If you're interested in exploring the ways of Tao or Zen, you could find no better author than Alan Watts. According to Wikipedia,
I happen to have 6 of his books in my personal library:Alan Wilson Watts (January 6, 1915 – November 16, 1973) was a British philosopher, writer, speaker, who held both a master's degree in theology and a doctorate of divinity. Famous for his research on comparative religion, he was best known as an interpreter and popularizer of Asian philosophies for a Western audience.
He wrote more than 25 books and numerous articles on subjects such as personal identity, the true nature of reality, higher consciousness, meaning of life, concepts and images of God and the non-material pursuit of happiness. In his books he relates his experience to scientific knowledge and to the teachings of Eastern and Western religion and philosophy.
- Beyond Theology: The Art of Godmanship
- What is Tao?
- The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
- Tao: The Watercourse Way
- The Tao of Philosophy
- Taoism: Way Beyond Seeking
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Of all the various book I've read on Taoism over the last decade, the ones by Watts have caused me to look at the world anew. He asks many hard questions about our everyday existence and understanding of who we are and how we understand ourselves. To give you a taste of what I'm referring to, here's a video I found on YouTube.
For me, Watts is funny, irreverent, mystical, probing and intellectual. I've thoroughly enjoyed every book by him that I've read and, in fact, have read each of them at least twice. Each of his works is an experience to behold!
The only people who I believe would not understand the benefit of reading Watts are those who steadfastly refuse to think outside the box. Such individuals would be terrified each time he pushes the envelope of consciousness to its furthest extremes. It certainly might do such folks some good, but they might just self-combust in the process!
If you're interested in seeing yourself and the world around you in a new light, I can think of no better guide than Alan Watts!!!
The only people who I believe would not understand the benefit of reading Watts are those who steadfastly refuse to think outside the box. Such individuals would be terrified each time he pushes the envelope of consciousness to its furthest extremes. It certainly might do such folks some good, but they might just self-combust in the process!
If you're interested in seeing yourself and the world around you in a new light, I can think of no better guide than Alan Watts!!!
Alan Watts was an amazing human being!
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