have managed (or seriously trying) to undo your childhood programming. If you're hungry for wisdom and to push yourself higher at all times. Then this book is for you. For individuals who are focused on mental and spiritual growth and breaking personal barriers, there has never been a better time. We're living in an era of accelerated experiences and heightened reality. The holy grail of personal growth, spirituality and yoga is self-realization. For those truly seeking self-empowerment and enlightenment there is no greater mission. Although the phrase self-realization is commonplace in the world of personal and spiritual growth, very few actually understand the process or even desire it. For most growth only means success in business, career or love and spirituality merely suggests bowing to statues, worshiping deities, stress management, breathing exercises and stretching. Real spirituality is not depended on any base religion. This is a key secret teaching in mysticism. Yet all so-called spiritual movements in the world are just an extension of some religion. In the US when people refer to spirituality they mostly mean a form of Christianity. If they mention that they follow yogic or Indian teachings that suggests they have become Hindus and worship their gods. The same is true with Buddhism. I call this process deity swap, which is just a lateral movement in faith. It is the intention and the mission of this book to cut through centuries old haze of disinformation that has existed about the power of real spirituality and to inspire, guide and help you to keep on expanding and ascending.