DOUGLAS HARDING

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Douglas Harding (1909–2007) was a British philosopher and mystic best known for his work on non-duality and the science of the first-person perspective. His writings focus on self-inquiry and direct experience of awareness, particularly through his unique concept of "headlessness." Here are his key books:

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📚 Major Works by Douglas Harding:

Book Title	Publication Year	Description
On Having No Head: Zen and the Rediscovery of the Obvious	1961	His most famous work. Describes his "headless" experience—seeing reality without the filter of the self—and how it transforms perception.
The Hierarchy of Heaven and Earth: A New Diagram of Man in the Universe	1952	A philosophical and scientific exploration of how consciousness and reality are structured in layers, from atoms to galaxies.
Look for Yourself: The Science and Art of Self-Realization	1988	A practical guide to self-inquiry, with exercises to experience "headlessness" and awaken to one's true nature.
The Trial of the Man Who Said He Was God	1975	A fictional courtroom dialogue where Harding argues for the experience of non-duality and the loss of the personal self.
Head Off Stress: Beyond the Bottom Line	1990	A guide to using the headless perspective to reduce stress and improve mental clarity in daily life.
The Little Book of Life and Death	1996	Explores life, death, and eternity through the lens of the headless experience. Challenges the notion of a personal identity.
Religions of the World: An Outline	1937	An early work offering a comparative study of major world religions.
Face to No-Face: Rediscovering Our Original Nature	2000	A collection of conversations with Harding, focusing on the direct experience of awareness and how to live from that space.

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📌 Key Ideas in Harding's Works:

• Headlessness: The direct experience of having no personal head from your first-person view.
• Non-Duality: There is no separate "self"—only pure awareness.
• Immediate Experience: Truth is not a theory; it is available right now through direct perception.
• Perspective Shift: Understanding yourself as both nothing and everything—a union of emptiness and fullness.

Would you like a deeper dive into any specific book or concept?

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