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.

Reviews

Zukav describes a new form of evolution in which humans learn to value authentic powerÄpower 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.ÄRavonne A. Green, Virginia Polytechnic Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

``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. (Mar.)

"Library Journal"

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