Through a series of very precise pointers this book brings the seeker to the very edge of the non-dual looking glass and all that remains is to see through it - for englightenment to be re-cognised.

In the case of the ambiguous perceptual diagrams used in the book, whether the alternative view is seen depends on the clues given. The clues need to be just enough to nudge the brain to flip over and interpret the perceptual image the other way. Once this happens it is possible to flip back and forwards between both views by focusing on different cues in the image.

Gary's uses these images as a metaphor for seeing through the illusion of an individual separate self. In the same way he provides a number of clues as to the non-existence of a separate "me": the pre-conscious functioning of the body, the inability to actually locate any "me" entity and then Douglas Harding's "having no head" view.

Armed with these clues Gary is inviting the seeker to look very carefully at what awareness really is and what it contains - this is the face of the looking glass - the very illusion of reality itself. If the clues are sufficient to dislodge the false spectacles of a separate self, the whole perceptual basis of seeing the world "out there" by a "me in here" can flip and be seen instead as the world in here, arising within the empty space of awareness that I am, the whole world is seen to be what "I am" is, no "me", no boundaries, just oneness, just as it is.

Just like the perceptual diagrams, however, flipping back into the view of separation can still happen and probably will until the belief in the separate "me" is weakened or not. Unfortunately for most seekers the separate "me" view is very strong as a result of a lifetime of neurological conditioning and so that is why it makes it so hard to see through the non-dual looking glass even though you have always been standing right in front of it.

This book is certainly worth reading to help loosen some of that conditioning and perhaps as a result seeing things are they really are.

Have you ever flipped the light switch on in a dark room and found something you totally did not expect? It can be quite a shock, either pleasant or not so pleasant. From Here to Here flipped the switch for me and exposed a pleasant surprise. I have been reading spiritual seeker type books for many years, and more recently nondualism specific books. The language always seems simple, it even says that "it's simple," but I was still searching for the light switch. All the books might as well have been saying "blah, blah, blah, blah, blah." The switch that Gary Crowley's book provided was the detailed and layered discussion of the belief that we really do not have free/conscious will. That can be either liberating or troubling, but for me it was liberating. The reason relates directly to my genes and life experiences. No, I'm not in prison for murder or for anything. I have lived and still live a successful and "respectable" life. But I get it, and this book was the "flipper" for my understanding. The conscious will thing made a huge difference for me. The illustrations, activities, and stories are wonderful. So now, when I read, "What is, is." it doesn't just sound like "blah, blah, blah." As the Venerable Lama Gendon Rinpoche is quoted as saying by Chuck Hillig, "Nothing to do, nothing to force, nothing to want - - and everything happens by itself." I highly recommend this book. But understand that your genes and life experience may need a different "flipper."

Firstly, gotta state that it is going to be difficult to come across as genuine with 5 star ratings being given out like chocolate eggs at Easter on this website. This coupled with multiple reviews that include the phrases "this author stopped my searching" and "provides the clearest and most direct pointing" further dilutes the apparent sincerity of any endorsement. That being said, Mr. Crowley, er, well, provides the clearest, most direct pointing and stopped my searching.

As a healthcare provider with a penchant for evidence-based, scientific literature, Gary's clinical approach to systematically dismantling the "I" sense acted like a jackhammer on this particular cement head. I am now effortlessly noticing the mind during its increasingly feeble attempts, throughout the day, to re-establish itself in very subtle ways. Working with patients who have sustained aquired brain injury, stroke or one of the variety of dementias, I see the not-so-subtle evidence indicating that the sense of self is, indeed, a VERY fragile, malleable and erroneous concept.

Since the book's publication, there have been some really cool clinical trials incorporating functional MRI brain scans that (almost word for word) ascribe the same meaninglessness to free will that Gary purports throughout his book. It's amazing to me (now), the obviousness of this "preconscious" negotiation of life and, despite this, how entrenched the idea of me remains in most. This me idea (and that is TRULY all it is) is kind of like a cat held over a bathtub when its existence is initially questioned - full on, instinctual, self-preservation mode explodes on the scene. Gary provides a gentle pointing out of this at the book's beginning coupled with good advice to persist to the end.

I wholeheartedly second Gary's urging to let go of the plastic Fisher Price steering wheel you now have a death grip on (your hands are cramping up anyway) - any ideas of it actually being attached to any kind of wheel assembly is illusion. Sit back and enjoy the ride!

gary crowley's new book, will clear any confusion that the apparent seeker has. clear and to the point there is nobody that makes any decisions. the consciousnees that has been there all along is pointed out.this is a must read , gary is next in line for the guru podium, will be looking out for his next work. marc josef, port washington, ny.

Gary Crowley's book is a fine example of utilizing the principle of Occam's Razor in the creative process. Whatever material, no matter how esoteric or interesting, that does not relate to the primary hypothesis, is excluded. The result is a concise, precise, and eminently readable tome on the subject of Oneness or Nonduality.
The gist of the book is an explication of what has been called the "perennial philosophy", which has crossed spatial and temporal borders and found its way into the heart of most, if not all, major religions throughout history (prior to the obscuration of the message by political, cultural, and social forces serving a personalized agenda).
Crowley hypothesizes that "humanness", or individual personal characteristics, are the result of genetic and conditioning factors over which the individual has no volitional control. This notion jibes with the predominant scientific and medical viewpoint that we are, indeed, the products of our predisposition and environment.
The result of this contention renders the notion of "free will" irrelevant, and the concept of an individual entity, separate from the all-encompassing Oneness (Awareness) that represents the totality of what is, is rendered ridiculous and seen as the fundamental "problem" of our existence.
Crowley maintains that "enlightenment" already exists in the ever-present here-and-now, and the failure to recognize this fact is due to the belief in a self-created, self-maintained ego-driven persona which directs our lives utilizing (apparent) choice and volition.
In the clearest, most concise attempt I've encountered to dispel this fundamental illusion and introduce the notion of Nonduality, Crowley bypasses the scientific chauvinisn and name-dropping frequently associated with "scholars" who, for the most part, confuse the spiritual seeking with its actual attainment, thus perpetuating the myth of an arduous, complicated, and lenghty "path" to self realization.
If, indeed, the final realization of enlightenment is an act of grace, many readers will, afer finishing this book (I recommend several readings, by the way), find themselves in a position to more readily recognize this gift and integrate it into theie lives.
The clarity and simplicity of Crowley's work brings to mind a powerful, although somewhat unsophisticated, acronym found in the halls of Alcoholics Anonymous: K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid!)
Great job, Gary---many will benefit from your efforts.