Human Species and Beyond

For a spiritual Hindu, author Rajesh Singh does an effective job of explaining the scientific, secular concept of evolution in non-specialist terms in Human Species and Beyond. Though he incorporates sacred scriptures of Hinduism and the Bible into the book, his focus is on unlocking the mysteries of our biological code. He discusses the theorems of intelligent design versus evolution, quantum physics in relation to genetics, and how understanding the concept of God can help us understand cosmic accretion. Singh studied with gurus for over 25 years. From this holistic perspective, he has come to the conclusion that finding a philosophical theme for world peace is possible but only through humanity's continued spiritual progress. If Human Species and Beyond has a downside, it is that the book is, at times, arduous to read, as the text often gets bogged down in scientific jargon. Additionally, being that Singh is an Indian citizen, scholar, and magistrate, portions of the book concentrate on the economic, social, and spiritual progress of India. These India-centric sections may be uninteresting to readers outside of India. What this book does provide, however, is an erudite bridge between science and spirituality. Human Species and Beyond will enthrall you, teach you, and ultimately, make you think. Mysteries Magazine

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (8/06) "Human Species and Beyond" was written by Rajesh Singh to explore how mankind can direct evolution through the study of science and scripture. He presents scientific research and quotes from various religious texts to support his theories. He discusses the Upanishad, the Bible, Cosmology, Quantum Physics and genetics. Singh feels that the purpose of our life today is being robbed by the illusions created by materialism and obsession with consumption. He states, "Unfortunately, the development of the human being is lost sight of along the way." Since man is a spiritual being, this loss leaves us feeling empty and unsatisfied. Materialism does not fill this void. It is our Cosmic Self that "...connects the metaphysics of science to the physics of spirit." The connection between Cosmic Self and our individual self gives us our soul. Our soul is what makes us exist. The greater understanding that we have of our connection to our Cosmic Self and how it ties into our evolution, the better we will be able to evolve. Singh states, "All life-systems are possessed by a spirit which unleashes an unending number of experiments with its material circumstances on its course of evolution towards absolute truth..." "Human Species and Beyond" is a very complex piece of work. It is not a light book to read. I recommend it to people who are more advanced in their spiritual path and that have studied both science and spiritual texts. There is a vocabulary list in the back of the book that I found to be very helpful because there were some terms that I was not familiar with. Having read this book, I feel that I have gained a greater understanding of my sense of self. I plan to read it again at different stages in my life, so that my understanding and knowledge will continue to grow. This is a great book to be read in groups so that the ideas can be discussed among others.

The rather effusive start of Rajesh Singh's Human Species and Beyond (Synergy Books, Texas, 2006) sets the reader on precarious footing while grappling with the metaphysical codes that come riveting at him/her from the very first page. With no preface or foreword, Singh's book starts brusquely with the assumption that man is suffering in his present stage of existence on account of his ignorance. The author comes a long way off his assertion through an intelligently designed argument to conclude what adherents of metaphysical schools of thought have long been insinuating-the unity of being. It would be hard to cogently deny the intelligent connections that Sing makes in his discussion of the orders manifest in scientific discoveries in the fields of cosmology, quantum physics, evolutionary biology, and the philosophy of consciousness. A thorough understanding of the hidden order, and the message implied, are vital to guide the human species straight to its destiny. Rajesh Singh urges on humans to bridle their consciousness and steer their efforts towards the noumenal signpost or else suffer the anxiety that is not at all their true lot. The upshot of the book is a more purposeful growth and, for this, the need for redesigning our institutions. So what leaves the reader at odds while coming to terms with Singh's reconciliation of Rig Veda and Biblical allusions at the cosmic harmony and man's current level of consciousness? Perhaps more than one point. First of all is Singh's use of language, a web of long and intricately crafted sentences that adds to the complexity and associated disorder among the author's meanings, especially when the book is aiming at presenting a concise view of epistemological concepts. Then the issue of conformism sets in. The concepts of cosmic psyche, cosmic self, cosmic being, cosmic consciousness, supramentalhood, and several others that the author has employed in his argument are more in line with a conformist thinking pattern and the skeptic has in stock at least one deep frown over Singh's arbitrariness of divisions such as seven fields (and still one Grand Unified Field), seven kingdoms, seven oceans of energy (of which Agni is born), seven oceans of human biology (corresponding to seven plexi), and so on. Singh's discussion in Human Species and Beyond is undoubtedly intelligent, interesting, and thought-provoking. The author's caliber stands on high grounds and his emphasis on the teleological order of existence is meant for salvation and peace. Whether one agrees with him or not is an issue aside; first, Human Species and Beyond is to be read, reread, and understood. For minds of serious and philosophical liking, Human Species and Beyond is commendable plus.

Human Species And Beyond by Rajesh K. Singh is the collective study and predictive interpretation of the potential progression of the human mind and body in the forthcoming seven billion years as the estimated remainder of earth's life. Introducing a wide array of intellectual concepts concerning the past three-and-one-half billion years (including human evolution), Human Species And Beyond discusses the spiritual and supernatural ideologies of evolution for the human race in researched and documented text revealing how our biological makeup might likely continue to develop. Human Species And Beyond is very strongly recommended for its grasp of evolution both historically and futuristically to non-specialist general readers searching for an insightful and engaging study of human evolution.