This book introduces the reader to an intriguing look at humanity’s DNA using the ancient and mystical Kabbalah and biblical scriptures as well as modern science to discern a clear message planted within our beings.

Gregg Braden is the bestselling author of The Isaiah Effect, Walking Between Worlds and Awakening to Zero Point. A former high technology worker, he now bestrides the gulf between science/technology and spirituality. It is a heady mix.

It is mystifying and somehow irresistible to think of the Word of creation and the name of the highest power, which I will call, as does author Braden, God, being found in every cell of our being, whether we acknowledge it or not.

That real intelligence is the reason for our creation is hopeful and gives us our undeniable strength. The author quite rightly points out that we all have DNA which sets us apart as a species.

He goes on to ask a relativistic question of “Why?” Why are we battling each other when we have so many reasons to be unified? Every individual among us has a code imprinted in their cells that confirms this absolute relationship between all humans point by point. There is no denying the logic of Gregg Braden’s argument.

The book is arranged from the simple background in both the biological and the biblical aspects of our cellular development, through to the most complex and arcane of Kabbalistic numerology.

So, the reader will learn all about the theories of evolution and creationism, the discovery of DNA by Crick and Watson in the 1950s, the Human Genome Project, and also be given a general introduction to the profound mysteries of the Hebrew alphabet and the mystical Kabbalah.

The last section brings it all together in a call for unity in our common, yet extraordinary, humanity. At the conclusion of each chapter is a very useful summary which outlines the main points and in so doing recaps essential information. The material can become quite complex and close attention is needed to absorb it.

Mr Braden’s writing style is aimed at the intelligent layperson who wants to know the answers to unasked questions. There are plenty of sidebars and illustrations to support his arguments. I recommend having a number of bookmarks to place in the appendices and endnotes, as well as to mark important material that you have already read (post–it notes are wonderful!). This is one book that begs for a pencil and notebook to be near at hand.

The author always emphasises the difference between the ancient scriptural language and our modern tongue. It is really a matter of ‘different words – same meaning’. When this is taken into account, much of the somewhat cryptic biblical verses start to make sense.

For instance, mankind was made from the ‘clay’ or dust of the earth. Well, yes, we were, as this is the matter that makes up everything. We are just arranged in a different way. Ancient alchemy tells us the most plentiful elements that make up almost everything and everyone in our world are Fire, Air and Water. No coincidence then that these line up quite neatly with Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Oxygen.

When you have read your Hebrew tutorial, it gets even more interesting, because the hidden numerical values of the Hebrew alphabet fit with a surprising number of key elemental attributes from our modern periodic table. The more I read as a reviewer, the more amazed I became. A most common element emerged as absolutely essential to the construction of life on Earth – Carbon.

It certainly is not my intention here to summarise Mr Braden’s whole thesis. I suggest you read this book to do that yourself. It is sufficient to note there appear to be far too many connections that fit to perfection to be merely coincidental.

Through Hebrew the number correlation, values representing the DNA in our cells – YHVG and the traditional letters representing the name of God in Hebrew – YHVH, it can be shown that while we share in the attributes of God’s name we are not equal to God. Mr Braden has chosen to assume that references to making ourselves as perfect as God would be referring to only our spiritual growth. I agree.

In his concluding section the author notes that in the last century mankind has been more destructive to fellow beings and the environment than at any other time. Many wars, both small and large, are happening as you read this.

Mr Braden does not despair. He sees hope in our future. He sees a time when disease and suffering as we know it will be a memory. It may depend on surviving long enough to develop the necessary spiritual understanding.

An important fact is that during times of great suffering and distress, humans tend to unify and acts of great courage and compassion emerge. This has been evident in the last turbulent century on this planet, during man made and natural disasters.

Everything in this book points to our common ancestry. All humans have a common DNA. We all live on the same planet. Ancient texts such as the Kabbalah’s Sepher Yetzirah are actually supported by what science is discovering now. Even the supposedly allegorical or metaphoric Old Testament scriptures as well as the lost books of the Bible become clearer having read this book and made the connection.

This is no time for fundamentalism or spiritual inflexibility. We need to share our collective wisdom – and quickly. If this book is true in its thesis, God’s name is written in every cell in our body. We were made in God’s image. This is the unequivocal message. We are God’s creation; we have the DNA to prove it!

Thank you Gregg Braden.

– Reviewed by Jennifer Hoskins in New Dawn No. 98