A tour de force on science and the philosophia perennis in three volumes plus volume IV that contains references, resources & further reading.

Edi Bilimoria is a student of perennial philosophy for over half a century. He has given courses and lectured extensively in the UK and internationally in California, the Netherlands, India, and Australia to encourage the cross-fertilisation of ideas in the fields of science, religion, and practical philosophy. Edi has published widely in the disciplines of science, engineering and esoteric philosophy.

“I know of no other work of such scope and depth relating to the ultimate questions raised by human existence both in terms of our origins and destiny.”
David Lorimer is Chair of the Galileo Commission and International Programme Director of the Scientific and Medical Network, Editor of Paradigm Explorer.

“Unfolding Consciousness is a remarkable tour de force through spiritual meanders of esoteric traditions, from East and West, and their dialogue with modern science. It is as fascinatingly provocative, as it is informative – and it will equally challenge the scientist, the philosopher, and the artist. In contemporary, unpretentious language, it takes the reader from the spiritual mission of humanity to the principles of the universe (and back), with careful consideration of both scientific evidence and metaphysical subtleties; and underneath it all, it seeks the traces of consciousness, in all its forms. Just like its main theme — ourselves, and our rapport to the universe – this is not an easy book; nor should it be. It is an important work, which is worth taking time to engage with.”
Dr Ana-Maria Pascal, MBA, PhD, SFHEA, Director, Liberal Arts Programmes, Associate Professor in Philosophy and Public Ethics, Provost’s Group, Regent’s University London

“It is refreshing to read a masterly study of consciousness written by an author who roots their arguments in a profound grasp of esoteric wisdom. It is not simply that such wisdom conveys profound insights for understanding the essence of consciousness. Of far greater importance is the skill that Edi Bilimoria brings in clarifying our place in the vast panorama of which we are a part. There is nothing more pressing in our day than this challenge for us to act in synergy with the planet (and, in more esoteric terms, the macrocosm). Bilimoria shows that the ancient axiom that “man is the measure of all things” can be revitalised in the context of contemporary science. And he brings an encyclopaedic grasp of modern physics, neuroscience, and psychology to support his supremely optimistic view that consciousness is fundamental to reality. This is an insight whose time has come, and Bilimoria shows himself to be a diligent and creative guide to what a post-materialist understanding of consciousness will mean for us all.”
B Les Lancaster, Professor Emeritus of Transpersonal Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University and Director, the Alef Trust

“This work presents a comprehensive, lucid and well-written overview, with careful attention to detail and yet full of far-ranging and potentially transformative ideas.”
Rupert Sheldrake PhD, biologist and author of The Science Delusion

“When you consider the scope, width and erudition of this book, it is not surprising that it took its author over 20 years to complete. Most philosophical books take a single view of the problem of consciousness, either scientific or philosophical, but Edi Bilimoria takes a much wider, more inclusive view. Who am I? is the underlying question of Volume I: A Panoramic Survey – Science Contrasted with the Perennial Philosophy on Consciousness and Man, which provides an overview of the field, highlighting both the value of science and its limitations as a tool for examining the deeper problems of life and consciousness, and makes the case for the perennial philosophy as a bridge to reach a greater understanding of these areas.

In Volume II: Peering down the Microscope – Man’s Internal Landscapes, Bilimoria manages the seemingly impossible task of finding common ground in the mass of beliefs and practices, old and new, from diverse, cultures, religions and philosophies, to demonstrate an overlap and unifying doctrine even on such issues as post-mortem existence and re-birth and the complexities of the human mind. Volume III: Gazing through the Telescope – Man is the Measure of All Things is even more ambitious in its aim to show how the human being fits into the grand scheme of the universe, to examine the question of emergence from the spiritual to the material, from the implicate order to its explicit expression. It draws on the insights of symbolism and mysticism, and the deepest teachings of occultism to explain the nature of consciousness.

In this 21st Century, an era in which science is our dominant paradigm and is playing an ever increasing part in our technology and our lives, this book helps to adjust the balance and resolve the conflicts between science and religion on issues like evolution and purpose, the nature of consciousness, and what it truly means to be a human being as opposed to an animated robot or a biological mechanism.

This is a complex work, but each chapter opens with a synopsis and closes with a summary of the principle themes which are extremely helpful and means that despite their complexity, the three volumes are always easy to understand and follow. I would recommend this trilogy to anyone who wants a broad overview of the various traditions which have led to the current Western understanding of man’s place in the Universe.”
Dr Peter Fenwick is Emeritus Consultant Neuropsychiatrist and Neuropsychologist at both the Maudsley and John Radcliffe hospitals. He was a senior lecturer at King’s College, London, where he worked as a consultant at the Institute of Psychiatry. He worked with the Mental Health Group at the University of Southampton, and held a visiting professorship at the Riken Neurosciences Institute in Japan. He is President Emeritus of the Scientific and Medical Network.

“As we enter the age of post-materialist science, in which consciousness is seen as a fundamental rather than incidental feature of the Universe, there is an urgent need to extend science to accommodate the mental and spiritual domains. However, this is not a new endeavour, since it also characterises various esoteric traditions which go back a thousand years and embrace a variety of cultures. The unique and remarkable achievement of this work is to put this endeavour in a proper conceptual and historical context and only someone with the extraordinary breadth of vision of the author could have achieved this.”
Bernard Carr, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy, Queen Mary University of London, and President of the Scientific and Medical Network

“This is a historic work in historic times. The trilogy at hand will prove a most useful textbook for every student of esoteric wisdom and modern science. It reveals the ontological unity of the Eastern and Western branches of our perennial wisdom and shows how science that seeks truth will inevitably transform itself, once again, towards a great synthesis of both traditions. It will be proven a seminal work since its readers will discover the seeds of future growth for themselves as seekers and for scientific research at large. It heralds the new science of consciousness and offers us the roadmap and the necessary tools and impetus to achieve it.”
Vasileios Basios (BSc, MSc, PhD). Ph.D. in Physics of complex Systems, University of Brussels (ULB)

I have read no single work, other than the Mahᾱbhᾱrata, that compares in scope and depth with Edi Bilimoria’s Unfolding Consciousness. These volumes range outwardly over the full extent of time and space and inwardly over the meaning of consciousness and mind. They raise, and seek to answer, fundamental questions concerning human nature, the macrocosm, and the microcosm. It is refreshing to find a scientist who doesn’t shirk from speaking of the soul. Indeed, Edi goes to some length to explain what the soul is and to open up a unifying vista of human nature and divine nature. Realms that are frequently considered to be separate or even mutually antagonistic are shown to be concordant with each other. The work is well-researched and well-illustrated. It is a joy to read and a delight to meet for the first time so many ‘new’ facts and perspectives, all presented with intelligence and charm. It merits the attribute magnum opus that some have bestowed upon it and the wording tour de force that is emblazoned on each of its four volumes.
Arthur Farndell, Author

“Edi Bilimoria with his 4 Volume tome, Unfolding Consciousness: Exploring the Living Universe and the Intelligent Powers in Nature and Humans, has stepped forward and answered the challenge of forming a new paradigm that synthesizes the ageless wisdom with modern science.”
Professor Scott Olsen of the College of Central Florida

“This is probably the most important and penetrating work on consciousness which has been written in many decades.”
Tim Wyatt, Esoterica magazine, Winter, 2022

Commendations after publication
Let’s be blunt – this is probably the most important and penetrating work on consciousness which has been written in many decades – and possibly ever. Apart from that it represents a hammer blow to scientific hubris.
A number of previous attempts have been made to explore the gaping gulfs and flimsy bridges between hard, contemporary science and the occult understanding contained in the Ageless Wisdom or perennial philosophy currently enshrined by such movements as theosophy. No one has yet offered such a comprehensive assessment as Dr Bilimoria. This is a masterwork by a modern-day polymath, the result of two decades of research and seven years in the writing. (This reviewer uses the word ‘polymath advisedly.)
TIM WYATT, journalist, writer, broadcaster, former BBC, ITV and Sky reporter and award-winning documentary film maker.

The consciousness of the world is itself at a crossroads and in need of transformation. Edi Bilimoria with his 4 Volume tome, Unfolding Consciousness: Exploring the Living Universe and the Intelligent Powers in Nature and Humans, has stepped forward and answered the challenge of forming a new paradigm that synthesizes the ageless wisdom with modern science. Over the years I have observed Edi’s intense quest for knowledge at various conferences, lectures and workshops. He is a very personable individual of the finest character, and is one of the few individuals I have come across who has the determination, fortitude, breath of vision, and skills to pull off such a daunting task.
After some 20 years of intense research, reflection and writing, the result of his efforts is worthy of great admiration. His work is comprehensive, clearly written, thought provoking, touching vast ranges of the sciences and perennial wisdom, and presents an understandable and balanced synthesis of what amounts to a new and profound way of looking at the world. One in which consciousness and its transformation is central. I highly recommend Edi Bilimoria’s 4 Volume masterpiece to anyone seeking an understanding of where the Ageless Wisdom and Science are mutually supportive of humanity and the world’s need for deep insight and transformative experience.
SCOTT OLSEN, Professor Emeritus of philosophy & religion at the College of Central Florida

Many thanks for sending me your magnum opus which has arrived safely. It’s beautifully presented, well printed and bound, and it looks very distinguished in its box. I’ve read several passages and again congratulate you on your clarity and carefulness as well as your ability to synthesize such an astonishing range of literature.
RUPERT SHELDRAKE PHD, biologist and author of The Science Delusion

Your books arrived today. Many thanks. The boxed set is going to take pride of place on my shelves! It looks great – you must be so pleased to see the fruit of your labours looking so good. A mighty achievement … and a great contribution to the cause of liberating the study of consciousness from the claws of the Philistines!!!
B LES LANCASTER, Professor Emeritus of Transpersonal Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University and Director, the Alef Trust
I have read no single work, other than the Mahᾱbhᾱrata, that compares in scope and depth with Edi Bilimoria’s Unfolding Consciousness.
These volumes range outwardly over the full extent of time and space and inwardly over the meaning of consciousness and mind. They raise, and seek to answer, fundamental questions concerning human nature, the macrocosm, and the microcosm.
It is refreshing to find a scientist who doesn’t shirk from speaking of the soul. Indeed, Edi goes to some length to explain what the soul is and to open up a unifying vista of human nature and divine nature. Realms that are frequently considered to be separate or even mutually antagonistic are shown to be concordant with each other.
The work is well-researched and well-illustrated. It is a joy to read and a delight to meet for the first time so many ‘new’ facts and perspectives, all presented with intelligence and charm. It merits the attribute magnum opus that some have bestowed upon it and the wording tour de force that is emblazoned on each of its four volumes.
ARTHUR FARNDELL, one of the world’s leading translators of Renaissance philosophy, having worked on the translations of The Letters of Marsilio Ficino. His other books include When Philosophers Rule and A Mahabharata Companion

Book Awards
The Journal of Scientific and Medical Network, The Paradigm Explorer has awarded author, Edi Bilimoria their Grand Prize for this set of books, Unfolding Consciousness: Exploring the Living Universe and the Intelligent Powers in Nature and Humans and calls the set ‘outstanding’. The Paradigm Explorer, Journal of the Scientific and Medical Network, No. 140, 2022/3