Book excerpt: Blending Eastern and Western philosophies with insights into nature, ecology, and physiology, this exploration of the place of humankind within the universe —and our individual stations—is both intellectual and approachable. Thinkers, writers, scientists, and educators of all stripes come together to examine subjects ranging from the nature of reality to brain science to the impact of technology on our world views, and more. They reveal that "the universe" may actually be comprised of multiple "universes" that overlap like the skin of an onion; peel away one layer of reality, and there’s others waiting to be experienced, if not completely understood. The book presents intriguing ideas from visionaries ranging from Jesus to Galileo, Newton to Descartes, and Kant to Einstein, among many others.