Publication
Imprint: Carlsbad, California : InnerDirections Pub., 2002. Context: Originally published by Arkana in the UK in 1986. Responsibility: Douglas E. Harding. Physical: Text : 1 volume : 123 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
Call number
UT / Hardi
ISBN
1878019198 / 9781878019196
Original publication date
1972
Collections
CSS Library Notes
Named Person: D. E. Harding : Douglas E. Harding .
Description: Headlessness, the experience of "no-self" that mystics of all times have aspired to, is an instantaneous way of "waking up" and becoming fully aware of one's real and abiding nature. Douglas Harding, the highly respected mystic-philosopher, describes his first experience of headlessness in "On Having No Head," the classic work first published in 1961. In this book, he conveys the immediacy, simplicity, and practicality of the "headless way," placing it within a Zen context, while also drawing parallels to practices in other spiritual traditions.If you wish to experience the freedom and clarity that results from firsthand experience of true Being, then this book will serve as a practical guide to the rediscovery of what has always been present. -- from back cover
Table of Contents: The true seeing
Making sense of the true seeing
Discovering zen
Brining the story up to date
FY2002 /
Description: Headlessness, the experience of "no-self" that mystics of all times have aspired to, is an instantaneous way of "waking up" and becoming fully aware of one's real and abiding nature. Douglas Harding, the highly respected mystic-philosopher, describes his first experience of headlessness in "On Having No Head," the classic work first published in 1961. In this book, he conveys the immediacy, simplicity, and practicality of the "headless way," placing it within a Zen context, while also drawing parallels to practices in other spiritual traditions.If you wish to experience the freedom and clarity that results from firsthand experience of true Being, then this book will serve as a practical guide to the rediscovery of what has always been present. -- from back cover
Table of Contents: The true seeing
Making sense of the true seeing
Discovering zen
Brining the story up to date
FY2002 /
Physical description
123 p.; 23 cm
Awards
David Bowie's Top 100 (1961)
Description
An extensively revised edition of Harding's classic work which conveys the immediacy, simplicity, and practicality of Zen, here formulated in terms which are easily accessible to the Western reader.
Language
Original language
English
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Ranjr
I obtained this book from my dying Uncle's empty home while helping to clean it out and decided to read it after seeing the subtitle "A Contribution to Zen in the West". I call my library (yes, I have a room dedicated exclusively to the storage and reading of books) my zen as every time upon
This book contains an essay about the author's personal experience in achieving, suddenly and unawares, a sort of enlightenment where he realized that he didn't matter and was absorbing his experience of the Himalayas without any other associated thought aside from pure sensation. Personal experience I am always willing to read even if it carries a premise or themes I don't necessarily agree with or believe in at all. However, the author seems to be playing a little word game with the headless bit though I do dig the magical experience of exploring Point-Of-View that happened briefly around the center of the text. The postscript seemed unnecessary to me although it was attending to criticisms of the previous editions of the book. The main complaint I have is with just about everything zen I've ever read, listened to, or watched. It always starts with sudden out-of-the-blue enlightenment with only lip service paid to any method or definable practice to get there other than endorsing "meditation" in the vaguest of senses. What's the routine man? Where's the actual technique, why do you just mention the word as if you've already explained it near the last third?
All said and done, I did enjoy reading it and am glad I did especially since this thing was a very quick read. Although, I'm not sure I would recommend this one save for some light reading about one man's life-changing mystical experience.
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entering with the intention to sit and read, I experience a mild and relaxing rush down my spine and across my shoulders which dissipates imperceptibly at my fingertips and toes just as the scent of aged paper, musky wood pulp, and biblichor hit my nose and the quiet ambiance induces a wonderful peace. No thoughts, no definable emotions, just peace. So of course, I would want to absorb a little more info and outside experience on the subject (note already very aware of ASMR).This book contains an essay about the author's personal experience in achieving, suddenly and unawares, a sort of enlightenment where he realized that he didn't matter and was absorbing his experience of the Himalayas without any other associated thought aside from pure sensation. Personal experience I am always willing to read even if it carries a premise or themes I don't necessarily agree with or believe in at all. However, the author seems to be playing a little word game with the headless bit though I do dig the magical experience of exploring Point-Of-View that happened briefly around the center of the text. The postscript seemed unnecessary to me although it was attending to criticisms of the previous editions of the book. The main complaint I have is with just about everything zen I've ever read, listened to, or watched. It always starts with sudden out-of-the-blue enlightenment with only lip service paid to any method or definable practice to get there other than endorsing "meditation" in the vaguest of senses. What's the routine man? Where's the actual technique, why do you just mention the word as if you've already explained it near the last third?
All said and done, I did enjoy reading it and am glad I did especially since this thing was a very quick read. Although, I'm not sure I would recommend this one save for some light reading about one man's life-changing mystical experience.
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