What is the common ground between Western psychiatry and Eastern philosophy, and what has each to learn from the other? Alan Watts found a common principle that, intentionally or otherwise, seems to be used wherever therapy is trying to overcome man's false sense of himself as an isolated ego -- an ego that traps him in a perpetual flight from death and loneliness. In varying ways and degrees, both Eastern philosophy and Western psychotherapy engage the individual in experiments that vividly reveal the fallacy of this conception and give him a new feeling of identity.
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What is the common ground between Western psychiatry and Eastern philosophy, and what has each to learn from the other? Alan Watts found a common principle that, intentionally or otherwise, seems to be used wherever therapy is trying to overcome man's false sense of himself as an isolated ego -- an ego that traps him in a perpetual flight from death and loneliness. In varying ways and degrees, both Eastern philosophy and Western psychotherapy engage the individual in experiments that vividly reveal the fallacy of this conception and give him a new feeling of identity.
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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
His Best Work.,
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This review is from: Psychotherapy East and West (Mass Market Paperback)
Vastly underrated and tragically out of print, _Psychotherapy East and West_ is Alan Watts' greatest work, and is one of the greatest works of psychology/philosophy of the twentieth century written in English. This book is also an ideal introductory course to the psychology of Carl G. Jung. Anyone who wants to read Jung should read this first (even though it came later) because it encompasses all of Jungs key concepts in an ultra-concentrated yet remarkably readable form. That is not to say that Jung is unreadable, because he most certainly is a great, easily translatable writer. But Alan Watts had the advantage of writing in English, and for this reason I believe _Psychotherapy East and West_ is THE ULTIMATE introduction to psychology for the Anglo-American reader. It represents the new wave of fusion psychology/philosophy/religious Asian cusine. No longer should all these fields be separated. Alan Watts and Carl Jung together have succeeded in combining the fields of psychology, philosophy, theology, and anthropological mythology. This is the new wave of generalized spiritual enlightenment which is also unbiased, critical, sceptical and truthful. It has spawned such other great authors as Julian Jaynes and Terrance McKenna. The best thing about this new kind of psychotherapy is that it is not cold and pretentious with regard to religion, but is tolerant and advocating of any type of belief system which enhances people's well being and mental health. Because it is nevertheless rigorous in uncovering the truth, it resembles Eastern Buddhism. Keep in mind that Buddhism makes no firm and unverifiable claims regarding the existence of God or an afterlife; it is simply a stategy for living one's life in the most enjoyable way possible, and _Psychotherapy East and West_ does an excellent job in making this way of life accessable to Americans. This book is the ultimate alliance of belief, spirtuality, psychotherapy, and mental well-being on the one hand, and truthful, critical philosophy on the other. It does not wish to insulate people from spiritual crises and keep them suspended in naive belief, but introduces us to a new wave of spiritualism that is hardened by scepticism and impervious to doubt. While some philosophy might pride itself on debunking unverifiable beliefs, it does not provide a solution to man's broken and neurotic psychological condition due to his lost spirituality. _Psychotherapy East and West_, on the other hand, is respective of truth, critical and sceptical, yet provides firm answers as to how we can avoid the neuroses and depression that might result from an upending of our spiritual beliefs. Unconditionally recommended. One of my top five books of all time, of any genre.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
cream of the practical zen/tao/buddhist/castaneda offerings,
By A Customer
This review is from: Psychotherapy East and West (Mass Market Paperback)
I have many books covering the eastern mental and behavioral teachings; taoist, buddhist, zen, meditation,including DT Suzuki, Watts, Trungpa, the Dhali Llama, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, and have snaked through almost all of Castaneda's books. This particular book by Watts slams the topic down with intense clarity, with more power and direct, practical relevance than most books that cover eastern thought. It is intense, challenging, and Watts plows through relentlessly, viewing many cultural habits, and vindicating his central thesis with precision, humour and always good intentions. I have highlighted, re-read, dog-eared and referenced this book the most. Where Lao Tzu could seem overly refined and get vague, Watts turns the table and gets to the nitty gritty with powerful rewards, yet never losing the scope, the reflections, the principle and process that blend with the product. In addition to Edward De Bono and Carlos Castaneda arguing the same point, Watts here also gives intense support to the value and practical applications of HUMOUR in our lives. I love this freedom. If I died tomorrow, and someone wanted to know what my top 50 books list was, this one would be in the top 5.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Comparison of Two Roads to One Destination,
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This review is from: Psychotherapy East and West (Mass Market Paperback)
The ultimate goal is freedom, self-expression, & authenticity in the world we occupy. Alan W. Watts compares the Chinese/Buddhist approach and modern Western psychological techniques for developing a clear consciousness and insight into behavior, life, and relationships. The psychological double-bind is examined via the roles and expectations of society. Buddhist techniques for liberation and Western psychological techniques are explored ... most telling is the discourse that one needs "to escape the therapist's trap" [p. 184, c.1961 Pantheon Books] plus, "social authority contains a contradiction from which natural authority is free, and self-contradiction so basic that its perpetuation must destroy society and drive men to madness". Yet, Watts acknowledges that separation from society, with emphasis on individual uniqueness, is to a great extent, a mistake. The more one explores human behavior, the discovery is made that the individual is connected with and part of the whole be it society, the world, or LIFE. The interconnectedness of everything becomes apparent. It is the relationship of patterns which makes a person a whole human being. This recognition of belonging, helps dissolve the boundaries of the ego and makes a person feel less trapped and free. The ultimate parodox is ... the individual obtains freedom, by the awakening that he/she belongs ... Classic Buddhist conundrums are viewed through the author's eyes. Emotional traps set by Western society are explored. Alan W. Watts provides an excellent discourse on the paths to liberation and the emotional ties which bind people into feeling limited, and unfulfilled as well as a methodology to escape the traps. Erika Borsos (erikab93)
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