{"product_id":"9781601636676","title":"Tasting the Universe: People Who See Colors in Words and Rainbows in Symphonies","description":"A violinist sees a scarlet form when he plays a certain note; a rock star sees waves of blue and green as she composes a ballad; and an actress tastes cake when she utters the word table. This fascinating mingling of the senses is called \"synesthesia,\" and the people who possess this amazing gift are called \"synesthetes.\" \u003cbr\u003eSynesthesia is scientifically described as a cross-wiring, or lack of chemical inhibition, between brain neurons that occurs in about five percent of the population, often among \"creatives\"-musicians, artists, actors, writers, and so on. Scientific research is currently being conducted throughout the world to discover more about this condition. However, experts in the fields of spirituality and quantum physics are convinced that the truth of synesthesia lies not only within traditional science, but also within the realm of the mystical and the ineffable.  \u003cbr\u003eStep into Maureen-s glittering alternate universe as she explores this fascinating subject, combining clear explanations of groundbreaking scientific research with an exploration of deeper spiritual truths.  \u003cbr\u003eTasting the Universe explains and explores:  \u003cbr\u003e• Why survivors of near-death experiences sometimes return with this amazing gift.  \u003cbr\u003e• Why all infants are believed to be synesthetes until four months of age.  \u003cbr\u003e• The experiences of famous synesthetes such as Itzhak Perlman, Billy Joel, Pharrell Williams, and Marilyn Monroe (whose biographer, Norman Mailer, first asserted that she possessed this gift). \u003cbr\u003eFor Maureen, synesthesia is not an idle \"brain tick\" that can be explained away by science (although it does offer some important clues), but a unique and ineffable ability to tap into and reveal a greater creative universe and even the divine. \u003cbr\u003eFollow along with her as she takes you on her own personal \"Eat, Pray, Love\" of discovery, prompted by her often confounding yet always amazing experiences growing up with this gift.","brand":"Red Wheel\/Weiser","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47138669592816,"sku":"9781601636676","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781601636676_p0.jpg?v=1769902021","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781601636676","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}