Gerald Heard - The Perennial Philosopher

The first time these vital Gerald Heard articles have all been assembled in one book.

Gerald Heard: The Perennial Philosopher - Writings on Religion and Spirituality is a collection of 49 previously published religious and spiritual writings - ranging from Christianity to Vedanta to various spiritual practices - by influential author-historian-philosopher Gerald Heard (1889-1971). These writings demonstrate the trailblazing inroads Heard made both in disseminating the interfaith Vedanta movement in the West and in popularizing many leading-edge spiritual approaches and practices that are now commonplace.

Writings include the complete Voice of India and (except for one article) the complete Vedanta and the West series, and selected writings from other sources, including The Aryan Path, Christendom, The Christian Century, Faith and Freedom, Religion in Life, as well as a dynamic new compilation from Heard's three early 1940s spiritual books. Altogether, the articles in this collection span the years 1938 to 1963.

Editor John Roger Barrie writes, "Gerald Heard didn't follow trends; he set them. These visionary writings chart the trajectory of an informed spiritual voyager plotting an interreligious route through largely untraversed terrain, leaving a clearly defined trail for those following after. ...

"In this collection, Gerald's main focus is on Vedanta and Christianity. Moreover, he provides brilliant analyses of the human condition, inspired insights into human nature and the inner workings of the mind, intimate details of many spiritual processes, and he knowledgeably discusses various spiritual disciplines whereby a person may apply the principles of the Philosophia Perennis in order to bring about experiential spiritual realization."

This treasury of writings has been thoroughly edited to render them as clear as possible and, in keeping with contemporary usage conventions and sensibilities, to reflect inclusive, gender-neutral, and sensitive wording wherever possible. Five articles have been abridged to improve their readability. All told, this vital collection of diverse writings underscores Gerald Heard's enormous contributions to the spiritual praxis of the past and amply demonstrates his continuing relevance for today.

Contemporary and Classic Gerald Heard Endorsements"Gerald Heard enthusiastically lent his considerable literary and oratorical skills to disseminating the timeless, universal message of Vedanta, significantly furthering the movement started by Swami Vivekananda." (2024 endorsement) -Swami Sarvadevananda, Minister and Spiritual Leader of the Vedanta Society of Southern California"Gerald Heard was a revolutionary in the only revolution that matters: the revolution of consciousness, freeing us from the delusion of dualism and its violent politics of tribalism, for the realization of nondual reality and its politics of global love of and justice for all life. Gerald Heard: The Perennial Philosopher is a clarion call to join the revolution, awaken to truth, and heal the world." (2024 endorsement) -Rabbi Rami Shapiro, spiritual teacher, author of Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent, co-director of the One River Foundation"Heard's work-and he published a number of insightful books-was one of the ideological sources of the human potential movement and was also instrumental in the spreading of Vedanta in the Western hemisphere." (from Dr. Feuerstein's 2006 review of Heard's book, Pain, Sex and Time) -Georg Feuerstein, PhD, noted Indologist, Yoga scholar, prolific author"Gerald Heard had a brilliant mind ... I can truly say that he broadened my vision of religion and spirituality." (from 2003) -Dave Brubeck, world-renowned jazz composer"Gerald Heard was unrivaled as a catalyst for the propagation of Vedanta, largely because he sparked the interest of people who would, in turn, reach millions of others. His role in accelerating the evolution of consciousness in the West was huge, thanks to his impact on key movers and shakers in the consciousness movement." (from 2009) -Philip Goldberg, author of American Veda: From Emerson and the Beatles to Yoga and Meditation - How Indian Spirituality Changed the West"By far the person that has influenced me most is the former BBC science commentator and practicing mystic, lecturer, and spiritual advisor, Gerald Heard. ... It was not only his ideas that influenced me but his very being, which was distinctly numinous and unlike anything I had previously experienced or have since. ... In Gerald Heard I experienced what I would call the aura of sanctity." (from 2002) -Dr. (Hon.) Rhea A. White, founder/director of The Exceptional Human Experience Network"To many thoughtful readers of this generation, Gerald Heard's books give the impression of a mind almost uniquely profound, sensitive and original among contemporary writers." (from the 1940s) -The New Christianity"Gerald Heard is the spiritual godfather of this Western movement [i.e., the Vedanta philosophy during the 1940s]. ... Mr. Heard's controversial books are brilliantly and provocatively written." (from the March 1947 issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine) -Ellery Queen"Gerald Heard-as Huxley's spiritual mentor-must be acknowledged as true grandfather ... of the 'New Age, ' the '60's spiritual counterculture ... But I believe Gerald's vision both preceded and transcended the attempted spiritual revolution of the 1960's." (from 2008) -Charles E. Vernoff, Professor Emeritus of Religion at Cornell College, Iowa

Gerald Heard (1889-1971) was a well-known and influential author, philosopher, historian, and lecturer. Trained as a historian at Cambridge, he served as the BBC's first science commentator. Later in California, he founded and directed Trabuco College, which advanced comparative religious studies. His broad philosophical themes and scintillating oratorical style influenced many people. Heard wrote thirty-eight books, including his pioneering academic works, several popular devotional books, and a number of mysteries. for more information. John Roger Barrie has served since 2001 as literary executor of influential author, historian, and philosopher Gerald Heard (1889-1971). He has overseen reissues of 18 classic Gerald Heard titles.

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