This is the second Watts' book I've read, and it is by far my favorite of the two. However, if you're new to Watts and are not sure if you'll like his work, my recommendation would be to find some of his free lectures online and listen to those first. Watts' words packed more of a wallop in the spoken form; however, he uses his words economically either way, so I've found myself having to listen and re-listen to the same lectures again and again to catch and fully understand the conclusions he reaches during his treatment of this subject matter.
As for Eastern theology: I do not have much background in this topic, but I did complete an Introduction to Buddhism class several years ago in college. And although I understood the "what" of the material presented in class and in the textbooks, I didn't get the "why" -- as in, why should anyone, especially a Westerner, attempt to apply Buddhist teachings and philosophy to his or her life. Moreover, the class material felt cold and inaccessible to me; it seemed this Eastern thought summed me up as an insignificant speck who was doomed to miserably repeat myself after death again and again, in lesser or greater lifeforms, over and over again until I finally understood what this class never could teach me, and then I'd finally die. Poof. That's it. No meaning, no understanding. And so, I wondered, why should I care or even believe in this stuff?
Some years later, I listened to Watts' lectures and noticed that he talked about the "why" -- why Buddhist thought and practice should matter, what it really means, and how it can help make sense of my own existence. What a novel concept! To make heady, cerebral, cryptic, esoteric theology digestible to the average schlub eager to learn! That's what Watts did, and he did it even better in this book. And more to the point, he doesn't even limit his message to an analysis of Buddhism. In fact, if such references to the aforementioned theology were made, then I didn't catch them. He just talks about "what is,"and that is significant to us all, regardless of philosophical/theological bent.
Although it is only 159 pages long, it is deceptively dense. Again, Watts uses his words economically. Although at first glance, a reader might be tempted to think he's rambling aimlessly, but I can assure you he's not. He maintains his focus like a laser beam of light. He doesn't waste a single word or thought on the reader, but the reader will most certainly have to either linger on certain sentences, or go back and read them again until the idea is grasped.
I know the man is long dead and gone, but if I could ever say one thing to him, I'd say this -- thank you, thank you, for making ancient mystical teachings and practice so clear, so understandable. I laughed, I cried, I think I'm finally beginning to understand that which I was never meant to understand.
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You won't regret it
This book is definetly one of the best books I have ever read. If you have even the slightest interest in eastern philosophy you will love this book. I read it in about 5 days and I found myself thinking about what I read for the next week I knew then I'd be buying a lot of Alan watts books. But this is definetly his masterpiece in my opinion even though he has written plenty of other great books.
Top reviews from other countries
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Dan FernoReviewed in Mexico on August 15, 2024
Llegó muy bien, buen libro
Me gusta mucho Alan Watts y éstas ediciones son buenas, tal vez son algo costosas pero me han agradado todas hasta ahora.Llegó muy bien, buen libroDan Ferno
Reviewed in Mexico on August 15, 2024
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- Richard HolmesReviewed in Canada on June 17, 2024
An essential guide to clear thinking.
- PlaceholderReviewed in India on March 1, 2024
Alan watts is love
I like it.Alan watts is lovePlaceholder
Reviewed in India on March 1, 2024
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