This is my Goodreads review of the book, “The Dice Game of Shiva: How Consciousness Creates the Universe.”
The Dice Game of Shiva: How Consciousness Creates the Universe by Richard Smoley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In this book, you’ll delve into the conversation of consciousness and the Self. If this is your first time looking at consciousness from a philosophical or spiritual perspective, you’ll likely get a lot out of it.
Smoley begins with the story of Shiva and Parvati. While their tale remains the primary metaphor, he quickly expands his comparison to other religions and ideologies. He is a philosopher foremost, and that bleeds into his ideas. In a way, it might be the best way to introduce these ideas to the uninformed. He isn’t trying to convert you to anything. Instead, he is attempting to begin the conversation.
That being said, there is something for everyone to disagree on if you are looking for absolute truth. Smoley doesn’t want to tell you what to believe or dissuade you from your chosen faith. He does want you to be willing to see it differently, to question your daily experience. If you’re reading this book to find answers, you will be disappointed. If, however, you’re reading to learn or gain a new perspective, this book might resonate with you.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to begin learning about the subject of consciousness from a philosophical standpoint and doesn’t know where to start. Smoley easily puts everything into layman’s terms and breaks down the different arguments, comparing and contrasting them to familiar ideologies. If you are only beginning your philosophical study of the Self, this is a great place for you to start.
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