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Originally published in 2004, C.R. Boretsky’s A New Reality: Life Below the “E” State is a compelling collection of discussions, theories, and evidence-based findings pertaining to society's most significant intricacies. The author demonstrates how, rather than viewing science and spirituality as separate entities, the two should be linked; ultimately, that is the only way to bring harmony to the earth.
Many of the topics discussed in this text could have an anthology dedicated to it. For instance, one of the primary discussions focuses on the idea that there is no beginning or end and the world itself is infinite and cyclical. Boretsky's views seem to have a strong hint of Buddhism and Hinduism; this is never more apparent than when the body is simply referred to as a vessel of life. In fact, the author connects the idea of racial prejudice to this idea of infinite life by explaining that the soul, not the body, has had many births, and at one point or another, must have been a member of multiple races. In other words, we are in the world, and the world is in us.
As the soul can never be destroyed, matter can either be created nor destroyed. This is the parallel between science and spirituality. A multitude of scientific concepts are introduced, including time/space and the assessment of Einstein’s theory of relativity and will be appreciated by science enthusiasts. While it does get a bit dense for the layman, the strong references to the likes of Newton, who dedicated his life to science and his familiar laws of motion are refreshing.
In the midst of his mission to link science and spirituality, Boretsky finds himself entering a different but critical discussion on global resources and excessive consumption. The problems he illustrates are followed by a unique solution, without which our future generations are certain to curse their ancestors. Chiefly among the dilemmas humanity faces is overpopulation. With resources dwindling, supply will eventually be limited and demand will be greater. To address this concept of supply and demand, the author employs an Aesop Fables-type story of deer and another of the oak tree. In both stories, whether through the act of nature or one's sheer laziness, the deer and the squirrels in the tree find their resources dwindling until they are left with nothing.
Boretsky is adamant that overpopulation correlates strongly with a country's level of education. The more educated a population, the more successful that country is likely to be and vice versa: uneducated populations tend to gravitate toward a much higher population. As has been apparent in 2015, however, nature has its own indiscriminate solutions. Consider Nepal, a country that was not devastated by one, but two earthquakes in excess of magnitude 7. In one fell swoop, thousands were vanquished. While nothing conclusive can be drawn, one can argue that a greater level of education in the country might have led to more secure homes and a lesser degree of devastation. Recent history, especially the earthquake in Haiti will undoubtedly support this theory.
Moreover, this gap between well-educated and under-educated groups can be seen in regional pockets. Underdeveloped regions and nations will tend to raise offspring in a similar environment to their own upbringing, and then their kids will give rise to a generation that follows in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents. California's never-ending water drought is a prime example of what decades of minor neglect and abuse of resources can yield. What's worse is that the inhabitants of affected regions will not realize that there is no replenishing their resources until it's too late.
From a purely inquisitive mindset, this book is an attention grabber. From sections on the existence of alien life—see Chapter "UFO Phenomenon"—to the riveting conversation on heaven and hell, there is at least one topic that any individual could find worthy of their time. Even the dense science areas are equipped with helpful graphs and illustration to explain topics like kinetic and potential energy, the idea of time/space, and electromagnetism. Ultimately, the heaven and hell segments steal the show so-to-speak. Heaven and hell are, according to the author, not specifically places. On the contrary, Satan represents the physical world, and its countless temptations as a whole, while heaven, or God is the coming together, or unification of all living things through love.
Boretsky, in the manner of Thomas More’s Utopia presents a series of solutions to what he believes are the world's greatest issues. Among these are agriculture, defense, setting up a world education fund so all people can receive an effective education, and much more. What stands out to contemporary audiences is the section on law enforcement and the use of nonlethal force. The author believes all citizens should be equipped with weapons of force that are nonlethal. With the police-related violence that has erupted in Ferguson, Baltimore, and other areas of the nation, readers, especially on the higher level, could do good by taking this section of the story to heart.
In the end, there is no more valuable commodity to the living than time. To use it efficiently, one must focus on education. This starts with the self and transitions to the children; however, this education pertains less to academics and the physical world, and more to God, truth and love. Boretsky leaves readers with a potent statement on the idea of global communication. In 2015, humanity has made great advancements in technology and other elements of life. Like the invention of fire, however, it is up to humans to decide whether they would like to use it to fuel their spaceships or burn everything down that they've worked so hard to build. A New Reality: Life Below the “E” State is simple and to the point, yet thought provoking and a definite must read.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review