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The Wisdom of Insecurity
 
 
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The Wisdom of Insecurity (Paperback)

by Alan W. Watts (Author) "BY ALL OUTWARD APPEARANCES OUR LIFE IS A SPARK of light between one eternal darkness and another..." (more)
Key Phrases: undivided mind, New York
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
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Product Description
An exploration of man's quest for psychological security and spiritual certainty in religion and philosophy.

From the Inside Flap
An exploration of man's quest for psychological security and spiritual certainty in religion and philosophy.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 160 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage (September 12, 1968)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0394704681
  • ISBN-13: 978-0394704685
  • Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,628 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #4 in  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > History
    #13 in  Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > Modern
    #16 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Theology > Philosophy

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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
BY ALL OUTWARD APPEARANCES OUR LIFE IS A SPARK of light between one eternal darkness and another. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
undivided mind
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York
New!
Concordance | Text Stats
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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Citations (learn more)
This book cites 11 books:
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The Wisdom of Insecurity
85% buy the item featured on this page:
The Wisdom of Insecurity 4.7 out of 5 stars (52)
$8.95
The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
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The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are 4.5 out of 5 stars (79)
$10.15
Become What You Are
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Become What You Are 4.4 out of 5 stars (8)
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The Way of Zen
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Customer Reviews

52 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (52 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Therapeutic Bible, November 30, 1999
By Jerry L. Brinegar, Ph.D. (Watkinsville, Georgia) - See all my reviews
I am a therapist that recommends this incredibly insightful book to most of my clients, especially those suffering from anxiety disorders and control issues. Alan Watts is a century ahead of his time. "For the animal to be happy it is enough that this moment be enjoyable." For man, we often miss this moment by trying to assure the next moment will be as enjoyable. Alan's book is required reading, in my opinion, for all therapists practicing therapy in this security obsessed world. Great book! One of my psychotherapy bibles!
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34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Quotes to Live By, May 1, 2000
By Joseph L. Rockne (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
I'm no longer sure how I bumped into this book. I'm sure it was from a review or a list of best books to read. In any event, I'm glad I did bump into.

Alan Watts writes about the obvious. But, like so many simple things, we need his clear and effective writing to see that what he says is truely obvious. Basically, we spend too much time planning and anticipating the future and too much time thinking about, lamenting and wishing to change the past. I have dogeared too many corners underlying too many quotes to reproduce them all here, but let me give you a flavor:

"If happiness always depends on the future, we are chasing a will-o-the-wisp that ever eludes our grasp, until the future,and ourselves,vanish in the abyss of death."

This quote is taped to the cover of my fanancial notebook that contains my financial portfolio data, 401K information and reams and reams of retirement plan calculations.

He also wrote:

"But tomorrow and plans for tomorrow can have no significance at all unlessyou are in full contact withthe reality of the present,since it is in the present and onlyin thepresent that you live. There is no other reality than present reality, so that, even if one were to live for endless ages, to live for the future would be to miss the point everlastingly."

This short book contains so many pearls, go get yourself a copy, pick some quotes, write them down, look at them, reread them (e-mail them to me) and get on with living today.

--Joe

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48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Short but good, March 26, 2003
By Ross James Browne (Atlanta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This book is an excellent place to start reading philosophy. _The Wisdom of Insecurity_ was obviously written for the layman, making it ideal for those who are new to this type of nonfiction. In it, Alan Watts explains to us various ways of accepting and dealing with anxiety and insecurity in spiritual matters. This technique of acceptance was clearly derived from the Hindu and Buddhist methods of establishing a calm and mellow outlook on life. Like these great Eastern religions, Alan Watts does not try to tackle issues of theological truth head-on, but instead sidesteps the eternal questions. This is not because he is incapable of dealing with more complex metaphysical issues - he does so in great depth in his other, longer works. Neither is this method of sidestepping our sources of anxiety an evasion of rational, empirical truth. This book is not a rigorous empiricist study, and never claimed to be. It is instead a psychotheapeutic work verging on the anti-intellectual, but at the same time embracing meditation and contemplation. Watts shows us ways to act out our love for wisdom and enlightenment by concentrating on the positive and accepting (but not dwelling on) disturbing questions which he considers to be unanswerable. This is not an atheistic work nor is it a tale of despair. This is a work infused with hope, while being mindful of the truth. It succeeds in treading a sort of middle ground between the love of knowledge and anti-intellectualism.

The only problem with this book is its short length, although some might consider this an advantage. If you are looking for a more in-depth and rigorous study, try _Behold the Spirit_ or _Psychotherapy East and West_, also by Alan Watts.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book Who's Central Message is Often Missed
While the thesis of this book (that existence is basically and fundamentally an uncertain and insecure endeavor and that our efforts at attaining security are futile) is... Read more
Published 5 months ago by E. Swidler

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Changing Text
This book has changed my life. For anyone that has experienced depression and anxiety, this book explains the evolutionary reason for these emotions. Read more
Published 12 months ago by L. Sadykov

5.0 out of 5 stars aware
this book although published in in 1951 gets right to the point of the human problem in todays society. Read more
Published 12 months ago by lucas

5.0 out of 5 stars a mind turning contemplative read.
whether or not one agrees with some of what is in this book, or none of it, this material will make one think. let your contemplative horizons break new ground. Read more
Published 13 months ago by David Stump

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book Changed/Grew My Life Perception
This book was one of my "bibles" when I was 15 years old. I remember turning the pages in awe, wonder, inspiration and the joy of clarity found. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Avocadess

2.0 out of 5 stars the sagacity of sheepishness
Worse "self-help" books exist. Problem is, this is just a primer for what you already know. Psychology East and West is Watt's most substantial book--head west young man.
Published 13 months ago by Alaric

5.0 out of 5 stars No words.
Just read this book and appreciate it like you would appreciate a fine Mozart composition.
Published 14 months ago by David

3.0 out of 5 stars over done
"The Wisdom of Insecurity" appeared to be a bit over done. Some very valuable points into a journey of self-discovery, however, too many words and not enough wisdom.
Published 14 months ago by N. Jeanette Baker

5.0 out of 5 stars The answer to all your questions is the question itself
A beautiful survey of how and why we cling to the illusion of security. That when we let go of this illusion and allow the fear to just be, it will subside and playfulness and... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Olaf van Kooten

4.0 out of 5 stars Turning point for Watts
I think this book is the earliest example of what would become Watts' philosophy as a whole. I don't really like the title, I think that Watts had something other in mind than... Read more
Published 19 months ago by J. A. Buhrer

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