Code Name God: The Spiritual Odyssey of a Man of Science

We live today in a world so divided by disparate religious ideas that there is a very real possibility that we as humans won't survive these differences. The spectrum of this divde is great and varied. Extreme Christian fundamentalists longing for a biblical Armageddon promote political choices that could bring on an ultimate nuclear holocaust. More moderate Christians eschew science in favor of a literal reading of the Bible and turn a blind eye to scientific "theories" as varied as global warming, the evolution of our species or the age of the universe. Extreme Islamic fundamentalists scoff at earthly political goals altogether and wish only to live in a world governed entirely by the Koran. Unfortunately, like the Judeo/Christian Bible, interpretation of these sacred scriptures is subject to whoever perceives that he/she has been selected by his or her god to do so. This has resulted, in many instances, in the wide-scale destruction of people by those convinced by these chosen spokesmen that they will achieve heavenly rewards by their own and their victims' deaths. Obviously, examples like these can be found everywhere in the world and in many other religions as well. In a fervent desire to get beyond religious misconceptions of basic spiritual concepts, many thoughtful people have followed one of two divergent philosophical paths of inquiry concerning the universe and our place in it. Science and spirituality (as opposed to religion) both seek the answers to this most fundamental question. While never quite at physical odds with each other, proponents look askance at each other for the others' naive understandings of reality. Yet a few individuals in both camps have been able to take a "quantum leap" of understanding and realize that science and spirituality should not just "agree to disagree". For some scientists, David Bohm, Rupert Sheldrake, Karl Pribram and others, the deeper science goes towards discovering the most fundamental nature of Matter and Energy, the more the paths of science and spirituality merge into one. On the spiritual side, a person such as the Dalai Lama honors the discoveries being made by science; to the extent that he says that if science proves a concept that is counter to his own Buddhist tradition, then the Buddhist idea must succumb to science! Truly a remarkable statement in view of most religious orthodoxies. Mani Bhaumik is one of these "leapers", whose early life happened to be suffused in mystical Hindu traditions. Yet, the talents for science and mathematics he displayed at a young age allowed him to escape the poverty and ignorance epidemic in his community. Finding his way to the West and his subsequent invention of the Exemer Laser (known commercially as Lasek) culminated in his enjoying a fabled lifestyle of the rich and famous; coincidentally the name of a popular television show of the day in which he displayed his wealth. His Hollywood star-studded life of parties and luxury in Beverly Hills

This book has been exquisitely written. Beginning as a combination of a spiritual autobiography and a rags-to-riches story, it goes on to describe a world view of the universe that combines some of the most esoteric ideas of modern theoretical high energy physics and medicinal sciences with equally esoteric concepts in Eastern philosophy (both Chinese and Indian), blending the observer and the observed together in a precise and logical whole that seeks to quench the emotional thirsting of many seekers on the path of hard core science who yearn to see the 'big picture'. A cogent picture, where they personally fit in, where, to use Kahlil Gibran's famous words: 'Beauty is eternity looking at a mirror, But you are eternity and you are the mirror'.' Throughout the narrative, one gets the impression of the author as both a bystander as well as one who experiences fully the pathway life leads him. It begins with the unlikely extremes of a barefoot village boy growing up in rural Bengal, a boy, touched by extreme deprivation who is deeply influenced during his teenage years by Gandhian ideals during India 's independence struggle and goes on to describe how excellence in the mathematical sciences, led him across caste barriers from that very village over to laser research at a university in the USA , finally ending in the posh environs of Bel Air and its glitterati. The pace of narration is measured and unhurried, it does not meander in criticism of any kind, not even of circumstances which were hard to endure, for instance, belonging to the lower level of the Indian caste system. This is cirumvented by the author elaborating on his own preferences and life choices around the relevant issue. One topic, conspicuous by its absence, in the world view presented in the book is chaos and fractals. Perhaps, in a later edition... All in all, a book that would grace any bookshelf, and a stirring testimony of a life lived to its depths.

Spiritual autobiographies make for fascinating reading. I cannot think of another genre that I enjoy more. Having observed that, I always have certain expectations about a spiritual autobiography. The author will have discovered faith from an epiphany. The content will be very revealing about the author and not nearly as revealing about anything else. The person will be someone who chooses a spiritual life that causes a loss of interest in material things. Dr. Bhaumik's book breaks free of all those expectations to provide much more fascinating material. Anyone who likes good autobiographies should read this book, even if you aren't interested in spiritual matters. The book's advance publicity doesn't do justice to Dr. Bhaumik's life. Born into the second to lowest caste in colonial India, Dr. Bhaumik's humble beginnings were made more difficult by his father's allegiance to Gandhi's civil disobedience campaign to oust the British. His father was always on the run which cut both into the time they could spend together and the family income. Soldiers even took away the family's cooking and eating utensils as punishment. One of the highlights of his time in India was spending a week in Gandhi's entourage. While young a great catastrophe occurred and food was scarce. Dr. Bhaumik only survived due to his grandmother's sacrifice of her own portions to keep him going. This event is one of the saddest stories I've ever read. From such humble beginnings, Dr. Bhaumik soon began to attract attention for his brilliant mind and committed work ethic after moving away from rural Bengal. That intelligence found its highest use in physics. Eventually, he was sponsored to come to the United States and became involved in developing practical applications for lasers. One of those applications is now used to reshape corneas to cure farsightedness and nearsightedness. From his success, he became quite wealthy. He retired and soon became a regular figure on the Bel-Air celebrity circuit. Eva Gabor was a regular companion, and he rubbed shoulders with many other famous people. Robin Leach once did a show for Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous about Dr. Bhaumik. But Dr. Bhaumik found that he was missing something. He began connecting with his spiritual roots through meditation. From there, about half the book goes into Dr. Bhaumik's insights into quantum physics, unified field theories and how this work relates to the experience of meditation. In this part of the book, you will find eloquent explanations of science that rival Dr. Stephen Hawkings' wonderful books . . . and fascinating insights into the common features of the major religions. He nicely wraps all that up by connecting meditation into his perception of that being a way to contact ultimate reality. From the second half of the book, you'll find a rare look at how a scientist uses science to deepen his spiritual understanding and to gain spiritual wealth. Dr. Bhaumik is one

I must admit I approached this book as a wary atheist. After all, Cosmology used to be the ugly stepchild of academia. But Dr. Bhaumik has done his homework. Step by step he takes us from Michael Faraday to Stephen Hawking to lay out a convincing argument for a unified field of consciousness. Along the way he gives a concise summary of how lasers work (he made his fortune developing lasers for LASIK eye surgery) with additional stops along the way to discuss photons, electromagnetism, the Big Bang and quantum mechanics. He loves his work and the scientific method - and it shows. The light Hollywood gossip may distract some readers but the science is solid. Agree with him or not, you will not be able to put the book down without being disturbed - yet oddly soothed. Something's going on out there.

This book is thoroughly engrossing, an intensely powerful life story and a true joy to read. Its evocative power was gravitational - it floored me. This is one of the most important and meaningful works of non-fiction that I've read. I believe with the right exposure it will become a best seller. The pace was perfect. No matter how fast I was moving at the time, the pace was like a delicious molasses for my mind, catching me, forcing me to slow down and enjoy the journey. I had to take breaks just to savor and digest. I didn't want the book to end. There were so many juicy nuggets throughout. Dr. Bhaumik has taken some very complex concepts from both the scientific and spiritual worlds, thrown them into a cosmic pot, stirred them up, seasoned it with delicious nuggets of his own and served it up on a simple, yet profound, elegant and lyrical plate with great insight and inspiration as garnish. This book could conceivably change the way people view the world.