[.ca] Look for Yourself: The Science and Art of Self-Realization (ISBN 1878019015)

Who and what are we?:
We study the ancient wisdom texts because we feel they may be able to help us understand who and what we are. But what we quickly discover is that these ancient texts, whether Zen such as Seng-ts'an's 'Hsin-hsin-ming,' or Buddhist such as the Prajnaparamita 'Heart Sutra,' or Vedantic such as the 'Ashtavakra Gita,' even when quite short, as these three are, are by no means easy to understand. One could easily spend a lifetime studying the original texts, their translations and commentaries, and still end up no wiser. Ultimately, what they demand is not so much understanding as insight. What is Brahman, or Emptiness, or Seng-ts'an's 'Not-Two'? How does one really find out? Traditionally one approaches a Master, attends to his words, and practises meditation. Then, after prolonged meditation, insight may come. But not everyone can avail themself of a Master. Some of us have to make do with texts. And meditation can take years. And we are busy and harassed modern folks. Is there a simpler, easier, faster way of arriving at insight? Amazingly, there is. If you really want to grasp what all the great Indian and Tibetan and Chinese and Japanese Masters and Sages and Rishis have been trying to convey to their disciples down through the centuries, all you need do is read this book. Why, after these thousands of years, it should have been left to an Englishman to discover a simple mental act, an act which anyone can perform anywhere at any time and which unlocks the mystery of 'Not-Two,' I have no idea. But after spending more than twenty years puzzling my head over Eastern texts before finally discovering Harding, I can assure you that his instructions for "reversing the arrow of attention" really do work. His are the most important books I have ever read. Attention is a bit like a compass. The act of attention which you are bringing to bear on these words as you read them is like the compass needle. Just as the needle always points North, your attention is almost always pointing here, out here. You give no thought to this. But the answer you seek is not out here. Make Harding your Master. Let him neatly sever your head. You will quickly find that the 'Not-Two' is not a mystery any more. For by following his simple instructions you will have become it.

who are you really really?:
mr harding has for half a century traveled the world sharing his view of our ultimate identity. he has also found time to write some great books. this is one of his best. for that matter it is one of THE best. he simplifies the in-seeing into our truest and deepest identity. with that seeing and realization comes a great clarity of who and what and where we really are. you could sit in zazen for 10 yrs or read this book in 3 hrs. either method has a very good chance of helping you know yourself in a truly new and wonderful and freeing way. most problems will shrink into a manageable size once you realize WHO has the problem. most joys will be increased when you see the wonder of their SOURCE. this book is profoundly spiritual without being dogmatic, sectarian, or emotionally icky. there's no superstition here, just a clear sweet insight into WHO you are and what I AM.

Want to be enlightened today?:
Thank you Douglas Harding. After years of 'see-king' via Buddhism, Taoism, and other 'eastern' concept spiritualites which simply didn't work for me, I now 'see it' and I am so thankful to Doug Harding for saving me years more of endless searching (but not finding). Jung said eastern spiritualities are not the best vehicle for the western mind and Douglas Harding has proved it. A couple of important notes: Note 1: I came across Doug Hardings work a couple of years ago and didn't 'see it' - I have since learnt about nonduality, and now 'see' thanks to Harding - for me, the concept of nonduality was an essential primer (but not the journey). Note 2: Also indispensable to my 'see-ing' was a visit to Harding's web-site and the viewing of the marvelous films by Richard Lang (available via web site). I hope amazon will include this note in this review because the films were indispensable to my 'arriving at the other side'. Want to be enlightened today? Than buy this book!

Brilliant, insightful, uplifting, unique....:
I am truly grateful to Douglas E. Harding for this superb book, which is a collection of articles by Douglas over nearly four decades. Every one of these is a gem. Mr. Harding teaches you how to look inward and how you can come to the realisation that what you are really is an infinite capacity for love. The Advaita concept which is not that easy to grasp has been lucidly demonstarted by this articulate sage. This book is a must for any seeker. Love and best wishes.

An interesting approach to the duality of experience:
At first glance Harding's "headless" approach looks more like a gimmic than a spiritual exercise. Pretending that one has no head seems like something for children to do. Harding's methods help one break through the subject/object duality of experience. All experience begins with the "I" thought. With Harding's headless method the "I" is no longer idenfied with it's customary location in the head but with what one experiences. I admit I had a hard time with some of his language as there seems to be a slight communication gap (for me anyway) between British and American english. It wasn't until I actually has a headless experience that I saw the profundity of his work. With so many spiritual texts sounding like the other this is truly a unique work and perspective.