Customer Reviews

Do You Do It or Does It Do You?: How to Let the Universe Meditate You

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Having read Alan Watts decades ago, I was familiar with his work, but had forgotten just how brilliant and inspiring his writings are. One of the true (and vastly under-appreciated) stars of 20th Century philosophy, Watts' spoken essays are simply astounding.

His voice is clear and soothing, with a soft British accent. His ideas are powerful and incredibly lucid. He strings together profound ideas gleaned from Buddhist and Hindu thought, weaving them into poetic braids of enlightenment and inspiration. Lest you worry these will be enigmatic zen-type teachings, rest assured they are conversational in tone and accessible to everyone. It's like listening to a favorite professor espousing lessons that are at once simple yet monumental.

This is a perfect audio backdrop for meditative or shamanistic exploration, or for anyone wishing to reconnect with the power and glory of the universe. They're relaxing, and profound enough to be listenable over and over, reinforcing the positive mindset they generate. Unlike some modern philosophers and self-help gurus, Watts never stoops to maudlin reminiscing or cheesy pop philosophy.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's a four-disk set when it arrived. Each disk is worth the price of the set. Watts' beautiful and elegant words come to life, even more impressive and inspirational than they are in written form... which is saying a lot.

Everyone is talking about Eckhardt Tolle these days. Just by coincidence, I was reading the New Earth and listening to this audio series by Alan Watts. And while I enjoyed everything Tolle said, I was completely immersed in Alan Watts. He has a way of saying things playfully yet clearly. It felt as if Eckhardt was just rehashing Alan Watts and not as artfully, honestly.

So I can't recommend this series highly enough. I know it will stay on my iPod for many years and many years. I am here on Amazon to buy more by Alan Watts! If you like him, you can find a podcast series on iTunes that is amazing.

I am reminded of "the snake" analogy daily in my mind...."which part of the snake moves it? The top or the bottom?" This is the play of inner and outer consciousness...and well said by Alan Watts.

Besides the `words,' I just enjoy listening to Alan Watts' voice. It isn't aloof or pedantic, but he does speak with authority. As for the `words,' though, he does have something to say. I like it when people move you out of your own narrow-minded box and present something other than what you have always perceived as being `the truth.' Alan Watts does this for me.
"Spiritual entertainer" -- very good, Alan!

Alan Watts is a poetic philosopher who was very popular in the sixties and still has a strong following. To you The Power of Now fans, his work is far beyond Eckhart Tolle - there is no comparison. Read Cloud Hidden, The Book, Zen and the Beat Way, Seeds of Genius, In My Own Way, Nature Man and Woman - and eventually, all of his books. You'll get addicted to his voice. He makes sense. He's comforting. He's wise. Listening to him speak is even better than reading the books. He speaks with an accent that fits his eloquence. Once you hear him, you'll be drawn in and want to read everything he's written.

I love Alan Watts! He is an intelligent,innovative and entertaining speaker who presents Eastern philosophy in a manner that is both enlightening and amusing.

Truly amazing insights.
I enjoyed this CD immensely.
Added a new dimension to my thinking. Despite having read many books
on Zen and meditation, this cd set opened up to me a deeper dimension of understanding.
I hope it does the same for you.

It is quite fascinating to hear Alan Watt's voice having read his books over some time. The CD material paints a broad brush picture of Watts' thinking and still provides plently of food for thought. Very useful to take on long car drives and each time I listen I seem to hear something new or gain a new insight.

This changed my life. There are so many gems, but these really helped me: that there is no difference between what you do and what happens to you, you always do what you want, nature of space, "self" and "other" as two sides of the same coin...so many more. If you get what he is saying, it will change your life.

My favorite author and speaker on Zen buddhism. I was looking for a package such as this but everything was priced too far out of my range. A wonderful collection of his talks.

Pretty good Alan Watts find (at least the first three disks); not just a recapitulation of the more popular fragments from his amazing lecture career. Recommended!