#Alan watts books drivers#

He continued to write books and give seminars, which were often recorded and broadcasted over various radio stations (and still are today). This was an unpaid position, but by the time he left in 1962, he had a large following of loyal listeners. He spent several years studying Christian theology and other religious concepts in New York and later joined the faculty at the American Academy of Asian Studies in San Francisco, California (1951–1957).Īfter leaving the academy, he became a weekly speaker on a radio program run by the Pacifica Radio station KPFA in Berkeley. He wrote the first best-selling book on Buddhism, titled The Way of Zen (1957).Īfter getting married to his first wife, Watts and his wife moved to the United States. Since then, he’s published over 25 books on Zen, Taoism, and other philosophies. He published his first book in 1936 titled The Spirit of Zen. Watts was particularly interested in Zen Buddhism, which he considered to be the synthesis of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. This is what eventually led him to pursue his studies in the ways of Buddhism and other Eastern philosophies upon returning to London.

In his teens, Watts visited France, where he was exposed to Buddhism through an eccentric and wealthy family friend. Watts spent his childhood at strict Christian boarding schools - the indoctrination of which he viewed as “grim and maudlin.” He once wrote, “I was aesthetically fascinated with certain clarity, transparency, and spaciousness in Chinese and Japanese art. He was raised in a Christian household but quickly came to the realization that Christianity couldn’t quite answer his burning desire to understand the real meaning of life.Įarly on, Watts gained an interest in Asian culture through some art his mother had in their home. Birth & DeathĪlan Watts was born in South London in 1915. Let’s uncover the life and philosophy of Alan Watts.

#Alan watts books drivers#

He was one of the primary drivers of the counterculture in the 1960s and a proponent of the use of psychedelics as a tool for self-discovery and enlightenment.Īlan Watts died in 1973 but managed to attain digital immortality in the form of his many lectures on platforms like Youtube and through various podcasts and radio networks. He was loved for his ability to eloquently translate complex Eastern philosophical ideas for a Western audience. Imbued with playful takedowns of the idea that the Self is separate from the Whole, this book offers a fantastic entry point to the general themes of Watts’ work and views.Alan Watts was one of the most influential philosophers in modern history. Watts compellingly shares his own thoughts, and distills and adapts the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta to investigate what he believes to be the root of human conflict: that we each fundamentally misunderstand who we are.

If you’re looking a book that offers a general summary of Watts’ views, then his 1966 The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are is commonly thought to provide a good all-round starting point. The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, by Alan Watts After reading it, you’ll understand why Watts is famed for transposing profound philosophical insights from across the globe into accessible, engaging prose. This reading list consists of the best books by Alan Watts. Though criticized by some as simplifying or misrepresenting the works he sought to popularize, Watts is heralded by others as being a crucial figure in helping bridge the philosophical gap between East and West, and during his life he had significant supporters in the Zen community. He wrote over 27 books in his lifetime, and is best known for trying to bring Eastern philosophies and religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and Taoism to a Western audience. Alan Watts (1915 - 1973) was an English writer and popularizer of philosophy.